soundsLikesirens

NEWSFLASH: nurses DON'T "come on here to tell the world how horrible their job is." This website is "allNURSES".COM.........get it? All-nurses? The people who come here to READ and post are supposed to be nurses. Why on earth shouldn't nurses have a place where they can come together and discuss issues, and VENT if need be? You sound like a very uptight, bigoted person. Venting to others in the profession is very helpful and is also helpful to one's stress level. If you don't like it here, then maybe you should leave, but don't EVEN TRY to make nurses feel ashamed that they seek the comraderie/support of other nurses!!!!!

I work on a med/surg unit and we usually have 10 to 12 patients apiece.....if we are "lucky" enough to start off with 9 then we get admissions. Many, many nights, our CNAs split the floor...31 patients and 2 CNAs, with 3 RNs. The stress level can get unreal, but before you hang it up, consider your options......you could transfer to somewhere with lower stress (or, at least, fewer patients). You could go to part-time. You could take a couple weeks vacation or time off to think about things. I wouldn't just quit because of the stress. There are other ways to deal with it......

You know, when I got to work, "they" (the ones I'd worked with the other night) were fine....it wasn't about me, evidently. (Imagine that..... ) The one nurse apologized to me...it was just like old times. I don't know; evidently the stress was coming from another source and it flowed over onto me....strange......but I'm glad all is well now...thanks for the advice....

Anyone who has used this co. to get a London position; please email me and tell me how it was.

The two positions in ICU are supposedly coming open in June, so I'll be hangin' around nearly a year, anyway. Plus I wonder if it would be any different anywhere else. But, at least in ICU I wouldn't routinely have ten to twelve patients. Anyway, just knowing that I don't have to stay there; that it isn't permanent, will make it easier, I am sure.......

Hi everyone. I thought this thread was closed, until I just happened to be passing by, just happened to be in the neighborhood and, well....you know. Actually, "Godzilla" is looking better every day because my regular group - the group I've been boasting and bragging about - now they're starting to act up. God, is there no end to it? The last night I worked was awful - I ended up in the hallway at 6am, venting to a really wonderful LPN...I was okay until she hugged me...then I started to boo-hoo. I was just so torn-up; so disappointed in my group, the ones I'd been bragging about. It was awful. It probably didn't help that I didn't take all my days off, but took a 12-hour shift but for DOUBLE-TIME - I couldn't say no! However, I am in the midst of three nights off and I am taking them all, I don't care what they are offering....the time off has done me good. I've decided to stick it out for a year, for the experience (I've been there almost 6 months already), and then I am going to investigate ICU nursing. There's an ACLS class starting soon and I registered for it today. So at least I'll know I'm not stuck there...I'll have some options, if I want them. It pays to think ahead, to prepare and plan. Also, I feel like I need it to float to the telemetry floor.........thanks for all the comments.

Oh, no, no, no!!!!!!!! I don't want to give it up...no way. I want to STAY...and no, the only reason isn't to make a living. God, I love being a nurse. I guess I just don't understand why there are so many bitchy people in nursing...I mean, peruse these boards. The woods are full of 'em. I wrote that when I was still stressin' but I'm off tonight and the next night and just knowing I have a few nights off has already worked wonders....I have been thinking about things and I realize that I do feel lucky to have this job, actually, even if we are short-staffed. I get tired of all the COMPLAINING that goes on on the floor....every day, that's all they do is COMPLAIN. Hey, it beats working at McDonald's....the pay's alot better, too. Next time they start complaining, I should suggest Tyson's (a chicken processing factory). There ARE people who HAVE to work there.....

I am starting to think most nurses are total morons. All you hear out of my clinical leader's mouth is how lousy nursing admin. is; how we aren't supported; how we're understaffed....on and on....but, look at what goes on on the floor. She doesn't support the nurses either; if you need help, she won't help you and she made a nasty remark to me the other night that just ruined my entire shift. I am getting fed up; ever since I've worked there, I've pitched in and helped anyone but when I need help; I don't get it. I'm finally getting the idea and I'm going to stop being a patsy. I'm there for my kids, to make their living, and if they don't like me then they know what they can do.

Hello people - advice needed. I am an RN and I work on a very busy med-surg/oncology floor where we typically have 10-12 patients apiece. I've been there nearly six months now, working the 7p - 7a shift. Previously, I was out of nursing, at home for 7 years with my children while they were small. Before that, I only had about 1 and 1/2 years experience and it wasn't at the same place. I've been there this long but I tell you, here lately it seems as though everything is hitting the fan at once. People are always bitching about management and short/staffing, but most of the problems I see come from the staff already there, not working together, etc. I had a bad experience the last night I worked and it seems as if I am bringing it home with me lately. I do like my job but I wonder how much longer I am going to be able to stand it.....then I wonder if I am being too sensitive. After all, I'm not there for them; I'm there for my kids, to make a living for them. I am the only one working right now. I have thought about going part-time but I want the money I make from full-time and we need it. Any tips?

A surprise for me: I'd thought I could get along with ANYBODY. I'd thought I liked everybody..............NOT!!!!!!!

Update: well I ended up working last night, anyway. Here's what happened...after I called in, I got to worrying about was discussed in our last unit meeting: self-staffing. I thought: oh, Lord: will I have to work with these people AGAIN and what about my usual "group", we all work as a team and I don't want to lose that...I called the asst. unit manager at the hospital and asked her about it...she said no, it was just an idea right now. (I'd thought it was to start on the next schedule; that's why I was concerned). She then asked why I called in...and I told her. She practically begged me to come in, because for some reason, the nurse who works the 3p-3a shift had also called in! I took ten minutes to think about it, called back and told her no...she kept on asked if I would please come in at 11 and do third shift. I told her okay, that it was against my better judgment but I would...she promised to speak to the unit manager, etc. I got there at 11pm and the House Supervisor comes on the floor as soon as I do. I got a fair patient assignment and an apology from the RN who was charging the previous night. She said she "didn't know" I had 12 patients. (?) Whatever; I don't really have a problem with her - I like her - it's Godzilla that gives me the creeps! Also, I got an LPN that is part of my group, and we work together as a team, so that was a big shot in the arm. Also we had 3 on the floor whereas, they usually split the floor. Come morning, the asst. unit manager comes in and is very appreciative. I do believe I made some serious points with all of this. To head off any further problems, I am simply going to tell her that I cannot work with Godzilla and to not schedule us together. Any makeup weekends - hopefully there won't be anymore because I would probably drag myself to work no matter how sick I was, rather than risk having to work with that ***** again!

It's over...oh thank God..over for now, anyway...I went into work last night...one of the RNs said they'd called up staffing and an RN was going to have to be pulled to another floor (not necessarily me) but I jumped at the chance to get off the floor. I worked there from 7p to 11p...then I got pulled to another, different floor from 11p to 3am...whereupon, unfortunately I had to go to my "home" floor and "face the music". Godzilla really didn't bother me but it sucked just the same. Guess who had the most patients???? I spent my 11p - 3am time on the other floor doing midnight meds AND all the MARs for the entire floor...which was ok by me....then I get down there and my MARs for the module I am taking aren't even done....so I "get" to do them. (We have a RN who's doing 3p to 3a) and I took her module.....anyway......I had 12 patients, and I walked into a mess....no one was in charge....I had 12 patients....the other 2 RNs had 9 and 10 or 9 and 9...I came down at 3am...no MARs done for me, no worksheet ready...nothing.....I was in report and my CNA kept interrupting to tell me so-and-so needed a pain pill/shot....the other RNs wouldn't even give my pain meds while I was in report!!!!!! They TOTALLY do not work together as a team, they don't help each other and basically, as far as I can see, DON'T GIVE A SHIT. There was a RN there who'd clocked in as charge, but you'd never know it. We didn't have an actual "clinical leader" but she was supposed to be charge nurse. I could go on and on but you get the idea....it was nearly 5:30 when I got my MARs done....I had 8 fingersticks at 6am so I had to start immediately on that...most of them got coverage, so it took me to nearly 6:30am...time then to start my 6am meds!!!!! It was AWFUL... I was supposed to work again tonight but you know what? I called in. There was more reasons to call in than not and they didn't need me. I was scheduled just because it was my makeup weekend...someone would have got pulled and I would've gone through the same exact thing...no one in charge and everyone trying to dump all the work on me they can. I realize I could've called the House Supervisor last night when I got done there and realized that I had more patients that I should have, but I immediately had to get busy and I guess I was so tired by then, all the fight had gone out of me and I was just trying to make it through my shift....I was such a nervous wreck by then I couldn't contemplate any sort of confrontation and so I just went on and tried to make the best of it and get through it but oh, Lord. I am just totally not working with them again...I'll make it up, but not with them......I am sooooo tired.....but, relieved and glad that I called in. Thanks for all your advice....

A cross? I was thinking of a STAKE, actually.......

I haven't had my weekend yet....my weekend with Godzilla. It's looming ahead of me, like some giant monolith monster. (That's an old B-horror flick...) But somehow, it seems appropriate here.......

I pretty much agree with Jane....you can't go running to "mommy" everytime you have a problem with somebody. It's childish and it shows you cannot "deal" with things. After thinking about it I have realized that this isn't enough (yet) to make me run squealing to my unit manager. Like you all say, there's always documentation....it might be a good idea to have more on paper, anyway, before/if I do go to "the boss". But it will have to be more than this....I don't think they have the time to fool with personality clashes and "taking sides..." We're all supposed to be grown-ups, after all.....

Stargazer: excellent suggestion!!! I had sortof given up on documenting anything because, as short-staffed as WE are, they aren't going to fire/discipline/come down on anyone...so I thought it would be a waste of time. But you make a good point! I am going to leave a paper trail. Besides, you never know how long your current Unit Manager will last....and, if the day comes I ever DO have to go to management; I will have something to back me up. Thanks again.

I totally disagree. I never said I dislike her - I said she is a hostile ***** . That's different. Also, it has nothing to do with "treating her like shit..." It has to do with GETTING HER OFF MY BACK, so I can do my job - safely. ALSO; I ain't worried about management and what management may/may not "think"..I'm not planning to bring mgmt. into it because I agree with the poster that mgmt. really doesn't care or doesn't have time to mess with personality clashes, etc. I'm not "lowering myself to her level". That's a cop-out. Besides, it's physically impossible to go that low....... .....I never said I was going to take her aside and tell her that I'm going to beat the shit out of her, etc. But I am open to ways of dealing with her...

THANK YOU everyone... ...it is great to get all this feedback and advice. I love to come here and swap "war stories". I guess we are all of the same mind: that we all have problems but, as nurses, we leave them at home and make patient care the priority. I agree, also, that we should BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER....example: the CNA I worked with last night. We had a patient who was confused/incontinent...of course, her bed was wet and had to be changed. I told my CNA her bed was wet and needed to be changed...and that I would help her. She got the linens, etc, and went in...of course, at the nurse's station, someone called for pain med...then the call light went off and there was no one else to answer it...you know how it is...you have something to do but you cannot get to it for the constant interruptions...well, by the time I got headed back up the hall to help my CNA change the bed, she was coming out of the patient's room - mad as hell! She said, "Thanks alot!" She was really mad...then she said, "You're really worthless!" It hurt my feelings, to say the least....back at the nurses' station, she announced she was going on break...I explained to her why I hadn't been able to get back to help...anyway, a few minutes later, she was in the staff lounge and I asked her if she was allright. I know she has to work 2 jobs and also, she is going through a divorce right now and may have some sort of problem at home or just be worn out. She never did apologize for her outburst, but her mood did improve. I just try to get along with people. I try to forgive people and be nice to them...of course, if they are constantly hateful like the subject of this thread....that's different.

P.S. We've ALL got personal problems. Every one of us. BUT BE PROFESSIONAL - DO YOUR JOB - MAKE THE PATIENT THE PRIORITY - OR GET OUT!!! That's how I feel....I don't give a rat's ass about her problems - there's no excuse for behavior like that from a nurse!

Thanks for all the replies, people. Well, you know, I may be blowing this out of proportion....(yeah, right...) But it's "only" two 12-hour shifts...it's not like I have to work with it on a regular basis (ick! just the thought of that makes my skin crawl...) Thanks for all the advice...but really; I'm not interested in "helping her with her personal problems"....as far as I am concerned, she can take her personal problems, if any, and shove 'em up her a**!!! To my way of thinking, her #1 priority should be the patients and BEHAVING in a PROFESSIONAL manner --- if she can't do that, then she needs to get the hell outta Dodge.

Tim....sounds like good news to me! You're my kinda guy...but then, great minds do think alike.....

I have already written her up. "If" I witness more behavior like this - you gotta be kidding!!! "When she has calmed down..." THAT IS MY POINT...the woman doesn't calm down....she stays on perpetual simmer...and no I'm not sorry about what I said to her and I don't consider what I said "just as bad"....I was reining myself in - trying to get her off my back...what I said was very mild compared to the way she was acting. Lots of people are talking about her and I imagine others have written her up...one of the day shift nurses told me that when she (the ***** ) is giving them report; if they so much as ASK A QUESTION she goes ballistic on them. Doc you don't realize the kind of person I am describing. I told one of the other nurses that she is the kind that'll walk in and open fire...I wouldn't put it past her.....I mean, she is OUTTA CONTROL.

I need advice...I work med/surg, and if we miss a scheduled weekend, we have to make it up. Well, guess what. My makeup weekend is working "with" the biggest ***** I've ever seen. I am so dreading this. Usually, things don't bother me...I mean, I like everybody I work with and I can get along with about everybody.....but this "nurse" doesn't like anybody...the last time I worked with her, she really pissed me off. She gets mad...ALL THE TIME...she is hostile, hateful, and spews venom on everyone....I can't stand the thought of working 2 twelve hour shifts with this ***** . Because, I know she is going to get me mad....the last time I "worked with" her, she came up to me when I was checking orders on a chart...she was simmering (as usual) and started mouthing off to me while I was TRYING TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT I WAS DOING...I got pissed, turned around and told her to get away from me; that I wasn't interested in what she had to say...she did, but kept making comments under her breath...God, I got SO mad. I didn't say anything else but I was so pissed I could feel my blood pumping and I hate that feeling. To top it all off, we won't even have a clinical leader that weekend. There will be one other RN scheduled for 12, with more seniority than us, so hopefully she will make the assignments, etc. God I dread it......any advice?????? I am considering going to my unit manager and asking if there is ANY WAY to get out of working this this ***** ....help help

I agree. I wouldn't put up with this, from another RN. You can write it up...as far as a patient, I would leave the room and tell them when they could speak to me properly, I'd return but not until then....the people on my unit, most of them, don't accept abuse.

Shannon: I didn't direct any anger toward you - I said that this BB IS FOR VENTING. Yes I agree...we mustn't vent on our patients...or each other. We must have a safe, nonjudgmental place we can come and vent our frustrations. It's important. If someone comes here and doesn't like the way it sounds then they are going to have to rethink how badly they want to be a nurse. I'm sure it isn't this bad everywhere...everyone knows med/surg is the most frantic. But it's important that we have a place to vent. Because, if you've noticed, people who don't vent bottle it up and then it spews out just anywhere....there's a nurse at work who totally cannot handle stress...she blows up at other nurses, the ward clerk, etc. To me, this is unacceptable - I may get stressed but I DON'T take it out on people. That isn't how you do it.