Would you seriously consider quitting nursing

LPN1974, LPN · Mar 3, 2005

an intern is a student. i don't dare consider them to be 'regular staff'. i thought it was understood that an intern is someone in training. if a nurse was called an intern, would that confuse them (or you)? i just think it sounds more professional.

if i were a patient it would confuse me.

it wouldn't matter whose id badge it were on, it would just confuse me as a patient. {that is if i weren't already a nurse. just thinking about the patients.}

sleepless in norman · Mar 3, 2005

I CAN'T HONESTLY SAY I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH PHYSICIANS, BUT I WORKED WITH AN LPN WHO DID, HE ENDED UP CATCHING THE GOOD OLE DOC WALKING TO HIS CAR AFTER HIS SHIFT, THE REST WAS HISTORY, THE DOC ENDED UP GETTING TREATED IN HIS OWN ER BY HIS OWN STAFF, THE LPN WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND UNFORTUNATELY MOVED ON, MISS THAT GUY, FULL OF EXCITEMENT. :rotfl:

paytonsnana · Mar 3, 2005

When I was a new grad back in the olden days of 1975, it seems that certain negative aspects of working as a nurse were not as prevalent as they appear to be today. Because I am one of those idealistic and very anal people who NEEDS to find reasons and answers, cause and effect in my life, I give a great deal of thought to problems that the people bring to light in this forum.
I think we can all agree that : 1) Doctors who yell, belittle, berate nurses at the desk or within hearing range of another person are displaying behaviors which they probably NEVER DO IN ANY OTHER AREA OF THEIR LIVES, EXCEPT PERHAPS WITH AN EX-SPOUSE. Then, because I cannot help myself, (critical thinking is second nature to me), I MUST ASK:
A.) Why do the MD's believe that it is OK to act inappropriately toward another human being, in almost the manner of Master to Slave, i.e. demanding, demeaning, omnipotent, omniscient, unprofessional and hateful. And why is it that most interns and residents do not yet fully exhibit these behaviors; it is rare to find one who does not still say "please" and "could I see that chart when you're done with it?"
B.) Why, as one member wrote,does this adversarial relationship exist ONLY between doctors and nurses? Why not respiratory therapists and doctors? or lab technicians, or OR Techs, or Cath lab techs, or social workers, or dieticians and doctors? And why is this adversarial relationship not seen in a similar form in other professions or work areas, i.e. firefighters, attorneys, postal workers, educators, police, military professionals, workers in manufacturing industries, steel workers, engineers?
C.) Why does a large majority of nurses, CNA's, techs and therapists fall all over themselves trying to ingratiate themselves with every MD that they come into contact with? I know I am showing my years when I tell you that when I was a Nursing Student at Indiana University in 1973 because the Women's Movement was really strong at that time we were told that we were NEVER to refer to ourselves as student nurses and I had to sign the initials "IUNS" , not IUSN. Why?? Because we were told that Student Nurse was a term that carried almost derogatory connotations with the public due to some of the less responsible entertainment media, if you get my drift. WE, ( we were told), were going to be in the forefront of bringing the Registered Nurse the status of a true profession. uh-huh. And at that time and for many years thereafter, we would NEVER get up from the desk to give a doctor our chair and then go retrieve their particular patient's charts and bring them to them. They, in fact, did not expect that treatment either and if an MD wanted a chart that I was writing in, he would politely ask if he could see it, and I would politely hand it to him. Everything was very CIVIL!! None of this special colored tape for each MD so they can more easily pull their charts; that slays me because it is always a nurse, tech, or other staff member who pulls their charts for them anyway and then sets them in front of him/her while the unit clerk or other person is fetching him a cup of coffee just the way he likes it. I COULD JUST PUKE!! The way some nurses fawn over MD's, it's no wonder they think they're superior beings. I wish I could put my finger on the date that the Stepford Nurses took over; I do know that many of the nurses from some of the Asian countries and India were more "attentive" to all doctors and would attempt to engage them in friendly conversations while they were bustling about getting charts, coffee, snacks, and calling depts. that had paged them. Maybe most of the Women's Movement stuff went out the window and the zeitgeist of the day became " if you can't beat 'em, outcook them" and hence the advent of the now routine "Night shift potluck this Thursday night" , someone's bright idea of a variation on the mantra, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach".
But seriously, I do believe that the large influx of foreign nurses has had an impact on the way we perceive ourselves and most assuredly we have, most likely unconsciously, adopted some of the behaviors of these nurses in an attempt to not lose ground to them on our own turf. Because the MD's respond very positively to fawning and groveling and can seem to be downright pleasant. But that will not stop them from lashing out if a blank order sheet isn't in the chart or if someone forgot to total up the I & O's.
D.) Why are nurses so quick to turn in another nurse for minor infractions? Most other professionals pride themselves on their sense of solidarity, loyalty and cohesiveness. Unless it is a serious offense regarding patient welfare, drug use, etc. most nurses should not run to get involved. Whether they think they know something about another nurse's possible infraction or not, your perceptions may not be accurate and do more to confuse the issue than to help clarify it. Personally, I do not like to add anything that may worsen matters for another nurse. I figure that if the nurse is truly guilty of some offense, there are more than enough of his/her other coworkers to seal his/her fate.
I have said before that if I could live my life over, I would not be in this profession. Life is hard enough without having to watch your back ALL the time.
Celeste

AMEN!!!!!!! Law enforcement has the "Blue Wall of Silence" I have never heard of a Doctor testify against another DR, much less turn them into the BME.

Has anyone ever known one lawyer to turn another over to the bar association? Or sue another lawyer. I would never do this again. It is NOT worth the money. There is not enough salt in the sea to make me become a nurse. I am almost to retirement and if I make it out alive I will probable die of a heartattack simply because I made it to retirement with at least part of my bottom that hasn't been chewed off.:uhoh21:

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

if i were a patient it would confuse me.
it wouldn't matter whose id badge it were on, it would just confuse me as a patient. {that is if i weren't already a nurse. just thinking about the patients.}

you kind of missed my point, but i'll keep going. do you know how long it took me to figure out the difference between a (medical) resident, intern, fellow, etc. (and this was as a nurse- maybe i'm just slow). do i still really know the chain of command for nursing, and all of the abbreviations after their names?? sadly, i don't.

camay1221_RN · Mar 4, 2005

now that you mention it, what's up with that?!??!? i'm assuming you're male (6'4', named steve ). while i'm sure maybe a couple of male nurses have been yelled at, it's usually just a 'hey buddy', with a slap on the back (not even the wrist). if women stand up for themselves, we're either pms-ing, psychotic, or just plain witches!! correct me if i'm wrong guys.

and a big ole amen to that!!!

rcsc · Mar 4, 2005

if you were treated badly--yelled at, disrespected, verbally abused--by the doctors you work with?
How does this treatment affect you? Does it affect patient care?

I want to leave nursing. It is not the doctors - it is the disrespect and abuse perpetrated by administrative types - managers - etc.

Will I probably not - why - becasue I am dependent on my salary and the area in which I live has no real opportunities.

mattsmom81 · Mar 4, 2005

I want to leave nursing. It is not the doctors - it is the disrespect and abuse perpetrated by administrative types - managers - etc.
Will I probably not - why - becasue I am dependent on my salary and the area in which I live has no real opportunities.

Yes...this is why so many of us stick with it for so long...we're the types who support our families well and we get dependent on the income...so we grit out teeth, take the disrespect from docs, managers, patients, other nurses..try to cope. :stone

We think "I'll look for something less stressful later". (I am sooo guilty of this)

NJSRN64 · Mar 4, 2005

I am seriously quitting bedside nursing for many reasons but it boils down to one simple point:
I can't be the nurse I entered the profession to be.
Too many many constraints on my time at the bedside due to increasing paperwork (despite computerization of charting and med administration)----and too much verbal and passive-aggressive abuse from some physicians and certain coworkers----well, ya know what, it adds up to quite a bit of frustration and a block to my being the nurse I intended to. I am seriously considering my options nowadays. And very sad about this, as I truly love nursing..................
the way it should be, anyhow.

i agree wwith your statement,, i feel the same way, nursing is not the way it was and should be and for that i am really hating it and want to get out.. plus now with our poor staffing issues doesnt make our life any easier, they are pushing me and several other nurses to the door..

Catch · Mar 4, 2005

I found that in community nursing, the doctors were respectful, responsive, and open to our suggestions re: treatments (just a couple of phone calls involved inappropriate doctor responses). Whenever I would call and idenitfy myself and organization, the receptionists would always put me through to the doctors. I guess I'm just suggesting - consider community nursing as an option. I have only good to say about my (former) community nurse co-workers - I do not recall hearing ANY negative remarks from co-workers about co-workers. Actually I heard positive. I even remember saying to one of my psych nurse co-workers (when I went to work in psych for a while and heard this complaining about "no respect") - I replied "you'll get respect if you work in community nursing" - and that was my experience. I would definitely consider going back into community nursing!

In my years of nursing in skilled care, case management, and home care, I have met a good number of doctors who were respectful and professional in their behavior. Perhaps you could put your ear to the ground and see where you might work where the doctors are good to work with.

Daye · Mar 5, 2005

i will remember that quick come back should i ever need it..."is this a standing order for this patient only or all of your patients?" and "let me read that directive back to you" yicks would i get into trouble for that?

when a physician asks the time when i call at night i just say, "2"17 am."
asked why i am calling at that time of night?
"because your patient needs a doctor" or "because i want your patient alive."
if told, "don't call me again!" i ask, "should i write that as an order? let me read that back."
once i called with low k+ and ^pvc's and was told, "don't worry about it."
answer, "i am reporting my assessment of your patient, not me psychological state."
ofter we have another nurse listen in. if possible this is the shift supervisor. then call the medical director. check your hospitals policy.
write an incident report.
now staffing problems are taking longer, but it is much better!
i would not work where the administration and medical director did not assist in patient advocacy. if my manager were abused for advocating for patients and nurses i would work to change it or leave.