The Mass Exodus of Nursing: Why Are Nurses Leaving The Profession? With Dr. Wali Khan, DNAP, CRNA

In this episode, Dr. Wali Khan, DNAP, CRNA, gets real about the so-called nursing shortage and leads an insightful conversation about the systemic reasons behind the mass exodus of nurses from bedside roles, where they're headed next, and how to reignite your passion for nursing while maximizing your happiness as a nurse. It's a powerful, controversial, empowering and raw discussion that will hit home for all nurses.
Read more about the mass exodus of bedside nursing: nurse.org/news...
Jump Ahead to Listen:
[02:30] Mass exodus of nursing.
[04:38] America's Caregivers on the Brink of Extinction?
[08:05] Work-life balance and options.
[12:11] Nursing shortages in healthcare.
[16:00] Unsafe staffing and patient safety.
[20:48] Nurses as social media influencers.
[24:06] Healthcare system and shortages.
[29:37] Access to healthcare treatment.
[31:37] Nursing shortage and exodus.
[35:08] Complacency and apathy.
Connect with Wali on social media:
Instagram: @wali_khann
For more information, full transcript and videos visit Nurse.org/podcast
Join our newsletter at nurse.org/join
Instagram: @nurse_org
TikTok: @nurse.org
Facebook: @nurse.org
KZbin: Nurse.org

[@PlantparenthooD1]

Toxic culture and understaffing and under appreciated are so normalized 😢

[@Mae-vq1du]

Say thank you to the privateization of hospitals and nursing homes.

[@cherrelleg8276]

Yes idk why so many people become nurses yet hate people and caring for others

[@Liz-wz8dh]

This.

[@BloodLaboratorySafety]

Correct

[@MelissaR784]

​@@Mae-vq1duJust the opposite. Between the HIPAA law and the ACA, we now have socialized healthcare, meaning gov. run. Healthcare had always been in the private sector. Where the market set prices. Now, every doctor and nurse has to report everything to HHS and they determine the treatment.

[@Monica-hr1qx]

12 hr shift and 30 minute lunch…enough said

[@madeleinevargas8898]

I call that 💩….and they can hv it all. I don’t want it or need it anymore…I’m out

[@wizardofahhhhhhz]

UNPAID lunch 😒. So many nurses don’t even get the full 30 min or any break at all, so they often have a portion of their shift where they are actively providing patient care and NOT being paid for it 😢

[@tamlynn786]

The 12 hour shift thing is the very reason that kept me out of nursing. My mom was a nurse. She worked overnight, would get home at 7am. Would be home for 2-3hours when we got home from school and then she’d leave for work at like 6 pm. I hated it!

[@Kat_Beezy]

Reasons why I JUST LEFT IPR last week! I couldn’t take it anymore, so I returned to HHC as a hospice aide! Love my 7a-3p shift & NO WEEKENDS!!

Graduating nursing school next year, I understand why there is a nursing shortage, I will begin religious life discernment once I graduate with sisters/nun. I will not toil for unappreciated work! I will serve GOD before I serve a company. 21 years old I made it out no debt ❤ Good luck.

[@churchofpos2279]

Left 2 years ago, after being an RN for 30 years. Best thing I ever did. I let my license expire. I now work part time in a low paying retail job and couldn't be happier. My physical and mental health have improved 100%.

[@MelissaR784]

Good for you! Your health is more important than any job.

[@timo4040]

Wow. 30 year career and just fed up like says it all. That’s alarming for the need for the public to know

[@churchofpos2279]

@@timo4040 I refused to get the Jab and was threaten with termination.

[@terrencerandle1184]

One of my friends hair started falling out. The doctor told her that if she didn’t quit her nursing job that she might not live long.

[@animalsareourangels93]

@@churchofpos2279yes, The same happened to me. I even got a doctors note saying that I was allergic to the flu vaccine but they didn’t care. The next thing I know I am being served with papers from the company via their attorney which stated that if I did not get the jab and my booster shots that I would be terminated at the end of the month. We all got that letter. My body is broken. My back is destroyed and I am never going back into nursing again ever. It was not in my job description to have to put drugs into my body that I did not want done to my body.

[@anitrajohnson7789]

I don’t miss 12 he shifts, working weekends, missing family events, violent patients& bureaucracy

[@paleggett1897]

Especially the corruption by the repressive financial systems controlled by health insurance / financial industries

[@FleetingArtist]

What do you do now?

[@staceyford6733]

I don't miss it either. Been retired almost 5 years.

[@Di-hz2dz]

I just quit too. Worse job I ever had was being a nurse.... One word sums it up ABUSE..

[@lindatohara6438]

That’s sucks and shouldn’t be that way!!

[@WarriorStrong7278]

Totally agree.

[@MrCard031584]

Go do construction. Yall are spoiled rotten. At least you're not being replaced by illegal alliens who will work for less than 25% of your wage which is the same wage your grandfather was paid.

[@linds408]

What are you doing now?

[@bernfran1313]

Elaborate on the "abuse" if you will.

[@saratonnan]

RN for 48 years. Retired just 2 years ago at age 71. Had no intention of retiring until I finally got fed up with my boss. I loved nursing. I hated the deaf ears that exist in management. Your observations are spot on! Thanks for posting this. Those not in healthcare don't (can't) understand.

[@colettespencer3357]

Congratulations!

[@patrick-ip4yf]

And what would you like us to do?

[@lindatohara6438]

My sister retired at 67 same she said she doesn’t miss corporate medicine. She loved nursing and went right out of HS. I remember her working 36 hour shifts in a snow storm. She was so dedicated and good at what she did. It’s sucks its come to this, but same no doctors either. And my dentist has no hygienist he has to clean teeth in his early 60’s it’s a mess our health care system in general. But the NFL , NBA, etc running just fine!!!!!!!

[@lindatohara6438]

And have fun you earned it go see the National parks.

[@hplifestylelessonsandfun9131]

Wow! 48 years! God bless you! 🙏🏽

[@hedykarim3614]

Too many task added on to nurses responsibilities. Nurses are the scapegoats for every thing that goes wrong

[@alishia6656]

And I am so sick of it!!!! All other disciplines dump their work on the Nurse who is already burdened down with their own work!!!!

[@donm-tv8cm]

100% true!

[@MsJonessss]

i agree. I needed my primary care doctor to extend an accommodation for my employer, but the document was never initially saved to my profile. My doctor told me i have to schedule another apt, which means pay another copay. I was upset with the nurse because why wasn’t my accommodation initially uploaded to mychart. long story short the nurse I usally deal with stated she uploaded my work accommodation under someone elses chart by accident. I guess the stress and shortage of the staff lead to her making this mistake. It’s unacceptable, but I understand. I actually work 12 hr shifts in IT and Idk I like my schedule it’s just the cost of living and not making enough money that is the problem.

[@ADHDGG]

I’ve been an RN since 1992 and advised my daughter, who wants to be a nurse, to be an x-ray tech instead.

[@ktucker4083]

Wise Advice

[@ladytmomma3192]

MRI or Ultrasound is best modality in my opinion . CT is also a great choice if you enjoy a fast pace.

[@msgiselle954]

I'm thinking about being an surgical technician. Does anyone think that's a better route than being burned out as an RN?? Any advice would be extremely helpful 🙏

[@mcqueenXO]

I wish I would have become an ultrasound tech.

[@jaycommonsense2468]

F jobs all jobs are filled with bs

[@Silbergen]

The worst part about nursing is that going to work daily feels like a petty, dangerous, high school competition. I hate the toxic culture.

[@carlasamuels479]

ICU nurses are pros at that 🙄

[@ThunderStruck94660]

Yeah, the “Karen” culture is out of control. I would hate to be a nurse these days.

[@kerrimchayle1213]

@@carlasamuels479 I think it's just nursing. I work in psych and I started to have panic attacks before work. It doesn't even matter how much one tries to be fair, friendly and helpful to staff, while giving excellent care to patients. It's tremendously illogical the way the culture is. At this point, I refuse to do it anymore, I will bring my skills elsewhere.

[@NoName-ky2sb]

almost NOBODY gets along!

[@Hollyucinogen]

I used to be a patient in a long-term care home that got bullied by bad nurses on almost a daily basis, and that's exactly the way that I described it to other people. A lot of nurses are just high school bullies who got a job. The younger nurses are way worse than the older nurses, although I've noticed a little bit of this in older nurses too; and female nurses are way worse than the male nurses.

[@davidcantor293]

I am fine with a 12-hour shift and prefer it, but a 30-minute lunch is absolutely criminal. I also blame unruly and rude patients, subpar pay, and lack of PTO.

[@timo4040]

Hate to tell you this but working construction at hazardous worksites and in all kinds of weather with extreme temperatures/humidity, only get 30 min lunch and no morning or afternoon breaks. Many times there are no bathrooms to even use. 60-65 hr weeks. Not to sound callous but, Life is hard.

[@MelissaR784]

If labor laws are being broken, can't you file a lawsuit?

[@Meatslapontable]

@@timo4040”if my life sucks, yours has to too!”

[@Necromancer1776]

Denial of PTO and toxic coworkers and Mandatory OT

[@NickM_FirstofHisName]

​@@timo4040 You can take into consideration or ignore: the resultas talk for themselves; theyre leaving. Acknowledge their needs or ignore.

[@P.C.W.321]

Patient care is irrelavent. Now everything is doccumentation on a computer. There are too many patients for one nurse. Nursing requires quality time with patients. When a nurse has too many patients they cant give the quality of time needed. Doccumentation time seems more important than care time.

[@clairemegie4609]

Well said How can we spend time with our patients the way we want to.If by any chance one missed something while charting,come back the next day to work either you are called in the office or an email regarding this particular issue. I love love nursing,but it’s really a toxic environment.To the new nurses ,we are saying not to be a nurse but we are saying and ventilating.

[@Juju-dw4ey]

I feel like it doesn't matter if the quality of care is there but it matters if it isn't documented .

[@marco5718]

So well said.

[@Anna-ww4pv]

Education is a business. They sold you a dream you have to work hard to achieve. Healthcare is a business.

[@sunshinesunflowerz1647]

Now it is, it was never a business.

Graduating nursing school next year, I understand why there is a nursing shortage, I will begin religious life discernment once I graduate with sisters/nun. I will not toil for unappreciated work! I will serve GOD before I serve a company. 21 years old I made it out ❤ (no loans or debt)

[@fa5102]

I worked with a sister/nun before people will always be ppl best of luck to you. Keep your eyes open and do not trust anyone!

@@fa5102yes! People will be people anywhere. Thanks.

@@fa5102thanks ! Yes people are people :)

[@williamleedy8821]

I'm a fellow CRNA, though much older. I spent 17 years as a trauma ICU nurse before trading the bunghole for the piehole. There is something that I believe you left out that has rattled me a bit and that's the young nurse who got convicted of murder for a tragic drug error. That's a horrible scenario to hang over an understaffed nurse.

[@IfTheOceansWereInk321]

I remember the shift right after that case we had a rapid response and they asked one of us nurses to override something from the pyxis. Perhaps it was something simple but all of us refused out of fear and annoyed the attending lol. that case was traumatic God forbid it happens to any nurse

[@johnberry2877]

Understaffing is the root of almost every issue in Nursing…FACT ! The human brain does not multitask despite the bull 💩 industry line !

[@houmandehdashtidmd9078]

How is your experience as a CRNA ?

[@Usercomanchione]

Being convicted of murder meant that a lawyer proved the nurse had : " Mens rea refers to criminal intent. The literal translation from Latin is "guilty mind." The plural of mens rea is mentes reae. Mens rea​ is the state of mind statutorily required in order to convict a particular defendant of a particular crime. " Willful intent to murder.

[@dialac1]

Yea I remember that nurse. Radonda Vought. After that case, I started looking out for myself even more cos when s#it hits the fan, the hospital will throw you under the bus

[@kenyonbissett3512]

I was an RN. I left nursing in 1997 because of the reasons you have outlined. I came home exhausted from inadequate nursing staff, it was so bad they told us that if someone called in or they just didn’t have enough coverage we would be required to work an extra 1/2 shift. That meant I would get off after the daycare closed and I had no one to get my son. After 45 mins late the daycare called social workers to come get your child. I had a high patient load and then still had to go to other floor to help with specialty needs the contract nurses couldn’t or wouldn’t do. The pay was inadequate for the work. We started getting MRSA and other unknown conditions at the time including flesh eating cases with inadequate time to suit up properly to care for them. I became terrified of bringing these diseases home to my family. I finally just left nursing. I’m not surprised to hear nothing has changed. It’s sad. I have no regrets that I left. Nurses eat their young, facilities eat their nurses, society could care less. A trash collector gets better paid and more respect.

[@stephanienissen4439]

Omg that’s so sad to read that nursing field is so toxic 😢

[@rosebronikowski2022]

Had forgotten that if someone doesn't come for the next shift, often they make someone stay over. You have little kids and a babysitter or at daycare. Tough luck, you stay. If you refuse, that is a mark against you and you must loose the right to ask for days off for 3 months or so. So you worked 12 hours shift from 7PM to 7 AM, the night shift, tough. You can work another 4 hours.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@rosebronikowski2022 finally contacted state board and they said we could give report to the head of facility and then leave.

[@digzat]

Yep. Nurses eat their young. Nurse for 20 years, in medical field over 30. The scariest thing for me is the lack of competent nurses and Doctors that actually are on the forefront of medicine now. I have seen a ton of shit in this field and folks, it won’t change until a SPOTLIGHT is cast on this ever degrading profession. I am 58 yrs old and I pray that those that take care of me when needed are not what I witness here and now.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@digzat I was in the hospital for 17 days in 2023. I was at Washington Hospital in Washington DC. I had a great experience. My only complaint is the food tasted funny, probably made with city water. The nurses and doctors were top notch. I also am a retired nurse so I am unfortunately critiquing even without thinking about it. I hope you get the great care I got where ever you go.

[@lhbuttercup]

Couldn't put up with the toxic nursing culture. Make a lot less money now, but I am so much happier. The hardest thing was adjusting my lifestyle to accommodate less income. Would NEVER go back.

[@Dee-b3r3c]

I’ve left RN job since 2020. Had sacrificed 15yrs serving pts. Now there is no dark cloud hanging over my head anymore.

[@beckyp8914]

Been an RN for 18yrs. I hope to leave the profession in the next 5 years. I absolutely love caring for sick patients but I’m tired of management, Human Resources, poor pay, stretching the ratios, no breaks, aching feet, drama, lazy doctors who can’t put their own orders in, not enough Cna’s, nursing boards regulations, not able to take pto when I need it, not enough benefits, and the list goes on.

[@kathybroadwater9774]

Treat Nurses like their not professionals. DICTATORSHIP!

[@sonialarmond3097]

The Rn nurses forget that a CNA is an assistant to them not a work horse when they think that CNAs are to do everything while they sit on the phones and order the CNA around plus most administrative nurses love to take news and quick to penalize the worker

[@lillis887]

❤get into ICU!! Our techs are feeling like we don’t ask them enough for help! Been on the CNA side and the CC nurse side. Most CC nurses have a hard time delegating responsibilities/loosing control about anything that happens with their patients!! In CC you will be appreciated🙏!

[@carolapostolos8929]

Absolutely 💯 I agree with every point you made.

[@beckyp8914]

I am a critical care nurse and appreciate my cna to the bone when we do have one. 3 pts everyday. No one is my work horse the cna is under appreciated but not by all of us RNs.

[@pixpusha]

I saw more death in my first year on the trauma ward, then in my 5 year military career DURING a war. It was the child abuse cases that did me in. I just couldn't deal.

[@fletacollier4996]

m

[@i.d.6492]

@@fletacollier4996 🤡

[@chunkycornbread4773]

Every paramedic in every city across America sees more death than the majority of the military. Death is a part of life for everyone. Someone is always going to be the one to see that. Think about all the people that were announced dead on arrival and never even made it to your ward.

[@branbeelotus]

❤

[@Usercomanchione]

Wow,and I thank people like you that served. For a while , a young man was way safer in military service than just living in the inner city.

[@Plantandpeoplecarer]

I left hospital nursing and so glad I did! I’m now a medication nurse at a radiology centre, it’s amazing with an amazing team!

[@donaldboomer6313]

When I started as a respiratory therapist back in the 70s hospitals were usually private or owned by charities or churches and they cared about their patients. That’s why they started working in the hospitals. In the 80s corporations started buying hospitals because they thought they would be better managers and lower medical costs. Corporations are interested in profits, not people. Private, or charity based hospitals were interested in helping people. Today we still have people that work in hospitals who want to help people. It’s the hospitals that don’t want to help people they want to make money; that’s why so many workers are burned out and dissatisfied with their work.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Totally agree. My first job was in a locally owned hospital. Completely different atmosphere and I loved it then.

[@carolharrison5780]

Makes me angry after 33 years nursing to have my bubble burst…..greedy hospital owners, insurance companies band politicians who stopped regulating and holding companies, big pharma accountable. First to be thrown under the bus, blamed and now prosecuting nurses. Maybe I’d returned if I could wear a body camera and not have to chart. It’s physically, mentally abusive.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@carolharrison5780 sad that nurses that feel unable to competently care for ever increasing pt loads can be sued if they leave he job. I wish I had figured out early on to care for pts is all Ithat matters and not worry abt charting or computer work

[@lindanowak7893]

With me it was never about the money. I didn’t leave the bedside for ever and ever more money. The problem I saw was administration not listening to employees about extant problems, and increasing work loads. Also what bothered me was the ever evolving PROCESS of how we did things that had nothing to do with delivering bedside care, but the servicing of paperwork and computers.

[@user-xs8re2oy7i]

Yes they want the nurses to take care of the papers and computers,so they cane collect more money from the insuurance companies and medicare,= money.In a big part,health insurance companies and medicare/medical is to blame,they are the ones demanding all these.

[@Kooikermom]

Plus, since nursing is not a billable item like PT or respiratory therapy, we are stretched to the limit. When you spend 80% of your time on paperwork and a bunch of that time is to prove that you are doing your job…well, not what I had become a nurse to do. I was actually disciplined for spending too much time with the patients.

[@lucycan6363]

Bingo! You could not have said it better

[@MNP208]

Yes, our EMRs are very expensive calculators!

[@Katie-vy5rd]

100%

[@tl9611]

And they refuse to open part-time positions. I have been waiting for a part-time position for a year in my hospital job. Managements is not supportive or willing to be flexible with mothers. I have two small kids and have been asking for part-time, my pleads fall on deaf ears. I'm looking elsewhere but not many hospitals offer it. They really do want to get rid of the nuclear family by not being flexible with working mother's schedules.

[@Shineynsparkles]

You couldn’t find per diem or home visit nursing ???

[@carlasamuels479]

🙏I can relate...I made many requests for partime as I had twins & not able to do back to back shifts if I've been up in the night with 2 babies !! Nope manager didn't care so I quit ! SAHM 16 years best & happiest time of my life

[@JosephineEze79]

So you mean in your entire state, not 1 hospital has part time or per diem jobs? Wow. Maybe get multiple per diem jobs.

[@tmari3]

PRN

[@patwoessner198]

I have been a nurse for 39 years...majority at the bedside. They used to have both part time and prn positions...no longer(and I have worked in 3 states). That is sad as those positions support full timers taking to time, illness , high census etc. They also keep moms in the workforce and help with balance.

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

there's no nursing shortage, just a nursing wage shortage

[@Shineynsparkles]

Nurses over here were getting 80k but outside of New England some nurses were getting 40k I was shooketh !!!

[@middlesys9180]

Go to any hospital career site and you will see at least 50 RN openings. There is absolutely a shortage. Pre and post pandemic.

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

@@middlesys9180 did you look at what they were paying? That's why hospitals are bringing in foreign nurses by the 1000s every year and as soon as the foreign nurses bc American they face the same problem of being replaced by someone from somewhere that will work for cheaper with crappy work conditions--and the cycle continues.

[@middlesys9180]

@travelnurseadventures3225 Nurses make good money. $35.00 per hour on the low end up to$ 75 per hour. It's not the money it's the workload. Bedside nursing is hard.

[@Dr.Beetlejuice110]

​@@middlesys9180 I would beg to differ....nurses should get paid 100k min for the shear importance of the job alone not to mention the workload. Also I worked for a government hospital and before COVID they were paying them 40-50k. They would just bank in overtime. Another profession that has career prejudice, like teaching and other humanitarian careers.

[@ajax2014ahj]

My grandmother was a nurse for 40yrs she retired as a director right before the pandemic she said the pandemic didn’t cause nursing problems it revealed them. Nurses have been getting treated like this since the 70s-80s hospitals are businesses with shareholders and their number 1 priority is PROFIT not you as a nurse remember that if you don’t like it leave is what your leadership will tell you. It has nothing to do with emotional stableness or education readiness hospitals biggest expense is labor and they will cut from labor to remain profitable, as a nursing home administrator trust me this is the TRUTH any other reason is simply a lie. I have been forced to keep labor low and staffing RN/LPNs as high as possible to keep labor cost low as directed by my regional directors. My last home a managed I had two long term units with 40-45 people but only was allowed to staff 3 CNAs and 2 Nurses on 12 hour shifts and Unions were discouraged.

[@marianhunt8899]

The absolute sad truth unfortunately.

[@arthouston7361]

I was a pilot. Years ago, they were talking about an impending "pilot shortage." They are still talking about it, because it makes people interested in the field. In reality, there are no "shortages." They are only too few people willing to take on the work for the pay and benefits being offered, which need to offset the working conditions. So, if someone tells you there is a "shortage," that is a huge red flag.

[@hippopotamusanonymous1580]

Except they are leaving

[@arthouston7361]

@@hippopotamusanonymous1580 When oeople leave aviation or any other job, it's because they don't want to do it for the pay, benefits, and working conditions which are currently being offered.

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

That’s why I left. The responsibility and the bs from hr, night shifts, weekends, holidays. Hammered dog crap got more respect than us AMEs.

[@Kgladyr]

If you were a kid waiting for mom to get home you might be more thoughtful.

[@arthouston7361]

@@Kgladyr Did you respond to the correct comment? I have no idea to what you may be alluding....

[@TRUTHisTRUTH70]

TRUTH!!! When me and my colleagues brought staffing ratios to the CEO, the response was that 70% of the hospital staffing budget was for nursing... Well, duh... who in the hell do you think is at the bedside? I left and pursued another field in nursing, then another field. I never got higher than an associate's degree in nursing, but by leveraging my experience and changing jobs, I retired last year (age 69) at a salary higher than most NP's or APN's. Safe staffing ratios, unionizing, and salaries better change or patients will have no one.

[@JosephineEze79]

Just curious, more than $220,000 the average CRNA makes?

[@TRUTHisTRUTH70]

@@JosephineEze79 not a CRNA, just a unit-based medical NP or APN. I was very lucky I was able to leverage my various skillsets into new positions that required a nursing degree but didn't involve direct patient care. I think the key is being willing to be willing to learn new skills, step outside your comfort zone, and network, network, network!

[@lilrabbitcuz]

For ever one nurse there will be 1-2 CNA/PCA getting paid less

[@JosephineEze79]

@@lilrabbitcuz Yes, because they have less education and job responsibilities.

[@lilrabbitcuz]

@@JosephineEze79 annnna that is exactly how the MD/DO feel you just proved their point 😂

[@snuder9832]

It’s not the salt….it’s the sugar. Retired RN here, prediabetic, went keto carnivore. Quit processed food. Quit desserts 😢. Now, no meds. No hypertension. It’s all good

[@SunshineSaniya]

I agree

[@mamabear7765]

1000% agree

[@BriW444]

Yes it is the sugar. I thought my GI problems primarily started because of salt but unfortunately it’s because of the sodas lol

[@insertmyidentityhere]

Thank you......👏👏

[@nvr4getnnvr4give]

Its rather nuts how much sugar they hide in pretty much everything we consume in the US. I agree it is the sugar not the salt.

[@JessicaGarciaj]

I was getting numbness in my hands and terrible lower back pain from all of the high acuity patient loads during the pandemic. Our hospital hired travelers in droves instead of raising our pay from the start. I left beside and i was considered the "good nurse " whom the doctors family members would be assigned to. I was too caring, too compassionate, refused to prioritize charting over patient care and i of course got burnt out. I took a huge paycut to leave beside and take an office position and am happier for it.

[@Bronwynswish]

Wow! Well said

[@marianhunt8899]

What a tragedy that fantastic nurses are forced to leave the bedside because of greedy heartless managers and CEOs.

[@justsaying22]

He is telling the absolute truth. LTC Rehab Unit, 42 acute care pts. 2 nurses scheduled to split unit. 1 nurse called out. I was left to fend by myself.

[@Katie-vy5rd]

😮

[@billionaire2370]

Yeesss! This happened to me. Had only had my license 6 month but had to run a whole nursing home, 75 pts with only 4 aides. Thank God nothing happened.

[@KSprospector]

@@billionaire2370that’s just criminal.

[@Iamonthepedestal]

@@billionaire2370oh no I’ve been an nurse for two years and work in LtC and I hate it lol because you have too many patients. It burns you out

[@nickinurse6433]

That's when I refused assignments

[@alexandradaniele]

I worked in Labor and Delivery as an RN for 37 years. So many nights with no break or lunch. I was lucky to get to pee before a section. Happily retired now.

[@lillis887]

The amount of 12(14)hr shifts I worked without a break or even being able to get a bathroom break!!!😢❤

[@marynewsham9896]

@@lillis887 'nurses bladder' is well documented

[@jgloryrich4967]

I'm going to school soon for an lpn position. I making sure to take all of my breaks which I deserve regardless of the workload

[@froggybug]

Whadda ya mean you peed? I’m tellin! So you can be docked pay for that!!😂😂😂

[@froggybug]

@@jgloryrich4967😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Ou…girl….good luck with that😂😂😂

[@sbowenful]

Hello! Retired 30 year RN, 12 year ICU, and your griefs are the same that we have had during my whole career! Thank God I never had to go through COVID!! One of my friends who is a Critical Care Pulmonologist, said that COVID was the worse thing he had ever gone through! Nurses and SOME physicians are so undervalued! The HEATH CARE system is in a CRISIS! Million dollar paid administrators are a huge problem, they are clueless with what goes on in the trenches! Sad all the way around! I would just as soon walk into the desert and die than go into the hospital that I worked in. The care is getting worse and worse. Kudo to you warriors who hang in there and try to make a difference. There is no such a thing as a Union in my state (Utah). If we even whispered about a union, we would have been fired. And all of us Senior nurses were let go, one way or another, because our wages were too high and they could hire new nurses for ten dollars an hour less pay. Don't fool yourselves, it will happen to you!

[@Katie-vy5rd]

That's crazy, I'm in idaho and family in utah , thought about moving there, but nursing wages are so low in SLC /UT.. and housing now out of control. Boise followed suit.

[@andrew1717xx]

Sounds like the interview process isn't regulated for professional balance. Or regulations for particular situations are dealt with one at a time instead of lists. There sounds like there is so much back stabbing that unions are basically not possible. The last Avenue is patients holding the hospitals to account. Blogs for procedures, diagrams for timeframes and professional standards should be drawn up. Anonymity is possible online. Google maps made traveling less stressful.

[@Bronwynswish]

Wow! No escape

[@bw33X]

No union?!!

[@twyiatv]

I’m going through this. I just had a baby 6 weeks ago & 12s no longer work for my family.. it’s insane. I just graduated with my MBA & took my first corporate job. Almost double the pay starting out. Horrific.

[@MNP208]

That's interesting, because I am an older RN and 12's aren't good for me. The younger RNs seem to WANT the 12 hour shifts! Congrats on the MBA! That was a great move. There are so many jobs out there to make way better money. I did NOT recommend nursing to my own kids. They make a lot of $ in tech and have flexibility to work from home if necessary and have holidays off. My daughter has a day care at her place of work.

[@ny_njtrailrunnert926]

I went from a corporate job to a career change to nursing and had a better quality of life and more time raising my Children by being off 4 days a week. In corporate (Banking/finance) I worked five days a week, 10-12 or more hours/day. The type of job that you work as a nurse as well as the type of job you work in corporate really does matter in terms of balance and quality of life

[@MNP208]

@@ny_njtrailrunnert926 This is true and everyone is looking for something different. Some people have family close by to help and some people don't. It's not easy to find childcare for a 12 hour shift.

[@ianstephens333]

I’m planning on getting my MBA where are you at?

[@cobaltbroker]

I'm in the demographic you cited. I've been a bedside RN with a BSN from Vanderbilt...well trained and experienced. It took over 40 years before I earned over 100K. The work is hard and emotionally draining. Most nurses would be fine working hard...they just want appropriate compensation. I'll retire next year. What I see coming isn't good. Too many young nurses who only stay a year or two, then leave. The patient care will suffer. They aren't seasoned enough to know what's happening to their patients. The hospitals are far more concerned about their stock value than they are about their staff or patients. It's a real shame...

[@hajs8273]

I can relate, I am praying to leave the profession soon.

[@fa5102]

May God make it easy for you! I am too

[@TheSUale]

Start looking at options. Be brave.

[@aleahaleaha2593]

What chased me away 14 years ago: how absolutely brutal surgeons and staff treated us. I understand strict practices are necessary in the field. I was an excellent healthcare provider that did not deserve the intentional toxicity, rudeness, name calling, blatant snarky comments that were directed at us every day for no reason. I decided that there was no way I was going to live that way. Upper level management does NOTHING. This is the reaping for what they have sewn.

[@hammypie]

Did u work in surgery in the hospital?

[@nmc1859]

There is one late 50s w dies hair cardiologist who makes a sparky comment when he sees me. I just look at him like ..blamk stare idc

[@ZedRN]

exactly why I decided in my student days during OR clinical 3 decades ago to never be an OR nurse ever- surgeons were mean and crazy!

[@Mia-qi2mi]

THANK YOU TO ALL HEALTH CARE WORKERS! I TRULY TRULY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH, THIS MAKES ME SO SAD😢.

[@jmj5388]

7:41. Abusive treatment from families and other visitors was my main reason for exiting clinical nursing. There should be liaisons to deflect the time-consuming and stressful anger and frustration of families away from the bedside caregivers.

[@DingoLingo2]

It's a very unfortunate cultural trait. Teachers and first responders experience this from parents as well. The concept of "it's never okay to mistreat someone, even if you are grieving, scared, or hurt" isn't taught. On the contrary, in the name of compassion society justifies tantrums and abuse, "Well, that IS her child"

[@Liam69400]

I have been an RRT (Respiratory Therapist) for 43 years and absolutely love the profession. I have worked all around the world, larger hospitals, sleep lab, managed a 107 person department, been an educator and now work at two smaller hospitals, as straight staff, not management. My nursing colleagues are seldom happy in what they do. Nurses make a little more than I do, but not much more. I did the challenge program for the RN 20 years ago, but decided to stay in Respiratory Therapy. After watching this, I am glad I did! My biggest AHA moment was how bad the HR departments are and how they are totally to protect the hospitals from being sued rather than my helping the employees. Many times we are forced to sign a daily document stating that we had all of our breaks and lunches when we really didn't because there is no one to hand over our code phone to. Hospital administrations are evil everywhere.

[@Txcowboy80]

I like being RN way more than a RT. RT has its limitations, I can do way more with my RN license. I make way more as an RN as well.

[@kaveedajackson6134]

​@@Txcowboy80 Because you do a LOT more work. And that's what the guy in this video is saying. The pay isn't enough for what nurses have to do compared to everyone else. I'm in RT school and I'll rather get paid a little less without the stress from the patients and head people

[@Txcowboy80]

@@kaveedajackson6134I've been at the bedside for 20 years, and pay scales have always been issues for all bedside workers (RNs, RTs, XRay Techs, Lab Techs, etc.), everyone deserves more money.

[@Liam69400]

@@kaveedajackson6134 The real thing I like about RT is that you are like a fireman in the hospital (at least in the smaller ones like I love to work at). If they don't need you, there is not a lot to do, but if someone crashes, they need you now. We are also the in house experts for CPAP, BiPAP, vents, inhaled meds, EKGs, ABGs, intubations. We don't have a lot of busy work that nurses do. When they need us they need us. I work 20 days a month and clear 110K a year (not gross, that is take home). Given I am at the top of the pay scales, but I am more than happy to make that much and love what I do. Good luck in your career, it is NOTHING when I first started 40 plus years ago. if you look at the comments on this video, not many of the RNs say they still love what they do. One bit of advice....stay out of the turf wars with the RNs. Just appreciate them as colleagues and realize that what you are doing is just as important as anyone else. Give respect to the housekeepers, lab techs, xray techs, etc. Patient care is a team thing, not an island for people that think that they are more important than the other person! I hope you love the field as much as I have!🙂

[@mariamk7828]

@@kaveedajackson6134any advice I’m still struggling between nursing or rt

[@fa5102]

My mental health is suffering. I’m over this profession. Inshallah

[@ckantrel1977]

🫂 💜

[@madeleinevargas8898]

Same here…I’ve thought I was the only one😑

[@umaahfatima]

Inshallah, I agree eventhough I love nursing. As a senior nurse. with 14 + years. As a nurse , with critical nursing background and many other specialties. Over working, increase patient ratio, lack of breaks and not getting your vacation. Extremely, burned out. Subhanallah, nursing was rewarding for me, but the system is broken. You can do so much, but administration takes most of the funds, and getting paid higher wages. Which makes no sense.

[@michelleruffin6903]

I thank God that I am very blessed. I’m a LPN that works with a company partnered with the health department. We go out into the communities, setting up at different events.We offer community resources and I, as the clinician administer vaccines to those interested. Good pay, paid for mileage, no supervision. Dream job. Thank you Lord.🙏🏾💕

[@Mae-vq1du]

That wasn't Nursing

[@Favorite-catNip]

Heavens u are lucky. Back in 95* we were told LPNs would be phased out & up to RNs. They would be forced to higher education. Instead..the restructuring of h.c. forced the RNs to get higher degrees . We've been through enough. Then we have to compete with LPNs for the jobs outside the hospital. RNs can't get a job outside the hospital. Can't get appropriate extra tng. It's crazy. Next..LPNs gonna be replaced by Nurses Aides. Best of luck... everyone. And just blame Obama care!

[@o2phu13d]

​@@Favorite-catNipYes she is lucky, for a LPN. However, you should explain your comment about the PPACA, or ACA, or "Obamacare" as you call it. Did you even read it? 2009-2010 is when the PPACA became law. In 1983, is when RN's wanted LPN/LVN's gone, due to just being a racist person. I received my LPN Diploma in 1980, I am from a small southern town. Our Instructors, 3 RN's, great nurses and women, all White, 2 from my hometown, head of nursing program and older, 2 in their 30's, one from UAB area. One year course of study. Twenty students, all females, 3 Black, 17 White. It' the details that matter. The head nurse told us about the "racist fuss and wanting to slowy get rid of LPN's because too many black women was entering the nursing field and most older pt. did not want the "negro gals touching them or their husbands", I kid you not, our instuctor told the whole class. Half of the class was under a program set up by Pres. Carter, paid us for 30 hrs/federal min. wage/x one year called CETA. A person have to be smart/intelligent to be a nurse, LPN/RN, the GPA requirements are high just to be admitted into any nursing program. She was warning LPN's that the law was coming, and what we could help do about it. No mass layoff, just no new hires. Not all RN's was racist, some of them are just lazy. Our instructors told that and taught us that there is no space for racism in Nursing. The nurses that had our instructors was happy, we all graduated, were all treated the same, and gained employment at that hospital there, (even though our hospital was a large 4-9 fls beds, and a smaller private hospital, for a town our size, city 25,000, pop.).This is what happened to my husband, he became a LPN a year after me. By 1982, we decided he would join the military, delayed entery, for six months, he gave his 2 weeks notice, we worked at the same hospital, different shifts, 8 hr, non of that 12 hour mess nurses have to do now. The law was quiet, then I had a accident, head tramua, with only 2 more days of 2 week notice left, he talk to military about another delay entry, 6 months given, went to hospital to get job back, NO new LPN hire, even though he had just worked 2 years for them. He was out of a job, no one was hiring LPN's. Could not change new military orders, we were messed up because we were going to live in a town close to his basic training. We had given our landlord our move out date, and it was already rented, just waiting for us to move, we were already, packed, gave most household items to different relatives, ready to go. The fall out was hard on us, but we had family that helped, we could not lease a new place for only 6 months. I told you all that to show how evil that law to stop hiring LPN's was/is, it was a racist law that was started by RN's. that did not like blacks in the nursing field. It is a fact, RN's rule that board. When we did arrive in CA, it was there, I worked at nursing homes only, no hospitals. Military kept hiring LPN's. We worked harder than RN's and helped CNA's with pt care. It took a long time, but karma is here for RN's because, it is showing them that they have the worse, feeling for pt. Covid put them to work, they could not hang with it, because they are lazy. Next to go will be doctors, they too thinks that they do not have to really treat pt, those PA's are taking over, you barely see your doctors, anymore, they have divided the body so much, "they specialize", right on out of their careers. So I am watching. You should too instead of blaming a law PPACA, that made it possible for pre-existing conditions to be paid for and treated, to help people. That law 1st two words are "PATIENT PROTECTION".

[@froggybug]

@@Favorite-catNipwhat does The Affordable Care Act have to do with nursing? The stuff he’s talking about has been going on for years before Obama became president and hasn’t stopped since he left. Oh… and he wasn’t POTUS during Covid…that was Trump.

[@rickadams9]

After 25+ years in hospitals,( RT, Cardiopulmonary ) The single most important thing I came away with is that I am doing everything possible to stay out of one. 73yr old. No meds. Walk 4 miles/day. The medical community can KMA !

[@ADHDGG]

I said the same thing! I’m staying as far away from any hospital for as long as I can. I don’t trust corporate medicine

[@kathleenp.3598]

Totally agree. Toxic environment for nurses and patients.

[@lcomfort8683]

You are SMART Consider going vegan, as well

[@nmc1859]

Same here. Stay away bc it's wild west in there

[@rickadams9]

@@lcomfort8683 I'm a low carb fan. Been on that train before "Keto" was even a word.

[@madeleinevargas8898]

Add me to that 75% I’m done being a peri operative nurse, I’m done working inhuman shifts because of the shortage of nurses I’ve been a nurse for 25 yrs, and I’ve been traveling for the past 10 yrs because of the $$$ So, yes! I’ve seen it all, and don’t want it anymore God 1st, family 2nd my stamina/sanity priceless

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

True!

[@ec8164]

Yes me too ..

[@pauguste6559]

I agree with you 100%.

[@Keepitcuteorkeepitmute]

I’ve watched my mother go from a CNA to An LPN to now an RN. From all of the horror stories I’ve heard since I was younger . I decided to be a dental hygienist.

[@dwlbrx3256]

I thought I wanted to be a dental hygienist but that program was just like most nursing programs, bullying and clicky. I went with nursing because I get more variability with my career choices as an RN.

[@ridingtheroad185]

Nurses, teachers, and the complete line of First Responders(Police, Fire, EMS and Dispatch) do NOT make enough $$$ for the stress and hours they are required to put in. Granted there can be some down time, BUT when the load comes it's a LARGE load and stressful!

[@ThunderStruck94660]

Disagree on the teachers.

[@trishtomlin9431]

Teachers??? Who didn’t work during the pandemic? Who work 9 months out of the year? Whose workday ends at 3p? Give me a break. Please don’t call them first responders. And DONT compare them to nurses.

[@CrazyBunniePanda]

@@trishtomlin9431are you serious? Disgusting! My family are teachers! And they are harrassed and bullied by parents of children, and children alone! Have some respect for the ones raising your little demonic maniacs!! And future school sh007ers!! Nasty behavior!! Police are the real villains and deserve lower pay!

[@roseanngarbe9573]

Lets get back to 8 hour shifts. 12 hours is to long to deal with the stresses of the profession. Easier to regroup emotionally and physically.

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

so true! I'm leaving nursing in one year, forward this to my fellow nurses🥳

[@surfbeach892000]

🎉🎉🎉

[@sandraboyd7468]

I’m not a nurse, but worked in the lab. Three degrees and half a PhD later, I quit and left the field, let my licensing expire. Low wages, zero respect, horrendous hours, no thanks. I’m much happier now.

[@deenacurls]

Well what do you now?

[@insertmyidentityhere]

Yeah, what do you do now?....

[@donm-tv8cm]

I left with my 7 years' experience in 2020 and I'm NEVER coming back! Greedy hospital admin, bureaucrats (JCAHO), lawyers, unreasonable family members, unsafe patient loads, horrific neglect observed and can never be unseen, inconceivable stress and burnout, emerging PTSD symptoms, possibly even a stress-related arrhythmia problem -- welcome to 21st Century Nursing! Prospective nursing students beware: this profession deliberately works on a "churn and burn" model: They lure you in with their cries of "nursing shortage!", knowing full well that they are going to burn you out of the profession within 5-10 years, with every plan to replace you with new graduates. Ruined your life and still paying student loans? THEY. DO. NOT. CARE -- at all! "Next!"

[@nmc1859]

Correct. I'm 40 and the oldest one in sight most of the time at my hospital

[@mrsdfja1572]

My husband is in the hospital now. Lord. I feel for these poor nurses. Overworked, unappreciated and I'm sure underpaid. You have to be a very special person be a nurse anyway. So now even more.

[@yaiburanakul8505]

May your husband recover his health.

[@ryancobb145]

Hoping for a speedy recovery for your man.

[@Chris-lf9dl]

I left just before the pandemic. Been a critical care nurse for over 30 years. Never looked back. It was not just about the money. Looking back , no mandatory yearly vaccines now. I can take my time to eat my lunch. Don't have to deal with the patients, families or a-hole managers. My life is much better now. Practically stress free and much happier now.

[@2008marin]

Retired after 40 years. The last 5 years were hell . I have limited passion to invest in an in-depth conversation . Once the corporate world took over, everything changed. Money,profit,threat of lawsuits , imbalance between unions and hospital hierarchy …… need I go on . For the highly skilled RN’s who were the eyes and ears in preventing so many deaths on an average every day ,there is little appreciating or acknowledging, not to mention the toll on our physical bodies and exposure to all kinds of abuse ….. I am out and have never looked back…. So who will be skilled enough to care for us ?

[@lillis887]

❤AMEN!! After the covid debacle I’ve seen managements true intentions/ loyalty!!❤️ It’s all just a $$$$ game!! Can’t blame anyone who wants to get out of bedside!! Looking forward to my very soon retirement from ICU!!!❤🥰

[@froggybug]

Congratulations 🎉

[@jaycommonsense2468]

Job must not be too bad if you stayed for 40 years

[@Mary-il6zz]

Plantar fasciitis for two straight years from walking on concrete floors, 2:44 varicose veins from long hours standing and sciatica from pulling obese patients up in bed. 63 years old now and 35 years of bedside nursing and I am burnt physically and mentally. They want to raise social security to 70 years old???

[@desireelococo1747]

Omg! Yes! I'm in the same boat. 62 y/o. 34 years as a nurse.

[@kathrynmiller7564]

Ditto on the 30 minute lunch. I’ve been at current employer 5 months. We come in 1/2 hour early for “lunch” and don’t get paid for a 30 minute lunch. Problem is, we NEVER get a 30 minute lunch, and can’t leave the floor since I’m the only LPN for the whole floor. IF I get lunch it is 5 minutes on the run. It’s exhausting. I often dont have time to pee for 8 hours. I think we pour so much into our care of people, but we don’t feel cared for ourselves. Arriving home exhausted with nothing left to give our families. Then get up the next day to do it again.

[@MNP208]

I'm lucky enough to be working outpatient, per diem, as an older RN. Nursing is a great part time job. It's not a good full time job. It would be difficult to support a family on an outpatient salary.

[@cccook4826]

Yes. I’m am older nurse working per diem in outpatient along with a beauty business. I love having control over my schedule = OPTIONS!!❤️

[@patwoessner198]

I too am an older nurse and I teach clinical part time.I enjoy helping my students learn...especially things that no one would even discuss with us.

[@mauriceevans6546]

My wife started as a new nurse at the VA in durham nc 19 years ago. She started at 45000, working on the floor as a bedside care nursr. She now works in the cancer clinic and now makes 123,400. She is happy and will not be going anywhere

[@Absaalookemensch]

I retired last year, a few years earlier than than planned. I was burned out and the Dela Covid surge pushed my over the top. We were 50% staffed in our clinic for months, overtime was not authorized, so the rest of us arrived before our C-Suite leadership did, we worked through lunch daily and left after leadership did. Leadership didn't assist with a single patient. What is most dangerous is the loss of decades of experience of those leaving. It will take a decade for the new nurses to get that experience.

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

so true!!!

[@karmabeatONs]

If they stay, I doubt they will

[@marianhunt8899]

​@@karmabeatONsStudents are already telling they have no plans to continue nursing when they qualify. They have had a look at how bad the working conditions are and want no part of once they qualify. They plan to do something different something not related to healthcare.

[@Sparkle-ey7iw]

I’m from Chicago…interesting that you saw so much in the trauma hospital. I’m not a nurse I’m on the business side of healthcare and have a degree in Health Information Management. I initially wanted to be nurse but thought it would be too much for me mentally and emotionally. I still enjoy hearing nurses perspectives, I really commend all nurses and have a respect for what you all have to see and deal with daily ❤

[@sarahtiferet598]

The " business side of healthcare " LOL! That's what destroyed good, caring, and affordable Healthcare but thanks .....

[@ryley7]

I’m in a similar place as you. Can you give a short run down of what you do now ? What are your hours like? Time off? Etc

[@magatsheni]

Nursing Facilities aka nursing homes are another mess. We need to do better by our patients and families.

[@marianhunt8899]

Not possible when the owners of the homes value profit over patients almost every time. Perverse incentives are literally destroying the quality of healthcare.

[@Nurse_Sasha]

Not everyone wants to leave nursing. My coworkers in the ICU are extremely dedicated. It all comes down to the unit culture. If your management and coworkers support you, you’ll want to stay. I’m also extremely lucky because the hospital I work in gives us all the resources we need. We get 3 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. Every room is large and has an overhead lift so I don’t need to do heavy lifting. We have an IV team that can come right away and get you any kind of access I need. These little things make a huge difference

[@hplifestylelessonsandfun9131]

Good for you! Do you mind telling me what state you work in?

[@Nurse_Sasha]

@@hplifestylelessonsandfun9131 California

[@KSprospector]

Sounds great. Never leave that job because your circumstances are rare to come by.

[@freedom24-2x]

Recently moved from Colorado to Idaho. Pay is about $5 an hr less but the hospital in Idaho has the patient lifts and always extra resources for nurses. The ratio is 5:1; in CO was 6:1

[@froggybug]

Nice!

[@vickijsiebenaler9414]

About 10-12 years ago hospital started culling out older nurses ( over 40 ) because we knew so much that management could not pull the wool over our eyes, and Unit managers were instructed how to do it with out lawyers getting involved. They only wanted report writers, and work without LPN assistance, LPNs who were fully trained in bedside nursing, many many times better than young RNs who didn't like bedside. I was one of many nurses who got booted after 40 yrs accumulated experiences in hospital nursing alone, no office experience, in hemodialysis, surgery, IV access and I was good at it, but booted out with not so much as a thank you. And I have anger issues now, I gave all, not just a job a profession, and never made more than $ 36 / hr.

[@patwoessner198]

I too went through this...left without 2 week notice for the first time after seeing how older nurses were being pushed out for no reason. I teach nursing now. Hopefully will help the next generation.

[@joannebieder5966]

I retired in 2017 and so happy I did!!. When covid hit,I was so glad I was gone. I was called a few times to come back to pitch in. The same answer was NO! Been a RN 39 years

[@alimarie67]

I left nursing after 6 years. Never went back. Fed up !!! Went into real estate. It was the best decision ever.

[@ChadBorrows-u2w]

right on

[@Shineynsparkles]

Also you glazed over nursing schools not graduating more nurses or how new nurses are treated ….

[@travelnurseadventures3225]

new stat: Millennials and Zoomers are leaving nursing after one year and going into IT, Online etc--that's scary!

[@user-sr8mf2vg9p]

It is just so much responsibility put on us. Everything gets dumped on the nurses. Its is just so exhausting. People just don’t understand how many directions we are pulled at one time. The minute someone needs anymore attention than a quick assessment, we get into a time issue. Its is just exhausting.

[@sallyostling]

Let's not forget that adequate pain control is very difficult to get because of the opioid epidemic. Patients are in pain after surgery, etc and not getting that need adequately addressed. Who are they going to take it out on??

[@s.p.baughman7885]

It is a very tough profession and very hard work ...so many times I am on my 30 min lunch and I am called to get back on the floor because someone is having trouble breathing ,someone died , cardiac arrest etc ..never take 15 minute breaks ..Very hard work with little recognition but I do love helping people ,help with the healing process and sometimes get well go back to their lives ...

[@radiohobbyist13]

I left my supervisory position at the hospital to take a lesser paying job with much less stress. I'm so much happier. So many people are disrespectful, and there's no consequences or accountability. I'll never go back.

[@wendy-uc9rj]

I left nursing because I couldn't handle it. When my Mom had emergency surgery, they let her code and called me back into the room to witness doing CPR and breaking her ribs. I told them to stop and she died. The overworked, underpaid nurses and doctors that are left are deciding who lives and dies IMO. Pray you don't end up in a situation where you know, in your heart, that something could be done for a family member but there is no one there willing to do it.

[@patwoessner198]

And the blind adherence to protocols....no using the brains anymore...

[@rosebronikowski2022]

​@@patwoessner198So true. No thinking, just follow prescribed protocols.

[@lenastepp5495]

Wow!! am so sorry you had go experience that. Am a RN and worked for over 40 years mostly on the ICU. And one of the things they started doing before I left was letting the family join in the rounds and witnessing their love one being coded. I thought both were bad ideas but am just a nurse who would listen to me.

[@samanthasmile8150]

Managers who sit in their offices and criticise, no compassion for staff. I’ve been a nurse for 35 years and have never worked in such a toxic environment, I’m currently off sick with poor mental health caused by poor management at work, a hospice x

[@BriW444]

😢 I feel you 100%. Management goes off of what corporate says , they never step on to give real feedback nor do they really want to help. My job makes me want to quit everyday esp because the doctors just think they can do what they want and I’m tired

[@lisagreen7778]

30 year RN. I am in my first leadership position ever in my career and I can absolutely confirm few new nurses know enough to safely care for patients, most do not know how to even start an IV. They are being precepted by nurses with little experience themselves. There are some exceptions- some intelligent and determined nurses who are willing to put in the hard work it is to be a nurse - but most are too busy looking at their phones. Patient ratios are dangerous, we keep being told to make cuts and save money because CMS is not raising reimbursement to meet inflation. We have patients who are sicker and more aggressive than ever. We are judged on patient experience which is important but doesn’t always reflect quality of care. We are TIRED 😢

[@Bronwynswish]

Wow! So true!

[@cheruiyotkipkorir3327]

Dee

[@chrisharris2367]

They teach theory more than practical side or the hands on skills in nursing school at least for bsn prepared nurses I myself am looking for a good return to nurses or skills workshop Or May consider taking an iv class If you have primary worked in community or non acute settings you may not have all the iv start skills But I do understand the point you are making And yes Ratios are dangerous I haven’t worked hospital since 2015 but I can only imagine how much worse it has gotten

[@nvr4getnnvr4give]

I recently interviewed for a nursing clinical instructor position, I was informed that most of the clinical experience for the BSN program, same school I got my BSN at 9 years ago, is being done in a simulation lab, and that is where most of the time would be spent. I was appalled, they said this is the norm now with all the schools in my area, makes sense since its what I have been noticing for these positions mentions of pay per lab hour. I recall back then having one simulation day of 6 hrs and it sidnt even count towards our clinical hours, we mainly laughed and joked at the hilarious comments the maniquins were making. Its so sad to see more and more nurses being pushed out of school with little to no hands on patient knowledge.

[@marlensalinas1655]

I feel like I’m loving it for the first time! I prayed for God to show me where to go

[@Nurseorg-xg3ji]

That's great to hear! Did you make a career change? New specialty? Workplace? Mind-set?

[@src3360]

I left just before the pandemic. I was working in management and seeing all the bs and lies they feed to the floor nurses.

[@Once800-]

I never wanted to be an RN (I was forced)but it paid the bills. Hated working in the units so got a position that didn’t have direct patient care.

[@klaudiacaroline2574]

Wow! I like being a nurse but patient ratios is what is driving me away from it..Which position is that if you don't mind, I am looking into moving out of bedside nursing as well.

[@Once800-]

@@klaudiacaroline2574 - Search & apply for better positions.

[@liliumjade]

I would like to know as well. Bedside nursing is just too stressful.

[@Once800-]

Search for internal promotion positions, apply, and interview.

[@fhenlizhao5406]

Qliliumjade

[@chuckrafiki8649]

I'm not a nurse but am a retired postal worker. i was also in the Army. I did 12 hr shifts many times and also some 24 hour shifts, in the Army. it's not good for anyone including soldiers. what don't understand is why nurses aren't all organizing to be in a union and stop these long shifts? Steelworkers did this decades ago, auto workers many large manufacturing companies, but nurses have traditionally been filled by women and are controlled easier than men in the workforce, overall. Just start getting organized and a lot of this abuse will end.

[@dailysmelly9756]

But they also get a 4 day weekend every week.

[@peachykeen7634]

I personally know, a lot of nurses, anesthesiologist, and specialists who left two of our largest hospitals, because administrators didn’t give them a choice on whether taking an experimental medical procedure would be a term of their employment or not. So a lot of good people opted out and retired early. It’s the hospitals loss.

[@thenpheler1]

I worked 42 yrs in 1:52 professional nursing . I loved it! I kept returning to complete my education until I recieved my Masters and practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

[@ColetteSpencer-k5o]

Are you still working as an np?

[@kellifavazza8021]

I worked in LTC as a LPN for 12 years. Then I finally "went back" and got my RN and transitioned to acute care. As a new grad nurse, I'm working on a med surg unit and it has been incredibly overwhelming. Big problems are like you said- unsafe patient ratios, not enough pay, and just feeling undervalued and underappreciated overall. I work for a big hospital system, and the unit is brand new (as of January). They took a part of the hospital that used to be something else and converted it into a 14 bed general med surg unit. Even though it's brand new, they did some shoddy work, so like our computer station things in the rooms are tipping over/lopsided, the scanner base doesn't stay on the place its supposed to be so then the scanner is just hanging there, and they for whatever reason, they did not put lifts on the ceilings in the rooms like all the other units in the hospital have. Even worse, our unit had 2 nurses, 1 tech, and our AP is one that is shared between at least 2 units. We are also on the complete other side of the hospital as the regular units, so it's like we are forgotten about. Managers don't really come over because it's pretty far from the main wing of the hospital, it's like we are just forgotten about. So as a new grad, I am extremely uneasy with the fact that it is myself and one other nurse. God forbid, something happens and the other nurse is in another room, then what? And they are "trying to cap it at 12" so that we have ratios of 6:1, but we can go up to 7; but that's with one tech. And I'm the first dayshift nurse hired for that unit, so right now, the 2nd nurse is always a float pool nurse, so pretty much- different one every day. Same with the techs. So I can't ever seem to get a rhythm or routine because I don't have my own staff. I know mine is an unusual situation, but it just has me so anxious that I have very little support as a new grad. Idk, I guess I just needed to vent lol. Hopefully it gets better and I become more comfortable soon 🙏

[@kellifavazza8021]

Also, the fact that we literally don't get actual breaks unless we have a churn nurse that comes to relieve us (the churn working on multiple units). So 12 hours, we are constantly having to answer bells and wash people and take people to the bathroom which is fine but it's because we have one tech so they can't do it all. So I'm in there for full bed changes, code browns, etc etc etc. It all is just... a lot

[@Hearing_Health]

4-6 is pretty normal patient load for med surge loads now. the older nurses who have moved out of med-surge will shit on younger nurses and say that they are lazy, dont want to work, etc but back in the day those older nurses had 3:1 patient loads and were taking care of lap choles, tonsilectomies and TURPs...now the med-surge floors are literally 75% + people that could code at any minute. And good luck sending one of those sickies to the ICU

[@patwoessner198]

Where I am 5 is the med surg number...and even that can get hairy at times.

[@DesireeWhite-Foster-bc9jt]

I would be looking for a new job....no need to work unsafe. Too many nursing jobs; you don't get a gold medal for sticking it out.

[@ashleyk10]

Thank you so much for making this video! I have been a registered nurse for 6 years and most of my experience is med-surg. The working conditions have gotten so much worse from when I first started my career is nursing. I understand completely why nurses leave the profession and I have contemplated it myself. It is painful to think that I have 30 more years of this. It is only getting worse. I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

[@Howdy1957]

Retired 2 yrs ago after 30 years. The paperwork got so bad, it was possible to work 8 hrs without actually seeing a patient. Truth. I advised family members from going into nursing. Also, people admitted to hospital are far sicker than before but staffing rates remain stagnant. A large percentage of patients are overweight or obese, we routinely had patients over 500 lbs who required lifting. I had a herniated disc removal on my lower back due to excessive strain.very poor unhealthily people!

[@zariell2459]

I have been a RN for almost 20 years. I worked bedside nursing until 2021. I was working so hard that I literally ended up in ICU myself, not from covid. I have since went into nursing education. You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to bedside nursing. It’s just too exhausting and unsafe.

[@queenb1811]

And why do we have to pay 120 payments before our loans are forgiven. We were the frontlines of the pandemic. We were face to face at a patient bedside that was suffering from covid with a gown and face mask on for 12 hrs, and what did we get. Mandated vaccines we were forced to take if we wanted to keep our job. Not knowing what the results would be. Uuugh, i can go on and on...

[@nmc1859]

I never got the 'warp speed' jab and I wad underemployed the whole pandemic. I got really sick b4 it and needed a job thst was lighter on my body in 2019/ 2020. Wont be paying a dime of student loan no way

[@smax308]

Thank you for your honesty. The real story needs to be heard. Many are silent for fear of reprisal.

[@rw4022]

I left the hospital after 16 years because I was sick of it. I was forced to get the Covid vaccine that lead to three weeks of vaginal bleeding that I blame Kaiser/Newsome for. The acuities were getting so high and the hospital was cutting back help; making floor nursing stressful and not enjoyable anymore.

[@jordanpeters3318]

The patient ratios is exactly what pushed me out! Dedicated my life to nursing, sacrificed my youth to get my degree and climb the ranks. 2020 we were routinely staffed one nurse to 6 to 10 patients!! In the emergency department. So many of us burned out and left the profession. They replaced us with new grads who have continued to rotate out. Patient care and outcomes are declining. Still no change in staffing ratios from management.

[@nmc1859]

10 let alone 6 in the ED ???? Totally unacceptable

[@rayvalentinexo]

I work bedside per diem and outpatient full time. I make more $$$ outpatient than inpatient...sometimes i miss the fast paced enviorment and then I remember how much of a strain it put on my mental health and work-life balance. It just isn't worth it. I honestly would go back to bedside full-time if i had all the benefits of outpatient. #PayUsOurValue #SafeRatios #MentalHealthSupport

[@michelleflores8072]

Your the second person I see say this. I had a lady reach out to me personally and told me she did inpatient and she switched to outpatient and she said it was a pay cut for her but her life improved physically , mentally , and family. I think that universe is telling me something. I'm use to 3 12s but I have to spend a day or two in bed just to recover and so those days aren't spent with family and or errands it's because I'm spent burned out so I'm literally getting 2 day weekend like if I worked a 5 day week in outpatient with normal hours. I think the pay varies from state to state. I'm like you I'm use to hustle bustle and outpatient is a different pace but like one nurse has told me you have only one body one life do with it what you will but my advice to you is be smart and don't get injured for anyone that can replace you in a minute , don't miss out on family for those who only reward you with pizza or potlucks (ugh), don't let your mental health take a back seat to the moment it's to late then there may be no coming back from that. This was from a wise lady that was a nurse for many years and had many regrets it's ashame for someone to feel like that in a career that's supposed to be rewarding. Take care out there and thanks for putting this comment out there because it sure mattered to me.

[@mlambert1974]

How do you make more outpatient than inpatient? I'd be very interested in hearing your story. I had to take a big pay cut moving from inpatient to outpatient (home infusions); well worth it. Good luck my friend and I'm happy for you.

[@rayvalentinexo]

@mlambert1974 I fortunately had a couple friends already with the organization, so I was able to find out what the pay range looked like. Knew exactly what they wanted from a new hire RN as well. I negotiated a lot and those referrals were the cherry on top.

[@Bee-uy2cn]

I worked ER and im so sick of getting hit. I have had my nose broken, twice. No other profession is someone allowed to hit me. Im sick of it.

[@amydavis9052]

This is the absolute truth. I burned out after 15 years. Nursing for 25 years now. I was an exhausted med-surg nurse. I tried making noise about staffing ratios in my state and no one heard me. I left prior to the pandemic but now everything I complained about has happened. The healthcare system is broken.

[@Dirtpoorhomesteader]

7 years bedside at same hospital. Then I left. Didn’t even finish my two weeks. Told them to blacklist me I don’t care. The task load, the verbal and physical assaults from patients, the gaslighting from management even though they create an environment where bad things are inevitable. I burned all of my scrubs in my fire pit smoking a cigar and drinking a coors. I do manual labor work now making a fraction of what I made as a nurse. I did contract during pandemic and paid off all of my debt so I can live like a hobo. Never been happier. It was hard to walk away from a profession I had gotten very good at. The veteran nurses that trained me are gone. I don’t blame them. It’s just nurses with two years training newbies and charging.

[@penny2093]

My facility just gave us a $12/hr raise. I am relatively new to the facility, so you can imagine what these poor guys were being paid previously.

[@tomg.1705]

My biggest regret is having gone to Nursing school. I did it for over 20 years and retired 9 years early. The abuse on the job is not worth it. Nurses will and do attack each other and eat their young. It sucks, not to mention the fact that the profession demands of you your life's blood so that you have nothing left to give. Burn out and diminished physical and mental health is your reward for becoming a nurse.

[@J.Davila_NP]

I'm a Family Nurse Practitioner and was an ER/ICU-RN for 10 years before becoming an NP. Everything in this video is 100% true!

[@ColetteSpencer-k5o]

I'm in school..working on my np. 20 years bedside. Looking forward to something new.

[@taichiroward5770]

I was in school to be a NP & after getting three quarters through school & working at a hospital, I walked away due to everything you mentioned. I wish I went to school now for music & cosmology.

[@nmc1859]

Similar story here. I will do natural care not big pharma

[@manuelmoraleda9684]

Nurse to patient ratio that protects nurses from being worked to death is only present in California. Why is it only in California ? Why not in most, if not all states ?

[@soniabrown6519]

They have a union.

[@manuelmoraleda9684]

@soniabrown6519 most nurses unions are ineffective on these issues on nurse to patient ratio and work safety. Nurses should contact their legislators directly.

[@manuelmoraleda9684]

@WildnUnruly If nobody reported this "game," of course, it wouldn't be penalized.

[@benice3759]

Lack of support mentally and physically. Nrses and cnas are overlooked, disrespectf by some patients and family members and even doctors.😢

[@hedykarim3614]

Not to mention bullying by other nurses

[@kidknapp82]

Been a nurse for ten years. Fucking hate it!

[@arribaficationwineho32]

So sorry. My first 10 years were my best! Our hospital ws locally owned and the work environment was wonderful. Then we got bought out.

[@shaunleblanc]

Work in the Bay Area CA at a medium size hospital ICU. Pay is great, vacation is plentiful, always get our breaks, team is amazing and management respects us. It’s the sweetest gig. Yes it’s hard. Yes there are abusive patients. But I can’t imagine doing anything else that pays this well, with this much time off, where I get to help people in the worst moments of their life. I know a lot of hospitals are awful to work at, but there are good ones out there. I would absolutely recommend nursing to someone (in CA where we have mandatory ratios).

[@stephaniekramer1430]

RN since ‘91 and the jobs that were the most satisfying for me where the jobs where I had autonomy (Private RN/RNFA for a neurosurgeon) and Agency RN where I could let my agency know of the work assignment was unsafe and they would protect me. The greatest problem with the profession is that nurses do not realize their power as an organization. Nurses (all levels of nurses) are overworked, underappreciated, and demoralized. There is external and internal pressure for the profession such that some employers attempt to force nurses to violate their ethics… often for money, sometimes for employment. Being in such toxic environments keeps each individual from having the energy to give to larger causes such as our own existence. Nurses are devalued until their work is missed. The much of the work nurses do is intangible. It is unseen and not documented because all the other documentation is required to be performed. How can a nurse fully describe the details of the actual caring and the art of nursing that goes on while the technical and scientific parts are being documented? There are not enough hours in the day nor spaces in the computer.

[@mosaicowlstudios]

I am not a nurse, but I got so much from this video, just about life and being a good human. Subscribed!

[@MW-greatteacher10]

I practiced as a registered nurse for 25 years, took a job as a school nurse then became a sped teacher. I never looked back and I still hold my licensure. I have many certifications and 4 different degrees. I teach virtually now. I cannot deal directly with the public now. Civilization is crazy. Healthcare is a corporate slave driver and I refuse to work myself to death.

[@kazsthilaire]

40 + years with training and working as RGN in the UK, RN in the US and now FNP. Instead of slowing down , i have more responsibility, less balance with family and work time. The profession has changed so much from the time i started until now.

[@lisacahill4083]

Been nurse 44 years....29 in ICU left icu just before covid to go into hospice..best decision i ever made..the vaccine requirement was definitely a bad thing...and the lack of empathy for the unvaccinated.. .and the problems now the nurses have developed with vaccine related injury......