Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Job Story: agency nurse.......nursing is for idiots

I AM SO SORRY YOU FEEL THIS WAY AND I HOPE YOUR PT'S DID NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANY MORE THAN THEY ALREADY DO, BECAUSE YOU ARE SO BURNT. I WONDER IF YOU THINK YOUR AN IDIOT AS WELL. ANYWHO GET OUT OF IT. I DO AGREE THERE ARE SOME POLITICS THAT RUN AMUCK IN MOST FACILITIES, BUT COME ON. HAVE YOU TRIED ER OR ICU. JAILS! PLURAL! HOW AWEFUL. NURSEING HOMES... BORING. I ADMIT I DON'T COME HOME HAPPY GO LUCKY ALL THE TIME EITHER. BUT I WORK IN THE ER AND I DO FEEL THAT I DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I HOPE YOU FIND YOUR CALLING GOOD LUCK.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Pasadena, TX
Posts: 5

log on to: www.albertogarza.com
This is a wonderful business opportunity. Please contact me and I will gladly explain what we do.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Shame on that nurse, It seems she is burnt out and trully does not like her job. I am a graduate nurse and know it is my calling. Nurses aides work harder then any nurse I know. P.S. I know because I was one for 16 years and by the way I AM NOT LAZY

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

" Nurses aides work harder then any nurse I know. P.S. I know because I was one for 16 years"

Dream on!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 4

I'm sorry you feel this way too, but as a nurse of over 20 years I totally understand! totally! I feel so underappreciated and 'used' as a nurse. I'm looking for a way out, currently applying for research jobs. I went back to school a couple of years ago and finished up my BSN so that I would have more options to get out of the hospital. Maybe you should consider that. Afterall, if it doesn't work out, (one advantage of having a crappy craft is there are plenty of jobs in it because no one else wants to do them), the hospital or nursing home will always be there. We should take advantage of the flexibility this negative aspect of our career choice gives us, and explore other things with the assurance that there will always be a job waiting for us if we fail. Personally, I'm giving up on nursing. I'm learning to start caring for myself first, let someone else take over the burden of caring for the sick-I'm all cared out!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

It's unfortunate you feel this way as I've been a nurse for 15 years and have worked in many areas, many states and countries and although my stenosed back needs the O.R. I still love it!!!! I have met women I'd take to the trenches with me and a few good gay men.lol,lol. Your negative influence will change the path of your relatives life and alighn her with just as much politics at 30,000 a year as opposed to 90-100,000. Perhaps an ICU may have met your intellectual abilities more and your awful attitude would have been more inspired. Yes, nursing homes are not a delightful place to be but you have so much rrom to grow in this profession. Your negitive attitude reminds me of the crispy old night nurses and you may be folowing the correct path to leave as the patients can sense your distaste for it. As far as the Bsn, I've returned and continue in the process of my master's- education is a blessing and expands your mind. I do agree older women as your self should be grandfathered in from the diploma schools, I wish I had been also.Good luck in finding your self, as it seems to me, intellectually you would have realized this was a waste of your time years ago.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 4

I think you may have several posts confused w/mine. I said nothing about being grandfathered in and I've never worked in a nursing home in my life. I'm not surprised by a response such as yours, as your attitude is a very common one among nurses. I on the other hand am now, for once in my life, comfortable telling the world that I am NOT a martyr for this cause. I am responsible for my happiness and no one will ever make me feel badly about that. I suggest you have your back surgery, take better care of yourself, and take it easy. I wish you the best of luck, and God bless you!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 4

No, I don't think of myself as an idiot. But based on the spelling and grammar of your posts I'm beginning to think you are. And an unhappy one obviously.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I am a first quarter nursing student, and I happen to really dislike nursing school. I typed in "I hate nursing" and ended up on this site. I had all but decided to leave nursing school, dispite the fact that my grades are exceptional, unlike many in my class.
After reading these posts, I have ultimately decided to leave and get a Bachlors in something else. What I have gathered from the many postings on this site is that nursing really isn't for everyone, and I can respect that. What I wonder about, is if anyone else can. I appreciate those nurses who truely love their jobs. But, I also sympathaize with those who do not.
Why is there such a conflict between the two?
I would like to see those nurses who enjoy the profession look at those who don't and understand, and not be offended that not everyone loves their line of work. Also, realize that these are not uncaring people, they just feel differently than you do.
I know for a fact that if I continue on in nursing, I will be miserable in my profession. I appreciate those nurses who have posted on this site being compleatly honest about how the job has made their life hell, because I already had imagined that happening to me.
To those who love nursing, good for you.
To both groups, just because the other side feels differently, it is not a personal attack on you.

Sincerly,
Not-A-Nurse-To-Be

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

A lot of people would be shocked over my story but I feel it's important that it be told. As nurses and as women we are suppose to keep our mouths shut and not complain. Its also true that one in three women have been abused at some point in their lives because of our tolerances. I'm hoping that by me telling my story, there can be some changes made. Hopefully as women we can learn to help and support one another.

I have been nursing for eight years in Ontario. I'm now 40 years old. Should have listened to mom years ago when she retired as a registered nursing assistant (R.N.A.), "don't get into nursing" she said. Nursing school was a real challenge for me. I was in college and the other students many of who were younger were very mean. I felt like I was in high school again, the one the bullies liked to pick on. And just like in high school, I had to repeat courses and couldn't wait to get out! Being a single mom with two kids was hard enough for me along with having to deal with the rude personalities. Some preceptors were no better. One day during my second semester as I started my shift I accidently knocked over a urinal and it spilled all over me. I asked my preceptor if I can find a scrub to wear. She said, "don't worry, it will dry...besides its sterile."

I worked in several areas in the hospital but mostly E.R. There are things you learn quickly that are not taught in nursing school. The common phrases you learn in nursing are "nurses eat their young" and "only the strong will survive". I spoke to a nurse who use to work on a medical floor in a trauma hospital. She said she had to have her husband come in at 2:30am while she was on her night breaks because he co-workers would always put her into tears. She is one of the nicest people you would ever meet. Maybe that 's part of her problem...maybe she's too nice. You cannot appear too weak, otherwise, they will attack you!

The majority of nurses remain to be women and they thrive on backstabbing each other! You never want to be the last person to leave the lunch room because as soon as you leave their ready to talk about you. You'll be lucky if there is a male in the crowd then the chances are less they'll chat. Women just love to talk. One of the common rules you learn is "never talk about your personal business"...it will come back to you!

If you work in the most critical areas like ICU, CCU, or E.R. its even worse! Many compete with one another over...???till this day I have no idea what their competing about...knowledge maybe over one another? Know your stuff...otherwise instead of looking for ways to help you they will ostracize you and scorn you!

The biggest hush-hush is the racism in the critical areas of the hospital and with management. There are hardly any ethnics in those areas! Don't believe me? "Front-line nurses (E.R.) represent the hospital". Excluding agency nurses, how many black nurses are on the front line? How many black administrators do you see and in what area? Now look at this. I bet you will find most black nurses in geriatrics, chronic floors and general medicine. Are they not smart enough? Well if they are, why do we always see them more on the floor even in ICU but not in E.R.? How can we help our black colleagues and other ethnic groups?

Years ago, many of my colleagues left the hospital and chose agency work to avoid the politics and for better pay. Back then, agency nursing was wonderful and respectful. Hospital nurses use to be so grateful to get the extra hands needed due to nursing shortages. Agency nursing was great...that is, until hospital nurses realized agency nurses were getting almost double their pay. There is now limited work for agency nurses. The hospitals have amalgamated and allowed only certain agencies to be contracted with them. Many agencies had to close their doors especially after most were audited along with their nurses, now owing thousands. Now, hospital nurses treat agency nurses terribly giving them the jobs no one else wants. They watch every step an agency nurse is doing knowing that agency nurses have "no security" and can lose their job in an instant with enough complaints. Hospital nurses have more power, and trust me, if they want to, they can set you up!

Out of all the jobs in the world, the top rated job for "burn-out" is nursing. So, how does all this affect nursing care? It's a five to six hour wait in many E.R.'s...so demeaning to the patient. Unfortunately, I can tell you in E.R. there is no "care". Everything is based on completing a skill that's been ordered by the doctor then moving onto the next. Patients who have a nurse who takes the time to listen to her patient or even gets them a glass of water is very lucky. Unfortunately most patients don't know the best way of showing their gratitude is by sending a letter to the nurse manager. Nurses do care a lot about their patients, that I know for sure. But taking the time to show you care is the hardest thing to do in E.R. Time is of the essence. If you're too slow, you're out of there!

Are you aware of nurses having a "nurses bladder"?...nurses don't have the time to go to the washroom so they end up with bladder infections. While nurses are known to be the worse patients we need to take the time to take care of ourselves.

Have you experienced any of this that my colleagues and I have? Maybe your one of those same bullies that I spoke about. Or, are you just one of those people on the sidelines that doesn't say anything while another is being picked on. Maybe your already accepted as part of the clique, attending all the outside work social events held by your co-workers and you have never had any worries. You even have your picture on the cork board with the same group that underlying states, "I'm accepted...I'm in...I'm part of the bullies". Is there any group out there in support of nurses from bully nurses? Is there any support at all? Is there any nursing jobs out there that don't experience any backstabbing? Is this only with nursing? I'm considering going to the States but I'm now hearing many colleagues say nursing is harder down there and they don't treat Canadian nurses well.

I'm too old to restart another career.
Where do we go when we have had enough.
Would love to hear your comments and suggestions.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 8

A lot of people would be shocked over my story but I feel it's important that it be told. As nurses and as women we are suppose to keep our mouths shut and not complain. Its also true that one in three women have been abused at some point in their lives because of our tolerances. I'm hoping that by me telling my story, there can be some changes made. Hopefully as women we can learn to help and support one another.

I have been nursing for eight years in Ontario. I'm now 40 years old. Should have listened to mom years ago when she retired as a registered nursing assistant (R.N.A.), "don't get into nursing" she said. Nursing school was a real challenge for me. I was in college and the other students many of who were younger were very mean. I felt like I was in high school again, the one the bullies liked to pick on. And just like in high school, I had to repeat courses and couldn't wait to get out! Being a single mom with two kids was hard enough for me along with having to deal with the rude personalities. Some preceptors were no better. One day during my second semester as I started my shift I accidently knocked over a urinal and it spilled all over me. I asked my preceptor if I can find a scrub to wear. She said, "don't worry, it will dry...besides its sterile."

I worked in several areas in the hospital but mostly E.R. There are things you learn quickly that are not taught in nursing school. The common phrases you learn in nursing are "nurses eat their young" and "only the strong will survive". I spoke to a nurse who use to work on a medical floor in a trauma hospital. She said she had to have her husband come in at 2:30am while she was on her night breaks because he co-workers would always put her into tears. She is one of the nicest people you would ever meet. Maybe that 's part of her problem...maybe she's too nice. You cannot appear too weak, otherwise, they will attack you!

The majority of nurses remain to be women and they thrive on backstabbing each other! You never want to be the last person to leave the lunch room because as soon as you leave their ready to talk about you. You'll be lucky if there is a male in the crowd then the chances are less they'll chat. Women just love to talk. One of the common rules you learn is "never talk about your personal business"...it will come back to you!

If you work in the most critical areas like ICU, CCU, or E.R. its even worse! Many compete with one another over...???till this day I have no idea what their competing about...knowledge maybe over one another? Know your stuff...otherwise instead of looking for ways to help you they will ostracize you and scorn you!

The biggest hush-hush is the racism in the critical areas of the hospital and with management. There are hardly any ethnics in those areas! Don't believe me? "Front-line nurses (E.R.) represent the hospital". Excluding agency nurses, how many black nurses are on the front line? How many black administrators do you see and in what area? Now look at this. I bet you will find most black nurses in geriatrics, chronic floors and general medicine. Are they not smart enough? Well if they are, why do we always see them more on the floor even in ICU but not in E.R.? How can we help our black colleagues and other ethnic groups?

Years ago, many of my colleagues left the hospital and chose agency work to avoid the politics and for better pay. Back then, agency nursing was wonderful and respectful. Hospital nurses use to be so grateful to get the extra hands needed due to nursing shortages. Agency nursing was great...that is, until hospital nurses realized agency nurses were getting almost double their pay. There is now limited work for agency nurses. The hospitals have amalgamated and allowed only certain agencies to be contracted with them. Many agencies had to close their doors especially after most were audited along with their nurses, now owing thousands. Now, hospital nurses treat agency nurses terribly giving them the jobs no one else wants. They watch every step an agency nurse is doing knowing that agency nurses have "no security" and can lose their job in an instant with enough complaints. Hospital nurses have more power, and trust me, if they want to, they can set you up!

Out of all the jobs in the world, the top rated job for "burn-out" is nursing. So, how does all this affect nursing care? It's a five to six hour wait in many E.R.'s...so demeaning to the patient. Unfortunately, I can tell you in E.R. there is no "care". Everything is based on completing a skill that's been ordered by the doctor then moving onto the next. Patients who have a nurse who takes the time to listen to her patient or even gets them a glass of water is very lucky. Unfortunately most patients don't know the best way of showing their gratitude is by sending a letter to the nurse manager. Nurses do care a lot about their patients, that I know for sure. But taking the time to show you care is the hardest thing to do in E.R. Time is of the essence. If you're too slow, you're out of there!

Are you aware of nurses having a "nurses bladder"?...nurses don't have the time to go to the washroom so they end up with bladder infections. While nurses are known to be the worse patients we need to take the time to take care of ourselves.

Have you experienced any of this that my colleagues and I have? Maybe your one of those same bullies that I spoke about. Or, are you just one of those people on the sidelines that doesn't say anything while another is being picked on. Maybe your already accepted as part of the clique, attending all the outside work social events held by your co-workers and you have never had any worries. You even have your picture on the cork board with the same group that underlying states, "I'm accepted...I'm in...I'm part of the bullies". Is there any group out there in support of nurses from bully nurses? Is there any support at all? Is there any nursing jobs out there that don't experience any backstabbing? Is this only with nursing? Does it always have to be the strongest, most educated, caucasian-looking, popular, assertive and/or bully only to survive?

I'm considering going to the States but I'm now hearing many colleagues saying nursing is harder down there and they don't treat Canadian nurses well. I'm too old to restart another career.
Where do we go when we have had enough.
Would love to hear your comments and suggestions...Lisa

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

My suggestion: if you are a nurse and cannot leave the 'profession' (yeah right) the best thing you can do to help your situation is to give yourself an intracardiac injection of 1000 MEQ's of KCL

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 8

were you trying to be funny?

sarcastic?

Not sure of the point you're trying to make...

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I’m a man who was thinking about going into nursing until I found this site. I’m intrigued by the phrase “nurses eat their young” that is all over this board. Will someone please elaborate with examples exactly what this phrase means?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

"Nurses Eat Their Young"
I’m a man who was thinking about going into nursing until I found this site. I’m intrigued by the phrase “nurses eat their young” that is all over this board. Will someone please elaborate with examples exactly what this phrase means?




It is in your favour that you are a male. Male nurses and male nurse managers are respected more.

"Nurses eat their young" is an old but common phrase used in nursing in response to how senior nurses treat new grads. New grads being of course less experienced and less knowledgeable are reported on, not treated well and get backstabbed. It is also said that "the older nurses teach the younger ones to act this way" to newcomers.

Although many people refer this phrase to only senior nurses and new grads this is not correct. If you understand the phrase "survival of the fittest" then you know what I'm talking about. The strongest personality, smarter, most knowledgeable nurse, etc. are the ones that will survive. In reference to "the young" it could be the less knowledgeable, less certified, younger, weaker, insecure, slower, etc. And if you don't fit into whatever the status quo is, you will be eaten alive or ostracized. This behaviour is worse in more acute areas like ICU or ER where there is a certain competitiveness.

If you were ever bullied in high school, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Until you are accepted into that group, it's best to keep your business to yourself. Don't give them something they can later use against you. They will smile at your face but behind your back, they will talk about you.

Unfortunately nurses, especially female nurses treat each other terribly and don't support each other at all! And the strangest thing about it is, if your not a nurse, you would never know that this happens among nurses.
.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

OK 28 years and counting. Let's be honest. The days that are the best are the ones where you can nlaugh with your co-workers, help with a boost, get a pat on the back from someone recognizing your contribution. The worst are the ones where a longer term patient dies too young, or you're carrying a personal on your shoulders while not showing it in the work place, or when your personality, communication, or reputation is maligned by someone trying to make themselves feel better at your expense. We've all been there. So our nursing system is not set up to support the individual, it's set up to support the institution we work for. Our only hope is to act as the professionals that we are. If you are worn down by years of nursing abuse by co-workers, I thank you for hanging in as long as you did. If you are one of those that feels it is ok to abuse a coworker, look at who you are, noone deserves to be treated with incensitivity, and unethical jabs. Take the higher road. Noone will accept us as a true profession as long as our members still can't step into a mature professional role. Of course there are conflicts. Resolve them privately, don't damage a reputation. You really never know if someone is experiencing a crisis elsewhere in their life. Look up the meaning of compassion and have some for all of the old, young, vital, or burnt out nurses. This is no longer a profession about "paying your dues". You just have to remember what it takes to be honorable. Am I ready to leave too? Soon, I care, but lately the work ethic has degenerated into the "me" thing. It seems validated by the number of entries on this site that talk about the work-load of assistants. None of us are too good to empty a bedpan, feed a patient, explain and educate newer nurses etc. Help your co-worker and you will earn gratitude but more importanmtly ...respect.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I see many people are putting down what Lisa said but I being a nurse 25 yrs, alot of what she said is true. I don't think she is bitter, etc, she is just telling it like it is. Nurses are very hard to get along with, alot of backstabbing, etc in hosp's, and nursing homes. You can love nursing, but this other stuff will tear you down. I love careing for people, but all this other stuff has gotten my nerves so bad, but i stay with it, cause i enjoy my patients. many of the patients are so appreciative of any thing you do for them. Nursing is a very hard profession and you have to really want it to be able to make it.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I totally agree with you, I have been a nurse for only two years and absolutly hate it. Yes I only work three days a week, but they are three LONG days; and yes the pay is OK but people who are't nurses have no idea what nurses go through. I have had three full time jobs in the past two years (that is by choice), I just could't stand the politics. I have worked mostly ED, when I first graduauted I worked TELE. People give nursing respect on the outside, they say things like "Wow you are a nurse thats so great...it takes a special person to be a nurse," but once they are a pt. it is a whole new ballgame...people treat you like dirt. When you are a nurse you feel like you are everyone's b****, unless you are one of those nurses who thinks their job is way more than what it really is (then you subconsciensely feel like a slave but act like a total b**** to cover it up). If you can't tell...I really REALLY HATE nursing!!!!!!!!!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Hate Nursing----

I have been in Nursing since 1981--- and also in Long Term care.

It is harder than other jobs. I also was a High School teacher, and Had a 15 year career as a training developer in the university system and with the telephone *(.com) company. Nursing is much harder than any office job. But I do not hate it . I like most parts of it. I have Practices Nursing for a couple of years recently in LTC and it is a needy area--- but I do not hate it.
Generally, I do nursing for a couple three years and do something else between times for a few years--- get laid off and go back to nursing a few months or a couple of years.

It is a tough business (Nursing) As for getting a BSN I am close-- and I have a MS in Education-- yet still work the floor.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

True. So true.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Try the Hairdressing industry !!!

Try the Hairdressing industry !!!

Do you like to take care of others?
Enjoy schooling for a certifcation exam that requires a short time? Maybe a short apprentice time to understand the details?

I have been in the industry of salons and spas for 15 years, I am beginning school full time to gain my LPN (to start) jan 2006

I believed more than anyone in my previous industry, owned a salon, worked in corporate spa management, did well as a stylist and accompanying roles...yadda yadda yadda...It is ALL ABOUT MONEY!

It seems that any field where you care for others, that is the secondary goal. Budgets and sales goals, the corporate system od prioritizing EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE PATIENT/CLIENT is mre important.... ths was my rude awakening last year.

The shampoo or the perscription drug.. they're #1. Gee what's wrong with us to think that a fair balance of life and the sick person needing our help would be the inportant party ?!?! Where are our heads ?!?! (just an aire of sarcasm! )

At least in the field of styling, cutting and coloring others' hair, when other women are threatened, catty, back-stabbing and manilpulative you can focus on buildng the relationship with your healthy client and feel rewarded your artisitic accomplishments!!

Money GENERATING portions will get the trump. Doing hair can also be more lucrative than nursing...
Wish you a ton of luck in your future endevors...also the ability to see every day a positive, wonderful gift!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I agree that floor nursing is stressful and draining. But there are so many other options. Home health for example. You can take care of one patient for 8 or 12 hours, or do visits for wound care, etc. A drs office/clinic is another option. Lately I have heard lots of ads for laser skin care clinics who hire RNs to zap wrinkles, inject collagen, etc. Think of the perks !!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

one wrote nurse asst's are the ones that really work, well not true. yes they work hard, but so do lpn's. we get the extra jobs. we can do meds, do pt care, etc. and yet we are not appreciated by management. most times we are overlooked. many r.n's feel threatened by us. I for one love pt care. i like working directly with the patient. I have been a nurse over 15 years. I went into it really feeling i could make a difference, but with all the mess we have to go through, most days i wonder. The good part is when your patient appreciates you, as management don't.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 15

Just get out of that crappy profession..... I know I am!!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2007
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 2

Idiots, huh?

You might have not titled that "nursing is for idiots." That's pretty generic, and it's really not for idiots - altho' I'd agree that most nursing administrations are idiotic. Nursing will most likely never grow up and be a "real" career; always dependent on the egis of physicians and administrators, "doctors" of nursing & the like. Theory's great, but practicum is what counts!

__________________
The true poem rests between the words. --Vanna Bonta

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged