pattyslattery

I worked my behind off for this ASN. I'd been in college for years until then with the usual useless liberal arts degree because "if I did what I loved I'd never work a day in my life" and was completely useless when it came to getting a job. So when I started as a nurse I was beside myself with joy to have, finally, a real job. Now fifteen years later, it appears the entire state is pushing for all nurses to have a Bachelor's- hospitals don't even interview without one. I have experience. And no offense to those of you with advanced degrees, but you couldn't hold my penlight. I've been at countless BSN's side when they have to assist an MD and they fall apart- they can't understand a sterile field, they wonder whether they're actually supposed to hold open a wound, they don't know how to wrap a bandage. A wound vac is from a foreign planet to them. And those Master's trained RNs, geez. I can see that in your graduate studies you never learned how to start an IV, nor an NGT, and you certainly don't know how to irrigate a foley. That last one becomes comical until that MSN is found trying to irrigate the bubble. Forgive me for my insolence, oh advanced degrees. I have experience. If I were ill, I would want an experienced nurse, not a college kid who read books about nursing until he got all the answers right on the test. But as has always, always been the case in this country, experience means nothing. Only that little piece of paper. And I'm too darn old to go back to school. Say what you want, but there is a place where you want to enjoy life, and reading textbooks is not a part of that. I just wonder whose pockets are being filled by making those degrees the law of the land.

My hospital turned from a non-profit to for-profit a couple of years ago. Since then it has been cost cut after cost cut. The latest thing to go was the 5 dollar Starbucks card that management would lay on someone after a great job or an especially hard day. Evidently administration considers a Starbucks card "reportable income." Now I've heard they're considering other options, like handing out page hilighters as a gesture of thanks. I already have about a million page highlighters. So do you get any of the little things? Or are you just expected to work and go home?

I'm sorry, did I make a swear?

Actually I have no problem with this. My dear old Ma was a waitress for many years and she worked long hard hours. They're a respectable bunch. Today I'm a nurse, sure, but it doesn't go to my head, meaning I know I'm here to help patients. And they are what they are; some are rude, some are nice, some demanding, some along with their families and descendants should be sealed up in a rubber room at the bottom of a deep dark hole. Some call me names, some think I'm a handmaiden, so what, it's part of the job. I'm not going to get into a ******* contest with someone in a sick bed. I'll put on whatever mask they need me to wear and do what I need to do.

I've been hired on the spot and I've hired on the spot in exactly the way you describe. The thing is, I remember the person I liked, but for some reason someone else was hired, or the position didn't become available, whatever reason. So I called as soon as there was another position and I was happy as a clam that I still could get you.

I realize potlucks are popular. I don't partake because I'm anal about my food. But if sharing food brings us all together, Kumbaya. However- the last one went on for too long. People were looking for their aides, or their nurses, and they were "on lunch." Lunch going on 2 hours for some. Most of the floor at once, of course, because it was a birthday. One nurse's aide was gone from 11 till 2, picking up food, making the lounge ready, hanging with her best bud... Her nurses were PO'ed to the extreme. The manager is a loveable lady and does her best, and I know she ignored the potluck because she's like me, and when she found out how much time was spent on it she got pretty miffed and spoke to the perps. But come on. We are at work. Years ago when I worked nights, I went to medsurg for some reason and every single nurse, aide and secretary, was in the lounge eating- including the charge nurse. This isn't safe or even reasonable. Is it like this everywhere? Or does your place have rules? I'd like to suggest rules where I work.