Realizing how lucky I am

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Reading through these topics it sounds as if a lot of nurses are working under terrible hospital environments. It makes me realize how lucky I am to work where I do.

I'm an RN on an inpatient psychiatric unit. I have a supportive manager and great co workers. Sure it's not perfect but we really are a team that respects each other and works well together. This includes nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, RT and pastoral care. Most of us have been on the same unit 20-30 years. Staffing is adequate and if acuity is high every step is made to get extra help. We have each others backs and more importantly want the best for our patients. We are good at what we do!

Upper management also has support for the nursing staff. While money and customer service are at the top of their list; it's not at the expense of nurses. Our safety is important. At a recent mandatory in service day it was stressed that any threat from family/patients will not be tolerated. We were instructed to call security and fill out work place violence forms. Of course on our unit this has always been a top priority; it is now being stressed everywhere. When I was assaulted by a patient and off work 5 months, my facility stayed behind me.

I just felt the need to point out that there are good places to work. Places where you do feel valued and like you are making a difference. Places where your skills, compassion, desire to help, all the reasons you became a nurse, can be utilized at high potential!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Yeah, but the problem is this: "Most of us have been on the same unit 20-30 years."

All of the good jobs are taken, and the only way to get one is if someone dies or retires; then you have to be in just the right place at the right time. You are indeed lucky.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

I imagine units where most of the nurses having been on that floor (or even office setting) for 20 years is very, very rare; that surprised me actually. Even on the highly desired units, people want a change after a while even if they're not burnt out, so that really surprised me. That's really cool. What was more surprising was that it was an inpatient psych unit; I'm sure you know that typically has high turn-over. Your unit needs to model how other inpatient psych units should be.

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

Thanks so much. It is great to hear the positive side and more importantly that it CAN be done. Nice job! Hats off to you and your co-workers for a job well done!:)

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Thanks for sharing, that is encouraging!

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I disagree that all the good jobs are taken.

I have been working for the same healthcare system for just over a year now and I love it. It's not perfect. I've had nights from hell. But I have a good manager. Upper management is involved. It seems the system is advancing with technology. My pay is great. My patients and coworkers are great.

And, the icing on the cake, I'm a med/surg nurse and still say this... But I do think it all depends on your attitude sometimes.

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Thank you for sharing this encouraging piece of news. As everything in life there are two sides, one good and one bad. I just hope that nurses can find work in places that are conducive to their development both career and relationshipwise.

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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
I imagine units where most of the nurses having been on that floor (or even office setting) for 20 years is very, very rare; that surprised me actually. Even on the highly desired units, people want a change after a while even if they're not burnt out, so that really surprised me. That's really cool. What was more surprising was that it was an inpatient psych unit; I'm sure you know that typically has high turn-over. Your unit needs to model how other inpatient psych units should be.

Until our new manager came on the scene, the "newest" nurse on day shift had 15 years of experience. Retirement parties were more common than going away parties, and it practically took a retirement for a spot to open up. Then Manager from Hell got hired, and 38 nurses have left. Now, on night shift, the "experienced" nurse has two years under her belt. Those places do exist, but it takes a variety of factors, and if you throw one off, then it all goes to heck.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm lucky that I don't live or work along the coasts and safe from hurricanes and earthquakes! Best wishes and God bless and watch over everyone working and living in these hurricane areas!

I was really shocked when Wall Street was closed. How often has that happened? Only can think of September 11. Any other time?

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