Reality vs Nonsense.....specific to nursing and nursing aides!

[IHeartPeds87]

I want to be a nurse. I have wanted to be a nurse for a long time. After working as an aide, I have become disillusioned. Not to the point of changing my career aspirations, because I still do aspire to be (and am working toward) being a nurse. Still, a lot of what I've seen angers me, and I've pinpointed it: The reality of the situation vs nonsensical political language that is thrown around.

Example:

Nonsensical political language: When management tells you that Patient Care is the number one priority.

Reality: Management will never say to my face that patient care is the last priority, but everything they do indirectly indicates that itself.

Another example:

Nonsensical political language: Paperwork is meant as a communicative tool between aides/anxillary staff and those in the higher ups to implement policy changes as necessary.

Reality: You chart the same thing in six places. No changes are ever made, and I highly doubt that ANYONE reads any of the documentation until there is a major incident with a patient. Then, the blame game comes around where those in higher ups try to pinpoint someone to blame and/or write-up.

Reality vs what actually happens....it's a bit tragic.

I am not blaming management. I am sure that their supervisors berate them which in turn makes them berate us. The minute you have people in charge of patient policies and procedures who have NEVER done bedside care, you run into major problems.

Anyone relate?

[CarolinaGirl1112]

Just curious, is this something you've experienced at several facilities, or just the one you're at now?

I've heard quite a few horror stories about workplaces...it seems like everyone has to go through a few crummy ones before they find a good one...almost like dating. :)

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

we are going to electronic medical records and the system prevents us from double charting. A real blessing. Patient care is priority, but patient care is a business too. Someone has to manage the business or there is not enough resources to go around. It is frustrating, especially if you feel you have no input. If you can join any committees, do so. If you become a nurse, you SHOULD be on committees to have make your voice known and to be involved in changes that mean something. I doubt if other business are much different.

[Orange Tree]

Every business is like that because it's "wrong" to care about and focus on money. If the leaders said, "We really aren't too concerned with patient outcomes, we just want to maximize profit." people would be outraged. And if the same leaders said, "Hey, our patients got the best of everything this month, but there's no money left to pay our staff." people would also be outraged.

Also, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polite_fiction

[Fribblet]

I'm pretty sure everyone who works in the nursing field can relate. It's the reality of the job.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

welcome to nursing!

[RNperdiem, RN]

Welcome to the corporate world.

The longer I work, the more I understand the workplace humor in "Dilbert".

This is not unique to nursing by any means.

For the nurse, it means trying to balance the real world of patient care with the latest fads in corporate BS.

For example, when scripting is in fashion, just smile and nod yes when told what to say, and then continue on with the basic good manners that has always worked.