Will Somebody Please tell me it gets better as a Nurse?

[Kunzieo]

I quit. I finally did it. I had been threatening to for months...but I finally did it. I have 2 weeks left on the job.

I hate my job. HATE it. I'm a nightshift CNA on a fairly busy stepdown / tele unit. I am the only CNA on at night. There are 38 patients when the unit is full, which it frequently is.

I am responsible for call lights, stat labs, stocking the unit, running labs downstairs, transporting patients, setting up new admits, fetching equipment, (with RN) q2 hour turns, AM accuchecks, breakfast tray setup, and any other various tasks including vital signs when needed, and everything else a cna can do.

FOR ALL 38 PATIENTS.

I started this job 2 years ago all happy about finally being able to work in a hospital and do some "nurse stuff." (I am trying to get into nursing school)

I was eager to do any and all tasks assigned to me. I begged nurses to let me watch procedures and explain exactly what they were doing. Everything was new and exciting.

The novelty wore off quickly.

Patients are so demanding and rude.

My chore list is incredible.

And many of the patients...I honestly wondered what we were doing for them?

Why did we code this 98 year old woman, break 2 ribs during CPR, and now she can only moan in pain and develop bed sores.

Why is the wife of the yellow, 100lb man (and not because of his ethnicity) who has oozing sores on every visible part of his body, no will to do anything (even eat, so he has a feeding tube) insisting on another round of chemo?

Why are we still accepting admission (3rd time in as many weeks) on this known drug addict who roundly abuses the staff and leaves AMA after 2 days? 2 other area hospitals refuse to admit her...

And then there are the nurses. Let me preface this by saying 90% of them are TERRIFIC, FANTASTIC, AMAZING, WONDERFUL individuals who I would not hesitate to ever have care for me or a loved one. They have been amazing about showing me things, and cheering me on in my schooling. :redbeathe

The new grads, however...

I know they just graduated. I know they are overwhelmed. I know they are doing so much more than me. But. I am not their personal slave. They seem to have the idea that because they now have that spiffy new RN after their name that it exempts them from doing "aide" work. They have me get ALL their vitals, call my phone when their patient needs to be changed/taken to the bathroom/turned etc. I find myself neglecting the other nurses because these nurses have me running crazy!

And then there are the Aide Hogs (Thanks Kylee...I think that was your phrase)

The ones that are always very, very, nice...but do not seem to realize that I have 8-10 other nurses to report to. They will catch me as soon as they get out of report, and give me a list of tasks a mile long. All things that are part of my job, but still...I cannot CANNOT empty everyones foleys and record i/o s and give baths in the AM as I am supposed to be doing accuchecks, setting trays up, and drawing any lipid panal labs (as phlebotomy doesn't show up until 8, but our trays arrive at 645)

I just cannot take it any more. I feel like I am turning into a mean, crabby, burnt-out mess. I have a very hard time responding graciously when a nurse asks me to "grab vitals while you are in there" or when a patient asks me to do some task she could easily do herself...i.e. grab a tissue, butter her toast, WIPE HER after she has peed -when she is fully able to do so herself!

I feel like I am getting lazier. I find myself looking for and taking shortcuts (not stocking diabetic supplies every night...just putting in LOTS of supplies every 3 nights or so.) or putting off going down and fetching a walker/pnemo pump/etc. until I have a lab to run down, or some other reason to go downstairs.

I hate this. I want to be more like the person I was...eager to work with patients and learn new things.

Now I am worried that this is reflective of what my nursing career might be like. Am I going to end up resenting my patients...the very people I am there to help?

(Of course, I want to work peds... so hopefully will not have to deal with snotty old women who want to be waited on like they are Queen. I know peds has its own set of problems, namely parents!, but ...)

Sorry this has been so long. I just was hoping someone has some encouragement for me. I am not going to work as a CNA anymore. I applied for a few jobs at Children's hospital, but did not get them, so will go back to my old standby...pharmacy tech. (have been doing it off and on for 8 years)

And fingers crossed for nursing school next year...(was put on the waiting list this year...but prob. won't get in.)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'd like to say it gets better, but as a nurse, it's a whole new feeling of being overwhelmed with too much. Your CNA will be your lifesaver, but you're going to have to understand she has 38 patients.

Sounds like you really needed to leave. Good luck to you.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

i would say that being a nurse is better than your current situation.

however, cna/pct/sne/pca vs. rn/lpn...i can't say the nurses have it better. while we may not have as much physical work to do, or wouldn't be given the care of an entire floor, ultimately everything that happens is our responsibility. i remember wanting to be an rn so badly when i was a tech/aide, but then wishing i could go back to the days when i could say, "i'm not sure, let me go get/ask your nurse!"

but you know what, if a nurse is what you want to be, you're not going to be satisfied as anything but. i do think you'll make a great nurse. i can sense your work ethic and it's obvious how much you are for your patients!

i'm so sorry you had to deal with this. during midnights on my floor, one tech had 16 patients and that was too much for medsurg, i thought. i can't imagine it on stepdown! what are the nurse:patient ratios?

wish you the best!

jess

[kiwilime81]

Oh, my goodness, hun. Seriously, it is your job, not you. Get a new one now!!!! That patient/staff ratio is INSANE. I complain when I have 11 or 12 patients (and I work nights on a med/surg floor). You are an amazing person - please don't give up on nursing because of a bad experience. At the next place you interview ask about their "matrix" or staff:patient ratio before you take the leap. See if you can see it in writing first before you accept a position if that would help. Good luck and I hope you get into school soon!

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

Not sure if it gets better or not --- but it will get different.

Wow! I would not last ONE NIGHT with 38 patients. Not as an RN or CNA or tech or heck anything.

Bless you. I will bet that your competence and good nature put you in a situation where you worked harder than anyone (heck, everyone!) else.

The fact that you lasted as long as you did speaks volumes about your character and commitment.

Nursing can be very frustrating. Nurses are leaving the bedside in droves and I don't really think that it is a mystery why. Patient loads, demanding patients, sicker patients, less staff support and a luxury/entitlement atmosphere and well, I ran. A change will come - but, at what price. It has to - just not sure when.

I think that pharmacy tech and the clarity to focus on school is a good plan. Take care of yourself to be able to care for others (essential!).

Vote for change with your career. Find a spot at a hospital that values nurse, patients and is committed to excellence. They are out there! Look for a position with a good orientation/preceptor program - reasonable ratios and willingness to invest in their staff. I think these will be the key to a great bedside career out of school.

Good Luck.

Practice SAFE! (But, that lesson was EARNED by you!)

[BradleyRN]

I was a CNA, an LPN, and now i am an RN. Let me tell you it only gets harder with each step. You shouldnt resent the nurses or patients for their requests. The nurses are overloaded with work as well and so delegating to you the duties you can perform is what they are suppose to do. The patients should not be judged for what you think they "should easily be able to do themselves". You are taking a staffing issue out on everybody but the ones who deserve it. 38 patients is ridiculous! That is at least double what you should have. Your anger should have been aimed at your boss or the administration (never, ever the patients). They will always want to give you more than you can handle. It's up to you to defend yourself and refuse. I understand that having 38 patients would make you bitter, and i am sorry you had to go through that. But blaming the new grads and the patients themselves is way across the line! You will see that one day when you are a nurse. But from my experience, it only gets harder. Good luck!

[casi, ASN, RN]

You are GOOD! I work as a CNA on a 26 bed tele unit overnights as the only aide on the floor and I only have about half the responsibilities you do. I'm amazed you can do as much as you can.

Definately look for another place of employment.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

That is outrageous that you are expected to all of the tasks listed above for 38 patients. That is out of reach for anybody. I can see why you quit. When you are a nurse if you work in a hospital you will never have 38 pts to care for at a time.

Thank you for being a CNA:bowingpur one of the hardest jobs to ever do. Take the skills you've learned there and continue to use them when you get into nursing school. Good Luck.

Actually, LPNs in LTC can have as many as 60 patients at night alone, and duties will include tube feedings, medication passes, accuchecks, dressings, and God forbid if a patient crashes. How managers can do this with a clear conscience to the elderly is beyond me. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. These people should be spending their golden years being treated with dignity and respect. Yes, in hospitals, it is less, but the patients are in more critical condition, so, to even have 10 may be a great deal.

One of the things I despise in health care is the selfish physical demands that are made on all levels of nursing because they want to save the almighty dollar. To the OP, you are doing a great job. Your facility will see that once you leave.

[Kunzieo]

Thank you all for your advice and words of support and encouragement.:heartbeat

Only 8 shifts to go! Whew!

My last official day is June 1. (Technically the two weeks was up on Fri, May 30, but I offered to stay and finish up that weekend.)

Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!:w00t:

[Kunzieo]

i'm so sorry you had to deal with this. during midnights on my floor, one tech had 16 patients and that was too much for medsurg, i thought. i can't imagine it on stepdown! what are the nurse:patient ratios?

wish you the best!

jess

on nights it is generally 4:1, with charge taking 2-3.

[looking for answers0]

Sounds to me like u NEED to 2 b a pharmacy tech. U r already tired of the "nursing". Each pt. regardless if it is a "repeatcustomer, hospice, DNR," deserves the best treatment that your facility can give them. IT is not up 2 u 2 decide if they need treatment. U HAD a job 2 do. U applied for that job. I'm sure the hospital did not come 2 u. If u want 2 blame someone for how u were treated u need 2 blame the administration & the other employees u worked with NOT THE PATIENTS!! Do u really think these people want u 2 have 2 wipe their a$$!!

These people lose all dignity when they come 2 a hospital. It is YOUR JOB 2 give it back 2 them!!!!!!!!!

[casi, ASN, RN]

Sounds to me like u NEED to 2 b a pharmacy tech. U r already tired of the "nursing". Each pt. regardless if it is a "repeatcustomer, hospice, DNR," deserves the best treatment that your facility can give them. IT is not up 2 u 2 decide if they need treatment. U HAD a job 2 do. U applied for that job. I'm sure the hospital did not come 2 u. If u want 2 blame someone for how u were treated u need 2 blame the administration & the other employees u worked with NOT THE PATIENTS!! Do u really think these people want u 2 have 2 wipe their a$$!!

These people lose all dignity when they come 2 a hospital. It is YOUR JOB 2 give it back 2 them!!!!!!!!!

You can't give back to each and every patient when you have 28 patients that you are expected to get vital signs on and help with ADLs. When you are a CNA in that situation you're lucky if you are able to provide the most basic cares in a decent way.

She doesn't need to get out of nursing, she needs to get off the unit she is on and find some place that values their CNAs enough to allow them to give safe care.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

sounds to me like u need to 2 b a pharmacy tech. u r already tired of the "nursing". each pt. regardless if it is a "repeatcustomer, hospice, dnr," deserves the best treatment that your facility can give them. it is not up 2 u 2 decide if they need treatment. u had a job 2 do. u applied for that job. i'm sure the hospital did not come 2 u. if u want 2 blame someone for how u were treated u need 2 blame the administration & the other employees u worked with not the patients!! do u really think these people want u 2 have 2 wipe their a$$!!

these people lose all dignity when they come 2 a hospital. it is your job 2 give it back 2 them!!!!!!!!!

i don't see where the op is blaming the patients at all.

jess