Nursing
By ramos7881
@ramos7881 (344)
United States
April 27, 2010 5:56pm CST
Are you a nurse? What specialty do you work in? I myself am a registered nurse, am currently working in long-term care. I am interested to know what aspect of your job you find the most fulfilling. One of the most fulfilling parts for me is that trust between the residents and I when they know they can rely on me. That's just one example. What else can you add about the nursing profession?
1 person likes this
1 response
@missliss08 (766)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I have been a nurse for 23 years, 18 on NY, and 5 in Florida. I always did hospital nursing with specialty in peds, and cardiac stepdown, but I was a float nurse for many years, and worked all areas. Here in Florida I work in LTC, but I can not say it is my favorite at all. I stay there for several reasons, but I also feel a loyalty to my patients. We are very often understaffed, with up to forty patients a piece being allowed under the Florida law, for night shift workers. I find it so displeasurable that I now only work PRN, if I need to. It is very sad to me because I have always loved my job, and I wish I could make the legislators see that these rules they have set up for the nursing homes do not meet the needs of the patients at least not under my standards. Nurses are loving, caring, and compassionate people, at least the good ones are, and I have too much of a work ethic to go to work and just slide by, rather than giving the care I feel I want to give, so I just don't do it much anymore.
@ramos7881 (344)
• United States
30 Apr 10
It's so hard that you are torn between providing quality care, keeping your head above water legally, and staying sane. LTC does need reform, and I stick around hoping that I will be a part of it. LTC is pretty much all I know, and I strive to not be "jaded" by the other staff that has been there for quite awhile. I have been at the same place for going on 3 years now (minus 3 months somewhere in the middle of that time period), and in the LTC world that makes me a "long-timer". Unfortunately, I have seen nurses that come and simply try to slide by, thinking that LTC is the easiest job in the world. Luckily my employer does not let that type of behavior last long.
@missliss08 (766)
• United States
2 May 10
I have to admit when I was a hospital nurse we looked down on nursing home nurses. Now that I am one I realize they aren't lazy, just understaffed, and overworked, and a lot of them just get in a rut. There are some that are lazy too, and facilities that don't make them do a good job. It is sad but true. I am not sure it will ever change, the companies that own them just want to make money.
@ramos7881 (344)
• United States
5 May 10
You are right. It is a business and it provides a much needed service. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of longer life spans and chronic diseases makes this business virtually indestructable. It is a tragic state though. It is hard to see families that do not want their loved one to be there, but they do not have the time/knowledge/resources to provide the care needed.
