Okay, so here's how my last week went.  I went in everyday, and determined to focus only on my job.  I stayed out of all the "extra" bitch sessions, and most non-work related conversations.  By Tuesday, co-workers were talking behind my back, saying that now I was unapproachable, and when they'd say hello to me at the beginning of my shift, I'd just grunt...GRUNT (NEVER - but maybe just a short "hi" instead of a full blown hello is now considered grunting, who knew)?!!!  Too funny!  Didn't know that keeping things short, sweet, and to the point would be considered offensive too!  Good Lord, I can't win no matter what I do!  Good thing I have an ally.  The RN in the department told these people that maybe I found out that they weren't who I thought they were...one of them then said, "well, they (managers) can't say who said what on the review."  She replied by saying that was correct, but seeing how I couldn't possibly know who said what, everyone was suspect, and they should just leave me alone, and let me do what I am there for - my job!  Yeah Kat!  Thank you SOOO much for your support! 

I also applied for another job.  I'm hoping that they offer me a nice package, because even though I love my current job, and I've grown quite fond of many of the patients, I can do without the crap, and political BS.  You know something else that I find to be somewhat ironic is, I am the youngest one (chronologically) in the whole department.  These women that I work with are old enough to be my mothers, and yet they pull the kind of behaviors you'd find in a very young, inexperienced group.  It blows my mind that some people can't seem to grow out of that, with age, or experience.

Point well taken charlita, but after all of that experience, don't you think people would learn that it's a HUGE waste of time?!  After all, it's just wasted energy...time you could be using to do things that are much more productive?

DaMomb says ...

Point well taken charlita, but after all of that experience, don't you think people would learn that it's a HUGE waste of time?!  After all, it's just wasted energy...time you could be using to do things that are much more productive?

No, no lulu...you got me confused with the one who actually DOES work!!!  I just sit around chit-chatting on the phone, drinking up all of the coffee, and surfing the web!  Ha-ha!

DaMomb----  I feel your frustration....  I work my butt off as well.. no kudos of any kind...  I really do not expect any, but it would be nice every now and then to hear a kind work of encouragement from managment.  I have given up and now I consider my review board to be my patients.....  I know I am being effective when I hear positives from my patients.  We have appreciagrams here.  If a pt ever offers to do something nice for me I hand them one of these appreciagrams and have them fill it out for me or any of the staff they deem appreciable.  I then make a copy and turn it in to be placed in my file.  LOL..Last review the manager stated that I had none....  Good thing I kept a copy.  I had 22 of them from patients along with about a dozen cards that were delivered to the floor through the yr.  They are recognized in our review.  Yes I work for a non-profit.  We are in the process of adding a new wing to our existing hospital.....  LOL corners are being cut everywhere.  The other day I was asked to go run and get a pair of restraints for an extremely difficult ETOH patient.  He was going through DTS' and the prior shift had neglected to give him his scheduled Methadone per the protocol...  I came back with the restraints.  Unbeknownst to us the management had gotten a different brand of restraint for the last shipment.......  OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!  They looked and acted as if they were made out of paper......  Needless to say the nurse holding his feet got kicked pretty hard and she will be out for awhile healing a messed up jaw.........  We ended up getting two pairs of leather restraints , which we were informed in the am we are not allowed to use on the floor  ;>)  I wonder how much the hospital saved on that one??????

DaMomb-I have worked in places like yours where I tried to do everything I was supposed to do, running around like a chicken with my head cut off,  while other nurses are at the station chatting on the phone or watching tv in the dining area. One nurse would find a room with a comatose patient and sit in there for as much as an hour watching tv orsleeping until I got wise to her and would go looking for her. Those types never offer to help no matter how tough your workload is: example - getting a new admission, a patient going to ER or a patient fall. It's frustrating to say the least. You try hard to do a good job and no one ever gives you a pat on the back. But do one little thing wrong or forget to do something, then, boy, you'll hear about it alright and so will everyone else. Everyone kept little notebooks and wrote instances down for their annual reviews.Few could be called friends and even less were friendly.The morale was horrible. You always had to watch your back. It's a bad environment to be in. Very stressful. I use to dread going to work each day. I'm not there any more but I still remember vividly how it felt.  Sometimes you just need to get out of that type of environment. It'll drag you down with it and you won't be any good to yourself or your patients. Often times a change is good. It gives you a new perspective. It's a breath of fresh air. 

nursetb38 says ...

DaMomb--- Yes by all means make copies....  I make copies of everything that is mandatory to turn in.   I never turn in the original unless it is specifically requested...   Lesson learned early in my career.  That first year I was like a chicken with my head cut off.  LOL.  Yes there is a fine line between helping a pt and being stern enough to really help a pt.  I have a few like that.  At first they thought they could get away with murder so to speak, but they learned after I talked with them and told them the why and how of what they wanted versus what they needed.  Because most of them know thier limits they know when someone takes the time and explains to them that this person means business and knows what they are doing ;>)  I guess thats' another one for good ole DR. Uchima.  I just can not praise his teaching enough.  I learned even when I did not know I was learning ;>)

Charlita---Yes I have to agree with you..  There is a point where it is best for your health to get out.  That is the point I am at now in my job.  There are plenty of opps out there at this time.  Why stay where you are not allowed to do your best.  How can one be effective and keep a positive attitude when you are constantly surrounded by BULL>>>>>  I kept thinking, but what about the pts'.  Honestly I know that an army of a few can make a difference, but the army is getting smaller and smaller by the week.  And I ask... Why can the management not see what is happening and how it is going to drag them further down by not having good, confident, and hardworking staff????

I so agree with you. Why don't places try to offer incentives to try and keep good employees? It seems they just don't care anymore. They have the attitude, well if you don't lke it here, we can get someone else. That's how it was at the LTC where I worked. Huge turnover. I didn't even get to learn some of their names before they were gone. It's such a shame. I too was cancerned about the patients and stayed as long as I did because I cared for them. But ultimately, I couln't change anything alone and I just couldn't take it anymore.

Well I survived day two of the group from h-e-double ll.  Day two was worse then day one.  psych-social issue with a young girl, pysch pt made me a letter in farcee (sorry don't know how to spell).  It was a sort of love letter.  Giggle.  At least it wasn't a hate letter "whew"  then two more units of FFP and vit k for a guy going to surg. and a little sweet lady who informed me after I was describing her pills to her in the color of bird and chicken eggs that she does not like chickens or eggs LOL.  then the new admittt that arrived during report at 1940.  this was a WONDERFUL pt.  Brother on the board of the hospital and had all of her home meds, which she wanted approved to take during her stay (13 different ones) oh and also her TPN from home that she rotates two different kinds every three days.  urghhhhh.  Of course the doctor did not write the order for using home meds and some were missing.  The TPN I won't even address was another issue.  This last pt however is the one I will remember the most.  Sweet family.   And I was informed that I had a cute nose by the FFP couple ;>)  Gathered another 1.5 hours of double time and was the proud owner of no lunch break..... 

I think that anyone who still thinks night shift does nothing should think again.  Our hospital has adopted this new saying  "24hr care"  Yes I agree it is , however now they are even leaving dressing changes for us even if it is only a daily not a bid.  This is a bad idea.  by the time we get done with med passes and assessing to be able to do dressing changes it is already 2300 and pt are sleeping. The one who started all of this "new manager".  I think she should have to come and take pt loads for a week at least just to see what we do and don't do on a routine shift.  I think even the high up management should have to come and spend a week in our shoes...  Yes I know days ar carzy two and I do not negate any of thier trials, however twice lately while I have had to forgo lunch and 10 min breaks on night shift because we do not have a lunch or break relief and stayed after to finish charting to cover my butt.  I have overheard by 0830 that the nurses are announcing they are leaving the floor to go and get breakfast!!!!!!  We do not even have a cafe option at night it closes at 0730 when we come on and we get into trouble if we cover one staffs' pts' so that they can go on a food run.  Oh and we also tried delivery and were told by security that they do not have time to deal with delivery drivers.   WOW What a gripe session....  I am all deflated now ;>)  Thanks for listening and hey any suggestions are welcome....  

Here's a copy of the letter I sent to everyone this week (managers included).  I left after work Monday night in tears.  Not because I was hurt emotionally or physically, but because I was SO STINKIN' MAD!

To my fellow co-workers:

I have always maintained that "babysitting" and "tattling" on my co-workers is not MY business as long as it is not affecting my performance, and is not jeopardizing patient care.  I have always had the same response for management on any given day, "We all work together as a team to get things done."  Lately, that would not be my response at all.  In fact, it'd be closer to the opposite.  I moved from the Wausau Center to the Weston Center with hopes that I would never again be involved with such behaviors.  Unfortunately, behaviors that are similar exist here too.  So, if I had to give a report to management about the state of the department today, it would sound something more like this, "Personal feelings Appear to be getting in the way of professionalism for a number of the employees.  Patient care has not yet been compromised (that I'm aware of).  I fear that patient care is in jeopardy if the atmosphere remains unchanged."

 
I used to like coming in to work with the people I spend my day with.  It makes the job a whole lot easier when you can get along with your co-workers.  However, since my last annual review I've been having more and more difficulty enjoying my co-workers' company.  It has become apparent through peer review that the people I considered to be friends, have misrepresented the truth about my work habits (IE: I have been reported making numerous personal phone calls, lacking responsibility for my actions, having not offered assistance to the degree expected).   As a result of said reports, I have opted to changed my work habits to focus solely on work issues.  I no longer participate in social gossip, and do not feel free to share in conversations not directly related to patient care.  Apparently, this has been upsetting to some of you.  I have had backs turned on me when asking work related questions.  I find this kind of an environment difficult to work in, as I'm sure all of you would agree.  
 
I will make an effort to say "hello" instead of "hi", which has reportedly been misconstrued as grunting.  But please do not expect that I am willing to share more intimate details of my personal life.  As previously indicated I am at work to work.
 
I thank you in advance for extending to me the professional courtesies that will assist us in taking care of patient needs as a team.
 
Sincerely,
Leonda
 
 
By the way, it took me a number of times to be so "diplomatic".  My first couple of drafts...well, let's just say that they were nowhere near as pleasant.  As of today, the last day of the work week, and after literally months of BS, I was treated like a human being again.  I have applied for other positions, and will continue to seek a way out, as I honestly do think the "honeymoon" phase will last!  Too many trying to climb over everyone else in an effot to look better.  I'm there just to do the best that I can for the patient...I think that companies don't have incentives for keeping the good employess, because it's cheaper to higher new ones!  Turnover is a good thing, especially in a "non-profit" organization.

nursetb38 says ...

You know what is a good thing about a high rate of turn over????  Eventually there is no one who has been there long anough to remember the "good ole days"     Maybe that is what they are aiming for....

I agree, but there's a huge downfall to that concept...continuity of patient care suffers dramatically.  Patients get accustomed to seeing the same nurse and knowing that they can count on the same person to provide their care.  I would hate to have to call and repeat the same story 4 and 5 times over to get an adequate answer to my healthcare concerns.

Jettysgirl5867 I understand.  Let me tell you something.  I was 19 years old and fresh out of college.  I took a position as LPN night shift charge nurse at a skilled facility, and worked the medicare unit.  I was often left to pull doubles to cover for the next shift, and complete admissions and charting from the previous shifts that were incompleted when they clocked out.  It was a rude awakening for me, and I had a difficult time believing that this was the real world of medicine.  In addition to all of this, being so young, I had a VERY difficult time earning the respect of the CNA's working under me.  What they didn't know, is that I started where they were at the age of 15.  I told them that if they ever needed a helping hand - with anything - all they had to do was ask me.  They learned, and I kept my promises.  The charge nurse of the other unit got jealous, because everyone wanted to work on my unit (we actually had to start a rotation).  She couldn't believe it, because it was by far the most difficult unit in the building.  There were some seriously messed up fabricated stories started, and one day I was called in to "talk" to the DON.  I was terminated.  I was devastated, and it was my 21st birthday to top it all off. 

I didn't tell you all of this to depress you more.  What I want you to know, is that regardless of the bad apples, I absolutely love my job!  When I get a patient who calls and asks specifically for me (and refuses to talk to anyone else), or I have a patient who calls me just to let me know that their baby has been born...it seems to make a lot of the other stuff (as emotionally overwhelming as it may be) seem petty and trivial.

Instead of doing home health, or long term care, why not try a temp service?  They offer many of the same benefits, better pay, and you aren't in one place long enough to develope "attachments" to many of the staff.  By doing this, you get to avoid a lot of the politics while still working in a "friendly" environment.  The other thing you could try is a clinic.  There are a multitude of options.  It sounds like you too are very dedicated to the healthcare cause...don't let the bad apples knock you off the tree!

I hope this helps.

Martini, typically I would agree with you 110%, but management has been involved with this little bit of sophmoric behavior since the beginning.  I was more afraid that if they were NOT included in on this letter, that this would blow up in my face...it would be altered, bitched about, and passed on from someone other than me.  At least now it's done, and it's been almost a week at work with no additional repercussions from the "group".  Thank God, because I've just had it!

martini says:

You have hundreds of options.  It may take a while to find the right option for you.  Just think though, with all of us giving you advice and listening, you have one heck of a support network.

Yes you are right there are an unbelievable number of opportunities out there.  Even as we are typing there are a an unbelievable number of new positions opening up everyday.  New hospitals are being built new care facilities new elder homes........  the list goes on......  We need to remember just one thing though... Damomb hit it on the head with sticking up for herself and trying to work through the problems.   If you like your current place of employment then don't just vent do something.... ;>)  We all seem to know how to vent (don't get me wrong we need toooooooo....)  We are also people of action (how alse would we get thruogh our days and nights)  Sometimes we tend to get our actions going in a negative manner.....  We need to work in a positive manner when possible to get the changes made that we need.  By the way it is not exactly what (we) as an individual it is what (we) as a collective need.  Somehow these changes need to be across the board so to speak....  The only way changes seem to happen is when they are mandated by the NLN, Jahco, or some higher up athority.  Perhaps things like the ratios and work care environments need to somehow be addressed at a higher level then even the managment at your current facilities.  Yes I know you have to go through the chain of command, but when you have done that and nothing is changed then what?   Keep moving to another facility?  I think that by listening on here the same problem exist pretty much everywhere.  So what to do?  Martini hit it on the head with the statement that we have "one heck of a support group here."  We should come together to discuss the main problems and try to come up with a standard way of dealing with the issues.  If we all start using the same format perhaps it will catch on and become a rule of thumb.  We can learn from each others trials and mishaps.....and try not to make the same errors in our approaches to managment.    I know it seems like I am reaching out and I am....  I am tired of loving my job, but hating to go there.... does this make any sense to anyone else?

AmyAJ says ...

I have to vent about Microbiology. I am taking it this summer and only have 1 week left.  I don't understand why we really need it for the nursing program.  I probably wont remember much of this by the time I get to be a nurse.  It is just too much memorization.  Taking a 4 credit class in 8 weeks is crazy! Everyone hates it the amount of material given each day to be memorized for the next day's quiz. Yeah we have a quiz everyday. Tests every week. Lab and study guides due every week also. Last Monday we had 4 study guides due, 4 labs due plus a test and a cross word puzzle on Micro, I thought I was going to lose my mind.  The only thing I look forward to is not having the class. I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent.

Amy, you are so dang funny! You are not alone in questioning micro's usefulness. See General Forums >> Ask A Nurse >> How important is microbiology? Only one more week left -you are a survivor!

AmyAJ says ...

I have to vent about Microbiology. I am taking it this summer and only have 1 week left.  I don't understand why we really need it for the nursing program.  I probably wont remember much of this by the time I get to be a nurse.  It is just too much memorization.  Taking a 4 credit class in 8 weeks is crazy! Everyone hates it the amount of material given each day to be memorized for the next day's quiz. Yeah we have a quiz everyday. Tests every week. Lab and study guides due every week also. Last Monday we had 4 study guides due, 4 labs due plus a test and a cross word puzzle on Micro, I thought I was going to lose my mind.  The only thing I look forward to is not having the class. I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent.

OMG!  You are just hilarious!  Good luck to you...I can't imagine being back in school right this minute.  I don't know how I'd keep up to the youngin's ()!!!  I had a day from the whateveryawannacallit today!  I'm supposed to be on vacation tomorrow, but guess whp's gonna end up going in to finish her work (all because the stupid computers kept crashing toady)!!!  Too bad I've got a conscience, or I'd be leaving it for my coverage!  My co-workers don't know just how good they've got it with me there...(LOL)