I notice some students or others seem to think that because they've heard about a nursing shortage, that means that they will get a day position in their dream unit, and be welcomed with open arms as if they are the reserve troops come to save the day.
I don't think that's really the case. You still have to take the less desirable shifts, prove yourself, be accepted by your co-workers, and earn respect. Yes, there are toxic units, and those ones are probably more in need of extra help, so you might be more likely to get a job there.
If you are a newbie, you still have to 'pay your dues' in some way, that's usually the way life works in many arenas.
I have a great work ethic, I know that I am still learning every day, and that I'm not 100% perfect. But, I still think the distribution of hours, holidays and call needs to be fair.
A nurse with 20 years experience is deluding him/herself if they do not accept that they, too, must still learn something every day and aren't 100% perfect! And you are right, it should be fair.
Nursing shouldn't be a prison sentence where you get credit for time served. We are supposed to be a team, with each person holding strengths and weaknesses-compliments to each other to make the whole stronger than the sum of the individuals. A good manager should know this and realize that this can only be accomplished through fairness, rather than the divide and conquer approach so common today.
Heh, heh, I run into nurses who look at their careers as prison sentences, ha ha.
I'll never understand this unless perhaps some people just like being miserable and sharing it with anyone that will listen. Either that or they are scared to make a change which is even sadder. Nursing is my second "adult" career and as with my first the minute it starts becoming something that makes me miserable on a regular basis I will find another job. Imo no amount of money or seniority would make a toxic work environment worth staying.
Why can't hospitals give you specific days of the week to work instead of rotating the days around? Why can't you have a schedule that is longer than a month in advance? I don't understand why things are that way in the hospital setting.
For every *specific* day that you want to work, someone else has to work the one you're off. And maybe it truly doesn't work for someone to work every Tuesday, or Thursday, or whatever because you don't want to. They shouldn't have to have set days ON to accomodate your set days OFF. It's hard enough just making a schedule fit and make sure all the hours are covered appropriately without having to consider that A wants Sundays off, B can't work Tuesday or Wednesday, etc etc etc.
When you put a bunch of women together, good OR bad things can happen. It all depends on the personalities or determination and drive of those group of women.
Sorry, but I am a feminist. I will have faith in my fellow sisters regardless of how others view them. *smile*
Some people, by economic necessity, must continue in nursing. Not everyone has the option to change careers when they get burnt out, because of a variety of reasons.
I think the generational gap with nurses comes from the changing face of nursing PERIOD. I have been a nurse for almost 15 years and it is completely different than when I started.
Mom and brother(10 yrs my senior) are RNs and almost dropped dead when I announced that I was NOT going to do "at least a year" of MS for $8.00 an hour right out of school. My mom then thought I should get a nice state job, do 30 years, and get a nice retirement. Id rather eat dirt. I saw one hospital get sold 3 times in 1 year while I was in school and I got a lightbulb moment. Nursing was becoming a business. Sad but true.
I opened and ran a peritoneal dialysis unit right out of scool for twice what my counterparts were making and then due to a deperate situation at an army hospital I got a travel nurse internship in tele. And yes I hauled my cookies off to TX from Fl to do it with all expenses paid, a free apartment, day 1 benes, and they WERE thrilled to see me. So what? How does that affect you?
My mom thought I was crazy all these years and now she has retired from her 30 years with the state as an RN. What did she get? A letter stating that her $18 per payperiod insurance would now cost her $500 per month, a cheap wood-like plaque with her name misspelled on it, and a whole $768 per month to live out of. She was heart broken and crying. Thats scary when you've always seen your mom strong and sure. As an LPN I have been making twice as much as her for the last ten years and saving for my own retirement.
The days of be loyal to your employer and they will take care of you are gone. I think the younger set sees how cutthroat the WORLD (not just nursing) has become and they are acting accordingly. Every other profession seems to see it but us. You think docs, lawyers and others have that altruistic,martyr mentality that we do? puhleeze ! The facilities take advavtage of it.
I love my job and my patients but I am an "eight and skate" girl. I give my all for those 8, 12, or 16 hours but when I punch out you are a distant memory to me. It keeps me sane, happy, and very well paid. Welcome to the world of nursing. The BUSINESS world.
Sorry for the long post but my biggest point is whats it to ya? Why do you care soooo much about my goals and wants? Why does it bother you to the point that you have long threads about it? Attitude and believing that you will get what you want are a big part of getting it. I have always gotten what i wanted because I know how to get along with any group of coworkers and can make any boss love me. No whining, no wavemaking, no excuses, and perfect attendance. That has gotten me everywhere I have wanted to go.
Some people, by economic necessity, must continue in nursing. Not everyone has the option to change careers when they get burnt out, because of a variety of reasons.
Truthfully I find this kind of hard to believe in most cases although it might take getting a different education etc.
I think the generational gap with nurses comes from the changing face of nursing PERIOD. I have been a nurse for almost 15 years and it is completely different than when I started.
Mom and brother(10 yrs my senior) are RNs and almost dropped dead when I announced that I was NOT going to do "at least a year" of MS for $8.00 an hour right out of school. My mom then thought I should get a nice state job, do 30 years, and get a nice retirement. Id rather eat dirt. I saw one hospital get sold 3 times in 1 year while I was in school and I got a lightbulb moment. Nursing was becoming a business. Sad but true.
I opened and ran a peritoneal dialysis unit right out of scool for twice what my counterparts were making and then due to a deperate situation at an army hospital I got a travel nurse internship in tele. And yes I hauled my cookies off to TX from Fl to do it with all expenses paid, a free apartment, day 1 benes, and they WERE thrilled to see me. So what? How does that affect you?
My mom thought I was crazy all these years and now she has retired from her 30 years with the state as an RN. What did she get? A letter stating that her $18 per payperiod insurance would now cost her $500 per month, a cheap wood-like plaque with her name misspelled on it, and a whole $768 per month to live out of. She was heart broken and crying. Thats scary when you've always seen your mom strong and sure. As an LPN I have been making twice as much as her for the last ten years and saving for my own retirement.
The days of be loyal to your employer and they will take care of you are gone. I think the younger set sees how cutthroat the WORLD (not just nursing) has become and they are acting accordingly. Every other profession seems to see it but us. You think docs, lawyers and others have that altruistic,martyr mentality that we do? puhleeze ! The facilities take advavtage of it.
I love my job and my patients but I am an "eight and skate" girl. I give my all for those 8, 12, or 16 hours but when I punch out you are a distant memory to me. It keeps me sane, happy, and very well paid. Welcome to the world of nursing. The BUSINESS world.
Sorry for the long post but my biggest point is whats it to ya? Why do you care soooo much about my goals and wants? Why does it bother you to the point that you have long threads about it? Attitude and believing that you will get what you want are a big part of getting it. I have always gotten what i wanted because I know how to get along with any group of coworkers and can make any boss love me. No whining, no wavemaking, no excuses, and perfect attendance. That has gotten me everywhere I have wanted to go.
Very well said.
What you say about having a good work ethic, worry about yourself and not what another is doing/getting & a drive to succeed, kind of sums up some of the points I was trying to make; but, ohhhh soooo much better.
I think the generational gap with nurses comes from the changing face of nursing PERIOD. I have been a nurse for almost 15 years and it is completely different than when I started.
Mom and brother(10 yrs my senior) are RNs and almost dropped dead when I announced that I was NOT going to do "at least a year" of MS for $8.00 an hour right out of school. My mom then thought I should get a nice state job, do 30 years, and get a nice retirement. Id rather eat dirt. I saw one hospital get sold 3 times in 1 year while I was in school and I got a lightbulb moment. Nursing was becoming a business. Sad but true.
I opened and ran a peritoneal dialysis unit right out of scool for twice what my counterparts were making and then due to a deperate situation at an army hospital I got a travel nurse internship in tele. And yes I hauled my cookies off to TX from Fl to do it with all expenses paid, a free apartment, day 1 benes, and they WERE thrilled to see me. So what? How does that affect you?
My mom thought I was crazy all these years and now she has retired from her 30 years with the state as an RN. What did she get? A letter stating that her $18 per payperiod insurance would now cost her $500 per month, a cheap wood-like plaque with her name misspelled on it, and a whole $768 per month to live out of. She was heart broken and crying. Thats scary when you've always seen your mom strong and sure. As an LPN I have been making twice as much as her for the last ten years and saving for my own retirement.
The days of be loyal to your employer and they will take care of you are gone. I think the younger set sees how cutthroat the WORLD (not just nursing) has become and they are acting accordingly. Every other profession seems to see it but us. You think docs, lawyers and others have that altruistic,martyr mentality that we do? puhleeze ! The facilities take advavtage of it.
I love my job and my patients but I am an "eight and skate" girl. I give my all for those 8, 12, or 16 hours but when I punch out you are a distant memory to me. It keeps me sane, happy, and very well paid. Welcome to the world of nursing. The BUSINESS world.
Sorry for the long post but my biggest point is whats it to ya? Why do you care soooo much about my goals and wants? Why does it bother you to the point that you have long threads about it? Attitude and believing that you will get what you want are a big part of getting it. I have always gotten what i wanted because I know how to get along with any group of coworkers and can make any boss love me. No whining, no wavemaking, no excuses, and perfect attendance. That has gotten me everywhere I have wanted to go.
I feel the same way- I am loyal to no one but my pts and myself.
And good for you that you have done so well for yourself.:wink2:
But you worked for it- and took atvantage of the opportunties which came your way. You did not expect to be handed everything on a silver platter by simply gracing your work-place with your presence.
The point I've been trying to make in my posts is that there are a lot of new grads who have no experience as nurses, yet think they are qualified to manage and supervise nurses with many years of experience. They aren't. And to those who say "well, if admin feels they are capable then what's the problem?"
Well, admin are the idiots who think nurses are customer service reps/waitresses. They are largely responsible for screwing up our healthcare system. What the hell do they know?
And if a nurse really has to have a M-F 8-5, no major holidays job, then she needs to go to work in a clinic, or some other place where that is feasable.
She should not go to work in a hospital or LTC, then have a whiny fit because she actually has to take turns getting holidays off, and might actually have to work more holidays than others, due to lack of seniority.
I am by no means categorizing all young new grads, but a large percentage of them just don't get it.
I was recently in a new employee orientation with a number of young, new nurses. Most of them were BSNs- they made sure that everyone knew that, right off the bat. They had the "I am far superior to any ADN nurse no matter how much experience and skill they have, because *I* have a bachelor's degree" attitude.
Many of these nurses paid no attention whatsoever during the orientation- they spent the whole time texting. Then during break (from which they were always back late) they'd ask some of us older nurses "Did they go over anything I need to know?"
When I am on the floor with these nurses, they text, talk on their cell phones, and sit at the nurses' station BSing w/ docs and residents while the rest of us are working.
They have this whole "It's all about ME" Happy Bunny attitude.
They want to wear "cool" scrubs, and look cool with a scope around their necks, and make the "big" bucks, but they're not willing to walk the walk.
I was recently in a new employee orientation with a number of young, new nurses. Most of them were BSNs- they made sure that everyone knew that, right off the bat. They had the "I am far superior to any ADN nurse no matter how much experience and skill they have, because *I* have a bachelor's degree" attitude.
Many of these nurses paid no attention whatsoever during the orientation- they spent the whole time texting. Then during break (from which they were always back late) they'd ask some of us older nurses "Did they go over anything I need to know?"
When I am on the floor with these nurses, they text, talk on their cell phones, and sit at the nurses' station BSing w/ docs and residents while the rest of us are working.
They have this whole "It's all about ME" Happy Bunny attitude.
They want to wear "cool" scrubs, and look cool with a scope around their necks, and make the "big" bucks, but they're not willing to walk the walk.
Now see thats a problem. Thats why I do agency and travel right now 'cause after watching that on a consistent basis I'd have to smack her simple behind:down:
loricatus
1,446 Posts
A nurse with 20 years experience is deluding him/herself if they do not accept that they, too, must still learn something every day and aren't 100% perfect! And you are right, it should be fair.
Nursing shouldn't be a prison sentence where you get credit for time served. We are supposed to be a team, with each person holding strengths and weaknesses-compliments to each other to make the whole stronger than the sum of the individuals. A good manager should know this and realize that this can only be accomplished through fairness, rather than the divide and conquer approach so common today.