Wow, is it really a zoo out there?

[loving2]

I've been in public health for 10 years, and currently work as a school nurse (RN) for 5 years. I love it, but I need a change of pace and need to sharpen my clinical skills. I've never worked in a hospital. I've had 3 interviews. I've toured each of these hospitals and paid special attention to the climate on the floor. My last, most recent interview was horrible (as you may have gathered from another post). It has left a bad taste in my mouth and has me questioning my decision to work at ANY hospital. Period.

Is it a jungle out there? Lol Seriously. As I read through the posts on this board, I can't help but get nervous about working in a hospital. It seems there are unsafe nurse/pt ratios, nasty doctors, snooty overworked nurses, clinques, back-stabbers, harsh working conditions. Nurses are tired, worn-out, overworked, underappreciated, leg cramps, foot pain, back pain, mental pain, etc. Haha. I'm not trying to start a debate, I just want to know honestly what I can expect in a hospital enviornment. Am I in for a rude awakening? I am very adaptable, and personable. I feel that I fit in easily, but I don't like clinques. My plan is to work three 12s and I have a toddler and preschooler at home.

[Flying ICU RN]

Is it a jungle out there? Lol Seriously. As I read through the posts on this board, I can't help but get nervous about working in a hospital.

It's not so bad really, here we are discharging a satisfied patient from our stepdown unit.

[FlyingScot, RN]

Wow! That's the worst case of Hirsutism I've seen in a long while!

[diane227, LPN, RN]

It really depends on where you work. Any type of unit can be fun or a nightmare depending on the people you work with and the management of the unit. I have worked in places where we got an absolute beating on every shift that we worked but we loved working together (together being the operative word here) and we had fun. I worked in some very busy ED's but all were great fun because of the people I worked with. They had your back and there was never a time when someone said they would not help you. When you work with great people, you can put up with almost anything.

[PrettyNursing]

Welcome to Nursing! Unfortunately believe it or not but nursing is like this. I won't say nursing is like this everywhere but YES. You cannot believe anyone and you are out there on your OWN! But just put your full effort and things will shine better!

[SoundofMusic]

In my hospital, ratios are climbing and the management just makes life miserable for so many. They never picked on me, but I saw them torture so many co-workers that I just left for a smaller newer rehab hospital. We still have high ratios, but pts are not as acute. Our staff worked well together, like a team, and we met and had fun outside of work as well ...but a select manager or two just ruined it for a lot of us and now the unit is breaking apart and everyone is leaving ... I say check out the management first and try to get honest feedback about them if you can ...they really make or break your experience.