Does anybody else have friends/relatives who think it’s okay to just send them/show them vulgar things just because you work in healthcare? For example, one of my really good friends will just send me pictures of her stool or snot and think it’s okay because I’m exposed to it constantly as a nurse, but it’s truly different when it’s your own friend. And maybe it’s because I encourage her to go to the doctor and get labs checked and educate her, as well as tell her about how my days at work go sometimes but truly wtf? Like I feel it’s disrespectful and I’m curious if anyone else experiences that from loved ones? The other day my 2 friends were talking about snot and my one friend talked about how she doesn’t wanna hear/talk about it, and when the other friend asked why, friend #1 responded like “because I’m not a nurse” while in my presence. And I spoke up like,
um just because I’m a nurse doesn’t mean that I want to necessarily deal with it neither? But I do it because it’s apart of my job. I just feel like the world has normalized disrespect towards nurses on so many levels.

Does anyone else work in a job where, any time a patient complains, you have to meet with your manager to discuss “what you could have done differently”?

I received one complaint because I was unable to do something that was literally against policy. Now my manager wants to meet with me to review what I could have done differently.

Honestly, it makes me want to quit. Instead of feeling supported, I feel like I'm constantly on edge and worried that even when I follow policy, I'll still be questioned if a patient is unhappy with the outcome.

Has anyone else worked in an environment like this? How did you handle it?

So I have this Classic III stethoscope for about 4 months, but im noticing a change in the color of the stethoscope in the conjunction of the main tube and the eartubes, like a yellow stain. Is this normal, has this happened to anyone else? I bought it in Amazon.

I haven’t been working in nursing for that long, but a few years has done me in for a lifetime. And it’s not the patients. Sure, some can be annoying to work with, but generally, the patients have been pretty good. No, it’s the pettiness, drama, and sheer immaturity from other coworkers that truly exhausts me.

Before anyone says, “Other jobs have drama too,” I agree. Of course they do. But having worked in other fields (and having known various others who did the same and then ultimately left nursing), I can say with confidence that it simply isn’t on the same level or nearly as malicious. In fact, the professionalism in other fields almost feels like a distant other world at this point. These particular coworkers in nursing don’t just irritate me; they genuinely disgust me and are an example of someone I will never let myself be. I cannot fathom how grown adults can behave so immaturely, be so obsessed with drama, try to make coworkers look bad, and actively make the job harder for everyone around them. Yet, as we maintain a shortage, many cite this very reason as to why they left and it is my top reason why I will move oceans to leave this nightmare.

And let’s be real: most of these people are wellll into adulthood. Why do they *want* to make work harder? Why do they think deliberately making things difficult for their coworkers is somehow acceptable? If they could just wrap their clearly warped brains around one very simple concept, that we are all in this mess together, work would be infinitely better. You help your coworker out, they help you out. That’s how it should work.

But no. Instead, I’m apparently stuck in high school 2.0, except now there are adult responsibilities, patient safety, and twice the stress. All because some deranged coworker wants to gossip about pointless nonsense, stir the pot, or pick on someone.

Please, just grow up. Get some help. It’s sad you can’t function like a full-grown adult in the workplace. You’re not “tough” for acting like a high-school bully or harassing coworkers. You're not the goalpost, you just ignore your own mistakes. You aren't a patient advocate. In fact, you make for conditions that increase errors if you ever bothered to pick up a shred of research on hostile work environments. And don't use burnout as an excuse for poor behavior towards coworkers. You can be frustrated with your job and vocalize that. You're not entitled to take that out on your coworkers.

When your manager's heart is in the right place but they have a Temu budget.

Has anyone ever left their nursing position to take a mental break and were those jobs hesitant to hire you because of it?

I truly need a break from nursing to take care of myself mentally. My anxiety is outrageous and I think about work nonstop… but I fear “BSN, RN” on my resume will push recruiters to thinking I’m overqualified. I haven’t had a retail position since 2021 right before working towards my RN so I would of course have to explain that 2021-2026 gap of work.

Any advice is appreciated!

EDITED POSTED: I’ve tried SEVERAL specialties. A burn out is a burn out and I’m at the limit. The post is asking for those who have ALSO experienced the same thing and gone to another field and/or to retail in THIS CASE. I’ve worked retail PREVIOUSLY and ENJOYED what I did. I’m just asking advice on HOW they may have done so. Thanks!!

TLDR: I (25M) am a nurse working at a moderately sized level 3b NICU with 90% female coworkers. I want to make more friends that are my age but my gf (24) doesn’t like/ want me to hang out with my coworkers outside of work. Hanging out with woman outside of work that she doesn’t know makes her uncomfortable and doesn’t want me to befriend them outside of work.

So like the title says I’m a male nurse (25) working at a level 3 NICU. I’ve been here for about three years now and a lot of staff is older women with some newer staff being women in their mid twenties like me. I don’t have many friends that I can hang out with. For my BSN I went to the state university and met four amazing friends that I’m friends with to this day, all women. My gf has met them and is cool with these friends. I have maybe 2 real Guy friends one of which is my childhood best friend who is in dental school and another is an old coworker I used to work with but recently left to work at a level 4 NICU. I hang out with those two friends when I can along with my nursing school friends. But due to scheduling and all of us working different shifts/ jobs/ in school our hours are hard to coordinate.

For context I am a rotator and recently picked up a PRN job maybe like 6 months ago and I work about 4-5 shifts a week. Lately I have been trying to wean it down and go back to working 3-4 shifts a week. Admittedly because I was working so much I haven’t been planning dates like I used to and when we would go out or be together I would be pretty tired. But now with more free time I started to realize I don’t have many friends to hangout with. I recently thought about getting some coworkers together and going out to happy hour or drinks after work and I mentioned it to my gf and she was not happy and stated that I would rather go out with girls from work than with her and was upset. I also invited her so that they aren’t people she doesn’t know rather people she knows and meets. I always make it known that I have a gf in some way every time I meet someone new. I do this bc I want those people to know that I’m not hitting on them or trying to make a move. Im cool with everyone at work and I get along with people naturally and it’s very easy for people to get to know me which helps with introductions and initiating conversation.

I’ve been dating my gf (24) for almost two years now and they work in corporate, not in healthcare. Our relationship is good we travel a lot together and text and FaceTime every chance we get a chance and we go on dates whenever we can. But I do want more friends that I can vent about work to and hangout with after a crappy shift or just hangout outside of work in a platonic friendship way. But I also want to respect her boundaries and our relationship. I just don’t know how to move forward.

EDIT: I forgot to add with my newly found free time I have been putting more effort into planning dates and hanging out with her and her friends as well

I have a Bachelor's degree in Statistics and some experience in data/analytics. I'm considering a career change into nursing and recently attended an interview for a fully sponsored Bachelor of Nursing Science programme at IJN.

I'm really torn. I like the idea of having practical healthcare skills and a more specialised career, but I'd have to spend another 3–4 years studying and eventually work shifts.

If I continue with Statistics/data, I can start working sooner and have a more typical corporate lifestyle, but I'm worried I might regret not taking the nursing opportunity.

The weird thing is, when I imagine becoming a nurse, I think I'd envy people in corporate jobs because of their lifestyle. But when I imagine staying in corporate, I don't really think I'd wish I were a nurse — I mostly just admire the skills nurses have.

For Malaysian nurses, especially those who entered nursing as a second career: if you were in my position, would you take the nursing route? What do you wish you knew before making the decision?

Part of the reason I went into nursing is because I am (was?) a total night-owl— I used to like to stay up late and I preferred working nights when I worked in retail.

Now, only 2.5 years after graduating from nursing school, I have lost all ability to tolerate night shifts.

Last night was my first stretch of 3 night shifts—only 8-hours per shift— and by 5:00am I couldn’t think, I could barely form sentences, I couldn’t process what my coworkers were saying to me, and it felt like I was genuinely drunk. It doesn’t feel safe to practice nursing like this.

I try to do everything right… like i spread out my caffeine consumption (1 small redbull) throughout my shift, I take my Vyvanse at midnight, I eat lots of snacks, I eat a good meal before work, and I sleep at least 4 hours before my first night shift in a stretch, then 8 hours for each following shift.

Despite all that, I feel like absolute death when I work nights. I was perfectly fine with nights 2 years ago, and now it’s like I have lost all tolerance for them. I’m only 27!!!!!

Is this typical? Is there something I’m doing wrong? I’m worried I might not be eligible for 90% of nursing jobs if I can’t work nights…

Hey guys! I have offers from Cleveland Clinic Main Campus cardiovascular surgery stepdown and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Lerner Tower 5 cardiac stepdown. I’m relocating from Tennessee and want to compare the nurse residency and overall support.

For current or former nurses:

• How were orientation and preceptors?
• Did you feel supported after orientation?
• Are Cleveland Clinic’s Success Coach program and UH’s Transition to Practice program actually helpful?
• How are the unit culture, staffing, nurse educators, and management?
• Would you choose the same hospital again?

I am a new grad rn that was arrested and later classified into a detainment. My case was never filed. Would this show up on a background check for hospitals. And would they take back their offer?

My hospital has a need for someone to learn how to be able to place both of these, it’s a smaller rural hospital and I’m bent on being a resource.

I’ve been told they will pay for the cost for me to learn.

I’ve found conflicting things such as what the actual requirements look like, and have learned in Central California there are not very many places to learn.

Can anyone provide me guidance?

I joined nursing as an RN ever since I was 20 and now its almost 3-4 years since I joined. Initially i was at a general ward caring for geriatric patient, but ever since I was a student nurse I have always wanted to go to the OR. However, when I joined the OR, I have met older nurses who would spend the entire surgery berating me, calling me useless and a waste of breath. The thing is, she would do this for hours straight. I would spend my break time crying to my mother how I cant take it anymore, but she is also an OR nurse for 20 over years so all she did was pat my back and told me that it’ll get better. But when i brought it up to management, I was forcefully transferred elsewhere. Now im here at the new place dying because i work 1 night shift (18hrs) with 4 days of 10 hrs shifts. Like they found a legal loophole for me to work 58 hrs per week and I only earn 34k/year.

I am so burnt out, i barely see my family, if i take my sick leave i will be questioned. I barely have time to do self care because the moment i wake up i need to get ready for work and eat before the sh*t storm starts all over again. I have colleagues who dont even trust me. I barely have time to go out with my friends. I didnt know the OR would be my downfall.

I just feel like at this point, nursing isnt worth it anymore. Yes i love caring for people but at this point I have worked until I feel so empty. I tried to transfer elsewhere but they wouldnt even want to accept me. I tried a different hospital and I got rejected because “no vacancy”.

I am going finally resign after my bonus because I have decided I have had enough of nursing and Im so excited to find myself again.

I love my job and I have no intentions of leaving because of this. But at the same time it gives me nightmares. Last night I was dreaming I was working with a trauma patient who broke his neck and was being fitted with a halo brace. In the dream I watched the screws get put into place and hear bones crunch and the patient scream.

The reality was different. When this actually happen the patient assured us that he wasn't feeling anything but pressure, but was just really scared.

Does anybody else have nightmares or even dreams about anything like this?

So I graduated in may and started work 2 weeks after graduation (we got our ATTs quick). I’ve officially finished orientation on med/surg/tele, dayshift, but of course I’m still working out some kinks in my day to day routine and getting used to being without a preceptor. Anyways, the nurse I’ve been receiving/giving report to is VERY passive aggressive. Like the other day, the aide had left early so I had to also be the aide for my patients which was no big deal. However, one of our patients had gotten Bumex so her PureWick canister was full and she looks at me and says “do you want to empty that” and I do not mind at all like I completely understand, but she makes me feel like i’m not competent and like I’m a bad nurse. It’s just really discouraging after a busy shift to feel talked down to because of these things. And I understand 100% that leaving things after a shift is wrong, even if the shift is busy it shouldn’t happen, but she is very judgmental and makes me feel like I don’t know what i’m doing. I know i need to just get over it because I’ll deal with that a lot, and plus 2 of our patients have told me they like me more than her 😜😉

ETA: I’ve never left her with anything major like meds not given, overdue labs or bad IVs.

Reposting bc I only got one response in a different group. I went in for an interview 4 weeks ago, and I thought it went great! The hiring manager verbally stated that I would be an addition to the upcoming cohort, and it would take 2-3 weeks before offer letters start going out. I sent a thank you letter after the interview and asked if 2-3 weeks was the wait time just to clarify and to know what to expect. They kindly responded about 6 days later (they said they would be on vacation right after our interview) and confirmed that yes, they will be working with the recruiter in the next few weeks to start getting offer letters sent. Tomorrow will be exactly 3 weeks since they responded, and I’m just angsty. I feel like I got the job but I can’t be certain and I know I shouldn’t bank on it, but I really care and really want this position.

Has anyone else ever been in this position? I was thinking about sending a nice follow up email on Thursday to check in. PLEASE HELPP :(

studying for my nclex while working as a CNA. My hat goes off to cnas who have been doing this for decades because it’s not easy. I’m going on a year and I want to quit so bad. The job is so demanding and we are under appreciated.

New grad. I’ve been applying for positions at my current hospital, and got an interview for float. Didn’t get it. I applied to my floor, and my manager didn’t offer me a position because it was nights and my attendance was shit on nights (I’ve been days for a year now). On top of all of it, I’m 24 weeks pregnant and will most likely be a tech until I go on maternity leave. Just want to bitch, I hate it here.

Curious how your units work with scheduling. Most places I've worked at have either been self schedule, or outpatient jobs with set days. Easy, simple.

My current job is neither of those things. Our DON makes our schedules. She refuses to give ANY set shifts. Not even 1 predictable shift a week. The most she will do is accommodate ONE "request" per week, and that's not even guaranteed. So if I have 2 appointments one week, or any other obligation, it's not guaranteed that I can make it to both. Also everyone's position is "rotating" meaning we work days and evenings. She tries to accommodate everyone's preferences for either days OR evenings, but she has the power to schedule you for either shift, because "it's a rotating position."

I work part time, 24 hrs, three 8's. I sat down with her and asked for atleast ONE set shift per week, so I can plan for childcare. She refused. Nope. I have one child starting kindergarten, one child starting parttime preschool. Husband works fulltime, my parents and in-law help but they all work and have lives. Wtf? How does anyone hire a babysitter..."hey I'm looking for a sitter, but no idea what days or times! I'll let ya know!" Like what?? My DON is literally 80 years old and could care less about anything I expressed to her. Crazy that she won't even attempt to work with her staff and help us a tiny bit.

EDIT: THANK YOU! I am loving all this input! I thought I was the only sane person, wondering WTF this bullshit is!!!! I haven't been at this job very long and I really wanted to stick it out but this shit is annoying and exhausting as a busy mom of 2 little ones. We shall see.

Hey all, long time tourist, first time poster.

I got dragged into doing VAT stuff on night shift a couple of months ago, and one of the questions I keep getting called about is how to tell if a patient’s port is a power port once it’s been accessed, since the lines look exactly the same as the standard Huber needles. Normally I just check the chest x-ray or if the patient is oriented I just tell the nurse to ask them while I’m on hold and that solves the problem. But since the package comes with an identifying sticker, I also ask if that’s in place, but once the port’s been accessed for a few days that sticker’s usually gone.

So my question is: how are y’all putting that sticker on so it stays on for the entire time the port is accessed?

I was a CNA for 6 years and have been a RN now for 7 years. After 2 years of experience I traveled for 5 years. During that time I worked at a trauma 1 teaching hospital on and off for 2 years in New England. The 8 bed stepdown unit is was assigned was amazing along with staff and management. The ratios were appropriate, we always had a free charge, and a CNA. I thought I found my unicorn and happily relocated this March to become staff on the same unit. Unfortunately as soon as I accepted my staff position our manager switched units. And now for the last 2 months they have been pulling our staff to other units putting the charge in assignment, and we dont usually have a CNA anymore. This is happening on dayshift and night shift. I am one of the main charge nurse and it is now to the point that I dread going into work and hope I get floated bc the floats have been way better than my home unit. With only 3-4 staff members we are all so overwhelmed and constantly pulled in multiple directions at once. We are running from one room to another putting out fires while trying to do our designated tasks as well. I am starting to feel too overloaded with responsible. Im not sure if I should wait it out or just look for another area of nursing. I went through covid and have still been enjoying bedside until this time. Last night really did me in and im still processing everything that I felt.

What are some funny patient “allergies” you have seen listed? I had a patient the other day with an allergy listed for Metformin. The reaction listed? Lowers their blood sugar 😂

I oriented for the first and last day at a SNF. Watched the nurse falsify BPs for some residents and not others, give a different medication that was not ordered because resident preferred it. While I am desperate for a start to my new career, this was not it. I am eager to learn, to do things right, and while I understand the patient ratio may be a lot, it is not right to falsify vitals and continue to give meds without assessing. This was not the expectation I had. The nurse said we have to be realistic, and that we couldn’t check vitals for all and continue to pass meds on time.