The Shift from Hell

Most of the shifts I work are "Shifts from Hell!"

I come home and feel terrible! Nursing never use to be this way as far as I can recall. Six years out of the field, and this is called "nursing"? I feel sorry for nurses today. We are busting our azzes, breaking our backs, running our feet into the ground at rapid speed, sweating like crazy, starving from malnourishment, being treated worse than dogs, and doomed to die of bladder and bowel failure all for what???????????????

I dont know the answer to that.

I'm so sorry it sucks like this

I try to prioritize/be as organized as possible/do things early..so when the @#$% hits the fan I'm not SO overwhelmed.Even with best efforts this is an impossible task sometimes and it leaves me wishing I had been able to do more:/ We alllll have those crappy shifts when the only way to get everything done is to clone 4-5 of ourselves.Do the best you can and you'll be able to leave with a clear conscience.

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

Most of the shifts I work are "Shifts from Hell!"

I come home and feel terrible! Nursing never use to be this way as far as I can recall. Six years out of the field, and this is called "nursing"? I feel sorry for nurses today. We are busting our azzes, breaking our backs, running our feet into the ground at rapid speed, sweating like crazy, starving from malnourishment, being treated worse than dogs, and doomed to die of bladder and bowel failure all for what???????????????

That's it exactly!

I'm sitting here with my aching back, throbbing feet, all stressed out and can't sleep, because I just had another shift from hell, too!

I wish I could say that these "Hell" shifts only happen rarely-we all know better. The worst shift I had was a full unit (32 patients) I was the ONLY RN - all those assessments.....I had 3 NEW Grad LVNS (Registry) who have never worked at this facility before as my staff. We use computer charting....which none of the LVNs knew how to use....medication cart which none of them had access to....I think you get the picture. How did I survive? I rallied the patients families to assist with their loved ones care. I oriented my LVNs to the unit...When they needed medications to have the Chart/Mar in hand...Thank God I only had 3 frest post surgical patients and 1 blood transfusion during this shift...It could have been worse. I completed all assessment by 1300 (the shift started at 0700). I also had several discharges to do....OH WELL....I still Love being a Nurse.

Some days you just fly by the seat of your pants (and nursing license) and pray that nobody dies. Sad but true. Glad they all aren't like that for me. But when those shifts happen, it sucks the life right out of you.

In a case like this I'd definetely fill out a Protest of Assisnment form - whatever your hospital has. You're taking a big chance by not doing this should an untoward event happen. CYA.

Just an observation: I find it ironic that anyone who has to work under these conditions STILL gets to take the heat when patients and families (even nurses as patients) complain that their hospital stay was less than ideal. We all hear the horror stories - and yet the position we are put in never becomes a valid 'reason'.

We all just want it all!

I've been crying off and on since 0500 this morning. I rarely get any sleep. The soles of my feet are killing me, even after putting Dr. Scholl's gel heel pads in my shoes...helped for the first part of the 12 hour shift, but dwindled after that.

I can't stop thinking about how awful nursing has become since leaving and returning to the field with that six year break!

I love being a nurse because I enjoy patient care. I'm tired of being picked on, gossiped about, and stabbed in the back at work. No one has the guts to face me and tell me the crap they seem to be running to management about, yet the gossip is suppose to speak for who I am as a nurse, a person, or whatever I have become since working among the pack of wolves in sheeps clothing. :chuckle

Why or why do nurses abuse each other so? Aren't we suppose to be team players working together? I hate to be forced out of being a nurse! Yet....I see it coming. Sad, but true.

My unit seems to want handmaidens so why not dress like one?

It isn't so much the patients as it is the attitude the staff accepts, and the things they whisper about behind the nurse managers back. Whose ratting on them? I have covered so many butts since working on that unit, yet they go gossip about me to management! Jealousy kills a lot of people, doesn't it? Not having a productive life tends to lead employees to gossip and falsely accuse a peer employee of things that are mundane and childish. Just because I am not afraid to be assertive and exercise the power of my voice as a professional in nursing doesn't mean that I am not a good nurse. A butt kisser I am NOT! Never have been...never will be!

Should I quit?

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

Should I quit?

Yes. No job is worth crying over and all the other crap you're putting up with. Time to move on. Don't waste another teardrop. But don't give up on nursing.

(((cheerfuldoer))))

Thanks Tweety for the hug. I haven't had one in a loooooonnnng time. Hubby is overseas, and I come home all alone talking to my three foot teddy bear and telling it how much I hurt. My eyes are so swollen from the crying. It's been twelve hours now that I've been crying off and on. Can't get out of my bathrobe for anything. All I've eaten today was a couple pieces of chicken. Time for some herb tea...nice and hot...and a couple of Benadryls and two Tylenol. Wish I had some Ambien. I've got a doctor's appointment next week because I feel like I'm falling apart completely from the pressures at work.

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

I've been crying off and on since 0500 this morning.

Should I quit?

here's another..((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))

I agree with thirdshiftguy-NO job is worth that much heartache or headache. I would start looking for a new job tomorrow. Or atleast give notice-and take some time off. Good luck.