What do you hate most about your job?

[BeenThere2012, ASN, RN]

Hi Farawyn,

Poor staffing problem couldn't be more obvious in this thread.

I'm going a little deeper with this follow up question if you're up for it:

When you think about the short-staffed problem at your place of employment, what explanation do you give yourself for why this happens? (for example: they don't care, there's no funding, the powers that be don't understand what a big problem it is, etc.)

Thanks for your response, and for answering the follow up if you're willing!

The only explanation I can think of is money! I was once told that nursing is the highest expense in a hospital. When they cut back on staff, the hospital (clinic, staffing company etc..) save a lot of money. I know the economy is not what it used to be and "healthcare costs" are through the roof, however I don't feel it is right to jeopardize the care for patients nor for a nurse's Lisence to be at risk if an error occurs. Also, there is the emotional turmoil, pain, you name it that a nurse feels when she/he makes an error or misses something important is horrible even of the patient is not harmed. I've been there...I am there!

I've been hearing for years how to be better organized, how to cope with stress, how to ask for help on and on and on. When nurses complain about short staffing, this is what we are told as if there is something lacking in our Practice. If there is an effective way to manage more work effectively, then we would be doing it and there wouldn't be a problem. After 33 plus years, I think Im about as organized as anyone can be.

[BeenThere2012, ASN, RN]

The only explanation I can think of is money! I was once told that nursing is the highest expense in a hospital. When they cut back on staff, the hospital (clinic, staffing company etc..) save a lot of money. I know the economy is not what it used to be and "healthcare costs" are through the roof, however I don't feel it is right to jeopardize the care for patients nor for a nurse's Lisence to be at risk if an error occurs. Also, there is the emotional turmoil, pain, you name it that a nurse feels when she/he makes an error or misses something important is horrible even of the patient is not harmed. I've been there...I am there!

I've been hearing for years how to be better organized, how to cope with stress, how to ask for help on and on and on. When nurses complain about short staffing, this is what we are told as if there is something lacking in our Practice. If there is an effective way to manage more work effectively, then we would be doing it and there wouldn't be a problem. After 33 plus years, I think Im about as organized as anyone can be.

Oh one more thing...It keeps happening and is such a common problem because we nurses manage to step up and make it work, somehow, some way. Patients don't complain about the care because often (not always), they don't even know what isnt being done or being done well. Their illness and discomfort preoccupy what they are thinking about and are just happy to get well, go home, and be done with the experience. Also, they don't want to offend someone for fear they won't get the care they need (although I have NEVER seen a nurse withhold care because of being offended).

That's my 2 cents!

[OHNBJL]

I can certainly relate. A coworker of mine's son was graduating validictorion oh his high school class. She advised the nurse manager many weeks in advance and was told she couldn't take the night off. She warned me that she was going to call out sick. I supported her wholeheartedly. There were only 2 of us on the 4 to 12 shift in a very busy clinic setting. Consequently I worked alone that night. The manager said nothing to either her nor I. So much for administrative support. As far as the manager was concerned she was punishing both of us. Her for taking the night off and me for supporting my coworker.

[foggnm]

What do you *hate* the most about your job?

Ha! What a can of worms! I think you answered your own question. In nursing, there are too many things to hate about work. To me, personally, I struggle with the 12 hour shifts and am working to move to an 8 hour job. But beyond that, I just find nursing a job that requires a fair amount of skill but gets almost no autonomy. As a studly (male) nurse, the lack of autonomy/decision making/complexity/challenge in the profession are the things that drive me crazy. I simply go to work every day and more/less what I will do is pre-determined by someone else. I guess you could say that about most professions. But I come in, get my assignment, follow the Dr's orders, follow the patient's orders, follow the family's orders, follow the charge nurse's orders, follow the administration's orders, etc. The place I've felt the most autonomy and decision making in nursing, ironically, are the jobs I've had that aren't clinical (case management, transplant coordinator, etc). All my clinical jobs or more or less the same wash, rinse, repeat in a different setting. As a dude, the monotony of inpatient clinical jobs is a real mind crusher.

[PancakeSaturdays]

I despise computer programs that .....behave like a poorly trained puppy at the worst possible times.

....eventually service was restored (as was peace) but connection was spotty all shift.

We (my organization) are the proud buyer's of an online protocol program that never seems to work right. Ever (cough, cough: Triage Logic).

....Alternatively, other times TT will almost seem to evolve an eerie artificial intelligence with a really bad sense of humor, sending out not just 1, but 12-15 duplicate messages....

....When TT works well it's amazing: it's fast, easy and secure, however in those odd moments when it doesn't (i.e., a full moon, the chance alignment of the stars, solar spots, or the earth's gravitational pull cubed, et al.) you may as well be sending smoke signals, or just go ahead and grab 2 empty cans attached with one heck of a long string to communicate.

I enjoyed reading this -- lots of clever and funny analogies highlighted in the quote:)

Thanks for taking the time, Orphan RN.