Cant take it anymore SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE SOON or I'll change it myself!

Ok.. I am not a nurse but my girlfriend has been a nurse at an ICU wing for 4 years and the crap is really getting bad. Staff is power tripping, beaurocracys, too many patients, and all the Nurses are TOTALLY UNHAPPY ON HER FLOOR if not the whole hospital. There are alot of good people getting pissed on and im sick of it. I want to know why you guys dont form a Union and BE HAPPIER~? IS EVERYONE SCARED? WILL YOU GET THE CRAPPY SCHEDULE if you speak up for your rights? THIS IS OUT OF CONTROL and when she comes home my family pays for it dearly. Im sick of it. Someone needs to do something and NURSES need rights! There is no-one speaking for the nurses. How do unions get started and why are they not in Hospitals? Hell even Grociery baggers have unions..and Cosco employees make $17 per hour PLUS havew unions! Does anyone feel me out there?!!!!!

The hospital I'm at really has a pretty low turnover. we're getting a 3% cost of living raise at the end of Sept. I'm really pretty happy there. Sure there are bad days and days when we could use more staff but we have a good unit manager. I don't know too much about bad shifts but there are people that have to work nights which I think is that bad shift but I had to do that too at one point and I still do a couple per year. In this area of the country we don't have Costco but the same type of store doesn't make ear $17 per hour here. I guess I'm just lucky. Could your girlfriend who isn't happy go someplace else nurses are mobile in their profession.

There are unions for nurses here in CA we have California Nurses Association
If you are trying to find union hospitals in your area do an internet search and with the name of the state keyword union keyword collective bargaing keyword nurses and see what you get. I work in a non-union hospital and am pretty happy there of course the 9% raise I got makes a big difference. It makes it easier to put up with the BS.


Peace and Namaste

Happygr8ful

if she's not happy i strongly suggest she get another job. i didn't like my former job and got another and love my new job. why would one work in a job they don't like?

C'mon.. ....why does ANY nurse stay in it? Because they are modern day slaves. Got Bills. .baby needs milk .. etc............ Does anyone want to creat a voice? If so please instant message me . Lets do something about it!!!

Tiredofthesystem wrote:C'mon.. ....why does ANY nurse stay in it? Because they are modern day slaves. Got Bills. .baby needs milk .. etc............ Does anyone want to creat a voice? If so please instant message me . Lets do something about it!!!

if you're doing it for the money then instead of complaining about work then why not think thank goodness i have this money i'm making? every worker is a modern day slave. i think it helps me as a nurse because i have done other jobs in life besides nursing so i can always say this is better than that. if you're making this great money and you're unhappy then obviously money is not what makes you happy. perhaps you're working a job you dislike for money becasue society has taught you money makes you happy. my parents were born in the 1940's and they were raised to think only "bad" people get divorced. so they spent several years in an unhappy marrage because of what society taught them.

Ok ..what the h*** ever.........EVERY worker is a modern day slave... then if you dont mind me saying..that makes us all chicken shi**! The way her administrators treat her has violated the perimetors of our family. .she is drained when she comes home.. pissed off because she doenst have a "voice" ..and not a damn person in that hospital is doing anything about it. If I have to stand out in the corridors of that hospital and hand out flyers I will. Nursing is nothing short of a concentration camp without the actual murders. Anyone ever see nthe nursing divorce rate? Wake up people! do something about the blind adherence! I have NEVER met a nurse that has said they are happy doing what they are doing.

i'm sorry for your loved one's sad situation. i like my job although i'm not paid the greatest. sure i'd like to make more money but not at the expense of having a job i hate. have you guys thought of something radical like nursing in a place that greatly needs nurses like poor areas or overseas? as a bonus your kids would learn a lot from your experience doing so.

Have you ever dated any other nurses? Lived with any other nurses?

I say, because I'm married to an ICU RN, and have been a nurse for eight years myself. Dated nurses for years before I married one.

When my wife gets home, it is requisite that she will "vent" for at least 20 min to an hour. When we first got together, it got me very upset. As time went on, I realized this is just what nurses do, and learned to listen and offer support.

Instead of trying to "fix" her and the environment you perceive her to be unhappy about, try focusing on her and how you can help her forget about the job when she's home.

It's probably a "guy" thing. Your significant other comes home upset, you get worked up wanting to do something about it, perfectly natural.

Could very well be, she wants to vent her frustrations in your direction, then get on with enjoying her time off. Don't take it personally.

From one who's been there.

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly, Inc. A New Jersey Corporation
38 Tattersall Drive, Mantua New Jersey 08051
http://www.nursefriendly.com info@nursefriendly.com ICQ #6116137, AOL “nursefriendly”
856-415-9617, (fax) 415-9618

if she's that unhappy maybe she should quit being a nurse and start her own business or go into something else. Sometimes people get into nursing for the wrong reasons and when the workplace turns out not to be what school was then it's not great anymore. I used to work in a factory and was in a union and hated it the whole time (not the people but the work and the policies) I don't think I've ever been mistreated in nursing and I've worked in a variety of settings with different types of bosses. You have to be able to roll with some of the punches in nursing.

i think any work place that has lots of employees is going to be a "payton place". i like working in a place with few employees because we're all family. i put toilet paper on one of the administrators motorcylcles when he rides it to work. comedy in the workplace is great.

instead of toilet paper try plastic wrap it works so much better :) and goes around whole cars also

Wow Cassio.. we're both in Indiana.....hmm maybe we'll be able to exchange stories. :cool:

I really like my nursing job even the worst day there is better the the good days I had in the union factory :)

To fit your topic heading:::: If you can't change the people around you change them. You might have to read that sentence a couple of times to get it :)

cassioo wrote:To fit your topic heading:::: If you can't change the people around you change them. You might have to read that sentence a couple of times to get it :)

does that mean get a new person?

I plan on changing the system if i have to stand outside the ER with union flyers i will .

how is your union going to make things better?

hsieh wrote:does that mean get a new person?

To fit your topic heading:::: If you can't change the people around you change them. You might have to read that sentence a couple of times to get it

what that means is if you can't change the people around you then change the people that are around you
...ie if you're sitting in Indy watching a Colts game and you want to be around people that like the Packers better...you probably won't be able to do that in Indy you'll need to change the people your around go to Green Bay and you'll be happy. :)
Same as if you work with a bunch of negative back bitting people and don't like it and they've been like that for years you probably won't change them and won't like being there if you stay you'll start acting like that too or be miserable or you can change the people you are around like get a new job with a more positive attitude... I work with a good bunch for the most part so make the job good.

I feel your comment precludes a bad posture/recipe for not only a bad approach avoidance syndrome, but also a blind adherencesyndrome with spritzings of self defeat. I gaurantee you that one person can change a system... they just need a valid reason to do so! DIDNT YOU SEE NORMA RAE! ::sheeeeeeeeeeeeeesh ?

Refernece: Sally Field 1976

Tiredofthesystem wrote:I feel your comment precludes a bad posture/recipe for not only a bad approach avoidance syndrome, but also a blind adherencesyndrome with spritzings of self defeat. I gaurantee you that one person can change a system... they just need a valid reason to do so! DIDNT YOU SEE NORMA RAE! ::sheeeeeeeeeeeeeesh ?

Refernece: Sally Field 1976

did you see - the life aquatic - starring bill murray? that's hilarious. one of the best bill murray movies ever made. one of the best movies ever made. i met a patient once who met bill murray - she said he was hilarious in person.

Tiredofthesystem wrote:I feel your comment precludes a bad posture/recipe for not only a bad approach avoidance syndrome, but also a blind adherencesyndrome with spritzings of self defeat. I gaurantee you that one person can change a system... they just need a valid reason to do so! DIDNT YOU SEE NORMA RAE! ::sheeeeeeeeeeeeeesh ?

Refernece: Sally Field 1976

Then I take it you will be going to nursing school and become a nurse so you will really know what you are talking about. Knowing what a few people tell you about not liking a job doesn't make it all the facts. Why would I want to change my job when I like it. I've worked in more then one area of nursing and liked them all. Sure there are days that suck but overall it's good. So I should join the members of the ***** and moan club? Yes I did see Norma Rae, I also was a teamster for 9 years before I was a nurse and again I say nursing is still better then any day I had in that factory which did pay well.. my 20 yr old son works there now making good money and my ex husband has been there 29 years and it's for him.
There are threads on here about nursing unions maybe you should check them out.
Why don't you go advocate for better pay for teachers, police, firemen etc and go protest the Screen Actors Guild for Actors getting paid millions.

There are too many nursing jobs out there to be miserable. I will say every job has good and bad. You just have to find the one you can live with. I have been a nurse for 22 years.....I still LOVE nursing. Unfortunately, there are more bad bosses than good ones in the nursing field. For me a good manager/director is the key to my job satisfaction.

Thank God for Buddhism!!!!!!
I think we all need to meditate:rolleyes: There are days I wonder what the heck I went into nursing for. Today was one of those days.
Is everyone half nuts or what?? Patients were screaming, throwing things and just plain nasty today to everyone.Lately my staff have been spending alot of time in tears from the patients. The kicker is, it is not the ones in pain or very sick.Just the ones who demand constant attention and freak out if they don't get it.:mad: My nickname is Linus. Does anyone ever want to just tell a patient to go FWERERHTHFS^$%#!)!!!???

Things to do instead of nursing:
Factory work....pro can be ok pay con: on your feet, physical, bosses on power trips, can be really hot.
Pro sports Pro great pay, celebrity, good perks, con: have to know how and be able to play :( short term job
Super Model: see pro sports con: have to be really skinny one way or another, short term job
Clothing designer: have to be creative and get people to buy your products otherwise you can work in the clothing factory and make clothes for Wal-mart.
Wal-mart: Pro discount (you get a little one) con: low pay, on your feet, grouchy customers that can't find the right department or product
Accountant: Pro good pay in right job Con: butt gets tired of sitting in front of computer putting in numbers.
Book reviewer...I can do this read books give reviews don't know the pay rate could be bad because I like certain types of books and they might want me to read other kinds.
Inventor: have to think up something to invent.
Dog catcher: Pro get to drive around in truck looking for dogs con: dogs bite and have fleas
Stay at home parent Pro: rewarding Con very low pay, must join some organizations or you go crazy talking to 2 year old all day.
Lawyer...good pay if you are good and have right clients con...need I say more?
Hotel maid...nope not that don't like making beds or cleaning pottys
Beach bum....can do that will have to stock up on sunscreen and books
Lottery winner...gotta play to win.
Race car driver gotta get sponsers and even better car.

ok that's all for now off to the zoo. :)

How to tell the difference between a Graduate Nurse and an Experienced Nurse:


A Graduate Nurse throws up when the patient does.
An experienced nurse calls housekeeping when a patient throws up

A Graduate Nurse wears so many pins on their name badge you can't read it.
An experienced nurse doesn't wear a name badge for liability reasons

A Graduate Nurse charts too much.
An experienced nurse doesn't chart enough.

A Graduate Nurse loves to run to codes.
An experienced nurse makes graduate nurses run to codes.

A Graduate Nurse wants everyone to know they are a nurse.
An experienced nurse doesn't want anyone to know they are a nurse.

A Graduate Nurse keeps detailed notes on a pad.
An experienced nurse writes on the back of their hand, paper scraps, napkins, etc.

A Graduate Nurse will spend all day trying to reorient a patient.
An experienced nurse will chart the patient is disoriented and restrain them.

A Graduate Nurse can hear a beeping I-med at 50 yards.
An experienced nurse can't hear any alarms at any distance.

A Graduate Nurse loves to hear abnormal heart and breath sounds.
An experienced nurse doesn't want to know about them unless the patient is symptomatic.

A Graduate Nurse spends 2 hours giving a patient a bath.
An experienced nurse lets the CNA give the patient a bath.

A Graduate Nurse thinks people respect Nurses.
An experienced nurse knows everybody blames everything on the nurse.

A Graduate Nurse looks for blood on a bandage hoping they will get to change it.
An experienced nurse knows a little blood never hurt anybody.

A Graduate Nurse looks for a chance "to work with the family."
An experienced nurse avoids the family.

A Graduate Nurse expects meds and supplies to be delivered on time.
An experienced nurse expects them to never be delivered at all.

A Graduate Nurse will spend days bladder training an incontinent patient.
An experienced nurse will insert a Foley catheter.

A Graduate Nurse always answers their phone.
An experienced nurse checks their caller ID before answering the phone.

A Graduate Nurse thinks psych patients are interesting.
An experienced nurse thinks psych patients are crazy.

A Graduate Nurse carries reference books in their bag.
An experienced nurse carries magazines, lunch, and some "cough syrup" in their bag.

A Graduate Nurse doesn't find this funny.
An experienced nurse does ;)

i worked in one psych hosptial that i got tired of working in because the moral was so low. i think the moral was low because the staff of the psych hospital didn't really believe in what is termed mental illness - or what the insurance companies will pay for. all the staff believed in schizophrenia as a "real" disease but when it came to borderline personality disorder or chemical dependency - most of the staff didn't believe these to be "real" diseases. most of the staff viewed these people as drama queens/kings, immature, manipulative, irresponsible, needy, lazy, etc. so when half of the population you're "treating" falls into the latter category - you can imagine how low the moral is because of how the staff view the patients. how you view your enviroment is very important. even some of the psychiatrist had the latter view. it's rediculous to "treat" somebody when you don't even view them as being diseased. so i think people went to work feeling like they were just doing "idiot" work and moral got low. if you're going to go into psych you must believe the people you "treat" actually have a disease.

hsieh wrote:i worked in one psych hosptial that i got tired of working in because the moral was so low. i think the moral was low because the staff of the psych hospital didn't really believe in what is termed mental illness - or what the insurance companies will pay for. all the staff believed in schizophrenia as a "real" disease but when it came to borderline personality disorder or chemical dependency - most of the staff didn't believe these to be "real" diseases. most of the staff viewed these people as drama queens/kings, immature, manipulative, irresponsible, needy, lazy, etc. so when half of the population you're "treating" falls into the latter category - you can imagine how low the moral is because of how the staff view the patients. how you view your enviroment is very important. even some of the psychiatrist had the latter view. it's rediculous to "treat" somebody when you don't even view them as being diseased. so i think people went to work feeling like they were just doing "idiot" work and moral got low. if you're going to go into psych you must believe the people you "treat" actually have a disease.

You know I've done a lot of nursing jobs and am now in psych - honestly I couldn't imagine doing anything else at this point. I love my job, my patients and most of my co-workers. Your right about some people in psych though. In all areas of nursing but especially in psych a person unable to show compassion for the plight of their patient really needs a non-patient care position. I've done that too but missed the human contact. I am often in charge of 18+ patients and I always make it a point to know everyone's name and illness. Psych patient more than any other need to be treated with respect. It way to easy to dismiss them as "crazy" when in reality they are just out of touch. Borderlines and addicts and alcoholics almost always have a
parity diagnosis such as Major depression, Bi-polar, schizoaffective etc..and while borderline behaviors is often the most difficult behavior to deal with often if you approach by treating the parity the borderline improves.

When it comes to staff - I have no tolerance for those who cannot show compassion and respect for their patients. I'll give you an example - I came in one Monday (I usually don't work weekends) to find that a patient who came in late the Friday before was going off and was about to be in a "Take Down situation" Which is not the way I want to start my day. This Patient was a true borderline (Histrionic). She was screaming and refusing to take her medication and running arround the unit. No less than 5 people were trying to bring her under control. AS Charge is was my call - so I told everyone to back off and let me see if she would talk to me. I approached her in a nonthreatening manner and simply Said "You seem to be very upset and could I help her?" She stated to me "Everybody treats me like I'm crazy and they keep calling me sweetheart!" I asked he what she would like to ce called she said My name is Miss (Name omiited for HIPPA) nad please say it with respect and I am a Southern Lady!" Once the the ground rules were set she was very cooperative and improved. Treating someone with respect is such a small thing. My DON told me the other day that when I am on shift there are fewer patients given Emergency Medication. I like that. My goal each day is to go home knowing that I have done the best job I can for my patients. I don't worry so much about my employer because I know If I do the first part the second takes care of itself! The only other area of nursing I'd go back too now is L&D. I am taking classes now to become a Psychiatric Patient Advocate.

Peace and Namaste

hppygr8ful

it's just so ridiculous at that place. it's like if these people aren't diseased then why are they hospitlaized? isn't that fraud? i remember being interviewed at the childrens hospital and they said they'll call you names - and i said well that's because they're sick - and they said - no they're not sick. i was thinking in my head then why are they hospitalized? they have a commercial that runs locally. in the commercial they should be honest - we'll label you with a disease but we'll really think you're just a whiney, needy, immature, stupid person. how's that old joke go - the inmates running the asylum.

what does namaste mean?

dear tired
why don't you get a job and help your girlfriend. or better yet support her financially. but then you would have to do something. not play on the internet all day. she would be so much better without you. mr tired of the system i am tired of your whinny punk ass complaints. become a man or is and shut up

Tiredofthesystem wrote:C'mon.. ....why does ANY nurse stay in it? Because they are modern day slaves. Got Bills. .baby needs milk .. etc............ Does anyone want to creat a voice? If so please instant message me . Lets do something about it!!!

Hi, i can't agree with you more, for you not being a nurse you sure know what the heck is going on!!!. But i guess having it come home to you is enough. I have been a nurse for over 18 yrs now and i have to tell you i hate it more than ever. I never used to, i have always wanted to be a nurse, but nursing has changed dramatically. I am now a traveling nurse and just had something horrible happen to me, i will never travel again. YES, we need some help from someone, something, this crap is not right!!!. I was just kicked out of my apt because i had a doctors note to be off work for awhile with a B/P of 200/110, spent 2 days in the hospital and i had to leave against medical advice because i had to get out of my apt or have the police get me out, anybody out there have any legal advice for me???

Bluerose43 you need to take a long good look at the contract that you signed with your travel agency. I can not imagine there are not stipulations included in the contract for sick leave. You were hospitalized, your hospital record should provide you with all the needed documentation that you need. I
would be willing to bet that you could find a lawyer willing to go after this nursing agency without wanting any type of payment up front. More than likely you can get one that would only charge you if you won your case in court or if they offered to settle before your case was ever brought to trial.
You also need to place a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as well. I am sure they also violated many of your civil rights. Please let us know what happens. Please post the name of this company so all of the travelers here can steer clear of them :(

hsieh wrote:what does namaste mean?

This is the Hindu meaning of Namaste

Here are some insights into Namaste from a number of Hindu(s):

o Namaste elevates one's consciousness, reminding one that all
beings, all existence is holy, is the Almighty. It
communicates, "I honor or worship the Divinity within you."
Also it draws the individual inward for a moment, inspires
reflection on the deeper realities, softening the interface
between people. It would be difficult or offend or feel
animosity toward any one you greet as Paramatma.

o Namaste is a gesture of friendship and kindness, also of
thanks or special recognition. Mystically it is called
"Namaskara Mudra" in the Agami(c) Pooja, and it centers one's
energy within the spine.

o I've heard it means "I salute the Almighty within you." The
true Namaste gesture is is accompanied by bowing the head and
shoulders slightly. This is a gesture that lessens our sense
of ego and self-centeredness, requiring some humility to do it
well -- whereas shaking hands can be quite an arrogant event.

o Touching the hands together puts you in touch with your
center, your soul. namaste puts you forward as a soul, not an
outer personality.

o The gesture has a subtle effect on the aura and nerve system.
bringing focused attention and a collection of one's forces,
so to speak. It also protects against unnecessary psychic
connections which are fostered by shaking hands. This might be
called a form of purity also -- protecting one's energies.

This form of acknowledgment is so lovely, so graceful. Just
look at two people in Namaste and you will see so much human
beauty and refinement.


I hope this answers your question for you.

Nursing is a tough job but it is flexible: I changed shifts, hours, floors- just to accomodate my family at different stages. Been a nurse for 27 years and still working.
I can use some help from my male nurse colleagues-
I am a doctoral student at Dowling College and I am conducting a survey on male registered nurses and their perception of job satisfaction. My survey is now posted online and I was hoping you can help me get the information to male nurses. My ultimate goal is to help increase the number of male nurses in the workforce. To take the survey:
Please go to Male Nurse Magazine and hit the “Ongoing Survey” on the left, then click on Ms. Geraldine A. Moore Nursing Survey to link you to the survey.
Let your voice be heard- let me know about nursing and job satisfaction.

Is there a way you can help me get this message out to male nurses?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

Has anyone ever told you the parable of the elephant?

Three blind men are led up to an elephant from different angles. Each is asked to touch the elephant so they will have an idea of what it is and why it is concidered such an impressive animal. Each blind person touches the animal at a different spot IE: trunk, ear, side, ect... when asked to describe the elephant at a later date each had a different perception of what an elephant "was". Think about this and ask yourself if you have seen/touched the elephant in only one spot or do you know it intimately in all it's glory? This question if you can answer it to yourself honestly will give you a perspective on how and why you want to change things so badly. If you become a nurse you will get a look at the elephant from an angle that is hidden from the rest of the world and can only be exposed to those who have the drive and ambition to make a true impact on the world as a whole without being recognised and or patted on the back. :rolleyes:Having a narsacistic attitude and being a NURSE do not mix very well, unless applied in the correct sequences (this is rare) to the betterment of mankind. I must say that those of us who do it (nursing) for the sake of doing it are the best of the best. Those who stand around and say this and that should be done differently should just shut up, role up the sleaves and dive in, either that or find somthing eltse to preach about. So that said, either GO to nursing school or::::::::::::::::::.................:eek:

Signed: One who has been around the block a couple of times.

P.S. The narsacistic types are around looking to make themselves look good at the expence of others. Those of us who are in it to make a difference are in it to make a difference. NOT to start unions.

I exactly know how it feels, because i am on that position right know and all i got to do is take it all in and be like a saint! I think they all expect nurses to take it all in and they forgot we are human beings and like any other workers too! This is probably the reason nurses are becoming rude and angry because we are taking it in as what is expected of us. A friend of mine who is also a nurse developed this website, it is a hospital rating website done by nurses, im supporting this cause because i can see that it has a goal to change our nursing course, a lot of managements are against this website because it will definitely affect them once this site booms check this out: Nursyz.com and tell me what you think, email me: leocygnet@hotmail.com

maggiedanurse wrote:dear tired
why don't you get a job and help your girlfriend. or better yet support her financially. but then you would have to do something. not play on the internet all day. she would be so much better without you. mr tired of the system i am tired of your whinny punk ass complaints. become a man or is and shut up

Very inappropriate, condescending and rude response. Let's not hurt each others feeling here or anybody's feeling for no reason, we can be helpful in anyway. Be a good person/nurse.