Burnt
This week I had a very needy patient who greatly tested my patience.
And as one of my friends said about me, "You have the patience of Job."
But something just snapped inside me this week. When she put on her call light "to get something for my dry lips," the 5th non-emergent call within that hour, a part of me wanted to tell her to shut the *%*!^ up and deal with it.
Of course I didn't. I got her petroleum jelly and she smiled this angelic, manipulating smile, saying, "Oh, Student Nurse, thank you so much."
I don't know exactly why I snapped this last week; chalk it up to the stomach-churning stress of a barbaric nursing school experience combined with less-than supportive hospital staff.
Whatever the reason, it bothers me. For a moment, I had that same look in my eyes that you see in badly burnt out nurses, those ones everyone hopes they never turn into.
I hope I can find a part of myself that is still idealistic and naive after this whole ordeal is over in February.
posted by Student Nurse @ 18:54
22 comments
22 Comments:
Stomach-turning stress I understand 100% ...keep your chin up, naivety is bliss
Don't hate the student hate the school...wait what the hell does that mean...
ok its not your fault, we have a pathetically organized nursing school, the one's behind it all--they need to retire, 30 years is enough, new blood is needed. That will happen in its own time, again we will not see that change.
I basically have taught myself everything with the help of nurses and fellow students....well enought of my bullshit....
ok smile and realize that we are almost done, almost there, can you see, can you see it?
I mean the light.....at the end of the dark tunnel?
ok I have to go an take my Haldol it helps me with all this crap.
i guess we are all scared to loose our idealism like that...i had the same experience the last time i worked...hang in there...
I think we can all relate, to both the grind of school, and the drag of "we-don't-need-you-here" nurses on the floor. Too bad it is that way, but I hope it'll all be worth it in the end.
Do you remember going through grade school and then jr high and highschool? Some years or classes we had fabulous teachers, and other times it was just "get through the class" Life is like that with most all situations. A bad day at work, a great day really helping someone, a demanding immature patient, and those patients who are bearing alot couragessly. Keep a healthy perspective and a positive attitude. Tomorrow will be different.
Being at the beginning of this process with clinicals beginning Monday...OH, NO!!!!!
Hh :)
I guess the good thing is that no matter how you felt like responding you were outwardly nothing but professional. Or something.
Ok, I think I was your patient ;) I just had surgery for condition xyz. If I could have had a pain pill for how many times my nurses told me, "you shouldn't feel like this having xyz done, it is a simple outpatient procedure..." Well check the chart Princess. It is day 2 of my "outpatient" procedure and obviously I am not responding typically. I concluded that almost all of my nurses had a very strong perception of what a patient receiving my procedure "should" be experiencing and despite all evidence to the contrary they were determined that was the level of care I would receive and *%$&#$# nothing more, "cause I shouldn't be feeling this way".
Nothing like a staff member telling you what you should feel like. In the meantime, I am nauseated 24/7 and have a serious amount of pain as I cannot keep any meds down....I could kiss the nurse who tolerated my "fussiness" and the rest of them....well I will save that for another ranty post.
You'll find it. Everyone's gonna have bad days - new graduate or 30 year APRN. I hated patients my first semester as I'm sure you did. Part of the job. :)
Matt
Come on student nurse, bite back!! I am old, UK Rn & I really aplaud your attitude and that of your colleagues. Nursing needs people like you.Some patients still piss me off after 25 years, but other patients make me SMILE. Nursing is GOOD!!
Wow, this is a really nice site, and thank you for adding me to your links, i have done the same on my site. So many posts i will have to check them out. ok gotta go.
I really am impressed by your site.
I hope some readers will be inspired enough to want to pursue a career in nursing/ health care themselves.
If anyone is interested there are a couple of great sites to help find the right schools to take up this great career
Medical Assistant
All Nursing Schools
I hope this helps some of you out there
Hi,
I really like your site. I am also a student nurse, and I completely understand what you are going through.
Take care,
Katie
http://spaces.msn.com/members/lilk8tob
Oh, Student Nurse.... I am really beginning to worry about you. You have been gone for oh, so long.
I hope that things are on the upswing for you. Please come back soon.
W. :)
I agree - I am missing you. Come back and keep us all on our toe's, show us how we can help. We care about YOU!!
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!
I have a online nursing degree site/blog. It pretty much covers online nursing degree related stuff.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
When dealing with old, crabby nurses just remember that if your hospital hasn't yet it will soon be exploding with new technology. Typically those old crows don't know how to use it and are reluctant to learn. They are going to come looking for the shiny new grad who knows what to do. Your time to be 'less than helpful' will come. Of course, you could be a bigger person and help them out, but what fun would that be?
The best thing I've heard is two weeks ago during my orientation to the psych ward for my rotation this semester -
"Welcome to Psych! We love having students here, and want you to know that we don't eat our young".
I could have jumped over the desk to hug the charge nurse!
You're a semester ahead of me - keep your chin up. I remember the patients that were truly grateful for my help and they more than make up for the occasional one that thinks you're there to wait on them, rather than help them become well again!
Great blog, I've added you to my list as well! whitescrubs.blogspot.com
As with every other population subgroup in life, patients will tax you to the edge of the abyss 5% of the time, remain sort of nondescript 90% of the time and totally affirm your choice to become a nurse the last 5%.
That woman sounds like my late grandmother, the hypochondriac, who LOVED to go to the hospital because she got to feel like a slaveholder. For the record, those types don't treat their families any better!
Hi,my name is Kris and I've been a nurse for twenty-eight years. I still love it. I decided to become a nurse when I was around eight or nine. I never looked back.My first nursing job was reading to a 105 year old russian woman, whom loved to talk of the days of the czars.This led them to offer me a job as a N.A., than a C.N.A.I started two colleges taking R.N. pre-requesites, yet wound up having to stop at LVN due to financial problems. I have been an LVN for 28
Kudos! Very informative article, keep up the good work!
This blog will be one of the many that I visit everyday.
Best of luck,
nursereview.org
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