What HARD truth have you learned once you became a nurse and/or CNA?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 7, 2017

Feces eventuates. And sometimes it eventuates all over the patient, the bed, and the nurse.

Ignorance and stupidity are two completely different things. You can fix ignorance with education, but you can't fix stupid.

The job is a lot tougher than it looks, even in nursing school.

If the job offers a large sign-on bonus, run---as far and as fast as you can. Trust me, you DON'T want to work there.

ixchel · Dec 8, 2017

I learned very, very quickly that you can't save patients from themselves. That, to me, was no big deal. The hardest thing? When the patient DOES want to save themselves, but there are literally no resources available to make them successful at it.

al3x117, RN, EMT-B · Dec 8, 2017

Sometimes the care that you want to provide for the patient is not possible. You will have to take a deep hard look at the resources you have and make the best decision possible with what you are given.

NelleG · Dec 8, 2017

many people do not want to take responsibility for their health. They just want a pill/procedure to fix the mess they made.

tigerlogic · Dec 8, 2017

Death is sometimes like a tidal wave that you can see coming but you can't stop. Death is also sometimes surprising and random.

Be an organ donor. Enjoy every bite of dessert. Love your people deeply and fiercely.

Also, the pleasantly confused old lady who thinks you look like an angel during the day will be the confused one trying to scratch your eyes out after dark. Be loving and compassionate to both.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2017

The Joint Commission has the magical ability to bring administrators out on the floor to help. When the JC leaves, the magic recedes, taking with it the extra support.

elizzyRN · Dec 8, 2017

There are things much worse than death.

MattyIrie · Dec 8, 2017

the hard truth (s) I've learned are 1. there is never enough time or staff, ever. 2. hospitals do not care about their people or patients beyond the extent that it increases revenue. You are a number and a dollar sign. the "patient first" loving and caring picture they paint is utter BS. the money made in this industry is off the backs of every one of us and goes straight into the pockets of elite and upper admin.

Volley88 · Dec 8, 2017

I don't have to listen to bowel sounds for 60 seconds each??!?!

allnurses Guide · Dec 8, 2017

1. People are crazy. Like, ALL people are at one point or another some or other kind of crazy.

2. I kind of like that about us.

3. People do not really want to know the truth most of the time.

4. We know a lot less about how to save people than nonmedical people believe and this dichotomy is very painful and shocking to them when it is discovered, often when CPR didn't work or there are no more treatments to be had or CHF has progressed to the point that it can't be adequately relieved.

5. If we cured diabetes we would cure an awful lot of other things along with it. Sometimes I think it is the root of most modern day ailments.

6. Obesity is the last internally justified prejudice among health care workers.

7. I have a lot more in me than I ever realized.

allnurses Guide · Dec 8, 2017

Oh...and learned just this week....

"Because that is how we have always done it...." spurns a lot of push-back and anger toward educators, but in the end can kill someone's career.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 8, 2017

That management just don't care about you or your opinion and that's it's best to keep that mouth tightly closed except to smile through gritted teeth. And to never, ever let anyone know what you're really thinking. It will be used to hurt you.