Struggling

[missnursingstudent19]

I recently started a job in a facility that is turning out to be really awful. My coworkers don’t seem to care about the patients, and they don’t do their jobs. Management’s new solution was to give them more paperwork ?‍♀️ Now I’ll have even less time to spend actually caring for the patients- and my coworkers patients since they never seem to leave the nurse’s station. How do I deal with having to give crappy patient care because I don’t have the resources or help to give good care? 

[Bigwave108, BSN, RN]

That is a frustrating situation.  Unfortunately, what you describe (coworkers not being attentive enough to patients and not doing their jobs; management interventions falling short) is not uncommon.  In short, you may have found yourself in situation that compromises your practice standards.  So, you can try and change the culture, which is very difficult (probably impossible) as a new employee, or leave.  

Without knowing all the details, my advice would be to work at a unit and facility that would appreciate your practice standards.  There are a lot of very good places to work out there, and a lot of very toxic and stressful places to work.  You may have landed in the latter.  

Also, keep in mind that as a newcomer, you may not fully understand what the unit has been through.  The coworker behavoir you describe is emblematic of burnout.  If management's solution is more paperwork (this approach is usually ineffective and demoralizing, frankly, disengenuous), chance's are that the management style has a lot to do with the burnout

[RNperdiem, RN]

This is how and why a lot of us leave our first job. Despite missing lunch, leaving late and running all day, I didn't have the satisfaction of at least knowing my patients were well looked after. The heavy patient assignments, excessive paperwork (computer charting is far worse), and having to depend on undependable aides made me go out looking in less than a year.

Luckily I found a job were standards are high, patient care is a priority; I work with amazing nurses whose good example encourages me to be a better nurse.

Leave as soon as you can find a better job. We become products of our environment, so leave before you start adopting low standards of care, the uncaring attitude, and a certain kind of uncurious apathy of nurses who gave up learning long ago. 

[missnursingstudent19]

2 hours ago, RNperdiem said:

This is how and why a lot of us leave our first job. Despite missing lunch, leaving late and running all day, I didn't have the satisfaction of at least knowing my patients were well looked after. The heavy patient assignments, excessive paperwork (computer charting is far worse), and having to depend on undependable aides made me go out looking in less than a year.

Luckily I found a job were standards are high, patient care is a priority; I work with amazing nurses whose good example encourages me to be a better nurse.

Leave as soon as you can find a better job. We become products of our environment, so leave before you start adopting low standards of care, the uncaring attitude, and a certain kind of uncurious apathy of nurses who gave up learning long ago. 

I am definitely contemplating leaving this job, but I really don’t want to be seen as a job hopper! I’ve been a nurse for 3 years and this is my 4th job ? I’ve been trying to find a place where I’m the right fit.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Maybe activate your network to try and get some first hand impressions of a workplace from people you know. 

When you interview, ask about turnover. While it seems most places have high turnover right now, it can be an indicator of a less than ideal workplace.

Ask to job shadow before making a decision. Best wishes ?

[DeeAngel]

You are liable for the poor care you give to residents, excuses do not count.  Do not return to work there.

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

"Ask to job shadow before making a decision. Best wishes ?"

Great advice! Something I was unable to do during the pandemic and I strongly regret it! After starting the job, I realized the culture was just NOT a good fit for me.