I am scheduled to start Nursing School next fall. I am really excited about it and am looking forward to becoming a Nurse and getting into the workforce. I am not worried so much about the curriculum and caring for patients. I figure whatever a nurse has to go through it is often harder on the patient anyway. But I am concerned about the paperwork and the bureaucracy, I have heard horror stories about Medicare, Medicaid, and the dreaded HMO. So please give your thoughts and experiences. Is this an area that doctors are mainly responible for, or do nurses have to deal with it too?
Thanks..
Also, feel free to elaborate on anything you want regarding the work of a nurse. While my decision to become a nurse was well though out and with good intentions... I can't think of everything.
I am guessing you thought perhaps cleaning poo, vomit, blood would be on the list.
Not for me. The thing I hate most is when I can't get an IV line on the first try. I know it hurts and each time you miss you mess up a spot that someone else might have been able to hit. If the person needs immediate access for meds. etc. your feel inadequate.
I don't work in a place that has many of the problems I see written by others. That does not mean we don't have our own problems or they are gripping.
The best parts of the job outweigh all the negatives for me.
YOu have to remember when you visit this site that many people come on here to vent and talk about the negatives. For every negative post there are a ton of nurses out there who had a good day. I am a new nurse but feel lucky in that I like my job and, yes we have complainers on my unit, but for the most part people are positive and even happy at times. You have to find the right fit for you, where you are supported and there are positive people around you. I do not handle all the insurance paperwork. Admitting does that, as well as social services. The hardest part of my job in a busy ED is that we get so busy that pt have to wait a long time and get crabby with the RN's when it is really out of our control. I also think overuse of the ED is a big problem and that can get frustrating when I get someone in for a nosebleed or something like that. Charting is not a problem, and I get out on time 99% of the time. Understaffing is also not a probloem. I have never had to take more than my assigned 3 pt.
Wow where do you work? Charting is a huge issue and I often stay late to finish charting. I feel that it also takes away from time I could be spending caring for patients. Understaffing is a huge problem too sounds like you have the perfect job!
Wow where do you work? Charting is a huge issue and I often stay late to finish charting. I feel that it also takes away from time I could be spending caring for patients. Understaffing is a huge problem too sounds like you have the perfect job!
Believe me when I say charting in the ED is not the same as charting on the floor. One is a mole hill, the other, a mountain!
CHARTING! with the inability to be perfectly complete unless you stay many hours past your shift and have a perfect memory.
YEAH THAT!!!!!
I've been two hours over the last four shifts just to FINISH CHARTING!!!! Last night was the last straw!! My shift ended at 7pm and at 9:30pm, I said, forget this!! I probably missed some vital charting BUT I DIDN"T CARE!!!
Seriously, I love patient care! But reliving the shift over again on the computer drives me insane!!! I do love my job, though it is a circus!!!:wink2:
Specializes in Burn, CCU, CTICU, Trauma, SICU, MICU.
families. lack of control of your patient d/t "customer service". being seen as "less" than doctors, etc... no thankfulness. working nights. working holidays. aching backs. feeling run ragged.
I think I have only worried about insurance once in my entire career with a little girl that had just come from another country and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Luckily she came to a not-for-profit hospital that has something called "charity care" covering her costs until she can get coverage (which social work was there to help the family with).
I absolutely love my job... we are a team that runs like a well-oiled machine helping each other out. There are times when I get frustrated with rude families, drug-seeking patients, and the like. But for the most part, it's great!
I'd say the worst part is having to take care of abuse cases.. and just the emotions involved. I just couldn't imagine ever hurting an innocent baby and it floors me what people will do to these tiny ones. Had a really bad one recently, so I guess it's fresh on my mind.
Catty nurses that will stab you in the back of you're not careful. Don't ever talk about your personal life unless you want it broadcast to everyone. Maybe it's like that everywhere, but I experienced it much more acutely in the hospital setting. If you are new, everyone will gossip about you!
TopazLover, BSN, RN
1 Article; 728 Posts
I am guessing you thought perhaps cleaning poo, vomit, blood would be on the list.
Not for me. The thing I hate most is when I can't get an IV line on the first try. I know it hurts and each time you miss you mess up a spot that someone else might have been able to hit. If the person needs immediate access for meds. etc. your feel inadequate.
I don't work in a place that has many of the problems I see written by others. That does not mean we don't have our own problems or they are gripping.
The best parts of the job outweigh all the negatives for me.