Want To Leave Bedside Nursing

loriangel14, RN · Mar 1, 2016

The jobs done by nursing assistants are also nursing duties.

rnccf2007, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

I totally agree. But I am spending the majority of my time doing this. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my patient was going into respiratory failure, while I was getting patients and their families coffee.

rnccf2007, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

And should have known by posting this it would come off the wrong way.

Chocolate_RN85 · Mar 1, 2016

This is why I left bedside nursing and 20 of my friends as well , times are changing , hospitals is all about politics , lay offs , budget cuts , overwork employees, underplayed and undervalued , good luck !

Bindy8187 · Mar 5, 2016

Your not crazy, your right. you went into nursing to use your BRAIN. No offense ever to ancillary staff but that is what ancillary staff is for, to have optimal pt care, safer pt care. This isn't happening, nurses are not only bodily drained-and at risk for physical injuries, but you are mentally drained too. You pay and the PT pays. I work ER and am spent after every shift. I love my job but it doesn't matter what facility you work at-never enough help. Nursing is so tough-so draining. Many other ways to sweat and make a paycheck. So if any went in for the money- you'll be disappointed- much of a lot of other things to pick from that won't beat you up. You are allowed to vent and yes those jobs are part of our jobs but they should not take us away from our primary tasks to care for our pt's.

Hollybobs · Mar 5, 2016

It didn't, it's a frustration many of us share and I sympathise with your situation. A similar lack of support was one of the reasons I left my last job. If there are not enough CNA's, like if not enough nurses or Dr's, the whole thing doesn't work properly. We can't do all that we've been taught in terms of observation skills and critical thinking, the stuff that can save people's lives, if we are engaged in other (still important) tasks all the time. We are also then more likely to make a mistake and stress becomes high as we struggle to juggle everything.

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 5, 2016

Does anyone else want to leave bedside nursing, because they feel like a glorified nursing assistant? Don't get me wrong. I am not putting down nursing assistants, was one for 8 years, they are our "eyes and ears" just like we are for doctors, and they have helped me save lives on many occasions. The problem is...where are they at? Seems hospitals have cut them so short that nurses are doing their jobs too. In the last week...Could not get a companion for a patient with dementia and was basically told to chemically or physically restrain him, because there were not enough nursing assistants in a large metro hospital ...in fact none! (LOL, POLICY states that we use less restrictive measures before attempting this...POLICY basically states that we lie), spent a lot of time getting patients on and off the bedpan or BSC, getting coffee, spent 1 1/2 hours in a patient's room cleaning stool, etc. This is not below me. But think I may have missed some early changes in a patient who was eventually intubated and sent to the unit.

I hear you on that one. Fact is that there are a lot of RN tasks to accomplish on a typical floor and not having enough CNA adds CNA tasks onto your list because you are seen as responsible for every care.

I started my nursing career in critical care/ICU where the situation was better. Years later on a med/surg floor I got frustrated because a good or bad CNA can make or break your day. I got tired of hunting down CNA who were hiding behind curtains in patient's rooms, off the floor, hiding in other spots...the usual "I am already busy"...

The best CNA are the ones who are in nursing school or want to go to nursing school - the other ones who are burned out by having no other option and who have been a CNA forever are a different story.

The manager tried to hold them accountable but to be honest - it was a weak effort and one of them threatened to sue the hospital for discrimination...

I left typical bedside nursing and would not go back unless that would be the only option I have. I enjoyed being a nurse in critical care/ICU but not on med/surg.

CVICU-Nurse1.5 · Mar 5, 2016

This is one reason why I want to go to icu out of graduation.

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 5, 2016

This is one reason why I want to go to icu out of graduation.

Was the best decision I made as a new graduate. I worked on that unit in clinicals towards the end of nursing school. They liked me and took me right after graduation.

It is hard to get into critical care right away but some hospitals take new grads - good luck!

nynursey_ · Mar 5, 2016

It's not necessarily that I *mind* grabbing a coffee, a pillow, or a box of tissues for a patient/visitor, but what I do mind is that it is becoming demanded and expected to happen over more important aspects of patient care.

Surveys have turned everything into convenience and pleasing over what's safe and right by the patient.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2016

I left bedside nursing approximately three months ago after a 10-year career at the bedside. So far I have no regrets. I am glad that this amazing opportunity to change the direction of my career was bestowed upon me.