IS the hard truth for most nurses definitely new grads is that poop cleaning and urine collection RN jobs are all that is open?
Pretty much bedside care, running around like a chicken with your head cutoff.
I don't think ICU solves the issue either.
Definitely thinking about different degree, since experience is the only way to open up other nursing positions, but I am not about to work bedside for 10 years. I would rather go back to school.
I have a couple of months of bedside experience so is there anything else I can do besides bedside care? If not I have no choice to move on.
There is no way I can pursue marriage a family by bringing home income this way. Just not going to happen.
I always chase down my techs and ask them to let me join them for the bed baths. It's a great time for the assessment, and it's great for team building. Win/Win!
OK, let's not get carried away. As nurses, the job of a CNA is integrated into our work which is part of the reason why we're so busy. I would never chase down a busy CNA or tech if I can just do the care myself. That's just ridiculous. However, I'm not going to chase down a tech every time they perform care either. There's A LOT of work as it is. I don't mind helping out if I'm not too busy - and I do stress the "TOO" - but I would get none of my work done if I was too busy trying to be the Registered Nurse's Aide instead of the Registered Nurse.
OK, let's not get carried away. As nurses, the job of a CNA is integrated into our work which is part of the reason why we're so busy. I would never chase down a busy CNA or tech if I can just do the care myself. That's just ridiculous. However, I'm not going to chase down a tech every time they perform care either. There's A LOT of work as it is. I don't mind helping out if I'm not too busy - and I do stress the "TOO" - but I would get none of my work done if I was too busy trying to be the Registered Nurse's Aide instead of the Registered Nurse.
I think he meant he makes sure to join the aides while they do a bed bath. As in the bath they were going to do anyway. Not chasing down an aide to do a task the nurse could do himself.
Didn't they teach you in nursing school that RN stands for refreshments and narcotics??!!
In reality, collecting urine isn't really anything bad. Unless we're talking a 500 pound woman...then it gets a little squirrelly. And the last butt I wiped? A pt that had passed away. I was helping a coworker prepare her body for her family. It was not pleasant by any means, but it was the least we could do for the patient and her family.
Nursing isn't for everyone and it is ok to admit that. Some days I wonder if it is for me, but it's more the short staffing, lack of breaks, inability to really give one on one care to my patients, the mandatory overtime. The worst though is being subpoenaed. Nursing school never prepared me for that hot mess and I never want to go through it again. I'd rather do 30 cath urines than testify in court again.
I will say that I got lucky. I was hired into the ER right out of school, and it was my top job choice. We have a great crew and most days I like what I do but that had less to do with wiping butts and more to do with hateful patients. If a pt and their family are nice, I don't mind doing the tasks you find so beneath you.
You should think long and hard about what specialty you want to go into since you already have the degree. Nursing also is not for everyone. This also may also be something to consider. I know if I was the nurse manager on the unit you tried to get a job on I would not hire you with the attitude you have towards patient care. Quality patient care is the foundation of good nursing practice.
I think he meant he makes sure to join the aides while they do a bed bath. As in the bath they were going to do anyway. Not chasing down an aide to do a task the nurse could do himself.
But yes, as Brandon says, if the aids are already there, and I'm able, then yes, I do join them. I don't add to my own to do list this way, but more do what I need to do at the same time as helping them. Often times, it doesn't work out time-wise, and that's totally okay.
I know if I was the nurse manager on the unit you tried to get a job on I would not hire you with the attitude you have towards patient care.
you wouldn't know his attitude toward patient care, not if he's even a halfway decent actor in job interviews. i've gotten a job offer from every place I've interviewed thus far - i know what they want to hear, so i give them what they want to hear.
Like, like, like, like! I never understand the mentality so common here that, when someone comes here and says, "I don't like nursing, I'm thinking maybe it's not for me," so many people feel the need to try to talk them into staying. It's not like there's any shortage of nurses and, don't forget, the oversupply of RNs is one of the reasons we aren't better off professionally than we are. I say, if someone feels s/he doesn't want to be a nurse, fine, it's certainly not for everyone, vaya con dios.
Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.
Even the highest most experienced RN is never above wiping a butt. Sorry. I am an RN who truly believes in never losing your skills as a CNA. It's all in the job description. If wiping poo bothers you, are you sure you wanna be a nurse?
Curious1alwys, BSN, RN
1,310 Posts
LOL, cleaning incontinent patients is the least of my issues in nursing! :)