zacsmimi

Ive got to agree... what happened sucks but it is NOT uncommon. I wouldnt decide all management is bad. Obviously the place you were isnt something you wanted to keep knowing how they operate in the end. A resignation is MUCH better on your record than a termination. Dont let that bitterness consume you, Move on, find your next step and keep on keepin' on. Good luck.

I hope to God I never feel that way. I love nursing as much as I did while I was wide eyed in school. Cherry Ames was my hero from about age 12 on. But yeah, Ive been attacked... by hysterical patients, drug abusers, prisoners, psych patients, and patients with dementia. I didnt read all seven pages of this string but I cant help but wonder how many of these violent episodes reported by nurses could have been prevented if the staff was more aware? (I dont mean those of you who had the horrible attacks meant to destroy you...) The majority of this kind of violence I really think can be prevented. For one thing - physically forcing another person to do ANYTHING they dont want to do is against the law; violating patient rights. We need to teach our nurses how to de-escalate situations, not add to them. That said - of course, defend yourself. If you find yourself in a situation thats dangerous, get out of it - call for help, STOP what you are doing and step back. Being justified in your actions isnt going to heal fractures. Stay aware, alert and remember YOUR attitude says a lot about how people are going to respond to you.

Im so sorry you are experiencing all this. I really think that you are going to face more trouble until you take this straight to management... you cannot focus on the "problem" child. They will figure that out for themselves. You need to focus on specifics - lack of professionalism when you were late, concern at coworkers "absence". If you direct this at her, and how lousy SHE is it will all splash back on you. This has to be about how it affects patient care, communication on the unit, etc. By getting into the drama (talking to the neice, etc etc) you lower yourself to her level and greatly decrease your credibility with management. Anon letters almost NEVER stay anon and further more, look bad. Take a deep breath and see if there is another unit you might be happier on? You arent going to get her out = and she makes life miserable for you. So move on...

If they are about to let you care for patients without a certification I would be worried. Graveyard is hard to learn on... always short staffed, etc... better training at the PCA job... can always move on if you dont get enough hours.

I hear what you are saying. I cant change ratios and salary. I understand the obstacles. Help me know what I can say that will encourage them. I know that motivation comes from within - and I do believe that professionalism can be taught (like, manners)... people arent in this field for the glamour... :bowingpurso there has to be a common thread of decency and caring about others at the core of most, right? I need to sell the idea that a lack of professionalism hurts the patient - even when not directed at them. Thats the rub.

This is to help me with a presentation I am working on (see thread "help me encourage CNAs) tell me why you are a CNA and why you love it.:heartbeat

i am a nursing educator and i travel to several different ltcs. i have been asked to create a presentation for cnas; something to motivate them, help them with professionalism, attitude, cooperation, teamwork, all that good stuff. i have a clear idea of what nurses need to hear about cnas- you are vital to patient care, you need to be respected, you need to be listened to and taken seriously, etc. i am not so sure how to directly reach out to the aides as the focus of a presentation. i want to encourage them and motivate them to work as a team and remember why they became a caregiver in the first place. i know how to work the floor successfully with cnas. what can i say or teach in a presentation that will motivate the cnas to be the best they can be - even if the nurses arent where they need to be? (we are working on that, too...) the biggest issues i am finding are problems in the ranks - i.e.; drama on the floor between the cnas; cnas not wanting to train new hires, resenting nurses and administration changes, griping, lack of professionalism, loss of excellent patient care... dont get me wrong, this isnt everyone. we have great cnas out there. we have some that used to be great that are kind of lost... some that are still learning, and of course, same as anywhere, some that just shouldnt be in this field. i am wide open to suggestions... hit me! thanks:heartbeat

Mom, age 86. Suspected GI bleed due to weakness and low Hematocrit. Colonoscopy today. I am a RN which means next to nothing when the patient is your own mom (lol)... the GI doc found a "growth". I was in there, I saw it on the screen. It was big, and it was ugly, and yes, it was bleeding. He biopsied it... and I said, "what are the chances that is benign?" and he said, None, really. I asked who he would send his mom to, and he picked up the phone and called the surgeon right then. They called me back within the hour! THe "growth" is at the juncture between the transverse colon and the decending colon. He was not able to get past it with the scope. Obviously one concern is avoiding a possible bowel obstruction... I didnt even THINK of staging things... She is in pretty good shape for 86 but, she is 86...Mom had breast CA 40 years ago but has been clean since. She has no other comorbidities... she had her aortic valve replaced a year ago; and she swore she would not have any more surgery. Im trying to prepare for what the surgeon may say and for questions from the family...the GI doc said maybe it could be repaired laporoscopically (sp!)... and that the growth was about 2" X 3"... thoughts?

I worked in corrections with zero training in advance, never did get any self defense training. The officers are like any other people- some are good and some arent so good. I never saw any really out of line stuff... occasional questionable... but nothing ever way out of line. Was never attacked. Inmates desperately want to be SEEN. Look them in the eye, treat them straight, with respect and directness. They will appreciate it. I never let any of them tell me why they were in. That helped me be sure that I was not predjudiced. Ask questions at your interview. Find out what you would be responsible for. Lots of mental illness and drug abuse, and most of them are grateful for medical care. I loved the work, hated the politics.

Mom, age 86. Suspected GI bleed due to weakness and low Hematocrit. Colonoscopy today. I am a RN which means next to nothing when the patient is your own mom (lol)...(my background is Geriatrics/Hospice...) the GI doc found a "growth". I was in there, I saw it on the screen. It was big, and it was ugly, and yes, it was bleeding.(I've never seen the inside of the colon before but I knew that thing I was looking at did not belong there...) He biopsied it... and I said, "what are the chances that is benign?" and he just shook his head. I asked who he would send his mom to, and he picked up the phone and called the surgeon right then. They called me back within the hour! We see her on Monday. The "growth" is at the juncture between the transverse colon and the descending colon. He was not able to get past it with the scope. Obviously one concern is avoiding a possible bowel obstruction... I didnt even THINK of staging things... She is in pretty good shape for 86 but, she is 86...Mom had breast CA 40 years ago but has been clean since. She has no other comorbidities... she had her aortic valve replaced a year ago; and she swore she would not have any more major surgery. Im trying to prepare for what the surgeon may say and for questions from the family...the GI doc said maybe it could be repaired laporoscopically... (I KNOW I am not spelling that right!) and that the growth was about 2" X 3"...but he was estimating... thoughts? Unusual to call the surgeon like that? Risk of obstruction enough to get everyone moving so fast? Seriously- could an entire resection be done with a lap? At her age is the standard of care just surgery? (I cant imagine her agreeing to undergo chemo or radiation)... this may sound like a really dumb question but... doesnt taking those biopsies increase risk of the cancer cells spreading? Can anyone help me sort some of this out? I realize you cant diagnose anything but Im looking for some inside preparation... thanks

LPNs are not used in Hospice here. Sad, but true. Nor in home health much if at all. Doctors offices, LTC settings, substance abuse... "lumped with CNA" is probably a bit drastic but they definitely are not as employable as RN and dont get as much pay. You will have a real shock from CA to ME for $$... but its a whole different way of life here. I disagree with the poster that says there is no shortage. Everywhere I know is hiring... but its true - LPNs are not used in the hospitals. (Which I personally think is crazy but who asked me?)

SMCC is a good program, and VERY intense. Hard to work, too, but it can be done if you are a strong student. Central Maine's is similar... no where is easy to get in unless you have a lot of pre-reqs under your belt... the poster was right about having the BSN done before the ADN with their waiting list... but if you decide you want it, none of that should slow you down. DO read ALL the details, know them by heart. PS CNA ALWAYS helps in nursing school!

New degree: MSN-Ed. Offered position in LPN school. Have been teaching clinical part time to get a feel for the waters... and not at all sure I like what I see...Ive been there now a month. Its a new program, stuggling to get off the ground... not enough instructors (in fact, an alarming turn-around)... Seem to be very "corporate" driven by the "home office" on opposite coast... Went to my first meeting with staff today and it was all I could do not to jump up and run out. 45 minute discussion on nursing care plans, and why they are or are not needed and how many they should do and for how long... round and round and round... then another hoo-rah about the clinical evaluation "tool" which has to be one of the poorest I have ever seen... so they are looking into another but it will take another month minimum to process... The students get 6 weeks of clinical - once a week - before they are changed to another site. Am I off my rocker to think that is nuts? It seems they are just getting their feet wet when they have to move on... I really love teaching the students. I really hate the apparent mentality and focus of the school (more interested in absence rates and effective discipline than good teaching methods)... I know its still too early to tell for certain - but am I wasting time after knowing that 6 faculty members have quit in the past 3 months? (Leaving a total of 4 full time, 2 adjunct...and openings galore?)

I agree with mom, 100%. Tell the truth, straight up.

Im on the opposite coast but I wanted to say Congratulations! How very exciting and what a huge change.... I moved from Maine to Texas as a new grad and the culture shock was almost as draining as the new career. Take time to take care of yourself. Keep in touch with home and your support systems. THink of it as a little bit more school... with that kind of focus. Good luck! UCLA - WOW!!!

What to say is never the same thing. And its never really enough. If the goal is to make you feel better about your discomfort, etc, it will elude you. The goal is to comfort the patient. And sometimes that is the arm around the shoulder, the sip of ice water and lotion on the back, and sometimes its being very realistic... it varies. Show them that you care, and that you want to help, and yes - HOW CAN I HELP YOU is never out of line. Even if they dont know what to tell you at least they know you want to help. Im so sorry. I know it must really hurt. Its so unfair. After a death I find that often families appreciate a chance to chuckle, even a little... comments about the one who has passed on and what they would have said, or how they would have reacted to something... or that they made a grand exit, or a quiet one... gets more positive reactions than you might think. The KEY to all of this is to focus on THEM and what they need and not spend time feeling helpless and unsure. It will come with time, Good luck.

It will happen less with experience. Know that what you have to say is important and that your patient depends on you, and just press on.

This is too complicated for an easy answer. There are a few things to consider: 1. Always leave a decent notice. At least 2 weeks. Less than that is seen as unprofessional. 2. Are you in some sort of precepting program? If so, they might appreciate knowing sooner rather than later if you plan to leave (rather than invest time and money training you first). 3. An interview does not guarantee a job. SHHH until you know. Go ahead, interview, Good experience. Talk to them about your dilemma. They will appreciate knowing that you dont want to screw your current employer. However, to think that you dont want them to know you would leave for a better job, then they would assume you are independently wealthy. We ALL leave for better jobs. Its all about HOW we do it, how graceful and honest we are, etc. Good luck!

Dont sweat it. Let it go, move on. More mistakes and learning opportunities await you. You will never be perfect - none of us are. Just do your best and remain vigilant. You will be reassuring someone else in a couple of years!

I have to say Im not surprised by the original post OR the responses. I agree with the ones who warn you to be careful with criticism - it can come back to bite you in more ways than you could imagine. I remember as a new grad so many older nurses teasing me and saying I was "soft" and that would change... I decided right then if it ever did, I would leave nursing. Im glad to report, it did not. I am wiser, I see the bigger picture more often, but I also see the lack of compassion. My personal opinion is that many nurses care... but dont really know how to be compassionate. This CAN be learned - it isnt only warm/fuzzy people who can be compassionate. I hope to write a book on that very subject some day. But that aside... words to the new grad..."speaking up" will kill you where you stand unless you are very cautious about why and when you do so. Treat your own patients as you see fit. Offer to help out the other ones (the patient is puking, the nurse is on her way to lunch... offer to medicate him for her) now this too, can backfire, but it is an example of how you can lead by example... and it might just remind her whats important... Above all, be careful not to judge , even when it seems obvious. If I could go back and reserve judgement a few dozen times in my career I would have learned a lot more and suffered a lot less. That said: good for you for putting the patient first. (THis does not mean you shouldnt take time to pee.) But we are there to provide excellent care. Always. Dont lose sight of that. Good luck!!

I find myself surprised that I am unsure of how to list my newly earned masters degree. In addition to this, I am sorry to admit that I dont really know the difference between BS and BSN; and MS vs. MSN... ( I know what they stand for; I just dont know what makes them different... if they are...) I earned a masters of science in Nursing, specializing in nursing education... So do I list my name, RN, BSN, MSN? or just my name, RN, MSN? silly me...

I disagree with the idea that the goal of a good death is to die consciously. While I applaud the concept, my experience has been that the goal of helping patients die should ALWAYS be based on what the PATIENT wants.

I thought that the theory was the biggest crapload I ever saw. Then something dawned on me this summer during a research course (of all things) and now I get it. I still am not sure I really NEED it but its not a bad idea to pick one or two of them and immerse yourself so that you really get it. Then when you have to write something for someone that includes a theorist's viewpoint you are all set :) They make you do even more of it in grad school.

I am a student at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. Its an online program and my Master's will be in Nursing Education. I hope to finish this May. I like it...

Originally Posted by countryhick I would love to participate. I am enrolled in an online MSN program. I found one other student who is attending Indiana State Online Nursing Program. Are there any others? Do you know of any good online programs out there? Would like to hear from you. I am enrolled in the MSN distance ed program at St Josephs college in Maine. Ironically I live close enough to go on campus if I need to. Im carrying 9 credits this summer (on sabattical)...