Better health

By Nurse-no-more

January 7, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this

Hospital nursing has to be the worst job in the country. Nurses are assigned more patients than they can properly handle, doctors are rude, infectious disease is everywhere, assistants can choose to loaf with no consequences, on your feet all day or night, life & death depend hang on correct decisions / no mistakes, etc, etc. No wonder there is a shortage!

By Voice of Reason

January 7, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this

Nurses are so valuable and necessary; they deserve more respect. And, Nurse-no-more, not all doctors are rude.

By MOT

January 7, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

In addition to a morale busting atmosphere to work in, insurance companies are now going to refuse to pay for any infection caught in the hospital. Guess who will be charged? The nurses! That’s right, nurses will now pay for infections that the insurance companies deem caught in the hospital!!!

In one hospital I was on the orthopedic floor, mainly knee and hip replacements. Nurses had the worst attitude, worst response time and patients went poorly treated. Each nurse had 8 patients!!! You tell me THAT is safe and can insure that the nurses have the time to NOT pass anything on!

Over 20 years ago my RN sister who worked at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans told me that the time had come that it was unsafe to leave a loved one alone in a hospital that someone should always be with them to watch out for mistakes and advocate for them.

Since that time I personally have seen why. When my oldest daughter had her baby, had I not been with her, the RN hung another patient’s IV bag on my daughter and then took 15 minutes or more getting there to get it off of her! After a minute of waiting and seeing it was no emergency to the RN, I put the clamp on to stop the flow, and then timed how long it took for her to get there. And when she did, no apology and acted as if I had hung it myself!

Knowing all I know and have experienced myself, don’t ask me why, at 53, I am in nursing school. But I am.

I hope the system has hit its rock bottom and will soon be “fixed”. I don’t know how. I do know from being a patient and a student that pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies are pretty much the puppeteers that run the show, their puppets: doctors and nurses and the medical system. That is what needs to change and until it does and put true care back into doctors hands and nurses given realistic safe manageable loads it will continue to spiral downward.

It is true there are good and bad doctors. But at 53, having lived through all I have, just let the first doctor treat me disrespectfully. I may not end up working very long, because I will not take it. So hopefully I either get the good ones or the bad ones sense they better be respectful or I will probably be fired. At which time I will leave the hospital setting and work in a low key, laid back setting.

By lovelyliz

January 7, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

The reality is that medical facilities you rather talk about the nursing shortage than to do anything about it. The daughter of a friend of mine graduated from a well acredited university nursing program as an R.N. she wanted to stay in the area, but the starting salary was so low (less than $14 and hour with nursing shortages) that she applied for a got a commission in the Air Force.

By Lee

January 7, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

Want to keep more nurses? Improve the working conditions. Decrease the workload, increase the pay, increase the authority. Stop importing poorly trained but subserviant nurses from the Philippines and Guatemala.

Increase the number of nursing assistants and nursing aides.

Run the hospitals for the good of the patient, rather than the profit of the distant stockholders.

By No longer a nurse

January 7, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

When I started my hospital career in nursing, I loved the patient care and the work. I had to leave because of poor pay - there is collusion among the hospitals to keep wages all the same. The responsibilities were overwhelming and the work became impossible. Ancillary staff were surly and uncooperative and certainly not worth the money. It would have been better to have an all registered nurse staff. Now, I would never let any of my family or friends go to the hospital without me along, because I know how dangerous it can be. It has become much more so now - people are going into nursing not because of dedication to the profession but because of job security.

By Pedro

January 7, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

MOT - Best of luck at 53. Reality? My wife is a retired LPN (55) who stopped nursing to raise our children. She was originally licensed in Virginia and is still licensed in 23 states, one of which is NOT Georgia - no reciprocity. She has been trying for two years to reenter the nursing work force. She achieved a 4.0 average in pre-requisite studies at North Metro Tech, and did very well on her NET prior to the Reading Comprehension requirements for the NET being lowered because of poor results in general among applicants. Oddly, she was rejected on her application into the LPN course at North Metro for reasons that were never clarified to us. I can only suspect a quota system might have had something to do with it. Her desire to nurture is born of her nature, not monetary compensation. You ask how this state can have a shortage? My only guess is that this state really isn’t interested in developing and hiring qualified medical professionals. Too bad for its residents.

By Pedro

January 7, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

Let me add that the competition into nursing programs in the Atlanta metro area is fierce. At North Metro last spring, only 30 prospective students were accepted out of roughly 120 applicants. Again, no interest in this state in filling its nursing shortage.

By Bill

January 7, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

I work in EMS and deal with nurses every shift. They’re worked too hard, too much, and for not enough $$$. When the hospitals import rude & uncareing but cheap nursing labor (the majority I see in metro ATL is African, specifically Nigeria, as opposed to Central America or the Philippines), who are woefully undertrained, and in some cases do not have a firm grasp on the English language, no wonder we can’t keep properly trained & motivated American R.N.’s & L.P.N.’s on the job. Who wants to work with a bunch of rude Nigerians?

By All the Facts

January 7, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this

My soon to be wife is a first year nurse and I can honestly say most of the comments hold some weight.

She comes home from work in a terrible mood complaining about the excessive amount of patients that were assigned to her.

The other complaint is the nurse tech’s do not hold their weight and then the RN gets the blame.

The majority of doctors talk down to the nurses and yes, they scream like little kids at the nurses. Now, I am not saying all doctors treat her this way b/c there are a few that she really enjoys.

But, only after one year on the job she has already begun to questions if the hospital is something she can continue to do and be happy.

By mamie

January 7, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this

I had to respond to the african bit. I am from west africa and yes, the majority fo the nigerian nurses from nigeria are rude , loud and overbearning.. They come here on contracts to pay their husbands and are in it only for the money, particularly the IBo ones in Grady .Yes, I know I work here. Things have gotten os bad we have had to have refresher courses in simple manners!!!

By mel

January 7, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this

The state of GA has no interest in “fixing” the problem, education-wise. There are still far too many LPN programs, and far too few hospitals that will hire LPNs.

By Live it every day

January 7, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this

I have been in “the trenches” for 30+ years as an RN. I currently work in an Atlanta hospital that touts professionalism in nursing, wants everyone to have a degree, and is striving for Magnet status. Yet when our census is slow Administration wants the nurses to do the work of a sitter. As a professional, I resent this demeaning role and wonder if any other profession, dominated by males would be asked to do menial tasks. Would you ask an attorney, engineer, or pilot to sweep, file, work in the parking lot??? I truly love my job and the role I have in families lives, but the attitude of the hospitals is enraging.

By Dr. Greed

January 7, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this

My wife is an RN and I can tell you why there is never proper staffing in any of Atlanta’s hospitals. Greed! Hospital administrators are not going to hire enough nurse techs. They would have to pay them. When an administrator can get the work of two people out of one RN, why would you hire a nurse tech. Floors will always be understaffed, because the bottom is always profit!

I hate unions, but come on nurses! Ban together and demand proper staffing. Understaffing is dangerous for your patients and it’s killing you. So, unite and force these Atlanta hospitals to provide. Nurses and public deserve better.

By budman

January 7, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with the above.My sister has been a nurse RN & Practioner for years. She loves the job. When I had surgery several years ago it wasn’t the doctor who wasn there at 2:00 am when things went south it was a loving nurse who got me through a very long night.

By californianurse

January 7, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this

The staffing ratios, poor pay, and lack of respect for the profession is the reason why I left Georgia five years ago. I am quite happy and very well paid as nurse is in California.

By nursing student

January 7, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

Wow, I am a senior nursing student scheduled to graduate in May of this year. After reading all these comments, it makes me even more nervous about entering this field. I will say, during my clinical rotations I have seen all types. There were some nurses and techs who would not even acknowledge us students. There were also those who were fantastic….showing us all they could and happy to answer any questions. I did see certain places I will choose not to send my resume to and others I am patiently waiting to hear about an interview.
I guess I am just wondering is there anyone who can speak on the positive side of this profession?

By Intelligent LPN

January 7, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this

I have held my LPN licensure for more than 5 years and been in the medical field (beginning as a CNA) for 20. Some comments here can be substantiated and some here a bogus.

1. Just because a nurse comes from a different country does not mean that she is under educated, under qualified, or rude. You should not stereotype, as everyone is different. And, no, I am not from another country. I am born and raised Atlantan. 2. The fact that someone is a RN does not make them above doing ADLs or wiping someone’s butt or even be a sitter. Unless you have so much money that you don’t need the paycheck…shut up, watch the patient, and get paid. You are not above using a washcloth or a broom. 3. Hospitals do not tend to hire LPNs because they believe that LPNs are not capable of providing good, quality, accurate care. No, the state does not allow LPNs to do certain tasks, but there is enough need in a hospital for the patients that LPNs can be just as vital in their care. 4. In Georgia and Florida there is no limitation on the number of patients that can be assigned to a nurse. In California there are limitations that are in place to ensure safe and correct care. Without this there is certain to be medication errors, forgotten tasks, or incorrect care. 5. Not all doctors are rude to the staff. That is an individual thing. Yes, there are certain things that have to be swallowed, but that is no different than any other job a person could have. Yes, you have to stand your ground with some physicians who have a God complex. But not all of them are jerks. 6. With the huge nursing shortage, it is very sad that there are so few spots available in nursing schools. If we can get more people educated we can get more people taken care of. 7. What’s wrong with a person wanting to go into a field so that they will have job security in the future? Trust me, if they are not cut out to be a nurse they will not make it through. 8. I love what I do. I am in utilization management as a nurse in corporate America and I am also a hospice nurse who works in an inpatient hospice facility part-time. I am an LPN, but there is no difference in the care I give or am capable of providing then anyone with more or less credentials than I have. 9. There will always be horror stories. You have to follow your own heart.

By Matthew

January 7, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

I have been employed as a nurse at 1 of Atlanta’s largest hospitals for the last 4 years. While I enjoy my job and the flexibility, I too am dismayed by the lack of professionalism tolerated at my workplace. The same 5 or 6 nurses who are always 30 minutes late (because they know they can get away with it), nurses and respiratory therapists who walk around talking on their bluetooth phones in front of patients and family members, techs who do nothing but sleep all night and give you attitude if you ask for help, and a management staff that refuses to reprimand lazy employees (despite numerous complaints) due to fear of racial backlash. I agree with the previous post that techs should be eliminated and replaced with a staff nurse who helps. At my workplace, techs are the biggest waste of money there is.

By Snuggie

January 7, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

I was affected by the shortage of hot nurses while I was at St Josephs a few years ago. I was ready to live out a few fantasys after my surgery, instead all I saw were a series of overweight trolls. What ever happened to all the hot nurses - its not like they became flight attendants or anything.

By RN

January 7, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

It amazes me that folks would complain about the “fierce” competition involved in getting acceptance into accredited nursing schools (ie, Pedro). If anyone were accepted, then it might be quite scary who would end up taking care of you since the field is attractive to many because of job security. It takes an incredible amount of knowledge, skills, and abilities to be an RN - not just anyone can do it. When my life is on the line, I want the best of the best taking care of me.

By RN

January 7, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this

Just another observation - the nursing shortage applies not only to hospital settings. There aren’t enough instructors out there anymore to increase the capacity in schools of nursing.

By MSN

January 7, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

Intelligent LPN,

You make some valid ppoints but I have to take exception to your #8,

“I am an LPN, but there is no difference in the care I give or am capable of providing then anyone with more or less credentials than I have.”

I think you are mistaken. Techs and aides cannot give medications like you can and you cannot provide the high level of care required by RNs in an ICU or ER. You also do not have the education required to provide Nurse Practitioner level care.

Those credentials after one’s name are there for a reason. They reflect the educational level of the nurse and the amount of hard work it took to get there.

An LPN most certainly does not give the same level of care as I do, just as a tech does not provide the same level of care as an LPN. It’s hard enough getting respect from the medical community and the public without having them think that we all do the same job.

By 30 year Hospital Nurse

January 7, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

Dear Nursing Student,

I can address the positive side of this profession. I have been nursing in a hospital setting for 30 years. I have always worked in a hospital setting and have enjoyed my career for the most part. I think the biggest up side to my job is to know that when I come to work, I know I can at least try to make a difference in one of the most stressful times in someone’s life. I try to treat all patients and their family in a manner that I would like to be treated, with respect and dignity. I have cried with grieving parents and with grieving children of older parents. Sometimes there is just nothing that can be said and listening is the most important thing for them, along with a human touch. I hope I have impacted situations and made them a little more positive. There is nothing like the feeling of helping another human being who is suffering, and knowing they were thankful.

Having witnessed the death of my own mother in an ICU, I know that the little things can make the biggest impact on family members and patients. Just knowing that someone cared enough to keep her clean and turned when I was not able to be there was a huge blessing. I try to remember what it felt like when it was my relative, and do whatever I can.

I hope I have managed to not become jaded over the years, trust me a have seen many become that way. Not only is this job mentally stressful, but it can really take a toll on your body. If you find yourself about to go over the edge, take a minute to breath and always respond politely even in an environment that is not optimal. If you can stay calm it will help to diffuse bad situations. I did not always have the patience that comes with middle age and I do regret some of my reactions when I was younger.

I would highly caution you on preventive measures for your own health. Being one who has always worked out and been strong I tended to try to move people much larger than myself. I ended up with back surgery and out of running all together.

So come to work with a good attitude. I have found that co-workers who work together can make life much easier. I have never had an attitude that something is beneath me. You will always find an exception, but when you pitch in for your co-workers, they will help you back. Times have changed a lot between MD and Nurse relations, and for the better. I like to think I have earned a measure of respect over the years. Like one poster said, the MD is usually at home asleep when a crisis occurs and you will have to learn what can wait and what can not. Having a hospital with protocols in place for quick action can save a life. I will also tell you to trust your instincts. That has saved me over the years. If you know something is grossly wrong and you do not get a satisfactory resolution, call someone else. I saved a few people that way. When a life is in the balance I can be persistent.

I would like to comment on the Nigerian nurses. I have worked with some bad ones and some excellent ones, let’s not stereotype please.

By Nurse D'nurse

January 7, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

The state of Georgia makes it so difficult for nurses to return to the profession once they’ve taken time off and let their license laps- this alone probably keeps thousands of experienced nurses in Georgia out of nursing. The legislators could address this and it would help open up the bottle-neck. After I took 9 years off to raise children, I was ready to return to nursing but the renewal process took over 6 months and cost me thousands of dollars out of my own pocket. Because my license had lapsed, I was treated like a brand new student and had to prove that I had all of my childhood immunizations, for heaven’s sake! On top of that, I had to pay for a criminal background check, urine drug screen, malpractice insurance just to be a student, and class tuition of $1,500, not to mention expensive books. And, in the entire metro Atlanta area, there was only one school offering this class- Kennesaw State University. Nurses either have to trek all the way over there or take the class on-line (only offered twice a year) and costs extra. For nurses returning to the field because of tough economic times, they probably can’t afford the cost of this process- it’s truly ridiculous.

By mld

January 7, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

I am an LPN who has only worked in the hospital setting in Florida and Georgia and I feel we have been doing the same care and job as the RN up until the past few years there as been this trend to take things away from the LPN and say we aren’t suppose to do it even though we’ve done it all along. with the exception of the critical care areas. I feel that if they had a better bridge program that you didn’t have to go to school for 2-3 years just for prerecs before you can get into the nursing program from LPN to RN many of these nurses would of already became an RN .Why are schools putting out so many LPNS and doing more that half of school on clinicals in the hospital and then they won’t even hire them any more? The nurses are so overloaded some how we should be able to utilize the LPN with the Rn as a Team in the Hospital. I love the hospital and theres a lot of unused nurses out there in this so called shortage. Frustrated LPN

By Wish I wasn't a Nurse

January 7, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

I am a nurse of 7 years and have worked in various areas of nursing. I can honestly say that it is a God called profession and I have been praying for 6 years for God to show me another area to work. Being a nurse can be rewarding, but mostly you get the short end of everything. There are always too many patients, too long of hours, never enough pay and benefits, and administration that never, never wants to truly help or even listen! Some women get into nursing so they can have more time with their families, I wish someone would show me what hours that would be? My hospital doesn’t have anything like that. The salary amounts the article reported might be correct for Atlanta, but they certainly do not reflect the state, at least the northeast, as a whole. Our wages in the northeast section of Georgia are considerably lower than what was reported. On average we make 40K/ year and that is with experience. I am glad to see so many nurses speaking out about our profession. Hopefully now the public can see that it is not the wonderful, glamorous position most think that it is.

By Rather be an attorney

January 7, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this

Actually, many nurses are now leaving to become attorneys. Much better working conditions.

No one mentioned the unrealistic expectations of both patients and their, got to love them, families. They want everything instantly, always from the nurse of course, who may be in the middle of arranging everyone’s meds and cannot run to feed your Grandma. Patients who are in the hospital are much sicker these days, and usually only partly well before they go home. Families who sit at the bedside, and only sit and complain, would better serve their loved one if they watched the nurse and helped with the care. Trust me, you will be a caretaker at home with that patient long before they are well.

Nurses are not machines, and emergencies are commonplace. I have been involved in full blown codes when other patients are ringing their call bells wanting their dinner.

Also, as far as the money - it is very limited. An experienced nurse makes only a small differenced from fairly new nurses. If a nurse is making $62,000/year, it is due to overtime (usually forced), shift differential and holiday pay. You do not work nights, weekends, Christmas and Thanksgiving. Nurses are there 3 shifts per holiday. They have a superior education and difficult science courses, yet are disrespected by hospital administration, patients, family members and physicians. Also by newspaper journalists who think they are paid well.

By teacher

January 8, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this

I agree that one of the issues in nursing is lack of instructors. Why is this? Maybe because a masters or higher degree is required and an average salary is $46,000 a year. Most of us work a second job because we feel strongly that our work is important.

By Nursing Faculty 25 years

January 8, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

Becoming a nurse is good for the individual, their family and society.

Only the military pays nurses well.

Stay healthy and avoid a hospital stay like the plague.

The California Nurses are super and the nurses in unions are paid better.

I have attempted to unionize the Georgia nurses twice and was shocked at the money, power and threats that occured from the hospitals.

The public is in danger if nurses in hospitals have more than 4 acutely ill patients on a day shift on a Medical/Surgical unit. All nurses go with thier loved ones to the hospital 24/7 if they can.

After 25 years, promotion and tenure I make the same as an entering faculty member with no experience.

I love my job but I would never be able to work as a nurse educator if my spouse did not make the money she makes.

Nurses are the most trusted professionals but we are not a priority for pay.

Nurses need to unionize and demand safe working conditions for patients and ourselves, demand adequate compensation, support single payer health insurance, preventive care and promotion of health on a national level.

Is anyone listening out there?