Yave

I've been doing home care for 17 years. Never really thought of rape as an issue. Most of the time you think about how to say no when you're being offered coffee, tea, food and gifts etc... Families are constantly trying to include the nurse as a family member. The nurse has to be consistent and be careful not to get close to families. Professional Boundariies issue. But not rape.

I will not tell you to not look outside of nursing. However, there are many factors to consider. How old are you? Are you young enough to make a career change? What is it you really don't like about nursing? Are you burnt out because of situations you've encountered? What is the core of the problem? If you like psychology; then maybe you could try psychiatry. What ever it is you choose or decide; you have to think twice because schooling is expensive and studying is sacrificial. I think you're smart and you will be a great asset to any company that employs you.

Hi Skittle, I am so sorry to read your unsafe assignment story. I empathize with you. I am not sure what nurses get from making assignments that seem almost impossible for the tasks to be completed. I see those nurses as burnt out. When an assignment is unsafe; the people that suffer most are the patients. The situation can be very difficult. Sometimes assignments are made with personal feelings much more as a way to get back at a nurse. I am not accusing you of being at fault for any misdoings. I think you should have a talk with the nurse. Try not to complain to anyone else, because complaining to other nurses might come back to bite you. Tell the nurse that you need to have a talk with her and discuss the safety issues for the patients. I would have said to her. I will appreciate if you will help me vs. you need to help. Expect to meet more like her in your career. I tell nurses try not to do the same to other nurses. There were times when I felt so angry towards other nurses, but I made a fair assignment. Making a fair assignment puts less of a burden on me.

NP's position comes with more responsibility and accountability. I'm unable to envision all that leisure for NP's. The only nursing position I'm aware of that would have all that leisure is bedside nursing. Everything else comes with taking work at home or working extra hours with no pay. Maybe, I'm wrong!

Thanks for the explanation. I am concerned about the attitude of the new grads. More so, students who want the degrees without putting in the work.

You don't know me. I have no intention of going to NP school! Yes I've known a number of nurses who enrolled in programs. Do you foresee a problem of the influx of Nurse Practitioners?

Do you really believe anonymous tip line exist in nursing?

I went to work in a new facility recently. The medication nurse talked down to the patients. A patient became irritable and said to her "don't talk to me like that, you work here too long." She went back at him verbally, berating him and shouting at him. He became agitated and began shouting at her. Crisis was called and the patient was medicated with Ativan and Thorazine IM. I felt really bad to be a witness in that scenario. The patient was right and was asserting himself the best way he knew. As a new employee; you are not supposed to voice your opinion. You are not supposed to complain. You are not supposed to advocate for patients. I no longer work there.

Proud nurse, you are not alone. I am beginning to be so sick over what is or what nursing has become or maybe what it always was. Nurses don't care. I worked with a nurse just recently. She was the medication nurse on the unit. Twelve out of twenty seven patients refused medications. Is that normal? Aren't nurses supposed to encourage patients to take their medications? I watched her talked down to the patients. She agitated a patient and the patient responded. "Don't talk to me like that, you don't know how to talk to people." The end result was: crisis was called and the patient was medicated with sedative and psychotropics via an injection. She is the talk of the hospital. She is so good. She is a good nurse. Really? I complain for safe practice and patient's safety. I'm a trouble maker. I cannot understand the logic. You are firm, I am firm. We are not supported. I will continue to do what I'm doing. I have learned to be firm and yet be soft. I do not mean calling patients sweetheart, honey or darling. I give patients rationales for what is being done. Patients appreciate you when it's all done and they are feeling better. You have to cover yourself with crocodile skin to work in nursing and maintain your sanity. For your sake! Maybe you shouldn't discuss work with your family. It's only a suggestion. Your shift ends when you sign off and walk out the door. You pick up your life and focus on you and yours.

My goodness! How I wished I had what it takes to do what you did. I hope other students will learn from your experience. Congratulations!

Now what makes you speak like that? You sound so bitter! You should go to school again and you will realize the importance of "Critical Thinking." Yes it makes a difference in nursing, but not limited only to nursing. Critical thinking is a skill and a tool. You will learn how to speak when you are communicating. You will learn how not to speak. You will learn to be professional.