Cola89

Not for me, it's not. I can do the work, I like most patients, but the work load and stress levels are too high for me to continue with bedside nursing till I retire. Everybody's different. You might be noticing that the general public is getting tougher to deal with; and that might be pushing people away quicker. Also - people have learned that employers aren't loyal to them.

I didnt really like the er I was working in bc the main doc always prescribed dilaudid and a ct for any small pain almost. We started ivs and gave fluids on almost everyone who came through our doors... not a thorough dr assessment, he just ordered iv blood work dilaudid or morphine ekg and ct on nearly everyone.

I think it would be nice to have 'just OASIS' nurses for the admissions-- since learning how to answer those questions requires much extra training and experience --that is to get it like the agency wants it.

You're not presumed to be a danger -- its just a matter of patient comfort ... maybe are anticipating that patients wont want male nurses in on a pelvic exam, because such nurses wouldnt want male nurses in that scenario?

Could you try a smaller facility - still work er though? I recently went from small er to home health and although I wasn't totally confident in my er abilities I really think I was a better fit for er. You might really regret a cubicle position if you're like me, you like er partly because you want to get in, fix what's the main problem, then get out. You probably don't like burocracy and paperwork and you'd probably have to deal with a lot of both at an office job (!) and I know, a lot of pts are 'jerks' or very entitled. But you get to move them along faster when working in the ed. I feel sorry for step down nurses.

... Or, are each of you expected to do admissions / OASIS to home health? At my agency, we do Resumptions, Admissions, and Recerts ... and revisits Might see up to 8 pts a day, if we're busy (and we usually are) We have to take call 2x per week.

It has good and bad aspects like any job, I suppose.

FYI- I don't have negative interactions with the majority of people I meet, but I do have difficulty staying upbeat at times - I often don't trust new people I meet - I often assume people won't / can't understand me, so I don't open up around coworkers (although I do talk and try to keep conversation light). You have a good point about the counseling; I am looking into that.

it is hard on your hands. hand cream, not just regular lotion will help!

Ok, it might be when you work for a not-for-profit facility, I don't know how stringent they are about the 'neediness' of the area. You can get on a payment program that is based on your income level no matter what, I think. And if you work full time for a not-for-profit company as a nurse, then after 10 years of payments (per what they determine for your income level), I think you are done with paying loans. Go on the government website for find out for sure. As for me, I'm just paying as much as I can, as quick as I can. It's really burdensome. Truly. Cost of living has gone up exponentially, wages have stayed the same since 2002. Employers of nurses still continue to treat us like arbyss workers. No respect, and while it's possible to get full-time hours, too much of the time it's while only working and getting part-time benefits. And this is why the class gap in America is widening...

SmilingBlu, I'm not ___ enough to work in middle management. Their harsh judgment of others and rude behavior is what I'm judging. Also, collecting a check while letting everyone around you down. No, not all of them of course, but enough of em that I'm starting to notice a pattern. I can take the 'check yourself' comments as constructive criticism / well-meaning advice. I've gone through a lot lately and I don't know how to keep positive and keep smiling. I am really starting to believe people are just mean and uncaring. I am not. I am nice and kind hearted. Quiet. I don't like hurting others. So, while I might have a negative air about me, even after self reflecting, I really don't categorize myself as a jerk.

Never heard of it, but I definitely feel your pain ((hugs))

I mean, I would mention that, but I might not give the best career advice.

Jobs aren't falling off trees around here. Hiring nurse managers seem to want consistent experience, so if I leave without a certain length of time put in at a position.... I'm sure I'll get crap for it (and have, I'm actively looking) Those are two reasons. I can't control how any other person acts including my manager / employer. I'm big on changing what I can --- and understand what I can't. And it might sound like I'm just complaining, but I'm really also looking for support, encouragement, understanding, words of wisdom &/or insight... whatever useful information I can get

I wish my NM was like your current one. Almost all of the nurse managers I've had just wanted AWAY from bedside and refused to help pitch in whatsoever. Some have been more vocal about it than others

Why are you following what I'm doing so closely? Are you a crappy nm too? It doesn't matter if a nurse has a gazillion years of carefully strategized experience, s/he might not necessarily be a good manager. I'm surprised hospitals are still filling managerial positions with these nurses who couldn't care less about their subordinates, the patients, or nursing in general. They should hire MBAs, real business professionals and be done with it.

Thank you. Yes, I have (another) bad nurse manager. It has happened over and over, which is my point. Others I have worked with would agree. This particular one is abusive and gave me my first and only performance evaluation 10 months into my position. It was quite a bad review, and I was blind-sided, because I had no idea there was any issue at all. Much, if not all of the review was based on gossip. I had been looking around at other positions, and it seems like once word got out, this was an attempt at retaliation. Absolutely unprofessional. Yet, I am not the 'manager', so it will probably be assessed as my fault by the next employer. I hate nursing, because I get as little respect as if I worked at taco he11. Only with student loans, liability, and CEUs to keep up with. It's crap.

I have, and it's not me. I'm nice, and polite. Coming from another career, I am seriously noticing this rude jerk trend amongst long-time nurses my own age. So, they have several years behind and ahead in their careers if they so choose to keep on being nurses. It's like they don't like other nurses, or being a nurse, etc, etc. Just wondering why they don't make a career change, rather than ruin things for newbies?

Is nursing a field much like law enforcement, that attracts people who are rude, harsh and likely have personality disorders? Just wondering because, I'm not joking... the majority of my nurse managers and supervisors were long time nurses who seemed to be on some power-wielding trip. Like they had something to prove and that they were a nurse, an experienced nurse and because of that alone were somehow better than people who didn't fall into that category. As if being a 'charge nurse' or a 'nurse manager' made them great, even if they were insufferable to be around, even if they couldn't care less about patients or subordinates. I have seen it go on many, many times. Nurse managers who ask of their staff what they wouldn't be willing to do a small fraction of. Charge nurses who gossip and make up stories about other nurses, simply because they don't fit into their 'clique'. Or mock patients if they know them in real life --- like had one who taunted a former classmate saying she had letters behind her name while he didn't. Is the nursing 'profession' filled with jerks? Or arrogant fools? I have a few good, down to earth and likeable coworkers that I can count. But the ones in and kissing up to management always seem like arrogant jerks. Why is this?

I agree. I don't like the arrogant types. Some people have too good of a life / have had it too easy... to empathize with others. And that. is. ANNYOING.

Some very good ideas here - inspire me to think about how to become the change I want to see. Thank you.

You know, when all these Baby Boomer aged health care professionals finally retire, do you believe the next generations will be enough, to 'care' for the Baby Boomers, such a huge generation of people? Also, do you think that the percentages of young students going into and sticking with nursing is as high as in earlier days? There are so many other ways to make money, and with all of the cut backs and the unforgiving nature of nursing, do you forsee a big problem with getting adequate numbers of nurses to staff facilities?

I'm not satisfied with my pay, benefits, or the way I'm treated in most nursing positions. My husband has a business degree, and although jobs are harder to come by, he's offered at least 15-20k more/year and instant, good quality health insurance. Other benefits may vary. And like you said, a better schedule.

I'm always impressed when a preceptee introduces themselves to me. As stated previously, you can shake their hand with your introduction if you want, and definitely smile. I dont think there's much need for a lot of conversation right away, unless it flows naturally. Good luck!

I don't think I would...