Wow

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Specializes in Fall prevention.

So I don't normally post much but I have to share this. I worked on a very busy (insane busy) medsurg floor for 11years. My typical day would generally be something like this.

1. post ( usually 1 day sometimes fresh post op)esophogogastrectomy with ngt chest tube j-tube requires q4 hour flushes tpn and ambulation. and constant pain med ( our facility did away with PCA so pain med was usally q 1-2 hr.

2. post(sometime fresh post op) heptatectomy usually with ngt to liws, a j-tube needing flushing a foley and constant pain med.

3. Post TURP (fresh post op usually) with a Murphy drip running at full blast ( usually changing a 5000 ml bag every 15-30 min.

4. A fresh sleeve gastrectomy sometime with a duodenal switch as well

5 A cabg about 18 hr post op with chest tubes tele sometimes an external pacemaker

6. Lap chole or appy that is fixing to discharge

I kept telling my self it would get better but it only got worse as more and more stuff was added for the nurse to do. I did all of this and precepted the new GN's as well. Then we had a computer error that resulted in 2 write ups and i decided enough was a enough when they refused to remove the write ups after was discovered was a computer error. I was ready to completely quit nursing. I have a friend that had been after me for about 5 years to come work with her. I put my app in and got the job so here is my day now.

3 medsurg patients low acuity but they can be really sick ( more chronic CHF COPD ect.) But it gets better our floor census today is 8 patients (max is 14) we had 4 RNs and 3 techs plus an LVN that was floated to another unit. ( now today is a little atypical. we can have up to 5 patients but I have only had it happen once so far.) I am able to sit with my patients hold their hand talk to them laugh with them in other words be a nurse and not a medication pusher running my backside off. And I get my 2 15 min breaks and my lunch break.

So there are greener pastures out there ( just wish i had not waited so long) so those of you that work on a unit like my old one know that it can be better.

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Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

Good for you!

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Wow...what state are you in?

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Specializes in Fall prevention.

Texas

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
18 hours ago, registerednutrn said:

I am able to sit with my patients hold their hand talk to them laugh with them in other words be a nurse and not a medication pusher running my backside off. And I get my 2 15 min breaks and my lunch break.

I love that you value this. Thank you for the blast of cheerful fresh air!

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Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.

Any more openings?

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

DANG.... I almost felt a stress-tear or two sting my eyelids, reading about your previous job!! That sounds nothing short of nursing hell. (I used to call my LTACH job nursing hell... but compared to yours I amend mine to nursing purgatory. ?)

That’s so wonderful, I’m genuinely happy for you now. I’m an ICU nurse of a combined 8 years, and one of my favorite things is really making that human contact and delivering a measure of comfort.

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Specializes in Fall prevention.
11 hours ago, Kallie3006 said:

Any more openings?

Actually yes we do have about 4 spots coming open

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

So happy for you, also seriously sorry your former employer didn't have your back after 11 years of service there. They definitely got the shorter end of the bargain with your exit. Best to you!

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Oh my goodness; what a great place to work! Congratulations--didn't know those places existed.

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This makes me feel good. I am so happy to hear of a bedside nurse that has a normal work load and has great job satisfaction. It is such a rare thing to hear these days.

A nearby facility had a cookout for all employees, a lot of them out in the parking lot having fun and eating. I did not see one bedside nurse or aide there; of out dozens and dozens of people. WHY? Because they don't have time to eat, barely have time to get out there and pick up something for later.

Company wide picnic my orifice!

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Specializes in ER.

That first assignment was way too much for me. We'd give that to two people here.

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