No, but my DH is in that unit now and I just can't say enough good about those nurses.

I am a retired RN and I can't tell you how happy I am to be retired.
But, since I haven't worked in a hospital setting for many years, I don't have any frustrations.
My DH's niece is a night supervisor at a medium sized hospital and likes it because California has a law that keeps patient-nurse ratio doable.
Where are you working? City or state is OK....don't need the name of the hospital.

I'm an RN working med-surg and can tell you we are all frustrated and tired. Just had another one give her resignation yesterday.

I'm in Central NY. I'm getting frustrated that we always are short staffed. I work the eves only because it's what works best for my fam. But, seriously stressed. I only work part-time (3 shifts per week) which includes every other weekend. I used to work in urgent care 3 eves per week and EVERY Saturday I would work a 12. So this schedule is nicer. But the responsibilities, the high acuity of the patients, lots of post-surgical pain, tons of isolation pts (you know what effort it takes to go into those rooms and heaven forbid if you need something that's not in the room).....anyway, most on our unit are total care, must be hoyered, turned & repositioned, many are incontinent all throughout the shift, we take skin integrity VERY seriously at my facility, plus the family care that is needed, the education that is needed, some patients stay so long that it feels like a nursing home at times, blah blah blah. Not to mention charting. Often we have no breaks or dinner all shift. We do get paid when that happens of course. But, it's nice to have a break to breathe and step away from it all. And pee (ha ha). I have to take anti-anxiety medication (that I used to use prn) on a daily basis now. I spend my time away from work, worrying about my next shift. Yet - I do love what I do. I'm able to request a transfer in June to another unit, to IV Therapy, or to homecare if there are openings. Thinking about it. Yet, from what I see and what I hear the NM makes it next to impossible for anyone to leave her unit. Most end up resigning and leaving the facility altogether. I want to stay with this facility. The benefits (even for part-timers) are worth it. Thanks for letting me vent.

I just graduated from Nursing school in Aug. I have not sat for my boards yet (life got in the way) and plan on sending in my application this week or next. I want to be a psych nurse, so I am hoping to be on the mental health floor. WHen I was doing my clinicals I liked Med Surg but then again I was a student with only one patient for 12 hrs. but on peds I had 2 patients as a student and that was hell for me cause I was no used to it.. So God bless you and I will be able to relate soon enough.. HUGS

Having Mom in a Critical Care Centre and now on the surgery floor, we can't say enough about the care she gets from the nurses.
The nurses in CCTC work one-on-one with the patients, and they are right there checking all the tubes, making sure Mom (and all their patients) are comfortable.

Now that she's on the surgical floor, the nurses are a lot busier, looking after a number of patients. They are still caring (some more than others) but overall the care is wonderful.

BUT each hospital is different. Mom was in 2 different ones prior to the one she's in now. The care was excellent in the ICU, very good in the Acute Care and on the surgical floor, and horrible in the rehabilitation center.

I am a retired RN. I spent many years working on Med-Surg units. My heart goes out to you, Saramynn. I know what a hell-hole of frustrations they can be. The "concept" of nursing is great...... the reality is far, far different. Despite your NM being an obstructionist against transfer, I would say "go for it". She can only do so much to prevent it & if there is an opening elsewhere, she can't really fight it. Also if you have the opportunity to advance your education & become an RN, do it. It's not that being an RN is a piece of cake, but that there are many more opportunities for a variety of nursing areas in which to work. A big pat on the back & hugs to you for all your caring & hard wok. You are the salt of the earth.

Melanie, good luck on your State Boards. The reality shock is pretty great when you go from 1-2 clients as a student, to a much greater load when you begin practicing. I wish you well.

Welcome to the KT, Saramynn!

All of the above stated frustrations are the reason why I never wanted to be a nurse anywhere but in critical care, where the ratio is at most 2:1. Have you thought about that option?

Our hospital is gone electronic which really helps out. Everything is on the computer, nurses and aides sign a sheet on the door when they go in/out. If you need a nurse, it is a two way communication. The person answers your call almost immediately, then sends the proper person in to help out. We have in house Dr.s which is working out better than I thought it would. We have a new CEO who is really updating everything and in fact has fired two new Doc's don't know the reason why. Getting new staff members and and better attitude. It is Trinity Hospital in Minot ND and no matter where you go it the state if you go to a Trinity facility, your records are there. I do realize that this cannot be done in most states due to size. The food is great and last time I was at the hospital, the majority of the people, Dr's included would smile and say Hi even if they did not know you.
Lots of remodeling going on.
Nothing ever is perfect in any medical situation, but sometimes a smile is good.

The only thing that is certain in nursing is that some days are simply better than others. I love being a nurse. And I love all the support you all have given me. Thank you.