SICK OF IT ALL and getting out!!!

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I have given notice, I am done!

Why?

  • We had a doctor who I saw wash his hands twice in 2 years, and he is an infectious disease MD??? Not only that, he applied a gauze to an AIDS patient on his wound without gloves, then went into his office to chart, without washing.

  • Another doctor who I witnessed perform and reopen an abd surgery without washing, without gloves, and the patient crying from pain without any pain meds on board, or even asking the patient if they had any pain. Yes, I reported it to my boss and even higher chain of command, and it was not addressed with the board. This same doctor corrected me infront of the patient when I asked if we could switch from vicodin to Percocet for better pain mgmt. He corrected me very strongly infront of my patient saying "you are not a prescribing doctor and will not tell me what to prescribe". Then He went to my boss and said I was over-stepping my role??? When I went to my boss, she said "at least you were an advocate for the patient". It drives me crazy!

  • Another time I was told to call a doctor early in the AM (by the hosp. supervisor) to report an abnormal potassium level, and the doctor yelled and me "I am trying to sleep and you're calling me for this?" Sexual harrassment is not allowed in the work place, but verbal abuse from doctors never seems to matter.

  • And last, I am tired of patients who don't care about their health and refuse to be part of the team. They want miracles, but won't change their ways.

I have been a nurse since 95 and I am ready for a change.

I have given 100% to my patients. I love many of them, and have developed special friendships with some, but overall I am not happy any longer and thought I'd get out before I became too bitter!

I would like to hear from those with similar experiences and how you dealt with it.

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Because I'm not yet a nurse, I can't imagine how you feel. However:

1) You make excellent points for getting out.

2) It sounds like you find nursing fulfilling, but occassionally run into situations where the patients are their own worse enemies.

3) Despite your conflict with the MD, you didn't mention conflicts with your other team members.

4) Additionally, you haven't said negative things about your supervisor, but have given the impression that she praised you for your efforts.

Like many patients that are having problems, perhaps seeking and following professional advice may be the best plan of action. Have you gone to HR to find out about counseling or supportive resources/services?

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Specializes in Ortho-Trauma, M/S, homecare.

I feel very badly for you. :crying2: I've had many similar situations happen to me. :banghead: Maybe you can try a different area of nursing? It may not pay as well, but would be more rewarding. You sound like a very caring and consciencious person. The hospital can be a snake pit! Many times the persons who are in authority, are in those positions because they need their egos stroked or need to feel important. Many times they are No help when you need support. As far as MD's go.... there are nice ones and there are real A-wholsomes ! Maybe try homecare or an ambulatory surgicare ctr....just a thought. Good luck, don't leave the profession due to a few brainless idiots.:no:

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Because I'm not yet a nurse, I can't imagine how you feel. However:

1) You make excellent points for getting out.

2) It sounds like you find nursing fulfilling, but occassionally run into situations where the patients are their own worse enemies.

3) Despite your conflict with the MD, you didn't mention conflicts with your other team members.

4) Additionally, you haven't said negative things about your supervisor, but have given the impression that she praised you for your efforts.

Like many patients that are having problems, perhaps seeking and following professional advice may be the best plan of action. Have you gone to HR to find out about counseling or supportive resources/services?

My boss and I are friends, so it's hard. She feels my pain, but also is aware that the doctors are the Money that keeps us open. I've heard time after time "without their referrals, we don't have work".

Love the team members. We've had our disagreements at times, but all got along well for the most part.

I haven't gone to HR, my boss knows how I've felt and I am sure knew it was coming. I want a happy life and I am done with nursing.

I've been in almost every department and it's pretty much the same thing.

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I feel very badly for you. :crying2: I've had many similar situations happen to me. :banghead: Maybe you can try a different area of nursing? It may not pay as well, but would be more rewarding. You sound like a very caring and consciencious person. The hospital can be a snake pit! Many times the persons who are in authority, are in those positions because they need their egos stroked or need to feel important. Many times they are No help when you need support. As far as MD's go.... there are nice ones and there are real A-wholsomes ! Maybe try homecare or an ambulatory surgicare ctr....just a thought. Good luck, don't leave the profession due to a few brainless idiots.:no:

What have you had that is similar? I am glad you can relate though.

I did homecare for over 2 years, but had 35 page admits, so staying up til midnight and them not wanting to pay me overtime wasn't working for me or my family. I did enjoy the autonomy of HH though. Never did surgicare, something to think about after not working for awhile. Maybe I just need a 5 year vacation:)

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

regnurse - Thank God!!! I thought I was the only one who felt this way!! I have been a nurse since 1991, and I loved working and giving my patients my all. The factor that drove me nuts was the BS factor. I did leave nursing, but not before it had taken its toll on me.

I guess I never learned to verbalize my frustration or anger when dished a load of BS. I never grew tired of my patients, and after being out of the loop for 2 years, the only thing I do NOT miss is the politics and crap that administration and some choice others are full of.

So now I am a full time mom and still have withdrawals from leaving my job in the ER. When I see an ambulance, I still get that rush, "Oh man..."Give me a good GSW, stabbing, and the likes anytime!

Unfortunately, before I left I started having some SOB and chest pain. Like an idiot, I thought it was nothing. Ended up with labile HTN, running a BP of up to 230/150 and bigeminy, with some runs of vtach. Now I'm on enough cardiac and BP meds to choake a horse. It is better after 2 years, but I wish I had listened to my symptoms and learned maybe how to ventilate my frustrations.

Anyway, long story short, I've been out of nursing for 2 years and in my situation, it was the best thing I could have done under the circumstances. Only you know what will be the best decision for you. Just please don't wait as long as I did.

So I have learned how to garden and planted roses and flower beds and that has been good for relieving stress. Feel free to pm if you would like.

Anne:paw::paw::paw:

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regnurse - Thank God!!! I thought I was the only one who felt this way!! I have been a nurse since 1991, and I loved working and giving my patients my all. The factor that drove me nuts was the BS factor. I did leave nursing, but not before it had taken its toll on me.

I guess I never learned to verbalize my frustration or anger when dished a load of BS. I never grew tired of my patients, and after being out of the loop for 2 years, the only thing I do NOT miss is the politics and crap that administration and some choice others are full of.

So now I am a full time mom and still have withdrawals from leaving my job in the ER. When I see an ambulance, I still get that rush, "Oh man..."Give me a good GSW, stabbing, and the likes anytime!

oh BTW, being in the garden sounds very therapeutic!!! I hope you get well!!!

Unfortunately, before I left I started having some SOB and chest pain. Like an idiot, I thought it was nothing. Ended up with labile HTN, running a BP of up to 230/150 and bigeminy, with some runs of vtach. Now I'm on enough cardiac and BP meds to choake a horse. It is better after 2 years, but I wish I had listened to my symptoms and learned maybe how to ventilate my frustrations.

Anyway, long story short, I've been out of nursing for 2 years and in my situation, it was the best thing I could have done under the circumstances. Only you know what will be the best decision for you. Just please don't wait as long as I did.

So I have learned how to garden and planted roses and flower beds and that has been good for relieving stress. Feel free to pm if you would like.

Anne:paw::paw::paw:

Good for you Anne!

I used to be overweight and had high cholesterol. But now I eat some healthy chocolate - chocacai protein bars and they've helped me a lot.

Anyway, I am SOOO ready to write Oprah and have a bunch of us on there speaking out about the C--P we have taken. I told my boss she'd see me on there one day!

Then she said "the doctors want us to get a refresher course on anatomy and I said "and when they can learn to wash their hands, I'd be happy to work on it" Needless to say, I was given a look by my boss and she moved on to the next topic.:banghead:

Oh BTW Anne, gardening sounds very therapeutic and I hope you get well!!!

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

It appears that "Sick of it all" minds think alike!

I'm making one more 'go' at it by changing areas. I haven't been a nurse that long - only 2 years, but it has been a long and agonizing 2 years.

It came up in conversation with those closest to me about how much I have changed since attaining my RN. They told me that I once was a happy, go-getting type of person and now I don't act like myself. You know something, they're right.

I have never tried so hard to be positive about a job prior to this experience. I don't know what I'll do if this next move doesn't work out for me, but I'm sure I'll figure it out somehow. My hubby asked me to try a different place and area of nursing before leaving.

I'm going to give it my all and hope for the best. If it's not right, then I'll be one more of us joining the ranks of the nonpracticing.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors!!

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There are so many areas you can take your nursing degree. Don't give it all up until you've tried other arenas. The hospital was too much for me, also. I left and went to an Ambulatory Surgical Center. MUCH BETTER! You can actually spend time talking to your patient there and don't have all the regulatory and political hogwash to deal with. Keep looking...there's something out there that will give you your positive outlook back. Good Luck!

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The kind of thing that you describe is EVERYWHERE in healthcare. Changing to a different type of nursing is not going to fix your problem. If you were tired of the type of nursing, type of patients, or of your coworkers, I might tell you to try another specialty.

Your "problem" is that you have high standards and certain expectations of people in various positions. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who allow the creeping compromise to come into their life and they don't even realize that what they are doing is wrong. I've often been told my standards are too high. Funny, when I was a kid being accountable for your actions and taking responsibility was a given, now it is the exception.

Get out and be happy.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I believe however that a hiatus to even a different unit for say 6 months might get you back into real nursing. There are some pieces of work out there and it's not you...it's anyone who gets in their line of fire. See about a minute change and let us know what happens.

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It appears that "Sick of it all" minds think alike!

I'm making one more 'go' at it by changing areas. I haven't been a nurse that long - only 2 years, but it has been a long and agonizing 2 years.

It came up in conversation with those closest to me about how much I have changed since attaining my RN. They told me that I once was a happy, go-getting type of person and now I don't act like myself. You know something, they're right.

I have never tried so hard to be positive about a job prior to this experience. I don't know what I'll do if this next move doesn't work out for me, but I'm sure I'll figure it out somehow. My hubby asked me to try a different place and area of nursing before leaving.

I'm going to give it my all and hope for the best. If it's not right, then I'll be one more of us joining the ranks of the nonpracticing.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors!!

Yes, I can relate. All of those around me in family and friends circle can't relate to my life of nursing. To leave behind trauma and be jolly at our home life and have to change your mind-set in a snap, is very hard!

What are you thinking of doing next?

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