|
Post by malkieh on Oct 1, 2014 21:20:31 GMT -5
I have had this fear for a couple of months.
Every time they hire another nurse they last only a month, some how I managed to last a year. But the past couple of weeks things have been getting worse. They let one nurse take a month off, so that put us down by 1 nurse. There are six of us in the operating room currently.
For Rosh hashana I kid you not, they let off not only myself but 2 other nurses! So they were down to two nurses on Friday, it must have been insane!
This week we are down two nurses, and two of our nurses only works 12 hour shifts. So that means there is only myself and this one other crazy nurse that works crazy hours. I think she must be on something. I am exhausted after 8 hours! This nurse some how manages to work 20 hours fits.
she is crazy!
When I agreed to take call I did not realize that it meant working a full shift and then having to stay! I one did a 17 hour shift and I barely made it home, and I kid you not they turned around and had to be back at 5 am to open the next day!
I told my boss I am going to burn out so she backed off a little.
Today I was meant to be on call, and I told her at 2 I need to go home and rest. Her response was, you need to be a surgery center nurse not a hospital nurse. I asked a co-worker about another hospital and if they are just as crazy and they said no, but the other hospital has a normal amount of staff.
I am so burning out, I want to call in sick so badly tomorrow but I know we are down to three of us and four rooms. I am so freaking out!
I wanted so badly to be a nurse, but now I hate it. I need my job, but I am afraid if I complain that when I do find another job they will say I am not a team player
|
|
|
Job
Jun 14, 2014 23:38:13 GMT -5
Post by malkieh on Jun 14, 2014 23:38:13 GMT -5
B"H I have yet to be fired from my job. I had this feeling that I should not sign a contract when I got my job and I took per diem, B"H. I have been working since Oct' 2013, and had to take off soo much time it's not even funny! My husband's mother and father passed within three months of each other and we had to go to both funerals and shiva, of course! Then there was a family emergency because my husband is the accountant we had to run and take care of it. Now we have had so many negative things, and our 6th anniversary is coming up (marriage). My husband and my children want time with me. Now he says to me, Ok we are done with the negative and we are going on the cruise in two weeks and we NEED THIS! He is right we need this, but I am so afraid they will fire me! I took two weeks off for each funeral and shiva, and then we ended up needing 3 weeks off for the family emergency! I feel like if I turn around and say now I need a week and a half off that my job will say that's enough your fired. Granted they have been pushing and pushing me and I am not handling the pushing. This past friday I ended u working from 430 am - 4 pm, without lunch or break! I was so exhausted for shabbos it was crazy! Additionally another nurse just took paternity leave for 7 weeks!! So they are counting on me, I am so freaking out! But my husband keeps saying your per diem, they cannot fire you if your busy your busy!. I desperately need a vacation, even though I have been gone many times, most of them were stressful and not relaxing! Also IY"H by then my BSN will be done, so we will be celebrating our anniversary and my BSN
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Mar 26, 2014 19:51:50 GMT -5
wish I could come, let me know if you do a west coast
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Jan 14, 2014 22:02:53 GMT -5
My job was a bit slow for about three weeks, so I applied for a couple of other perdiem jobs. I told them that they would not be my first priority.
Needless to say B"H I have been very busy. My main job has decided to train me in their GI lab, I have a year experience in a surgery center, but a hospital GI lab is more extensive. Esp because they expect nurses to sometimes do the scope and if no anesthesiologist do MAC. So I would have to do competencies to ensure I am safe to do MAC, and the current nurse wants me to do a refresher EKG course.
So tomorrow was meant to be a day for me to catch up on my BSN studies, and my step-daughter has surgery tomorrow. She dafka wants me there, so I thought I would sit and study while waiting.
Today I got an urgent phone call from one of these surgery centers, I was busy all day and finally called around 2ish. I said I really do not want to, but if they are really stuck, I have NEVER worked at this center. So she told me to name my price basically per hour, which shocked me but money is money. I need to pay bills, and they promised I would be done by 11, and her surgery is at 12. Should give me enough time!
eek
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Dec 24, 2013 23:40:05 GMT -5
They want me to pick a topic
I was thinking access to health care?
Because of the outbreak this year in NY of measles The education on smoking (health concerns in children, etc) Prevention treatments Finding trustworthy healthcare workers
is that ok?
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Dec 23, 2013 20:28:45 GMT -5
I need to do a community health topic that has 90 hours of interviewing various people, companies - dealing with education w/in the orthodox community about preventative care (vaccines, etc).
So far with inmy orthodox community I have Tomchei shabbos - Hatzalah jewish family services four different orthodox schools (primary, secondary and high school)
Department of health services
any other suggestions??
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Dec 16, 2013 23:29:09 GMT -5
I worked at this surgery center for a year, and then the manager wanted to hire a new nurse (who happened to be african american like him), so he started treating me like Cr*p trying to force me to quit. Cutting back my hours, and playing all sorts of games like not giving me lunch.
So I B"H found two other jobs and started working at them, then one of them offered me a full time job. I still checked in with my old job to let them know I am available if they need me. It was not until I informed the manager that I was offered full time and needed to go through orientation and computer training for a specific week. Dafka that week he called me to work and I reminded him that I am orienting and not available til next week. After that he stopped calling me, and I got busy at my new job (that paid more) and did not chase up work at the old job. I figured if he did not call he did not need me.
My worry is that the main boss (owner of the surgery center), does not know the games he played. so I am writing him a letter, but I have to be careful what I write because I do not want him to show it to the manager who could turn around and cause problems for me in the future. I need the manager to still think positive of me, even though he's a jerk.
So below is the letter I wrote to the boss. What do you think??
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Oct 3, 2013 19:42:36 GMT -5
I had an amazing day at my new job, I am very excited to learn and continue to grow as an OR nurse. This is such an amazing opportunity.
I happened to bump into my old nursing instructor, and he hugged me and mentioned that one of my old classmates were upstairs on another floor. Literally he had just asked her if she had heard from me.
So I got excited, because I had not seen her since graduating. I saw her and it was such a cold like, "what are you doing here?" We talked for a bit and she just seemed to get angrier and angrier as we spoke. Honestly did not understand, it was almost childish.
She kept saying things like, "I was offered OR but it's not for me and I was offered ICU and it's not for me." I said B"H we found what fit us.
Just to poke at me further, she said "where's the scrub skirt." I said I cannot wear it in the OR, and I have permission to wear pants as part of my job. During school she kept all the yom tovim and shabbos etc, but I am not sure if she does anymore.
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Sept 23, 2013 21:10:28 GMT -5
BTW better to say u were offered a dif job which is a better fit for u than "... I have told him I have another job that pays more," I did not tell him that they are paying more, he said to me "I bet they are paying you more and are going to love you. Tell me when you want to quit."
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Sept 23, 2013 20:39:01 GMT -5
No contract, was hired as full time, but I rarely get 40 hours a week. The owner of the surgery center said he "hates it when people get their year and leave, but we never set in stone how long I needed to stay." Granted the owner is NEVER in the center so he does not know about how stupid this manager treats everyone
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Sept 23, 2013 20:37:50 GMT -5
Well I had not heard from my boss at around 6 pm Sunday, so instead of calling I have decided to text so that I have documentation proving that I have contacted him etc.
I took work at another surgery center because he had not contacted me, so I texted him that I took hours at another surgery center on Monday and Tuesday.
To which he responded "OK thanks"
Then today he had a secretary call me to tell me, he wanted me in Tuesday at 7 am. I responded, "no I am sorry I committed to another center and I told the manager about it yesterday, but if he wants me for Wednesday Please let me know. If not I will seek hours elsewhere."
The secretary told me she would let me know, but never called back
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Sept 22, 2013 17:47:20 GMT -5
well..
My boss is trying to get me to quit.
Erev Yom tov, he dafka gave me cases he knew would run late. When I begged him to give me the earlier cases so that I could go home.
His response was, "you do not want recovery room you do not want OR, why do you even come to work?"
ARG!! I said fine, I will just do it. (to myself) Went about my day without complaining again. But then he started nit picking at EVERYTHING I did. But I did not let it get to me, and I responded confidently and did not let him get to me (which infuriated him!)
So we had an urgent case that arrived at 1130 (Usually after 5 hours they force us to take lunch), it took us 20 min to do the paperwork and get the pt to the OR. Then I assisted the other nurse to get his pt ready, another 20 min. I was paged to the front because the nurse manager was called upstairs to administration. I had to admit my patients, do their intake, paperwork and IV's. Before I know it it is 1230, I feel the twinges of hunger but I am busy so I ignore it. I notice a nurse coming back from lunch and ask when she is done with her paper work can break me. She said yeah sure no problem (we are friends and I got her the job).
First case is 1 hour, get pt to recovery and ask nurse manager "is anyone doing lunches?" she says yes the nurse I noticed earlier, I figured she is giving others lunches. I am at 1:30 pm without any break or food since 7 am and feeling it a bit but handling it.
Second case is 50 min, I go again to nurse manager "I have not had lunch who is doing lunches?" This time she shrugs and goes to speak with the manager. She comes back and shrugs, so I go to the manager and said "It's 2:15 and I have not had lunch who is giving me lunch?"
He said the nurse I saw earlier and he does not know where she is. So I call her and she's in another OR waiting for instructions. The manager told her not to give me a break because he is mad at me, and she's afraid to get in trouble if she breaks me. I told this to the manager and he looks at me and says "you should have taken lunch earlier." I am dumbfounded and say well I could not and need to take it now or I will faint. So he says go tell her to give you a break but you have to do the paper work! I said fine what ever
I told the nurse and she said, If I get in trouble she's going to be upset.
I was so dizzy and angry by that point I went to the lunchroom and ate something. After 15 min the manager comes in and yells what are you doing at lunch your pt is in the OR. I responded yes with the other nurse so I can eat! He says no it's your case, I responded respectfully "I am eating. "
I went to the nurse manager and said what the heck?? She says I have no power. (which has always been the case, but OMG)
I finished my paperwork, and the manager comes up to me and says (hoping to agitate me more). You (meaning me) - Your off thursday and friday for a bad attitude, I responded - I already have those days off for a jewish holiday and turned away. The nurse manager said he gave me an angry look.
I cleaned out my locker, I am ANGRY! I am supposed to start a new job, but the start date was not definite and I had not told my manager. But I am so sick of him manipulating everyone, and maybe it's because I have a job possibility that I am standing up for myself! I know other jobs are going to have their frustrations, but this one is AWFUL.
Problem is that I do not have a definite start date for my new job, and I know this manager is going to call and say I need you tomorrow. Do I bow my head and go to work tomorrow or say "sorry I need a break from you manipulation (something I would love to say but never would)"
Point is that with this manager, his rule of thumb was, if I do not call you come to work. But I do not want to work for him tomorrow nor do I want to chase after him for work or schedule. We get our schedule the day before, no set schedules. If I do not show up tomorrow then there is a chance I am burning my friend because she would end up alone. And/or putting pts at risk, by not showing up! What do I do?
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Sept 16, 2013 16:12:24 GMT -5
So B"H I was lucky to get a job three months after passed my nclex, so I am an RN (in a surgery center). I am almost at a year, October it will be officially a year that I have experience. My first job was not perfect, many issues. A. I do not speak spanish, 97% of patients speak only spanish, or broken english B. Staff kind of cliquey because I am not hispanic C. Not well run facility, major issues that cause moral dilemmas for me all the time, but gave GREAT examples for my BSN papers!! (yes I was an ADN RN and I am now in an RN to BSN program)
Now fast forward to last month, My job was not giving me many hours so a friend of mine that works at another surgery center offered me hours. I worked there for 5 hours, and her DR LOVES me now! Keeps asking for me! Problem is that I am committed to my present job until I have at least one year experience, even then they do not like it when people get experience and leave. This other doctor has offered me more money (not much more like $3 more an hour) which does make a difference! I mentioned it to my boss and he said he had no problem sharing me when hours are sparse. Problem is that after having worked for this Dr for two weeks, my boss is getting scared of loosing me and has started throwing hours at me.
This week something changed, I had applied to this hospital job (actual Operating room in a hospital), these positions are golden like NO one get's them! People get into these jobs and NEVER leave! So I had applied to two hospitals, one said no because of shabbos and another said they would get back to me. I honestly never thought I would get it, because many have told me Surgery center and hospital OR are VERY different. But this week, dafka this week, I got a job offer and the pay is a HUGE pay raise and I desperately need it because my children's tuitions are KILLING me.
I have been hinting to my boss that I am not happy, and that he has to stop putting me in the recovery room. I know part of it is the fact that I know this job is going to start soon, and the other fact that my OR skills are not as strong as he has put me in the Recovery room. My boss has been taking advantage of certain skills that I attained as a secretary rather then my RN skills and it's just frustrating me. Plus the fact that when he puts me in Recovery I am unable to talk to the spanish speaking patients, unable to discharge them because I cannot teach in spanish. So I am not sure if he's trying to force me to quit or what but I am frustrated and I told him if he puts me in recovery I am not coming in anymore.
Anyway, so I know that when people argue with him he gives them less hours. But with me it does not work, so hopefully he will be understanding when I have orientation at my new job and cannot give him hours. But I have told him I have another job that pays more, so if he does not need me to please ask others to come in. sorry just frustrated, I guess it means I am desirable!
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Jul 9, 2013 18:15:08 GMT -5
So I work at a surgery center
Majority of the issue I have is the documentation of times. For instance today I had two patients that I circulated on and then I went to recovery and recovered two patients. The first patient it was fine because that anesthesiologist is honest with his times, well more honest then most. Luckily I had clocked in a bit early because he had the procedure starting the moment I clocked in 630 am. Giving me basically (according to documentation) 5 minutes to set up and do a time out. Because I clocked in at 6:25.
But the second patient was a different anesthesiologist. She decided that she would run two rooms at once, the other room was MAC so a nurse could do that but owner does not want that. So this anesthesiologist decided that the MAC patients would go first time wise, even though my patient was done inbetween. So basically my patient was under from 8:15 anesthesia started - 8:30-945 (surgery time) and into recovery by 9:51 (real time). I finished all of my documentation, but the rules where I work are do not put the times until you see the anesthesiologist times.
While I was waiting for my paperwork, I decided to help the PACU RN whom had a lot of patients with paper work and recovered two patients. From 12:17 -14:25, where the times that I was in recovery taking care of my patients. Then I received the paper work from the anesthesiologist and the times she put for the time that I was circulating on my second patient was 12:10 - 13:45. My heart almost dropped, because that is my license on the line not hers!
I am thinking of getting a note book and documenting the dates etc and actual times. Just in case
Honestly I cannot find another job, California they want a year experience and a bachelors degree. So I am stuck here for another 3-4 months, and even then it could be longer without a bachelors degree.
|
|
|
Post by malkieh on Jul 8, 2013 23:28:55 GMT -5
So I went away this weekend with my husband, he was invited to talk.
Unfortunately there was a woman there that he dated years ago, that did not take his dumping very well so to speak. But we figured it was years ago, why would she be holding a grudge right??
Basically spent the entire weekend tormenting me, I could not understand and then I realized it's because I am an easy target. I have a soft heart like my husband, I do not like to cause a scene etc. So she zeroed in on that. She would wait til I was not around my husband or kids, which was rare B"H but still twice in one weekend. To the point of chasing me out of a building and calling me B*tch to my face and screaming at me. But I carefully backed out without causing a scene. Even though I was freaking out inside, I kept my cool and once in safety I could not stop shaking and my heart was racing. B"H someone saw it and came over and hugged me commenting on how calm I was.
My response was to laugh and say well, this is why I did not become a psyc nurse! We both laughed, and then I went upstairs and hugged my husband and cried a bit.
I am definitely not cut out to be a psyc nurse!!
|
|