Why I had reconsidered being a nurse

Published

I'm a housekeeping for a hospital. I've been a housekeeping for 7 months while finishing my prerequisites for nursing school. I enjoy my job sometimes,but sometimes I feel as if I settled. So I enrolled in a CNA class ( I have previous experience, I am just not certified). Our supervisors already make us feel unappreciated, because in the hospital setting hospital keepers are seen as the lowest of the low ( trash people, maids, ect). I work in the ICU unit and I clean rooms and nurses stations. I enjoy my area, because I want to be an ICU nurse, but I'm not treated at all like a human at my job. Nurses have constantly walked over, have not acknowledged me ( a simple good morning or hello), I've had doors shut in my face as I was going in the rooms to clean, they have thrown things on the ground and come find me to pick it up. There were times a nurse would take their frustration out of me, because I'm doing my job and not trying to be in their way, but I'm just annoying them. The nurses harass the housekeepers more than our supervisors and it's just not pleasant. I have just felt really bad in the position that I'm currently in and I look at the nurses, that I want to be and they just treat the people who helped them out like they don't exist. It made me not want to be a nurse, because I feel they think they are better than the position I have. I have spoken to some and they are shocked that I am a student and have been pursuing nursing for the past 3 years, but the treatment is never changed. I don't want to be in a position and overlook everyone who does their job in the hospital,because I have found out that housekeeping and other positions really do hold the hospital.

So I tried other careers and tried to apply to different colleges to step away from nursing, but I didn't get in.

I guess what I am saying is that, I almost stop being a nurse because I don't want overlook people in general or just treated other people like crap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You'll get treated poorly as nurse, too ...in all the same ways. Is it possible that you have self-esteem issues completely unrelated to nursing and housekeeping? Have you always been happy and felt good about yourself up until this point? It seems strange that you're taking it all so personally unless it's not a new issue for you.

In any case, good luck with your future endeavors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do understand that nurses are treated poorly.No, I don't have self-esteem issues. The only thing that is new to me is working in a hospital setting. If I were the only person feeling this way, I wouldn't have posted it, but my employees feel the same way. I can say I have worked every job ( retail, call centers, fast food) and have had decent feelings from them all. I have just never worked in an environment that I have a passion for and am going to school for and just felt invisible. I'm on the floor everyday and it's like no one acknowledges you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I've come to realize that we are going to have to put up with a certain amount of being crapped on in life -- whether it is in a paying job of any kind or not. Might as well get paid well for it. :)

OP, your experience will make you NOT be that way to people. It takes a second to say thanks and it takes no time at all to choose not to be a jerk.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you. I agree

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Wow. That sucks. I am a nurse at a university and we love our housekeepers. We all work as a team and respect and value each other.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I do understand that nurses are treated poorly.No, I don't have self-esteem issues. The only thing that is new to me is working in a hospital setting. If I were the only person feeling this way, I wouldn't have posted it, but my employees feel the same way. I can say I have worked every job ( retail, call centers, fast food) and have had decent feelings from them all. I have just never worked in an environment that I have a passion for and am going to school for and just felt invisible. I'm on the floor everyday and it's like no one acknowledges you.

Well if it makes you feel any better, the nurses and housekeepers at my hospital are super chatty and friendly with each other ...so it's not that way everywhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

I imagine there are nurses & folks like this in all walks of life, not just nursing. I've always felt that if someone was not nice/blatantly rude (throwing something on the floor to make you pick it up??? REALLY...) that they themselves are not happy about something in their life. Either lacking good self-esteem, angry at spouse, not where they want to be career wise, financial issues, anything that upsets them or puts them in a foul mood and the aggression/frustrations are shoved onto you.

The hospital/facility whatever, needs EVERY department, housekeeping, maintenance, laundry etc. If just one of these 'lesser positions' took off for a full 24 hours, I'm certain these nurses would learn to appreciate the work you & other departments do.

Such a shame these folks don't live by the golden rule. 37changes said it well. Because you're exposed to that belittling attitude now, you will ensure you do not do that when you're finally able to get your RN.

Best of luck & keep your chin up. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Substandard treatment does not stop once you become a nurse. However, your reaction to the substandard treatment is what will make or break you.

I belong to a racial group that is frequently stereotyped as being undereducated. Thus, when I was a floor nurse, people instantaneously concluded I was a cook, transporter, secretary, housekeeper, medication tech or nursing assistant. They would ask for the 'head nurse' or supervisor and be surprised I was the house supervisor.

If I really wanted, I could take spiteful umbrage at the fact that these people automatically assumed I was not working in a role that required a college education (e.g. nurse, dietitian, speech therapist, psychologist). However, the spite and resentment would hurt me and consume too much of my energy.

The harsh reality is that no one owes us anything. We are responsible for our own behavior and feelings. No one can make you feel like crap unless you permit another person to rent space inside your head. Do not give a coworker that kind of power over you.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I know this doesn't help you in particular, but I try to acknowledge the housekeeping staff who remove the trash and make our call beds by thanking them when I see them. I really appreciate it and it makes a big difference to me to have a newly made bed when I'm on-call. Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to repeat this- you could (and probably will get treated badly) in other positions too. A lot of us do. I try and make a point to say hi to the housekeepers from time to time. Sometimes, I'm not much for hellos because I'm feelin tired / haven't had my coffee / or have had a bad day myself. Please don't take their treatment toward you too personally. Nurses have a lot to worry about, it's a stressful job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nurses are always running the list of things they need to do in their minds, it's an endless list that we are constantly modifying. You are background noise to a lot of their activity because they are focused on doing their jobs and caring for patients. Providing you with the social niceties and recognition you crave is not on the list and frankly, not their problem. If you feel unappreciated now you will definitely feel unappreciated as a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion