1. Dumb Residents. Yes... they do exist with their idiotic order sets.
2. Management saying " Staffing will get better- we are working on it"
3.The PCNA who charts nurse notified re: crazy vitals and they never said a word, so when you check vitals half an hour later, you see a BP of 190/110.
- same PCNA who wont do a manual check.
- same who tells the POD #1 pt " 99.1 temp? oh you have an infection.we have to tell the DR"
4. Family members who come running to the front desk screaming "i need my moms nurse...she was supposed to have gingerale. its been 10 minutes. this is unacceptable"
5. HCAPS!
6.Other departments that won't lift a finger, and spend 5 minutes hunting down the nurse for something idiotic like a blanket...
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
When I was 5 months in I was so much still in learning mode there wasn't a lot of room in my thought process to HATE something, or have the situational awareness to call a resident's order sets "dumb". Someone brought this up on another thread too, but medical education has a much more defined totem pole than nursing does, so I don't really think you can equate this to professionalism.
So we are allowed to, like, ***** about nursing. Right?
Just for posterity - what is the official cut-off point for X nursing experience before you're allowed to complain?
I think you should complain to your heart's content. Really...Don't worry if people begin to avoid your company because they get tired of your negativity...the problem is theirs, not yours. We know that constant complaining has been shown to have a positive impact on your job situation and really, life in general...the research backs this up. We're not talking about the occasional vent or rare complaint, mind you, we're talking about "HATE." The more you vent about the things that you "HATE", the better your life. Forget those people who actually like their jobs...there is something wrong with someone who doesn't constantly recognize the negative aspects of life and work. They are living in some kind of dream world. Actually, that's not it-their lives are actually hell, but they don't realize it because they actually love being abused. Please distrust anyone who doesn't have a "HATE" list because they are definitely living in some kind of twisted reality. Or worse, they are being willfully dishonest.
Lest you think I'm being facetious, don't. There's nothing more uplifting than sitting around complaining about all the things we hate in life. And rest assured, anyone who doesn't agree with that is definitely holier than thou, hypocritical, and simple minded. Please ignore any hint that these people are actually happy and peaceful because, you know, in the world of nursing, there really is just no such thing.
I think it makes sense that a new nurse would have a list of "hates". Don't we typically refer to the first year as the toughest, most stressful, time in a nurse's career? What the OP listed, to me, looked like a list of stressors commonly encountered by nurses, no matter the experience level. However, a newer nurse will typically be under a greater amount of pressure than someone who's been at it for a while, and it's perfectly natural for many people to respond to stress by experiencing feelings of anger. Learning how to cope with that stress response is a huge part of the learning curve for a new nurse. It wasn't very long ago that I was new, and things that really bothered me then don't bother me so much anymore, or if they do, I've learned how to mentally reframe the situation and change my emotional response to it.
Another thing to consider is that even if the OP were to pay her/his dues and put in a year or two in the hospital, they may find that it's not the right fit for them. That doesn't mean they should give up nursing; one of the things that attracted me to nursing, and many others as well, I am sure, is the wide variety of options there are for nurses. But you have to start somewhere, and the hospital setting is a really great place to build a base of experience to move on from.
So, I'm willing to cut the OP a little slack here and admit that I, too, have had many negative thoughts and feelings in my time as a nurse, and so have many, many other nurses, and that this does not in and of itself make them a bad nurse or nursing a bad fit for them, it only makes them human. Now, if after getting through that infamous First Year, the OP still dislikes their work to a significant degree, then it would behoove them to consider making a change. But for now, such future vents might be better received in the "First Year" forum.
Sheeesh!!! Yes I HATE some things in nursing, that doesn't automatically mean i'm UNHAPPY and i want to quit my job.
So i'm thinking perhaps some people take this nursing is calling and i will not complain thing too far. Nursing is NOT a calling for me, its a job where i can make money to supplement my lifestyle. So yes i will ***** and moan about it and STILL go work my full time hours....
Just so we are clear, its never to early to have a hate list. Its healthy and human NOT to suppress the emotion. I chose to VENT. I don't care if you don't agree with me but spare me the self righteous bull excretement!
I think it makes sense that a new nurse would have a list of "hates". Don't we typically refer to the first year as the toughest, most stressful, time in a nurse's career? What the OP listed, to me, looked like a list of stressors commonly encountered by nurses, no matter the experience level. However, a newer nurse will typically be under a greater amount of pressure than someone who's been at it for a while, and it's perfectly natural for many people to respond to stress by experiencing feelings of anger. Learning how to cope with that stress response is a huge part of the learning curve for a new nurse. It wasn't very long ago that I was new, and things that really bothered me then don't bother me so much anymore, or if they do, I've learned how to mentally reframe the situation and change my emotional response to it.
Another thing to consider is that even if the OP were to pay her/his dues and put in a year or two in the hospital, they may find that it's not the right fit for them. That doesn't mean they should give up nursing; one of the things that attracted me to nursing, and many others as well, I am sure, is the wide variety of options there are for nurses. But you have to start somewhere, and the hospital setting is a really great place to build a base of experience to move on from.
So, I'm willing to cut the OP a little slack here and admit that I, too, have had many negative thoughts and feelings in my time as a nurse, and so have many, many other nurses, and that this does not in and of itself make them a bad nurse or nursing a bad fit for them, it only makes them human. Now, if after getting through that infamous First Year, the OP still dislikes their work to a significant degree, then it would behoove them to consider making a change. But for now, such future vents might be better received in the "First Year" forum.
Thank you for getting the point. Will keep the first year forum in mind for future vents..
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Do you know what I hate?
:)
The phrase "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it."
How do you feel about "don't get your knickers in a bunch over it"? :) I don't really care if the OP hates dumb order sets, I was just relating how I felt about the whole deal at the time. I think she's lucky to start in a teaching hospital. I feel very fortunate that I was able to. That way, there are plenty of people who are still learning the ropes, like the residents. Although sometimes I do a double-take when I see the word, thinking "why are your residents (LTC) ordering you around anyway? Does "dumb" really apply to an octogenarian?
nursel56
7,122 Posts
When I was 5 months in I was so much still in learning mode there wasn't a lot of room in my thought process to HATE something, or have the situational awareness to call a resident's order sets "dumb". Someone brought this up on another thread too, but medical education has a much more defined totem pole than nursing does, so I don't really think you can equate this to professionalism.