NotYourMamasRN

I always ask for time to consider the offers. The last time I accepted a position, I took two weeks between considering the offers and negotiating pay. To be fair, I know the employers because I live in a small town kind of area. So they both knew I was weighing the offers between each other. There were no hurt feelings when I made the decision. In the past, I would sit on an offer for about a week before making a decision. I always told the employer I want to be sure the job was the right fit for me and them.

I had a very similar experience when I did PRN at two different LTC/SNF facilities. I really thought the problems at the first could not possibly exist at the second, I was wrong. Dead Wrong! Everything you have described sums up my entire experience in these facilities. Like you I became attached to my patients and that is why I stayed as long as I did. I tried to fight the system to improve it. I tried to implement new policies, root cause analysis, and attendance policy implementation. But no matter how hard I tried, nothing ever changed. I left before a really horrible sentinel event occurred on a floor I could likely have been working. Even as someone looking to get out of nursing, I still don't want to jeopardize the license I worked hard to get. And I definitely don't want to be part of a system that harms a fragile population. I will never go back to that setting, never ever!

It definitely amused every person in my school! LOL

That is HILARIOUS!!!

If it is in the employer's best interest to fire someone they will do it in a heart beat. If it is in my best interest to get a different job I will do it in a heart beat. I have never not gotten a job offer from an interview. I always do what is in my best interest.

My first day of clinicals in nursing school I went to take vitals on a dead person. Seriously, this happened. There was no butterfly sign on the door and we (Me and 3 other students) walked in to do vitals. There was a ton of family there and everyone was quiet. I looked over briefly and I guess we all thought the patient was asleep. Walked closer and didn't look at the patient, just went to get my bp cuff out and tell the family we were going to take vitals. The daughter looked at me and said "But she's dead". Yup, never managed to live that one down.

Thank you.

There is a huge shortage where I live. There are 3 community hospitals here and they are all short staffed. Nurses in my area work an average of 1-2 extra shifts a week. Some volunteer and some are voluntold.

I would have not gotten so aggravated by the broken system and poor professionalism. Over the years, that has taken a big toll on me. I expected more from the career field and have been let down at every turn. When I tried to help people and do the right thing, I always met opposition. I can't work in a field like that, it eats at me every day and makes me hate it and the people I am surrounded by. I am exiting stage left!!!

I have worked in several ER's set up like yours is now. Most staffed the back end at 4 to 1 with the exception of ICU level patients stuck in the ER for a hold or awaiting bed assignment. Usually in that instance they would go to 2-1 or 1-1 depending on the situation. Fast track was usually between 4-6 t0 1. I found that ratios in the ER were always extremely fluid, just like the work environment. A good charge knew her nurses, their strengths, what they could handle, and the patients in the waiting room. They made adjustments as necessary.

I know how you feel! I am getting out of nursing and sucking up the pay cut. There is no price on my happiness. We only live once and we weren't made to be miserable and hate our work. The Japanese surely have this figured out, their culture is big on working with a passion. Find yours and you will be happier.

Based on my experiences in trauma, I would not go there since you have been out of the ER game for awhile. I would go back to your old ER for awhile and obtain your TNCC, after some time I would then try to switch. Trauma is a lot of stress, it might be better to not jump into something like that after going through the lose of a parent and doing something different.

I don't care if you resent it, I am not here to fluff your ego.

Wash with Tide and add in a scoop of baking soda and splash of vinegar.

I think everyone has something that gags them to death. Eventually you will be better able to tolerate it. I threw up in a facemask when I went into a c-diff room once.