benharold1

Unfortunately, I feel that nursing has changed so much since I began 35 years ago. In the past I felt that nurses were well treated and respected. However, now everything revolves around money. Nurse managers play into the hands of greedy administrators and do not respect or help their staff anymore. I quit my job due to such a manager who completely disrespected me. She did not like for anyone to question her even if it pertained to patient-safety issues and wrote me up. ( The first time in 35 years as a nurse) Nurses truly need Unions to have a voice to represent what is best for the profession and patients! The current environment of cooperate-run nursing is very unpleasant with nonsense such as AIDET and putting on a happy face to the public that all is okay when it is not. The pandemic shows just how hospitals should have been focusing on more important things instead of superficially pretending to the public that they will get great care. Now we have a situation that nurses are in jeopardy of their health and lives because hospitals and government seem to think they are dispensable. The profession was touted as a place to have job security but now I question how many citizens in the future will choose to enter the profession if their lives can be in jeopardy.

I've been a nurse for over 35 years. Unfortunately, my observation is when a nurse is not busy they are usually lazy and not spending time with patient's or families like they should. With understaffing so severe now-a-days I can't understand how any nurse could not possibly be busy most of the time. I am very organized and efficient in my care but rarely have had time even for lunch with all the tasks, meetings, charting ect.

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What I think is sad is that you do not read of any compensation available to nurses/nurses families who become sick or die as a result of being exposed to covid-19. Some attitudes the administrators take towards the nurses are down-right insensitive. I imagine the administrators are staying as far away from covid-19 patient's as possible but expect staff to jeopardize their safety and health without proper PPE. I hope the nurses consider unionizing to protect their own self interest. Because no one else is looking after their safety and health.

I think the plant-based option is a wonderful idea. It is very heart-healthy, low-fat and fiber. As long as patient's want to try it to improve their health more power to them!

I am so sorry to hear that your daughter is stressed-out and having a difficult time with her job. My 1st year as an RN was also very difficult. But I stuck with it and have been a nurse for 36 years now. I would suggest that she try to find a new preceptor or look for a job that is less stressful but encourage her to stick with her current job for at least a year. As far as the fiance goes, he seems to be manipulative. Nursing is very stressful and he needs to understand that. If she does marry him he may constantly control her in all aspects of her life. It's her life, so why should she live and make decisions on solely what he desires. I wish her the best of luck. She has a responsibility to be committed to the patient's and families she cares for. She needs to take care of herself before she can take care of others.

I have been a nurse for over 35 years and have also seen a drastic change in the way bedside nurses are treated. It used to be if a nurse wanted to manage or be a charge nurse they had to earn that position and prove their expertise and competency as a nurse. Now it is open to anyone who has a BSN or MSN but may lack the actual patient care experience. Some of this is due to the ANA's expectation that all nurses have degrees and in the process have encouraged a culture away from the bedside. In addition, upper-level managers are basically the watch-dogs to ridiculous patient perception initiatives such as Studer. The shortage is once again here and the most difficult jobs in nursing (BEDSIDE nursing Care) are the least respected. I am so sorry for anyone who is reliant on safe care in a hospital or other care institution in which nurses and aides are understaffed and over-worked leading to unsafe conditions for patients. It's time the top-heavy management roll-up their sleeves and do the real work of nursing, caring for patient's at the bedside. I wish they would quit blaming the bedside nurse for problems with patient care and man up and take some responsibility and accountability for the issues that really contribute to less than satisfactory and safe care.

It is sad that nursing care now revolves around census and money. I have been a nurse for a long time and am planning to leave my current job exactly for those reasons. I have been chastised by management for speaking-up concerning unsafe conditions. I no longer want to be legally liable for the unsafe conditions that jeopardize patients and my license. I have the fortune to have been hired in a non-cooperate setting. I will be making less but will at least be assured that I can provide safe, compassionate , loving care to my patients.

Let's face it. If someone at work has it out for you you're out-of-luck. This happens in not-for-profits as well. Then the crazy administrators who run these places will be begging and offering sign-on bonuses when they have trouble hiring nurses due to shortages. Sadly, managers and administrators are disrespectful to the profession. But when they, family, friends are sick expect the red carpet to be rolled out for them. But guess what? There may not be any bedside nurses to care for you either.

I wash my scrubs immediately when I get home. I feel "dirty" after wearing them for over 12 hours, and not sure what they were exposed to during my shift.

Thank you for your advice. So sad after working for this company for so long that I'm being treated this way. Take care!

It is sad that there are some work environments with not a lot of emotional support for nurses and co-workers who take advantage of those of us who work hard and do the best for our patients. I was recently written up by a manager for not delegating a bath to a PCA. I was helping her out and wanted to assess the patient's skin but was still criticized. I often help with their work because if I didn't the patient would not get a bath. Some always find an excuse, but when a patient is under my care everything is my responsibility.

I need some advice from nurses who have been injured on the job and have workman's comp pay for medical bills. I fell at work 6 weeks ago and fractured my shoulder. My medical bills are being paid through workman's comp and I have been able to work "light-duty" on the days I am scheduled to work. I also am currently a prn nurse at this job. I did not apply for temporary disability so I am not receiving additional income from workman's comp. I attend physical therapy twice a week and still have stiffness and pain in my shoulder with some limited range of motion but seems to be gradually improving. My manager recently "counseled" me concerning an issue I had with another employee that happened 4 months ago. She put the "performance counseling" in my record that basically stated performance improving conditions and possibility of being terminated if I did not "improve my performance." She also stated that another nurse and pca stated I was "curt" with them. This was the first time I heard of these allegations. I was not told of the details or when this supposively happened. I was not reprimanded for my nursing care only my "attitude" towards other staff members. I feel that the main driver for this disciplinary action is my injury and feel very threatened. It seems as though my manager is attempting to fire me on the grounds of some sort unproven allegations. I really do not want to work for her anymore and feel very demoralized by her accusations toward me. I have worked with the company for over 15 years. I fear being fired. I really want to quit and look elsewhere for another job that is less physical and stressful. Has anyone had a similar incident and been on workman's comp? If I quit or am terminated will workman's comp bills for my medical care still have to be paid.( Ohio) I know I cannot start working another nursing job until my physician releases me to full duty. Thank you for any advice you can give.

So sorry this happened to you. I am sure it was probably not your nursing care of why you were let go. I recently worked in a place where there was an individual that controlled every little aspect of care and the staff was unhappy. I literally worked there for 2 days and decided it wasn't for me, so I resigned. Did not want to work with unfriendly and seemingly uncaring, micro-managed staff. So maybe these people did you a favor and you avoided more misery down the road. I am sure you will find something better. Best of luck and prayers for you!

I changed my work status and just filled an exit survey out I mainly spoke of generalities such as more flexible schedule and shorter schedule options and providing true uninterrupted breaks for staff. I did not attack my manager even though my relationship has not always beengreat

Thank you so much. I am looking forward to a less stressful work environment!

I love actually taking care of patients and talking to families about difficult decisions. What I don't like is how greedy the health care industry has become and just pushes nurses to the limit so they are totally exhausted (can't eat or pee during my shift) I wish the management would respect us and at least acknowledge the fact that nursing is a very difficult and stressful job and allow us to have some opportunity for a few moments to de-stress during our work shifts. I want job that is less stressful than the one I have now and due to the physical demands may eventually leave nursing altogether.

As LPN new grad 1984 I was paid $6.50/hr. Yikes! As RN new grad 1991 I was paid $14.50/hr (Still Yikes!)

I can really empathize with you concerning how emotionally and spiritually nursing can be. I recently made the decision to leave my stressful job for a less stressful one that pays less money. But in the end I think less stress will be worth it. Do you have the opportunity to work in a less stressful environment such as ECF, school nurse, doctor's office? I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I am happy to tell you that I got the job after all. So I guess I did the right thing by letting them know that I was truly interested in the position!

I love to give baths and basic care and know it is part of nursing care, but when you work with nurses aides that play with their phones or on the computer and don't do their work and management does not hold them responsible it's just ridiculous and the nurses will care for the patient's because otherwise they would be neglected. Then management complains when your overtime. That's why I'm looking for a new job!

I think it is sad that so many bedside nurses feel abandoned by the profession. I am looking for a less-stressful nursing or other job that I will enjoy. I love working and interacting with clients and families but absolutely cannot stand what cooperations and management have done to nurses and patient care. Anymore, it's all about profit, even for non-profits. Emphasis is on improving survey scores by encouraging patient/family perception of great care, not necessarily actual great care. Instead cooperations hire consulting groups as the answer to "training" staff to say "the right thing." Where is the fiscal responsibility in wasting money for concepts they easily could have devised themselves. Staffing decisions are decided by people who do not have a clue what it takes to care for patients safely and compassionately. Nursing Management is often just a cheer-leader for cooperate non-sense and enforces crazy policies that do not ensure better nursing care.

I can't blame her for being secretive about working other places. Sometimes there is a conflict of interest in working for another competing hospital and a potential of losing one's job.

I appreciate all the comments and advise everyone has given me. I guess it's just my personality. I am a very proactive nurse and have had to assertively advocate for my patients for years. I guess I thought it was time to advocate for myself by writing the prospective employer. But so far it hasn't paid off. So fortunately, I have learned a lesson. I have been in my current position for 15 years, so obviously I am not accustomed to applying for employment in recent years. Years ago, applications were done in person and you spoke to real people. I have several interviews with different organizations this week. I will just be more laid back. If they contact me great, if not, oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I didn't commit a crime or harm anyone except myself by obliterating the chances of not getting the job.

I recently applied for a position in an ECF that I really want. The ECF is very well run, excellently staffed and much lower stress than my current position. The pay and benefits would be less, but to me the change would be worth it for my overall well being. I plan to leave my current job ASAP. Unfortunately I don't get along with my manager in my current job and my morale is suffering and I feel depressed. I interviewed with HR and the DON at the ECF and felt the interview went well. The HR manager stated that she was not able to get a hold of my current employer to verify employment and asked for other references. I provided her with several additional references to contact, none of which she contacted. I wrote the HR manager via e-mail stating that I was still very interested in the job and if employment was available to contact me. I know this is an aggressive move but I really would like a position in this facility. I have 35 years of varied RN experience and an excellent employment record. Am I being too aggressive in pursuing this job? Has anyone ever contacted HR post interview? Thank you for your time!