joe007

I think the NCLEX and nursing program I was trained in was BS to begin with. Essentially, most NCLEX questions can be answered by either studying Kaplan or some other test prep materials. My nursing school dean admitted to me that only 70% of our material was presented in the material (about 500 pages of reading per test of which we had four tests every two weeks) and that the other 30% of questions from their test bank were "experimental questions." AKA, no incentive to read the book and understand nursing in a comprehensive manner because doing so was non-feasible given time restraints, but there was much more of an incentive to do random questions on ATI, Kaplan, end of chapter reviews, etc. I passes NCLEX in 2013 with 75 questions and a 3.8 GPA because I understood how the game was played. However, I am a second degree student and believe that if nursing was taught as a comprehensive subject where one draws associations in their answers between clinical presentation and clinical action in a comprehensive scenario to ensure nurses actually understand the depth and width of nursing practice, the nursing workforce would be much better prepared than the "pick the best answer" type model the NCLEX is. Essentially, the NCLEX and nursing school is an IQ test in my opinion. My instructors told me that we need not worry that much about being that great at nursing because "you'll learn when you get hired." My professors also bragged about our program having the highest NCLEX pass rate in the state.

Make $52,000 a year with 6 years of experience as an RN. I have a BSN. A decent house 2000 sq ft + house costs about $300,000 in my area and a new one with the same sq ft about $400,000+ in my area. I make $1 an hour extra for being in charge of a 31 patient psych unit and usually manage about 8 to 10 staff at a time as a charge nurse/supervisor. I am looking at my friends who are as smart or not as smart as me who are "managers" or "supervisors" at insurance companies, services companies, financial service, or engineering companies, etc. who also have a BA or BS degree and an equal number of years experience and they make about double my base salary and have bonus on top of that. Nursing in no way is providing a standard "middle class" income for me and my family, we are in the lower middle class. Honestly, we are on the edge; one catastrophe away from being in major debt. Relatively little retirement savings. I guess leaving the "field" is the best way forward. I already have an Associates in logistics, BS in nursing, and BA in political science. Honestly, they have to pay better to retain talent and give adequate raises. Sadly, nursing admins only care if you have a pulse and show up to work. They really could care less about your assessment skills, experience, and giving a damn to make things work. I guess some things never change...

If you are a party in the conversation in 36 states you have the right to record the conversation without other people's permission. Boom!

We already covered that above. In 36 states it is legal and it's also legal under Federal law. I don't have any problem with being on tape. What do I have to hide? Transparency is important and something that is sorely lacking in healthcare leading to corruption. I recently have been thinking they should have body cams like the police do, but nurses should wear them in hospitals. The coverups and glossing over of CMS violations, etc. is astounding.

Why report? Why not just leave quietly? If she reports, wouldn't that open her up to some sort of investigation since she is interim DON?

Well, I can say I feel the same way, but have only been a nurse for a little over 5 years. Thanks for sharing.

If an employer has job openings posted and is understaffed they can tell the state DOH that they would hire people, but no one is qualified to fill their positions, look at all the job openings we have open. Therefore, the legislature will put more money into nursing programs and create a nursing surplus to further drive down nursing wages. It's a win win for the hospitals and a lose lose for nurses. Admins aren't stupid and they don't have your best interest in mind.

Don't worry, the admins that started down this path to a hellish environment years ago probably got massive bonuses and moved up in the company ladder so they can do the same thing at a systemic level. The new managers probably were told to run it like it had been run by the higher ups that created the system. Don't worry, no one will go to jail, the higher ups get to keep their bonuses, and the middle managers will be replaced...

As for using an "illegal" recording in court, there have been many instances where such recordings have been approved by the court when criminal conduct is captured. It's not black and white. Anyhow, I record conversations. Once you're illegally threatened, you'll do what it takes to protect yourself. Think about Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer. Did he get any additional time for having many tapes of convos between himself and his clients which he handed over to Federal Prosecutors? No. He didn't. But I guess he also didn't break the law because under Federal law and NY state law, he has the right to record those convos.

It's smart to do things via e-mail. They are all discoverable in the future if legal action is needed. Additionally, I know a PI who tells me you can get copies of your credit report which should include what other employers/background check uncovers and what others have said about you. As for recording: https://www.mwl-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RECORDING-CONVERSATIONS-CHART.pdf

Medicine and nursing is very corrupt. That's why CYA is always cited. Additionally, never go into a manager's office without your smart phone recording the convo. They like to have a manager and someone else in there as their witness when they do throw you under the bus... your only proof is audio of the convo. Anyhow, sorry that happened to you.

Sorry you were fired. Knowing what I know about administration it doesn't surprise me even if you did nothing wrong that they would drive you out for something unrelated to the real reason they wanted to fire you. It's interesting how many RNs seem to live in fear of administrators when the "emperor is not wearing clothes." The climate of fear is all admins have to assert control and a great way to do that is target and terminate people who speak out. This is why nurses need strong unions.

How old are you? If you're under 35 get out now; honestly, the stress will only compound as time goes on.

I think people should document in first person and use other coworker's names and positions. The idea of this third person lingo being a standard and not using names being superior is a bunch of bunk and putting you as the note writer at risk. Ultimately, if you refer to "charge nurse" instead of "Billy the charge nurse" lawyers will ask you who the charge nurse was that day and you'll have no idea. Schedules may have been lost, manipulated, etc. and you will have to rely on your unit/hospital to provide that information, which may or may not be accurate. What if they ask you how many nurses were working that day and out of those nurses how many are qualified charge nurses? If so, how do you know which charge nurse you told which information, AKA they could posit you told the wrong charge nurse? Anyhow, if you refer to "MD" which "MD" are you referring to? How many physicians work in your hospital on day shift? How many hospitalists cover your unit/hospital? How do you know it wasn't a specialist you talked with? etc.? It seems that the style works in favor of the hospital and coworkers at your expense. Shocking, I know, to think that the nursing industry is set up to be the patsy for billion dollar corporations and multimillionaire physicians.

Sounds like it's time to walk. Just don't get involved. It's the regulatory agency's issue to find and solve. If you'd like, you can send info anonymously to the regulators. Additionally, if you do get involved, you should put it all in writing and e-mail so it is very clear what you are communicating and when. Additionally, record conversations on your phone when you have them with coworkers/management as evidence. They will try to push you out and destroy you if you report and are identified...