JennyPARN

Thank you, myoglobin. I guess no one else wants to discuss why they love their job, but I appreciate your response. I sometimes have to remember to keep it simple, I am also lucky to work with some amazing people. And wearing scrubs to work is the best. I have registered for some classes this fall, which I think will be helpful. Continuing education makes me feel more engaged as a nurse. Best, Jenny

Hi all. I've been a nurse for 6 years. I have worked in long-term care and behavioral health. I have been charge nurse on a 34-bed adult acute psych unit for the last 3 years and there is much about the job that I love. However, I am having one of those grass is greener moments. What would another job be like? What is my vision for my career? Etc. The biggest challenge for me is working for a for-profit company that is very corporate where staff needs and safety are not the priority. Just want to hear from nurses who are fulfilled and why.

13 more years!? Sounds like heaven. I'm going to have to work until I die. I LOL'd at Olddude. My suggestion, which was given to me, is to use all your vacation time. For some reason I wasn't doing this, and PTO hours were getting to the tipping point. I started looking ahead and requesting time off here and there. It's made all the difference. Best to you.

Thanks Hppy. When I'm training I get a straight $26 for the shift. Also hardly worth it. I am pushing for and working on a better and longer orientation. We also have a lot of new grad hires. My fear is that my company's staffing model is just that - have the long-time employees train the new ones for very little $, they get their experience and move on then we have to train more nurses. It's short-sighted and puts the responsibility of training all on nurses. It saves them money probably but certainly is not focused on retention.

8 weeks sounds more like it. Hppy, does your facility pay you to be a master trainer/mentor and are those hours outside of your hours on the floor (if you're still on the floor?) Thanks, Jenny

Hi fellow psych nurses. I work as a charge nurse in an acute psych hospital. We are an extremely busy, fast-paced hospital. I believe that our orientation program (if you can call it that) is lacking. New employees have a week in the classroom going over mostly compliance issues, CPI training and then 3-5 shifts orienting on the units with another nurse. The hospital has hired many brand new nurses recently. I don't think this is nearly enough training. For those of you in similar environments, what is your orientation like? Thanks.

Hi there Omg. I don't necessarily have advice for you but I want to concur that I felt exactly the same way as a new RN working in LTC. I had so many questions and no one to ask. I had at least 30 patients to pass meds to and I mean MEDS plus treatments. I know I made mistakes. The lack of staff was shocking to me and the facility was an expensive one for residents. I think I lasted 6 months. I was so happy when I walked out for the last time. 5 years later I can say that I believe there is short-staffing everywhere but in my job now I do not feel like I am drowning all the time. Nursing is tough. I never thought it was going to be easy but we all have to find the right fit for us. Mine was not in LTC. Wishing you the best.

Borderline personality disorder.

Wow, kalvera! Where do you work?! Multiple hospitals have joined our union recently because they thought they could work things out amicably and professionally with management. Broken promises, continued unsafe staffing, no cost of living raises etc. Unions are still important. And they are about the power of WE!

I am an RN in an acute psychiatric, for profit hospital. I love my job. However, nurses and management seem to be in constant disagreement about what constitutes "safe" staffing. I went to work briefly in long-term care, in a not for profit facility, just to see how different the staffing practices were. I found the same issue - too little staff (nurses and aides) to ensure a safe milieu for patients and staff. I understand that facilities are concerned about their bottom lines, however, it seems really short-sighted to limit staff in order to save money. My question is this; can any nurses here tell me that they work in a facility that staffs appropriately not just based on census but on acuity, as well? Of those that feel safely staffed, do you feel that, as an RN you have a voice in the staffing decisions? PS. I'm still pretty new to the nursing world (3 years). I have also been a self-employed massage therapist for 23 years. There are many things about working for corporations that confuse me. Thanks all.