what u don't like about nursing?

qt2168 · Sep 17, 2008

Seeing my drug addicted patient sign himself out and stagger out of the unit calling us every name in the book while he does) then returning later, drunk and high (still calling us every name in the book) and we have to treat him for his tachycardia and bp. Hmm wonder why its so high??? :banghead:

lvan0904 · Sep 17, 2008

Being short staffed on a frequent basis (most days than not), staff who will help you only if they like you (like who they like and dislike who they like or else), nurses that talk down to you to boost their own ego:argue:, and most importantly- I do not like the safety concerns involved with a high patient load (10 or sometimes more) with on a tele floor:banghead:. I enjoy being a nurse, but these problems (along with others) create an unsafe environment, and I'm all about patient care and safety and teamwork while I continue learning and improving my skills as a nurse. :nurse:

neatnurse30 · Sep 17, 2008

THere is a lot of things I don't like about nursing:

1.Disrespect from everybody- administration, patients and their families

2.High stress and huge liability

3. Salary increases very small per year

4.Physical demands of nursing

5. Being constantly interrupted

6. Hospitals have not too good benefits, pensions are very tiny

7.working weekends and holidays, or nights

8. Can't dress nicely, have to wear ugly scrubs

9. Can't have decent lunch break

10.Unsupporting hospital administration

11.more paperwork and documentation than ever

12. short staffing- have more patients that you would like to

Well, that's what came to my mind about nursing.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 17, 2008

In July 1996 I took care of a pediatric full arrest where the child had been beaten to death over a 90 minute period. Truly wish I wasn't a nurse that day.

ShayRN · Sep 17, 2008

OH MY GOD, Trauma. I bet you still have nightmares. (((HUGS)))

I can't stand having nurse managers who haven't worked the floor in years tell me how easy it is to take care of sick, sick, sick people.

mom4josh · Sep 17, 2008

All of the above, plus...

doctors who think they are above everyone else and treat nurses and patients with disrespect.

MrsIndependent · Sep 17, 2008

In July 1996 I took care of a pediatric full arrest where the child had been beaten to death over a 90 minute period. Truly wish I wasn't a nurse that day.

Whoa, I'm not sure I would've been able to handle that. :cry:

How do you control yourself and not let your emotions get the best of you?

Trauma Columnist · Sep 17, 2008

I didn't mean to derail this thread and I apologize. What I was trying to get across was that you will always have those pts or occasions or frustrations to deal with.

Nursing is my second career and it is still much better than the first - lol for all of its warts. You can make a difference in nursing and for that I am grateful.

As to how to handle to exceedingly tragic realities - you never ever forget but like with your own personal lives, you do learn to compartmentalize some horrid events so that when they do come out, you can deal with it and realize you did everything you could do. My experience with this child taught me never to ignore warning signs and that if you are fortunate enough to have some extra time or money, it is the right thing to share and get involved.

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2008

I can handle just about anything except ungrateful patients and ungrateful family members :down:

Rabid Response · Sep 17, 2008

All the documentation. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time documenting the care I've given than I do actually providing that care. Also, the physical exhaustion of working night shifts. We don't have UAs or CNAs at night. If I have a patient who is incontinent of stool, I have to clean him/her and change the linens at least every two hours in addition to whatever else needs to be done. These are ICU patients, so sometimes it can get heavy.

April, RN, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2008

I can handle just about anything except ungrateful patients and ungrateful family members

Same here. This really is the only thing that I deal with on a consistent basis that makes me not want to go back to work sometimes. So many people are rude and disrespectful.