The Importance of Stress Management
 

Whatever You Do, Don't Call for the Nurse

I left a copy of this in my supervisor's mailbox tonight.

Why does this not surprise me? Why do you think there is a nursing shortage? While it's true that women have more employment options (for example, becoming a doctor instead of having to "settle" for nursing) it's really all about the insanity of the profession. I worked more shifts understaffed than correctly staffed--and that's not by my own perception of what staff I personally felt was needed, but what the hospital itself, in it's own policy manual, said was appropriate. Two nurses for 16 patients doesn't get it. If I had a loved one in the hospital these days, I'd break out the overnight cot and stay with them day and night. You cannot count on someone to 'be there' for them, even if they are in critical condition. Give it ten more years and you'll really see the shit hit the fan. Sad, sad, sad.

Heh! Why do you think the percentage of Americans without health insurance is increasing? Its to lighten the burden on the nursing staff everywhere! And you thought we didn't care!

Au contraire! Those wily un-insured masses yearing to breathe free come on in ANYWAY! For any ol' little thing! At all! My favorites include the 2:30a.m. ER visit for a seven-day old sore throat and momma who drops baby off at 6pm friday night coz baby "stopped breathing" for a minute (yeah, right) and she'll be back Monday around ten! She's going away for the weekend, shizzle that? It's GREAT! Not only do we get the honor of wiping their ass for them, we get to PAY for it, TOO! That's why it's so important to get the wrist slashing method right the first time.

Why, yes, I DID quit nursing.

thanks for asking.