What to do when you've had it!

vivacious1healer · Nov 2, 2009

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As for other comments though- how is working agency any different? Dont they get the same crappy assignments? I know our in house agency doesnt get any better treatment- sometimes worse! With the customer service focus, how can an agency nurse do anything else different than a regukar employee? Am i missing something?
My experience in working agency nursing is that I didn't get pulled into that facility's politics, because I am just a temporary RN. Rarely did I get a crap assignment, as there were acuity levels attached to the assignment. There were times that I had to bring it to the charge nurse's attention, but I managed to work it out. Most nurses were relieved I was there to offset their workload; a few needed reminders of that fact.
Also, if I truly had an awful experience at a facility, I had no obligation to return. Wish I could do that at my current staff position.

el_peon · Nov 2, 2009

I read this and feel your demise but its hitting home. I presently work in same situation; however, my hospital has everything electronic and it allow them to see if we dont have time to brush a person teeth. Medicare demand it so we will get write up if not done. Three write up your fired. Staffing bare minumum and going on break is not happening. If your late off the floor no matter what happens they have you there also. Certain related people get easy assignment and other get all full care. I have come on shift to have a pt trying to code and a full assignment . I will not get additional help till 130 pm. This is way above protocol pt to nurse ratio. However , we still are acountable for all the care no matter what. Your late its incident report even when were coding a patient. Cant chart the accounts happening or were written up. It hard and tough . It definately a burn ou tissure these days. Im selecting only the best that treat nurses great if there is such a place. Travel maybe a option. Let me know if your interested. I may consider it with another nurse.

I once worked in a facility that had trackers on your badges. I was once asked why i had spent so much time in the bathroom one night (it was something like a total of 13.4 minutes). I had to explain to my manager that i had diarrhea that night. That was one of the determining factors in my deciding to cease my employment at that facility. Its a rarity that you even get to go to the bathroom, but i'll be damned if i'm going to $hit myself so i dont get in trouble for spending too much time in the bathroom.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2009

Diane,

My hospital is 600+ beds, the ER is 55+. We see 75-100k people annually. We have a mixed demographic. We are less than 30 miles from NYC and 10 miles north of the largest city in NJ. It is part of the largest healthcare system in the state and is for profit. We are union.

I appreciate all of the responses....and honesty. I find it sad that people are existing in all types of nursing under these conditions and would love the general public to see these posts. The pressure needs to be put on management to make real change that would lead to positive patient and employee outcomes. As l write this I am dreading my next shift.....and will pray that no one experiences a poor outcome because I am too busy to attending to a combo of ******** and the unknown to notice.

M

el_peon · Nov 2, 2009

Maisy,
Sounds like my floor -- the only pat on the back you get is if someone is looking for a place to stick the knife. Of all my rotations in school, LPN and RN, the two I liked best were ICU and hospice. I didn't think I'd like hospice -- but I absolutely loved it. That was nursing -- you were 100% there for 1 patient for the duration of the visit. The families were to the point where they weren't doing futile care anymore, and you could focus on making the patient comfortable. If a family is dangerous or unreceptive to hospice, they get discharged from hospice. You can use the time on the drive between patients to decompress and recharge (one nurse said she listened to heavy metal, another would listen to gospel and sing it at the top of her lungs when stressed, another would stop off at the elementary school and just stop in and see her kid for 5 minutes). Most of the hospice nurses at my hospital came from the ICU or the ER.
ICU might also be an option; your skills would be in use, but you don't have hordes of people hitting the door -- at least the admissions and discharges are things you get a heads up for and the people actually are sick.

The ICU i worked in had open visitation, so we had a constant revolving door of visitors. Yet again, administration wanted to make everyone happy. Doesnt matter that its not whats BEST for the patient, or prevents the nurses from doing their job because half a dozen people are sleeping on the floor between you and your patient. Those may be future paying customers, so whatever they want to do is great with administration. I think thats what's at the root of the conditions in hospitals today. Too much catering, bowing and begging for your insurance dollars. Not enough focus on MEDICINE. If i could do my job, with a nurse to patient ratio that was SANE, actually with equipment that i didnt have to fix or rig to work, with the supplies required to treat my patients, I would be a happy nurse, and whistle while i work. But instead I got a mixture of 5 ICU and PCU patients, equipment that may work today, may not and constantly run out of stock. Go figure why people are leaving left and right.....which makes it even harder for the ones who stay.

HealingBalm · Nov 2, 2009

So...here goes...
It's a bad time for nursing and the economy as evidenced by so many looking for work BUT I CAN'T STAND MY JOB ANYMORE! During the past 5 years we have had 5 management groups, ridiculous increases in patients, no increase in staff, higher acuities, and our current situation involves a team who have absolutely no clue as to what is happening on the floor every day! We work in danger, our patients are in danger, and I am just sick of being there. My once great ER is on the brink....and I worry every day if it will be me or my neighbor nurse who misses something and causes a patient's demise.
I can't sleep, can't get up on work days (therefore late), drive my husband crazy with saying " I don't want to go to work tomorrow.", and overall just feel so down about what I do....I am so distressed and feel there is no one on our side or to be trusted. The environment is stifling and dangerous. If I didn't work with decent people I think I'd go stark raving mad! Why do nurses allow themselves to be treated this way?
When I got out of nursing school I was offered a ton of management jobs, but turned them down feeling that a good nurse manager was a working nurse who understood. The bumblers I work with were nurses who as managers just don't give a crap! I don't get it! They wouldn't know a management principle unless it was sent on a poster and hung in an office, and then perhaps if explained to them.
Even writing this I feel sick to my stomach...I know I am not the only one....sickcalls and lateness have been ridiculous! I think I have to leave for my own sanity, but am scared that somewhere else may be just as bad or even worse. I have actually considered taking a couple of per diem positions in an effort to get enough hours but am unsure if I will be able to do it.
I wish I knew what to do and could use a few ideas and maybe a kick in the butt. I don't know....
Maisy

I am very concerned for you Scotch. You have been given some very healthy advice form those on this board.

I know the feeling well. It took me decades to understand that taking care of my own mental and physical health is paramount. Follow your gut, and do whatever it takes for your own well being. During times of such increased stress, we tend to not get enough rest, eat well, etc. I am truly appallled that you and others have to suffer this way. Be well. HB

interleukin · Nov 2, 2009

Write an editorial to the paper. Make it pointed, believable and scathing.

You should leave that job. But doing so without at least writing something to someone in power, only guarantees the next decent nurse will end up the same way.

STAND TALL!

freefalr · Nov 2, 2009

nobody really understands what it's really like, no one really gets it...but another nurse. thank goodness for the listening of allnurses. :)

maisy, i am sorry i don't have anything to offer in terms of helpful advice. i mean, if necessary, i could be convinced to write you one of my million dollar checks (why yes, i have an endless supply!)...but now you wouldn't want that, wouldja?

you sound like you would make an awesome manager...is now the time?

anyway, i am hoping for a smooth, less-crappy-on-the-crappy-spectrum day at work for you today. please remember to take care of yourself. know we are here to listen to and support you. :heartbeat