What is the worst part about nursing?

loricatus · May 22, 2007

Personally speaking-it's in having the accountability without the responsibility of ultimate decision making (not being able to initiate orders & unable to do anything without orders------technically speaking)

A close second is the high patient loads.

CritterLover, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

the emphasis on productivity, rather than giving good, quality care. (good, quality, care can be -- at times -- highly inefficient)

the expectation that we do more with less: less staff, but more patients, more paperwork per patient.

the expectations that we not only do more with less, but that we do so while increasing our customer satisfaction survey results.

CritterLover, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

oh yeah, can't forget my favorite -- the apparent belief that any problem can be solved by an additional piece of paper that the nurses have to fill out.

chuck1234 · May 22, 2007

I don't know what to say..

Because different nurses handle each situation differently...

If I say ABC is bad, then you might think ABC is good for you.

Anyhow, being a nurse, I found out the worst part is not having 4 feet, 10 hands, and 2 mouths. There is a lot to be done....so little time.

Go ahead...Go for nursing if you really want to help the weak and the sick.

Good luck!

ArwenEvenstar · May 22, 2007

Worst part of nursing? I've been a nurse 16 years. Things have changed in those years. Patients who now end up in the hospital are much SICKER than they were years ago. (Yet the number of patients we are expected to care for has stayed the same.) And at the same time, many hospitals have taken the approach of promoting the hospital almost like its a hotel. "special kind of care" crap. They even architecturally design hospitals now so they don't look like hospitals - when you walk in you feel like you are walking into a hotel lobby. waterfalls. comfortable seats. etc. PROBLEM?? The patients and families seem to forget they are in a hospital, and are very demanding expecting it to be like hotel room service. In recent years, I have seen patients and families become increasingly demanding.

Combine these two things - sicker patients who are also more demanding. UGH!

I'm a burned out and cynical nurse...

zenman · May 22, 2007

...the worse part about nursing today is going to work. As an earlier poster said it has changed a lot. The patients now on med-surg used to be in ICU. Anyway, I'll never work in a hospital again. I've hired a hitman to kill me should I change my mind.

RNDreamer · May 22, 2007

When I first joined this site, I spent a lot of time going through the different forums and read the different threads. The stories (good and bad), complaints, rants, etc not only gave me ideas of what to expect, but were an eye opener of what the many and unbelievable reasons that land people in the hospital.These threads caused me to laugh, cry and some of them down right shocked me! There were times when, after reading something, that I would call up my RN pal and ask if this could possibly be true. You will may also find answers to the many other questions you may have. So my suggestion would definitely be to browse the forums available. Good luck and cant wait til we both become nurses.

I am about to apply for schools and I want to know what I'm getting into INCLUDING the bad aspects about the job.
Thanks for your input.
Sarah

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

the emphasis on productivity, rather than giving good, quality care. (good, quality, care can be -- at times -- highly inefficient)
the expectation that we do more with less: less staff, but more patients, more paperwork per patient.
the expectations that we not only do more with less, but that we do so while increasing our customer satisfaction survey results.

oh yeah, can't forget my favorite -- the apparent belief that any problem can be solved by an additional piece of paper that the nurses have to fill out.

totally agree.

but i must say that:

personally speaking-it's in having the accountability without the responsibility of ultimate decision making

is probably my biggest peeve/worst part of the profession.

i won't bother with "patient load" - i think we're in for worse as the years pass by....

cheers,

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

1. Abusive family members

2. Rude physicians

3. Sorry nurse managers

4. Backstabbing coworkers

5. High patient loads

6. Ridiculous paperwork

7. Demanding patients

I work on a long term acute care rehab unit, but my workplace's marketing department is promoting the facility as the "Healthcare Hilton." The family members and residents expect instant gratification when they want something, but we are too understaffed to provide instant results. I usually have 10 to 17 sick, post-acute patients who need IV antibiotics, PICC line flushes, complicated wound care, CPM, postsurgical staple removal, rehab, catheter care, blood glucose accuchecks, and so forth. In other words, these are not the traditional nursing home patients.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

oh my goodness yes !!!yes!!!!... this needs to be put in the nursing bible...

oh yeah, can't forget my favorite -- the apparent belief that any problem can be solved by an additional piece of paper that the nurses have to fill out.

kmblue39 · May 22, 2007

Hilton Healthcare, LOL! I need a nurse NOW!!!......would you raise my head up a little. No, that's too much! Down a little. No, up a little. No, down a little. Down a little more.......there. Now, would you pull my blanket over a little more, and tuck it in on that side. Oh and would you put my water, glasses, phone, tissues, chapstick, etc., etc., etc. over there. No, over a little more, there. And would you turn the lights down. No, up a little. No, down a little more. X however many patients in your assignment that night.