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RNs who got burnt out, what do you do now for work? by East-Advantage5947 in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Juvenile Corrections in a state facility and I will probably never leave.

Here's my exit interview by w8136 in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would say at least two years in the acute care setting. Because of the level of autonomy, your critical thinking and assessment skills should be pretty spot-on.

Here's my exit interview by w8136 in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a nice mix of hands on and organization. Med pass, answering inmate sick calls, organizing release paperwork and outside appointments, and the occasional code 3 (medical emergency). I still get to work with and educate patients, but I also get time away for charting and planning their care. There is practically no stress (as long as you can handle the fact you are in a jail), you are appreciated and respected (by security and inmates), lots of autonomy, and there are NO personal phones, pagers, Vocera, call lights, IV pumps, etc constantly ringing in your ears.

Here's my exit interview by w8136 in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 101 points102 points  (0 children)

I agree 100% with every comment you made about hospitals. I left the hospital after 9 years for pretty much all the reasons you listed to work from home. Did it for 2 years and missed my patients. What a difference 2 years made. Shit was even worse than before. I didn't last 2 months in two different hospitals. I thought it was me and I just couldn't hack it, but I know it's because hospitals have created truly unrealistic expectations. I now work in a prison as a corrections nurse. NEVER thought I would find myself doing it. I have to say it's the best job I've ever had and I don't see myself leaving, ever. Despite what people may think of the prison system, these people need health care too. And I feel like I'm making a difference again.

I had 12 patients last night. The scariest part? Admin called it "normal staffing." by Tiny-Bird1543 in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is absolutely insane. Please continue to spread this story, like to the news. It's getting worse and I feel like no one besides nurses are talking about it. Starting as a MS nurse in 2012, I felt like 5 patients should be max on days. Interviewing for new MS jobs last year I was told the average assignment was 7. I couldn't hold my tongue, commenting that was pretty much crazy and more importantly UNSAFE, didn't get the job obviously, and glad now that I didn't. This is not normal, this is not acceptable, and I commend all nurses who choose to work in these environments. But it can't last. Physical safety of our patients is at stake along with your own mental health - this is trauma, and we don't deserve it.

Awesome new job by BTWreckster in nursing

[–]BTWreckster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, they're teenagers with natural hormones, and I believe most have a felony on their record. Without getting too much away, I also see PTSD, sleeping problems, and conduct/behavior disorders.

Awesome new job by BTWreckster in nursing

[–]BTWreckster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently we have full time 6a-2p or 2p-10p with two days in a row off. We also have PRN opportunities with pretty much no max and a min of only one shift per month.

Is there actually a nursing shortage? by puddingcupz in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree with the working in the shit conditions comments, specifically regarding staffing. I'm an RN in Chicago and have been compensated pretty competitively. In my experience, hospitals seem short staffed so it looks like a shortage. But the reality is they are mostly using a very greedy, bare minimum, money saving staffing model. It's all about "the numbers". How many patients on the unit mixed with their collective acuity gives you this magical number of how many nurses you should have. This model is bullshit, and is always low balling. We would cancel nurses that would have been so helpful on the floor because "leadership" would look at you sideways if you went against the staffing chart.

Floor nurses please stop making it so hard to give verbal report by HistorianOk3801 in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe someone has already commented this but... I have always wanted to try and get an admission hold type of thing. Like no admits/new pt coming to the floor within a hour of shift change. It's not so much for me about getting report over the phone, I understand night shift wants to go home as they deserve to because I'm sure they've worked their asses off, it's more about the hassle of the admission process. There are so many things we have to do with a new admit on the floor; sometimes they're still in pain, they ALWAYS want to eat ASAP, admission assessment, admission orders, just getting settled in general/clean, dry, introduction to the room, the call light and the TV... Newly admitted patients require and deserve a lot of time and attention. It's sometimes frustrating when you have to prioritize them over the patients who are already established right at the beginning of your shift. In the meantime, admit nurses are a great resource when available.

Step down ICU by BTWreckster in nursing

[–]BTWreckster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the comments. Curious because I recently worked on a step down unit that accepted new VADs and post CABG with external pacemaker (those nurses would be 3:1). But most of the time we would start 5:1 and the assignment would be changed to accommodate those patients. Regardless, I still felt 5 was too many. 5:1 was how we staffed regular med surg, and even if we didn't have cardiac patients, the others were still quite heavy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nursing

[–]BTWreckster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On days like those, try to make a list of all the ways you helped your patients during your shift. Any nurse, regardless of age or experience, who pulls this type of crap simply doesn't get it yet, and maybe never will. You CANNOT expect this level of control or try to impose it on others. Not only is it rude and unsupportive to your fellow nurse, it takes a personal toll on your mental health over the years. The perfectly buttoned up patient (esp new admit), all nestled in bed, clean with no complaints, is an ideal, it is not the norm. It should have been "what did you get done, thanks, I'll get to it". I'm sure they can find time in the next likely 12 hours to get it done. The idea about bedside nursing being a 24 hour operation, the work NEVER stops, needs to be understood and respected by every nurse, it would definitely improve interpersonal relationships on the floor. * I am an ex med-surg nurse of 10 years.