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I made a decision to retire earlier than planned when I actually saw Administration staff with no symptoms being tested, including bringing in their families to be tested. Yet, those of us working directly with Positive patients while only wearing provided surgical mask were told to go over to Employee Health if we felt ill or if we asked to be tested after being in a closed room with a patient vomiting in a bucket as you are trying to start an IV on the patient. N95 mask were for the Physicians to wear. I realized then. They didn't care if Nursing staff, lab staff or anyone else got Covid, or infected our families as long as Administration staff who sit in a office with door closed. Doing no patient care are protected. It was a hard decision, but have never regretted it since retiring. I Pray daily for all Nursing Staff and others doing hands on, answering phones, cleaning room are protected and safe from getting Covid.

All of 2020 I worked with Covid positive patients and luckily did not get sick. I had already put in my papers to retire so I retired in 2020. I have read a lot of the comments and really can't say how I would feel if I was still working in a hospital filled with an over-run Covid patients. I guess Hospitals need to have all unvaccinated people sign a DNR when they register to be admitted and that way hospital staff will not have to deal with those as stated STUPID PEOPLE who refuse to get vaccinated and risk the lives of everyone. I myself do recommend everyone get the shot but do refrain from becoming cruel or demeaning to them if they refuse. I do know some have medical histories or have experienced an adverse reaction to other vaccinations and refuse the Covid and Flu shot both. Good Luck to everyone still working in the hospital. Wishing the Best to All.

As an older Nurse with 11 years of ER Nursing and 14 Years of College Health Sports Medicine/Orthopedic experience who retired with an ADN degree. I precepted Nurses in the BSN program, instructed people on Insertion and maintenance of Picc Lines, IV's and how to change hubs of Central lines. I have kept my ACLS, PALS, Picc Line certification up to date yet, I am no longer employable in a Hospital. I don't have a BSN degree so I am not qualified evidentially. Have no desire to be in management or administration at all. Love bedside Nursing. Taking care of patients has always been where my heart has been. I can work in Long Term Care and Home Care it appears. What I don't understand in working your Nursing staff to the point of exhaustion to where they are leaving the profession. They hire Travel Nurses. Don't understand why older Nurses with years of experience who are looking to return to Nursing to help out are not even considered. My granddaughter graduated and started College looking to go into Nursing. She has already quickly decided Nursing is not what she will do. I am almost glad she has chosen another field. I wish every one working in Nursing and any medical field the very best. I will be Praying for all of you.

I am a retired Nurse 65 years old. I have an associate degree. I have 11 years of ER experience with 14 years of Orthopedic/Acute Care experience but since I do not have that BSN degree they want I get No to being hired. I have kept my Picc line certification up to date, ACLS, PALS certifications. I did get one yes with the understanding that I would agree to go back to school to get the BSN degree. I applied to come out of retirement and go to work to help ease the workload at the Hospital. Not quite understanding the resistance to hiring some of us ADN or Diploma Nurses who have a lot of ER, ICU and Med Surg experience who don't need the benefits but are willing to work on a Temporary basis but are unable to get jobs to help out. I wish all of you who are working the very Best and Pray there is an end in sight to help ease the stress and danger of working short all the time. Prayers for all of you and Prayers for your family.

EKG, Labs, Blood glucose, Urine sample for lab, do an assessment, order chest x-ray if warranted,

I had some breathing difficulty wearing the mask so I bought plastic inserts and taped them in my mask and folded up tissue and taped it at the top of the mask to seal to keep my glasses fogging. I have had nose surgery and have cartilage across the top of nose that keeps the mask from being pinched at nose. I found with the modifications I could breath and see better and was able to move around and not feel light headed due to not being able to breathe. A few people in management said my mask was not on properly but I let them know it was either wearing the mask I have modified or I would have to go home. I reminded them of the day I was light headed and had to set down while other people had to come and do my job. Nothing else was said. I have learned over the years if you do not look after your own health. No one else will. I finally went ahead with my planned retirement in September 2020. Have not returned to work due to my family members have some health issues and have moved in with me at times so I could care for them. All of you are Hero's working in these dangerous times to care people. Thank you and May God Bless and Protect you.

Brandy@1017 I agree with your post above. I don't judge anyone who feels they have no choice but to leave their job. As a Nurse we all know the importance of mental health and providing Nursing care. And we should not jeopardize our physical health working with limited equipment. Working short, with limited equipment and no relief or help can cause accidents and jeopardize patient care. The surgical mask did little to protect me from people who coughing in my face. Episodes of projectile vomiting while I trying to start an IV. Have not regretted retiring at all. I left Nursing September 2020. May try to pick up a part time or supplemental Nursing job in the future. Good luck and Best Wishes as you continue on to your next adventure.

Faced with this situation myself. I reached out to one of the Physician's I worked for and another Nurse. They both have worked me and both have given me written references as well. As far as my manager. I gave them Human Resources directors name and decided to let him handle whether he referred the reference to her or not since he was aware of the conflict with her if you decided to leave or transfer. Others had reported it to him. Has always worked out fine.

I worked in the ER for 11 years before they decided my ADN degree meant I was no longer educated enough to work there as a they became a Magnet Hospital. So most of us who where unable to go back to school or agree to were told to find other jobs. I did. Worked 14 years at my last job. Gained a lot of skills, took classes to keep my skills up to date and current. Now I see the Hospital I worked for is even asking for LPN's to apply. They called me to come to work. I don't trust them enough to go back to work for them. When the pandemic is over we would be told again to find other jobs. No Thanks. I recently retired and have been looking for something part time or supplemental. Good Luck and Best Wishes to all working on the front lines. Hope they can find additional staff to take ease the load all of you are facing. Prayers for all.

I totally understand and did the same thing in September 2020 after 23 years of Nursing. Made the decision to take an early retirement to save my mental and physical health. I have no regrets what's so ever. May God Bless, Protect and Guide you as you make decisions for the next phase of your life. Best Wishes!

I love Nursing and it was a difficult decision when I decided to leave the job I was doing. With politics being a a big part of my decision, I finally realized that survival mentally, physically, emotionally the best thing for me to do was leave the job I was doing. I am an older Nurse who retired in September 2020. I have a ADN degree so Long Term care and Home Care seem to be the only jobs available for me. I have worked Long Term care and do not care to do Homecare. At this time, I am enjoying my retirement and may or may not return to Nursing. I renewed my license just in case and keep my CME's done. I wish everyone the best who work in Nursing today. When I am asked by young people interested in Nursing. I still say it is the most rewarding profession that pays well and has good benefits.

So glad I read this article. I have had so many injuries, falls especially, turning ankles, feet numbness and swelling, back pain and etc. I will get my feet checked out. And take better care of my feet.

I agree with the post saying not to report it. It was a brief slip of the tongue. You have acknowledged to yourself it was wrong to mention any information about a patient to her. As I call them the HIPAA police I have found at times blow a minor infractions up into a life changing Major situation because they use it to make examples. Should you be contacted. State what happened. Do not make additional comments other than what you said. A brief slip of the tongue. At my last job, as I am retired. I worked in an area where we were asked about high profile patients a lot. We had to sign Confidentially Agreements that listed a stiff penalty and a loss of employment if we violated the agreement. Other staff and my own family wanted to know about patients. I finally decided to start saying I don't know who you are talking about. Which they knew I did as I was the only Nurse in the area. They would ask. Don't you work there? Finally, they realized and quit asking knowing I refused to even mention anything about my job when I got home. It made things a lot easier on me. And I didn't have to worry about the HIPAA police or being fired.

Being a Nurse is at times a hard, emotional, draining experience. All of us at one point in our Nursing Career have a time when given the circumstances we could lose it, cry, cuss, hit, walk out, or pass out. Like some have mentioned. Try to see about talking with a counselor or pastor. You have done the hard work of school, passing the NCLEX and are a Nurse. Like some have mentioned you may find you do better in Home Care or Long Term Care. We all have to find our niche where we feel we supported and can preform our job. I myself have worked with some wonderful Nurses and co-workers as well as the back biting, cruel ones. I didn't cry in front of them, I on the other hand vent loudly what I want to say. Which also does not look good. I had no problem working with them after that, just kept my distance and kept increasing my skills knowing that would get me out of that toxic place. I took Professional Development classes outside of work, paid for them myself. Good Luck and Best Wishes for your future. Talking with a Professional may be a good starting point for you.

I have lost it a few times as I have a limited filter when I have reached my boiling point or when it comes to patient care. I worked in the ER with a young physician who thoughts he was God. This was when we had paper charting and lined up clip boards according to acuity of your patient. I had a 50yr old female come in with a massive headache. She stated she had never had a Migraine and very few headaches. Her BP was elevated and Pulse, she was begging for help. I went and ask the Physician to please evaluate her, went to the charge Nurse to request help for the patient. The Physician kept on ignoring me sitting at a computer looking at a manual. The patient started vomiting, then all of a sudden became unconscious. I walked to the door of the exam room and yell loudly. Can I get a Doctor in her now! The patient is unconscious. He jumped up then, ran in the room as well as the other Physician working in another part of the ER who heard me yell. I had to run with her to CT. She had a Brain Bleed, was transported out and died the next day. I made the statement to all in the room. Let her son and husband ask me what happened I will tell them. I ended up having to meet with Administration and Executive staff who ask me to change my Nursing note as I had documented each time and names and position of each person I had requested help from. I refused. I stayed about 2 more years then left especially after a Physician I did not know was called in to see a patient while covering for another Nurse at lunch. He was in jeans and a polo shirt. No name tag or coat. Her IV was beeping. I walk in he said hang some more fluids. I said politely I would need to check her orders and see if the ER Physician had put a order in for more fluids. The man said "You will do what I tell you to do". I said back to him. I don't know you and No. I follow the orders of the ER Physician only. He complained that I embarrassed him in front of the patient. And wanted me written up or fired. Linda the charge Nurse had heard my side of the story already and asked him. Did he identify himself to me, the attire he had on and no name tag or coat and reminded him that. Not everyone knew who he was. She put him in his place. Never had to deal with him again. He and I both avoided each other.