Starting to find some aspects degrading

Nurses Relations

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I've been a nurse for almost a year, and I think burnout has hit me hard. I'm also finding certain aspects of the job degrading. I don't mean wiping up poop or vomit or blood, or turning a little old lady who can't move herself. I mean the extreme doormat part of the job. The fact that we have to let patients and their families/friends walk all over us lest they complain to management and our butt comes under fire. A lot of times it's complaints from the patient you did EVERYTHING under the sun for and spent the most time with who says your care is inadequate to their liking.

It doesn't matter that you are ONE person stretched five and six different ways and that everyone needs something RIGHT NOW; that we are constantly understaffed and no one gives a damn, you are a bad person for not teleporting yourself instantaneously.

The customer is always right.

I find it demoralizing.

I'm trying to get in two years at the bedside and then do something else that does not involve the general public. They are awful and I've had it. I'm practically a hermit on my days off because I cannot stand people any longer. :(

Specializes in Home Care.

I'll tell you what is demoralizing. I haven't had a raise in two years. I'm currently training my replacement who is earning the same wage as me. She knows nothing about doing my job yet she's getting paid exactly the same as me. Wow...just wow.

And then my company wonders why they can't keep employees and why moral is so low.

And yes I did tell my manager exactly what I think.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

We're nurses. We notice when a patient isn't breathing and start CPR/initiate the code. We communicate critical information through the right channels to get patients the care they need. We put IV lines in and give life saving drugs, pain medication, antibiotics... but if the crapper in room 14 isn't flushing we better be there to fix it personally or our manager is going to get a call.

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I've often thought that perhaps the reason nursing has become what it is is because it is a female-dominated profession. Sexism is still alive and well, and I think that may be the reason nursing has so many elements of service/cleaning/submissiveness.

I wonder what nursing would look like today if it had started as a male only profession and was still mainly male dominated? I have a hunch there would be a lot more in the way of procedures and patient care, and probably little to no patient cleaning, changing linens, etc.

I have had similar thoughts. I definitely think nurses would be paid more if it weren't a female dominated profession. Same with teachers.

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Nurses--Please remember you do have patients who are thankful for the CARE you provide, and really respect, and admire your profession.:yes:

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Specializes in None yet..
I'd suggest Ben & Jerry's over the can of tuna. :)

Ben & Jerry's over a can of tuna? Now that IS a strange craving! (At least it's healthier than straight vodka over ice.)

:D

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Specializes in None yet..
We're nurses. We notice when a patient isn't breathing and start CPR/initiate the code. We communicate critical information through the right channels to get patients the care they need. We put IV lines in and give life saving drugs, pain medication, antibiotics... but if the crapper in room 14 isn't flushing we better be there to fix it personally or our manager is going to get a call.

Or the TV remote!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I have never felt degraded by nursing but I do think that tying patient satisfaction scores to reimbursements is a can of worms that has lots of potential for bad stuff to happen. I'm not an expert on that topic by any means but I do absolutely understand what the OP is talking about and sympathize 100%. The only thing I can offer is to try to focus on how you turned the little old lady who couldn't turn herself. I think sometimes we underestimate what stuff like that means to people. They need you.

I think the movement for hygiene in nursing was as much related to scientific developments and the advent of aseptic technique and advances in microbiology as much as it was a woman as housekeeper thing.

I have thought about what it would be like if men dominated the profession though and the only thing I'm pretty sure of is that Jean Watson's carative theories would not hold the lofty status they currently do. It seems like men are much more likely to have a sort of "are you kidding???" response. One guy called her fans "the floppy hat and Birkenstock brigade". I know some men love Jean Watson though and I do too so don't hate on me about that!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I have thought about what it would be like if men dominated the profession though and the only thing I'm pretty sure of is that Jean Watson's carative theories would not hold the lofty status they currently do. It seems like men are much more likely to have a sort of "are you kidding???" response. One guy called her fans "the floppy hat and Birkenstock brigade". I know some men love Jean Watson though and I do too so don't hate on me about that!

I had an instructor in nursing school who was all about Jean Watson. I had an assingment to write a paper about her impact on nursing. I wrote a paper that said that nursing has come a long way INSPITE of Jean Watson.

My instructor wasn't very happy. I think your observations about men in nursing & Jean Watson are spot on. Count me in the "are you kidding???" camp.

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Specializes in diabetic wound care/podiatry.
As long as I am doing my job, keeping my patients safe and providing high quality care, the family cannot get me in trouble. I have no issue referring patients to discuss issues with the manager or the charge nurse. When I'm working on the floor, I don't have that much time for drama because I'm too busy with pertinent things. I don't think there is any reason a nurse should be expected to be a doormat.

THIS!! Unfortunately, lately, the family dissatisfaction has been the reason I have been pulled into the office. Again I say, my patient is safe, cared for, loved by me and still breathing. I will take the customer service lecture any day over compromising my patient's well being or my hard earned and much loved nursing license.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

It's so hard working with the general public regardless of what field you're in. This is normal. I come from retail and I got to be the crusty old one in my former life so I had to check myself when dealing with pts for the first time as a student. There are some skills you learn over time that help you protect yourself mentally and emotionally. The high stress of the job and trying to take care of people who are completely ignorant of what you are trying to do, however, I think can have a more profound erosion of the soul in a much shorter space of time. So, I think it's best to not get in your head too much about it -- it makes it massively worse. Remember a few things:

1) Your patients are ignorant of a lot of things and generally do not care to be educated. This ultimately it their problem -- it's their attitude and they face the consequences.

2) It's hard to care for people who don't care.

3) The customer-based mentality is dying (in a lot of places -- luckily it's one aspect of the ridiculousness Yelp has brought to the forefront) -- it's unsafe and it doesn't even remotely make sense regarding the situation.

4) Don't let people rent space in your brain.

5) Put your shields up before you go into work. Try to approach people with a sense of openness and love in your heart. I KNOW THIS IS H-A-R-D. It takes practice and you've got other things on your mind. But just try it. It'll at the very least make you feel somewhat better.

6) Be infinitely grateful for the ones who treat you well and carry that gratitude in your heart.

Finally, try to find something that lets you interact with people in a positive manner. I got so hateful of people and mistrustful of them that I was very guarded when I went back to school. However, upon entering nursing school I was embraced and able to embrace people who were all going through the same thing and I became more sociable and positive again (even though you know how stressful and terrible nursing school can be). Find people who support you and remind you of the awesomeness of people. It's there. It's just at the bedside you get to see people at their worst, you know? It colors your outlook in a bad way.

Good vibes being sent your way! ;)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
The feeling of wanting to go home, close the blinds, turn off the phone, and lock yourself in the closet with a can of tuna is nothing new in nursing.

I read can of tuna and thought huh??? WTH??? Then I noticed your user name and burst out laughing. So thanks!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
I'll tell you what is demoralizing. I haven't had a raise in two years. I'm currently training my replacement who is earning the same wage as me. She knows nothing about doing my job yet she's getting paid exactly the same as me. Wow...just wow.

And then my company wonders why they can't keep employees and why moral is so low.

And yes I did tell my manager exactly what I think.

Gosh I'm sorry. That truly stinks.

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