jbeck817

Some nurses that bullied me and were let go from my old department d/t neglecting patients went to the BON and stated that I failed to protect a patient by letting her out of restraints. First, I am so disheartened that people who perpetuate lateral violence can do this Second, I am so disheartened that my livelihood and something that I am truly good at, nursing, could disappear from my life. I am trying to keep the faith but my heart hurts. Thank you for listening

When I graduated I didn't make a big deal because it was a second degree. But a friend (not that close) is graduating from nursing school next week and I want to get her something that would be a good graduation present. I'd like to keep it relatively inexpensive because shes not a close friend. What do you guys think would be good?

I am somewhat new to nursing. Have been doing it for a year. The first med/surg floor I worked was very much like what your situation now is like. My decision was to apply for a different unit where I wasn't being abused. This treatment should not be the norm. (I had to wait 6 months first according to policy) Now I am pretty satisfied with nursing. Let me tell you that when I first left that horrible unit, my confidence has gone down to a zero. I even questioned myself, "Can I even do this?" It's been several months and the confidence is slowly coming back. IMO, the situation you described is inappropriate and not conducive to becoming a good nurse. Money isn't everything, your worth comes first. The learning you can take from it is to NEVER "eat your young."

I did social work with abused women.

There's this older gentleman at work who is a CNA. When you ask for help moving or feeding the patients, he constantly states, "I'm just the CNA." I don't know where this comes from and it ticks me off because he always says this. He also wears a white coat buttoned of course, and the patients frequently refer to him as a doctor, as in, "That doctor just brought me my dinner!" He NEVER corrects them. We had one confused little lady who refused to take pills from me (a female in scrubs) and took them right away when he was in the room. The little lady said, "I'll do anything for my doctor!" He is so self-depreciating and it is driving me batty! It doesn't seem very professional either. Any suggestions about what I could do? (Oh and I've already tried saying that he should not refer to himself as "just the CNA" because nurses couldn't work well without CNAs)

This is ridiculous because a)you are NOT a student anymore and b)you have your own damn license and not just anyone can acheive that. When this happened to me, I talked to my preceptor. We tried it again but she finally understood that it was her not me, and we requested a different preceptor through the nurse educator. My new preceptor totally understood the concept of letting a new grad actually BE the nurse. She was an inspiration to me and the kind of preceptor that I want to be. She was in my corner from day one and I can't tell you what a relief that was. It is difficult but try to hang. These are what will make you a good nurse and eventually a good preceptor. :balloons:

I always tell fellow staff that Protonix should be in the hospital water system....HAHAHAHA:lol2:

IMO, the doctor spends a small (10-15min) amt. of time with their patient. The nurse assigned to a group of patients often ends up noticing the intricacies of the pt's physical condition and notifies the doctor accordingly. I also think that we nurses are there on the "front lines" and truly obtain a whole picture of the pt's needs-and notify the doctor if we need to. We get to know them for a brief amount of time-but much longer than their doctor. Does that help?

Do you think Bush is looking to win the war on poo???????

I am on Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant Approx. 65% of the nurses on my unit have stated that they are taking an anti-depressant, some in combo. w/therapy. It is not that we hate nursing. It is that the emotional situations/interactions that are presented to us (by co-workers, physicians, families, patients etc.) on a daily basis are so over-the-top and so frequent, that anything involving self-care is needed and appreciated. Sometimes exercise, spirituality, the support of friends, family, etc. does not cut it emotionally. :wink2:

I know exactly where you are. I am an 2004 grad, almost 7mo. in acute med-surg. I HAD to go part-time after 6 months. But it has been a good choice because I can call the shots now. The staffing office calls every day I don't work so I can have the kind of schedule I want, plus every shift outside of my normal is time and a half. Do you have that option? Sometimes the money just is not worth it...........you know, quality of life comes first? We gotta take care of ourselves............

That's what I'm talking about!!! We deal with such extremes of the emotional spectrum and the stories on the show would be amazing. I think there is alot of quirky, amusing things that we have to work with-there's where your comedy could come from. On this board alone, there's enough material for an entire season.

Boy there are lots of scenarios in our world. Doctors and ER folks have "ER", MD's have "Scrubs"-so I think we should have a TV show. Maybe a show about life in an acute care med-surg nursing unit, we see everyone for alot-even got a couple of pregnant ladies--and I've only been in med-surg for 7 mo! That would show the public what we all about! Let's discuss.......... Episode 1 is an intro to lets say, 7West...........

I agree! I have spoken with several seasoned nurses and fresh from nursing school nurses who agree it is nothing like it was or presented to us in clinicals or school. I have worked in several places too.........those I speak with agree...you JUST HAVE TO FIND YOUR PASSION in nursing. And switching to part-time has helped. I can pick up plenty of extra shifts and they are all OVERTIME! I'm happy with my choice. You hang in there.........:)

I went to Linfield (TWICE! got a BS and a BSN) and it's not that great. After graduating and working, you meet the nursing instructors for other schools. One finds out that Linfield gets only about half the med-surg experience compared to other schools. I think that Linfield is an overpriced graduate degree prep school. I am planning to get my master's, but c'mon folks you gotta work that student loan off somehow............:smackingf