What do you like and don't like about your current job?

[Libby1987]

And what area do you work in?

Obviously not a HW question, but I will be making a change and although my qualifications are limited I'm also curious about the different good aspects in different areas.

I'm a FT home health case mgr.

I like the..

autonomy

flex schedule

having my *own* cases that I usually see beginning to end

patient and caregiver interactions

teaching

complex wound care

Varying environments incl getting outside

Working with mostly happy and inspired coworkers

I could live without..

paperwork (though sometimes I'm a nerd and like it)

bad weather

[canigraduate]

I work per diem for an agency, covering Med-Surg, Ortho, Tele, post-surgical, stepdown, etc. No critical care, no OB, no peds, no OR, no PACU.

What I like:

1) Getting to meet new people

2) Variety of assignments

3) Keeping my skills up in various arenas

4) In my last agency, I was able to teach LPN clinicals, which I loved

5) Decent pay

6) No meetings

7) No computer based learning, just CEUs on my own time

8) NO POLITICS!!!! (This is unbelievably awesome.)

9) Flexibility - I don't have to arrange a day off six months in advance, I just don't make myself available that day (or week), so I can have off any holiday I want

10) Being the go-to person when there is an unusual situation on the floor - Odds are that I've seen it or something similar before

11) I get to see so many cool wounds and weird infections

What I don't like:

1) Getting cancelled all the time

2) Getting thrown into a new unit and facility cold without even a tour to show me where the bathrooms are

3) Having to leave late because I don't know the system and it takes me longer to chart

4) Having to cover a 50 mile diameter area so I can get enough shifts

5) Unexpected "vacations" when I am cancelled every day for a week (or more)

6) Paying for my own vaccinations, TB tests, etc.

7) Paying for my own certifications (BLS, ACLS)

8) Getting new uniforms every time I go to new facility to match their required colors

9) Uncertain paychecks

10) Lack of benefits - I miss my old hospital's insurance and 401(k)

11) Getting shafted on the assignment - I can usually tell that they're screwing me when I'm the only one with 6 patients, they're scattered all over the floor, and a few of the charts have the language line number on it

12) Only getting access to half the Pyxis - I still haven't figured out the logic behind that. I can be trusted with narcs, but not chargeable items (like toothpaste)?

I just started a new job at a hospital in a CDU. I am looking forward to having a home base and benefits again, but so nervous about having to fit in and conform. I hate, hate, hate nursing politics. Oh, well.

[Candogal]

Wound Clinic-

I Love: my coworkers- they are the best team! The hours-no nights or weekends, seeing the same patient's on a weekly basis with new ones sprinkled in. Having great doctors at my side who are supportive, I leave work at work, not stressful, having a 30 minute lunch-sometimes it's catered by drug reps. I am constantly learning, the patient's are stable. I am so fortunate especially as a fairly new nurse!!!

I Hate: It can be smelly and also knowing that my pens are covered in body fluids from measuring wounds and writing the measurements down.