With the way nursing is today, the common sense thing would be...

mazy · Sep 3, 2011

Problems usually don't "fix themselves." They require people to fix them. In order to fix them people have to talk about them.

Isabelle49 · Sep 3, 2011

I felt and was treated more professional as a minimum wage clerk than as an RN!

KJM-RN, BSN · Sep 3, 2011

This sounds really negative, especially without having any experience as an RN yet. I hope I don't get this negative while in school.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

Just to get your RN, put your time in at the beside and jump ship to advanced practice or non beside care as soon as possible, right? Why put up with all these horrendous working conditions, lateral violence, etc... and why talk about all this stuff you have to deal with if you aren't gonna raise a finger to do something about it?
I don't think it's right that I should have to sacrifice my mental and physical health to satisfy the "needs" of a business. I don't think it's right that we should have to do "more with less" (staffing, rations, etc...) and still be expected to deliver exceptional care to the people that need it, the patients. I don't think it's right that we should "whore" ourselves out to please the patients and CEO's, yet there is no one to back us up or anyone we can fall upon? I don't see these "problems" in nursing fixing themselves anytime soon.
I mean, if this isn't what nursing is supposed to be, then what is? Are we glorified medical waitresses or are we professional healthcare providers? Cause I graduate nursing school this year, and I sure don't feel "professional" at all.

Then don't. You chose nursing school- there's no "sacrifice" when you volunteer to go to school for something. Was there a gun at your head? :eek: So either buck up or move on- it's never going to be what you want it to be if you already don't like it.

You think it's hard now? LOL You have no idea- you aren't fully responsible for a n y t h i n g yet. Is it hard work? Absolutely. Did you want a job that paid you to just go at things when you felt like it? Good luck :)

Healthcare is a business. Period. It's always about the money. You're not supposed to feel professional yet because you are not.

You think this is rough working conditions??? Maybe outsource yourself to a third world country. Did you know that the US is now 41st in infant mortality??? We've dropped from 28th (or thereabouts) over the last decade or so..... Slovakia is ahead of us- and they were in an active war zone not long ago.... maybe you'd like their conditions?

Either face up to what IS- not what you want, or bail out now while you can still use your credits for something else. Seriously- think about it.

Hospital CEOs do not care what you (or I, or anyone else who doesn't have the checkbook to pay for their ideas) want or prefer. Work is a verb- not a destination....it's not fun, easy, or just what we want it to be. But if you can hang in there, get out of school, and get through the first several years (it takes that long to really get a handle on things, and find your own niche), it is a really great way to make a living. You're not going to make a fortune. But if that was your goal, you got the wrong college catalog :) You will work hard, and sometimes work will work you.

I loved it. I didn't always like some of what I had to do, but it was worth every bad day. There were far more acceptable ones, and even some good ones (you won't have wonderful days all that often- give that up now !!). If you can get through your shift, do what is expected, and leave people no worse for having been their nurse, all else is a bonus.

But if you're this peeved now- you really need to figure this out soon- did you make the right choice? Don't try to figure out something you aren't even doing yet...get some experience if you still want nursing. Find out how hospitals, billing, reimbursement, staffing, etc work before you diss your managers and hospital/LTC administrators.... the almighty dollar is your boss- and theirs, too. :) Good luck, if you choose to stick around :up:

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

This sounds really negative, especially without having any experience as an RN yet. I hope I don't get this negative while in school.

If you don't want to be, you won't :) People get caught up in negative stuff all the time - and that's their choice. Just be sure you really want to be a nurse. It's a great job. I loved working as a nurse. Even the bad days were worth it in the grand scheme of things. But it is hard work...some people don't seem to get that- or think that if they just complain it will all change- like they're the only ones who have had the idea- LOL ..... If you know you want to be a nurse, and are willing to deal with the hassles, you'll be ok. Negativity isn't forced on anyone :)

pedicurn, LPN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

Just to get your RN, put your time in at the beside and jump ship to advanced practice or non beside care as soon as possible, right? Why put up with all these horrendous working conditions, lateral violence, etc... and why talk about all this stuff you have to deal with if you aren't gonna raise a finger to do something about it?
I don't think it's right that I should have to sacrifice my mental and physical health to satisfy the "needs" of a business. I don't think it's right that we should have to do "more with less" (staffing, rations, etc...) and still be expected to deliver exceptional care to the people that need it, the patients. I don't think it's right that we should "whore" ourselves out to please the patients and CEO's, yet there is no one to back us up or anyone we can fall upon? I don't see these "problems" in nursing fixing themselves anytime soon.
I mean, if this isn't what nursing is supposed to be, then what is? Are we glorified medical waitresses or are we professional healthcare providers? Cause I graduate nursing school this year, and I sure don't feel "professional" at all.

My thoughts .....

Bedside nursing is not a professional role - it's a highly skilled job.

Unfortunately I was indoctrinated as a student and new nurse to think I was entering a real profession.

It took a little while to readjust my expectations.

Before you enter an advanced nursing program, make sure that is absolutely what you want to do.

If you are not sure- that will be further waste of education in nursing.

If you are sure you don't want to be a bedside nurse and not so sure you want to devote time/money/effort to advanced nursing - then you need to decide soon. Don't waste time on bedside nursing if you hate it. Lots of us have stagnated for years because we feel we cannot earn decent money doing something else.

Doing a BSN then doing graduate study in a completely different area that appeals to you can be a good move.

Nursing frequently allows experience to trump education. So your MSN may be a waste of time - unless it's for a specific clinical role.

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

Nursing and healthcare often takes an emotional toll and it's all too easy to get swept away by the tempest of negativity that seems to overrun our environment due to toxic co-workers, unrealistic expectations, long hours, etc. Not to mention seeing people at their physical and emotional worst every day takes a psychological toll even when the nurse/healthcare worker is unaware of it. It's sad that we as nurses give so much that we wind up breaking ourselves either figuratively or even literally.

To the OP, my advice to you is to let it go. These problems have been in nursing for a long time, it doesn't make it okay but the way you can contribute to the problem is by not being consumed by the negativity and frustration that this career can cause. While you're in clinicals and once you begin working, go in do your job to the best of your ability and go home and live your life. On rough days, do as you did today and vent on this forum and then let it go. I have seen more than one nurse go down in flames because the frustrations and negativity from the job became the ruling force in their lives.

Good luck to you, I hope this helps.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

Then don't. You chose nursing school- there's no "sacrifice" when you volunteer to go to school for something. Was there a gun at your head? So either buck up or move on- it's never going to be what you want it to be if you already don't like it.
You think it's hard now? LOL You have no idea- you aren't fully responsible for a n y t h i n g yet. Is it hard work? Absolutely. Did you want a job that paid you to just go at things when you felt like it? Good luck :)
Healthcare is a business. Period. It's always about the money. You're not supposed to feel professional yet because you are not.
You think this is rough working conditions??? Maybe outsource yourself to a third world country. Did you know that the US is now 41st in infant mortality??? We've dropped from 28th (or thereabouts) over the last decade or so..... Slovakia is ahead of us- and they were in an active war zone not long ago.... maybe you'd like their conditions?
Either face up to what IS- not what you want, or bail out now while you can still use your credits for something else. Seriously- think about it.
Hospital CEOs do not care what you (or I, or anyone else who doesn't have the checkbook to pay for their ideas) want or prefer. Work is a verb- not a destination....it's not fun, easy, or just what we want it to be. But if you can hang in there, get out of school, and get through the first several years (it takes that long to really get a handle on things, and find your own niche), it is a really great way to make a living. You're not going to make a fortune. But if that was your goal, you got the wrong college catalog :) You will work hard, and sometimes work will work you.
I loved it. I didn't always like some of what I had to do, but it was worth every bad day. There were far more acceptable ones, and even some good ones (you won't have wonderful days all that often- give that up now !!). If you can get through your shift, do what is expected, and leave people no worse for having been their nurse, all else is a bonus.
But if you're this peeved now- you really need to figure this out soon- did you make the right choice? Don't try to figure out something you aren't even doing yet...get some experience if you still want nursing. Find out how hospitals, billing, reimbursement, staffing, etc work before you diss your managers and hospital/LTC administrators.... the almighty dollar is your boss- and theirs, too. :) Good luck, if you choose to stick around

KAPOW! For those of you that think this is tough...you ain't seen nothin yet! Get in the real world. Do the job for several years. Learn what really happens behind the scenes not just what you see from the end of your nose (ie: budgets, management roles), etc.

For those of you that can hold on tight, you will find those days that are just wonderful. They will remind you WHY you became a nurse. You will go home with a pull in your heart knowing that YOU made that difference to a patient or their family in one of the biggest crisis moments that most of us face.

To the OP: I can't imagine being so miserable about a career that I had not even begun.

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

Just to get your RN, put your time in at the beside and jump ship to advanced practice or non beside care as soon as possible, right? Why put up with all these horrendous working conditions, lateral violence, etc... and why talk about all this stuff you have to deal with if you aren't gonna raise a finger to do something about it?
I don't think it's right that I should have to sacrifice my mental and physical health to satisfy the "needs" of a business. I don't think it's right that we should have to do "more with less" (staffing, rations, etc...) and still be expected to deliver exceptional care to the people that need it, the patients. I don't think it's right that we should "whore" ourselves out to please the patients and CEO's, yet there is no one to back us up or anyone we can fall upon? I don't see these "problems" in nursing fixing themselves anytime soon.
I mean, if this isn't what nursing is supposed to be, then what is? Are we glorified medical waitresses or are we professional healthcare providers? Cause I graduate nursing school this year, and I sure don't feel "professional" at all.

I've read your post several times trying to see it from different angles. I'm trying to figure out why you went into nursing in the first place. From your profile, it looks like you are still a student. How is it that you have such a jaded view of our profession?

I work w/ a great group of nurses and CNA's. We also have a wonderful NP and a great doc working w/ us. There is no back stabbing, no rations, and whatever else you mentioned. I don't feel I'm "whoring" myself for a business (your words). I take care of my pts with the best of my abilities because I love what I do.

I have a pt who is actively dying as we speak. I made a scheduled visit this morning and stopped in again on my way home to check on her and the family. She was very comfortable when I left. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable and that every member of the family knew the pt was dying and will more than likely not see Sunday. I reassured them that the w/e on call nurse would come over if they needed anything. I got hugs from several family members and many "thank you" from others. That is why I do what I do. Just knowing this pt and family are comfortable and have the knowledge they need. That makes my day!

I hope you find an area of nursing where you don't feel so used.

Aurora77 · Sep 3, 2011

I completely agree with xtxrn--you should evaluate why you went into nursing and make some decisions.

No matter what the business, you will have to "make do with less." That's life. As much as we want nursing to be all about caring and helping people, there is the business side. The only way you'll ever have control over your business and your resources is to run your own business. That's not going to happen in nursing.

MissJulie · Sep 3, 2011

Just to get your RN, put your time in at the beside and jump ship to advanced practice or non beside care as soon as possible, right? Why put up with all these horrendous working conditions, lateral violence, etc... and why talk about all this stuff you have to deal with if you aren't gonna raise a finger to do something about it?
I don't think it's right that I should have to sacrifice my mental and physical health to satisfy the "needs" of a business. I don't think it's right that we should have to do "more with less" (staffing, rations, etc...) and still be expected to deliver exceptional care to the people that need it, the patients. I don't think it's right that we should "whore" ourselves out to please the patients and CEO's, yet there is no one to back us up or anyone we can fall upon? I don't see these "problems" in nursing fixing themselves anytime soon.
I mean, if this isn't what nursing is supposed to be, then what is? Are we glorified medical waitresses or are we professional healthcare providers? Cause I graduate nursing school this year, and I sure don't feel "professional" at all.

As a fellow student, I have to say that I completely disagree with basically everything in your post! Sure, some nurses may want to become an advanced practice nurse, but no one complains when CNAs want to become RNs, do they? Since when is there something wrong with wanting to get a higher level of education? I mainly ask because I hope to one day achieve my MSN (currently working on my ADN) and either go with NP or education, so what would be wrong with that?

You state that these nurses get on here and complain and don't do anything about it, but think about this: one person can't save the world, but they can help to save their patient. If you want to change things, why not look into working with the ANA or other organizations that work with the government to "change things."

To say that nurses are in essence "whoring" themselves to patients and CEOs to make them happy, is insanity! Granted, I'm still a student myself, so the RNs, and LPNs for that matter, that are on this site could provide more insight, but nurses aren't there to please a patient or make them happy, but rather to do their part in the care of the patient. This, of course, will change depending on the type of patient, degree of care needed by patient, and the type of setting (hospital vs ltc vs hospic, etc.).

And, as far as you not feeling professional, maybe it's because you've downgraded the profession in your own eyes. Evidently, the things that you stated in your own post are your opinions, and if I was getting ready to graduate a program and head into a profession that I thought this low of, I think I'd be looking into another field of work.

A friend of mine always says, "Opinions are like *******s, it's just that some stink more than others."