stresses and depression in the health workplace.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

So if it seems that nurses have their share of "nasty co-workers", does this mean that a caring sensitive person who would make a good nurse because they are compassionate and caring should not pursue nursing because they are not aggressive. I am beginning to wonder if I am picking the right profession. A pre-nursing student (older pre-nursing student), but I believe in team help and support, respect and loyalty. Is that too much to expect in this career? My idea of nursing is caring and nurturing, along with the knowledge, of course. Do I have on rose colored glasses?

We all started out with those rose colored glasses. However, some of our lenses have turned brown over the years.

You don't have to be aggressive, but it is important to be assertive.

I also believe in and value teamwork, support and loyalty. You can find them in nursing; they do exist. They are not very common, however.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 14, 2007

1. Management

2. Management

3. Did I forget to mention Management? Oh, Co-workers! But, I think that the co-workers are a product of management, because administration are idiots, manipulators and users.

4. Families

5. An occasional jerk of a patient

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 14, 2007

These days, I dread to go to work. What makes me annoyed at the patients is not really them, but that because I am so busy trying to appease the bosses with stupid, relentless things, I really have no time to deal with the patient. I am almost afraid to ask them in my clinic if they need help; many times, it is things that are way too involved and I have 12 to 15 more charts to crank out.

Gromit · Nov 14, 2007

I'm with Oramar.

Management is the primary stressor. Management can easily make or break the job long before co-workers, paitents, docs or families have any chance to ruin it. Management sets the tone. My last manager was pretty good (I didn't know how good until I started working in my new position -and I must say my new manager as well as the assistant manager have me looking over my shoulder, and listening to the ground more than anything else).

Since I always worked nights, I didn't have too much interaction (face-to-face) with docs, and with the exception of one or two, I never felt too stressed about them. Families also tended to be gone shortly after my shift began (though I often dreaded the family members who managed to get permission to stay overnight -but I must say that sometimes they were actually a godsend -in which case I often hoped they stayed the next two shifts -grin).

Still, family, patients, and to some extent docs, were easily suffered through because you would likely not have the same assignment next week (or after your third shift, anyway, if you worked 3x12) -but management stays the same, and if its not a good one, well, there isn't a whole lot you can do about it.

Good coworkers can go a long way toward making the assignment pleasant -and I was fortunate to have a good team to work with.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

You asked for the truth and you are getting it. There is a place for kind, caring people. There are many toxic work environments, but there are many good, supportive places too. I am in one now and have been in a couple.

If you decide to become a nurse focus on your patients and their care and let the BS slide off you when possible.

Nursing has so possibly more options than any career out there. Med/Surg, OR, school nurse, public health, administration (OMG, did I really say that), correctional nursing, travel nursing, camp nursing, the list goes on and on. If you live in a metropolitan area with lots of hospitals etc you have great options. If however, you live in a very rural area with very few options then you might want to reconsider.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

Hello friends. I would like to know your opinions. From observation, I have seen that stresses and depression in the health workplace comes more from coworker and manager than from patients. (People will have differing view). I noticed that rumor and talking behind peoples back, as well as the feeling of what's fair and unfair are very unproductive. These kinds of things can hurt the esteem and confidence of the people around us.
So, I'm wondering. Do you feel stresses comes more from dealing with patients or dealing with your coworker?

I dont have stress or depression at work

when at work. I work

When not at work, I golf.

RN1989 · Nov 14, 2007

What is so infuriating is the amount they are paying these greedy #$@'s and then they are always wanting to cry about how poor and financially challenged they are! And who absorbs this financial burden??? Staff, especially nurses, which inevitably leads to the patients!!!!!!!
Man, don't get me started :angryfire

Now surely you wouldn't want a CEO to wear a $20 outfit to work! They need those inflated salaries to buy those $350+ suits and fancy silk ties so they can keep up with the CEO across town. If they were to make what us peons make, they would have to wear poly/cotton like the rest of of. :nono: Besides, you know how many brain cells they had to use to get an MBA? All the stress of working with numbers is much more stressful than holding someone's life in your hands that you couldn't possibly expect the CEO to live off of $50K per year and still pay his shrink's bills.

Ahhhhh, the wonders of the healthcare system......kinda reminds me of the serfs and feudal lords.