Skill: Medicine / Surgery (United States)

Our jobs as a CNA are very important to the pateints/residents also to all nurses who appreciate us. I have many certificates through out my life and I am only 28. You would think I would have gone further. My plans for the future, RN. I am stuck working at the lowest paying hospital in this area, literly speaking, I have many years experience and get paid less than $9 an hour CRAZY. That is life! No one to blame but your self. There are schools out there and anyone can do it. I have 6 kids and a loving husband we support each other. Our goal to finish school with in the next 5 years, so we don't feel like a nobody in life when really we are the most important person in nursing. GOOD LUCK to all.

Never underestimate your value and worth and what you can contribute to an organization and community.

1. If they offer you a bonus, get it in writing.

2. If you're the first person they have hired, since taking over, RUN!

3. If they keep telling you, things will get better, just hang in there, RUN!

4. If they the never keep their promises of training, follow-up meetings, communication, RUN!

5. If management makes excuses for others' unprofessional behavior, RUN!

6. If coworkers have complete disregard for P&P and verbally say they don't care, RUN!

7. If anyone says they are there to just do their job and nothing outside their tasks, RUN! Healthcare is not a solo profession.

8. If your gut says get the hell out, RUN!

9. If you're harassed and management makes excuses, RUN!

10. If a manager witnesses harassment and walks away, RUN!

11. If PCT's and LPN's openly defy your RN opinion and management won't put a stop to it, RUN! Especially, when your RN assessment of the patient and course of treatment saves a life, time and time again, RUN!

12. If management thinks it's only 'fair' to have everyone rotate an after hours job, one which a PCT is qualified to do, and justifies paying an RN's to do it as 'fair.' then complains when you take OT to do what only an RN can do, RUN!

13. When everyone, management, PCT's, LPN's, and other RN's think their jobs are equal to one another, RUN! People are equal, but education, licenses, diplomas, certifications will always create a ladder of authority. A Phd has authority over an RN just as an RN has authority over a PCT. Does the Dr listen to the RN and the RN listen to the PCT, yes. But I would never openly disagree with a Dr in front of a patient and a PCT shouldn't do that with a RN. It's not who's right and who's wrong, it's not about who's better, it's about professionalism, and doing what's right for the patient.

14. If you received your education from an accredited nursing school, never work for a company that will hire nurses educated from a non-accredited school. Your asking for trouble.

I know I made mistakes, punching the time clock on time is not my forte. But the worst one was staying, hoping, trusting. Thinking I could continue to be the best nurse I could be and require the same commitment out of everyone else, was a huge mistake. Especially when your working with people who don't understand what it means to be professional, show confidence, admit they don't know an answer, feel they have to belittle you to make themselves feel better.

In the end I was terminated by a letter sent Federal Express and never allowed to speak or defend myself. Their reasons were based on unsubstantiated accusations of misconduct, from the very same individuals who were known to have harassed me earlier in the year.

As the nurse before me wrote in, tell yourself, remind yourself of all the good things you are.

A. I'm a GOOD PERSON, with a good heart!

B. I'm an excellent nurse and have always been an advocate for my patients and their families.

C. I deserve to be treated fairly, and I am the only person who can stand up for myself.

D. Hold my head high, I have been true to myself, my license, my patients.

I ran into a doctor I had worked with prior to this position and gave him a synopsis of my horrible experience. When the shock of the accusations about me left his face, he said "sounds like a bad case of jealousy to me."

I'm going to start my own campaign and write former co-workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, managers and ask them if they could write a letter of recommendation for me. I wish I had asked for that from them throughout my career. It always helps to have the recommendations for future employment, but its also something tangible that I can refer to anytime I doubt myself.

There are good people in this world and they do outnumber the nasty ones. I'm determined this time to find a job from a company that places value in education, knowledge, common sense, humor, professionalism, and has zero tolerance for harassment, selfishness and two-faced talking.

Thank you for reading.

I have been in nursing for 16yrs and my daughter

has been in for 3yrs. She went right through college and graduated with BSN, no experience and I went from CNA, LPN to RN, paying my own way one class at a time gathering experience on the job, as well as time in class. However, she obtained a

job in a highly skilled, critical care area with no experience earning what my base salary was at same hospital. Where as my base wages stayed the same. I don't want put my daughter in a bad light, however youth and a degree are paid well, yet she is not satisfied and is looking always for a position paying more. She has watched me struggle with patient load, called in to work during times of hurricanes and disasters working to extremes and no bonus, thanks or whatever....

In Florida there is no union to represent the worker (nurses), no real benefits to say, we pay for everything we get, so to say they allow us to purchase our healthcare plan, insurance etc. as for tuition repayment, you must sign a contract to work exclusivly for the employer for less than acceptable wages paid elsewhere for however many years they think is neccessary. I believe that with my experience I should be making 35.00 hr with paid benefits as I find most of my shifts are

difficult due to the new inexperienced nurses not sure of what to do next syndrome. I lead most of the shift, iv starts and proper drugs, most nurses know that their patients are having problems, its making interventions that are crucial to patients positive outcomes that is important, these new nurses are nieve of how bad

and how fast a bad outcome will occur if they sit and ignore their patients. I love to care for patients and I always will, that is why I chose this career, however I never thought I would be battling and struggling my employer for a decent wage. A safe patient load, and a healthier environment to work in. Its a battle everyday, we as nurses should unite and have a national union to represent us so that patients are guaranteed safe care. How many patients could you handle safely? After all, this patients life is in your hands for 12 hours, not so bad when one starts going bad, how about 4-5? Charge nurse is off the floor having a smoke, doctor isn't returning your call, house supervisor is in a code...not an easy 12hrs, how much do you think your worth at this point?

As most of us know Health Care is about numbers and money. Loyalty doesn't have a place in the corporate world. Nurses work from the heart. If we didn't we wouldn't be good at our jobs. Regardless of education, length of employment, loyalty and ethics, nurses are still considered a liability on the "balance sheets". We cost companies money. Where do companies cut costs? Reduce employees. This is a never ending cycle. One that cost our patients the care they deserve. Heavier patient loads, more paperwork, more chances for lawsuits,.....not encouraging. Hopefully, someday things will turn around. In the meantime, chart everything you do. If you don't, it is not done in the court of law. Do your best to give great patient care. Continue to LEARN everything you can! We will prevail!

Like everything else that seems to good to be true, getting promoted can be a trap full of punji stakes. I was promoted from a case manager's position to that of Director of Professional Services on a Wednesday and fired from it the following Friday. While I grant that I am a job jumper, this is ridiculous! I was fired by a social worker who knew NOTHING about the field of nursing and was willing to admit it. The place is now imploding around him. I got a quick lesson in office politics, which I will admit is not anything I am either interested in nor care so to become. I will admit to having made a mistake on a visit to a patients' house, but it was nothing of even a minor nature. I guess the work ethic is out of vogue these days as ethics in general seem to be in the killing pursuit of money and power. I'll know better the next time I am offered any promotions, but doubt that will happen as I am 63 years old, white and a male.

Nursing appears to be a very territorial profession and sadly, many compete for the favor of our doctors. If you ever have a preceptor who takes more smoke breaks than work assignments, ask to be re-assigned (forget about hurt feelings) your livelihood is on the line.

When switching from one department to another; when asked, be carefull how you portray the old department.

I landed the best job ever. I was good at it, enjoyed it, and gave it my fullest potential. Training my self, researching on the internet, and I excelled. It seems that this threatened and made my boss uncomfortable. I was wrongfully terminated. Having all proof of this it did me no good. This devistated me. Knocked me down so hard I couldn't get back up for months. So do you do your absolute best at all times or just what is required. Is it ok to go above and beyond? What ever you decide, be careful. There are others that don't like to see another get ahead, don't appreciate your efforts, and may even hold it against you. Be sure not to step on any toes. Keep records, documentation, all information to protect yourself. Weather it does do you good or not, you will know yourself that you did your best. Don't let anyone tell you that you are incompitent. Show them you are. Be confident but respectful at all times. Don't over step yourself. And biting your tongue can be beneficial to you. It's ok to go home with a feeling of accomplishment from you days work...

I was asked to "ACT" as unit manager on my unit by my nice boss, she stated that my work ethics were great, and I had all the managerial skills necessary. After 6 months, I was offered the job, which I accepted, and I signed a new job description manual with her and HR. After 3 months, I was told the company had located a potential RN for the position, and I was dismissed from the position of unit manager. I was offered a part time position in my old spot, which I refused, my only option was to resign as there was no longer a full time position available for me. I was used, and I have checked around and there are no labour laws in Florida to protect us from this kind of situation, unless you are a union member. So, don't let the nice boss scam you into the dream job offer with the word "ACT". Only accept positions within the scope of practice of your job description.

I would like to move to Wisconsin. I worked in New Hampshere for 23.00 hour and travelled with a company to Philly. With them I got 17.00 hour, however nurses receive about 20.00 hour. Would like to relocate without a company to Wisconsin. What is the pay?