DARLINGLILITH

I work with amazing docs...why on earth would I expect them to praise every aspect of my nursing care? Everyone should be using common courtesy and professionalism in dealing with patients and colleagues; I do not need or expect anything else.

I just have to comment; i've been a nurse for 20 yrs, med surg, er, icu, nursing home, peds........just about everywhere! Lately i've been on a mixed med surg floor......I'm sick of everyone shunting new grads to med surg! Sure, you learn skills that you don't get anywhere else, but please think of the poor med surg nurses who spend all their time orienting new grads and bringing their skills up to speed only to see them off to specialty units! Show the love :)!

When i did my first travel assignment I went alone at fiirst, leaving my husband and 13 y/o daughter at home. When I got lonely, they both came 1000 miles to stay with me; she went to school for 3 months in NM and my husband took care of us full time (and worked at a part time job to stave off boredom). It was like a vacation from real life! This year we intend to take a summer assignment in northern CA or upstate NY or CO or VT................ Who needs a vacation?!:balloons: :balloons: :)

Dear K- I have been in your shoes. Believe me, most prospective employers will be sympathetic to your situation. Take a deep breath and try again. You will be able to put this behind you and get on with your career in a better atmosphere. Good Luck!

I've been working on oncology and recently took care of a 43 y/o woman with brain metastases. She'd been growing steadily more ill and had all of her family surrouding her while she lay in bed. She couldn't see or hear well 'cause of tumor involvement and there were communication problems...... Anyway, she started calling out and her family called the nurses in. When two of us entered (in whites) she started calling out and waving us towards her, meanwhile telling her family members to back up. As we each came up on a different side of her bed she grabbed our hands and started telling us that she was ready to go. Me, not understanding, tried to reason with her and convince her that she wasn't in any shape to be walking. At that point she began telling her family members goodbye and that she loved them all dearly.....then told both of us that she was ready for the "angels of death" to take her away! Guess who the "angels" were?! I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry- better than the other patient (an older lady) who saw my charge nurse enter her room and screeched "Get back, b**** of death!"

Courtesy and professionalism and just plain respect for oneself and one's profession. I have worked hard since feeling "burnt out" several years ago to increase my respect and repair my manners for myself and my patients (and my colleagues!). Amazingly enough, it has paid enormous dividends not only in my working relationships, but my homelife as well. I love nursing again- can't imagine ever being anything else. PS a few years ago I was almost ready to quit and go back to waitressing (or almost ANYTHING else!)