Healthcare is an avaricious business point blank, wrapped in a package of fake love and reward. It doesnt matter if you came into it with the best intentions, they will shoot you all the way down. And dont be a good worker that manages to push through and handle the chaos, they will really run you to the ground.They only care about you getting a break because of the consequences they would legally have to face, otherwise they wouldn't even care if you got that. They will let you drown, and these hospitals will continue to admit patients knowing they are understaffed in all departments that will fall back on the nurse, and that more than half of their equipment doesnt even work. I wholeheartedly agree with the part of nursing being your job only and not who you are. Its totally like a bad narcissistic relationship evoking control and fear to gain the hospital money. And youre right, it will never change.
It is like being in a co- dependent abusive relationship for years and years. No, you can't fix your partner! All the gas-lighting and abuse, sometimes the battered partner loses sight of what is normal decent behaviour. I say this from perspective of person who was in that sort of relationship. Health care needs to fix itself from the inside which means from policy, government, management changes .
My Mom use to tell me all the time. DO NOT DEDICATE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE TO YOUR EMPLOYER! Do not stay in a toxic environment... Gen X , here and I support this message!
Yes ma'am!! Been a nurse for 17 yrs and it took me 15 to figure out they dont care! I spent the last 9 years working weekends track on at the hospital, sacrificing all of my time from my son as a single mom. I requested for a weekend off for vacation in February for June and the Charge nurse that did the schedule denied my request because another nurse was off that day. I took it the the Manager, she didnt know anything about it because she allowed her so many priviledges, when she looked it up, her only response was "oh there is another nurse off that weekend on day shift". I work nights, so why the freak does it matter that there is a nurse on dayshift off, and it was my Son's birthday. I was full time at that point of time, but I regrouped, went to HR the next day, and went PRN to work only 3 days within 6 weeks. I had another cush job that paid well, went to NP school full time, and who went on a full vacation for 2 weeks? THIS CHICK!!! Still PRN, work the holidays I WANT, DO MY OWN SCHEDULE, and dont do extra, cause yall didnt appreciate my sacrifice of weeked time that the other nurses didnt have to do because of me. I will be a slave to no one anymore.
Yessss Charlene!!! This made made my morning. We need to determine our own destiny and not let these huge corporations control us. ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for this inspiration.
Hi can you shed any advice on how to get benefits or what can be done since you don’t get benefits as prn? I’m thinking about also going prn after I graduate as a RN.
It is so sad that this young woman took her life because of her job in the hospital. I am a retired nurse and I agree that administration does not care about their nurses. I worked at 4 different hospitals in Florida and it was pretty much the same. I also did agency work and home health care and I was run ragged there too. I ended up retiring when I was 50 because of the toxic environment that nurses have. I was very lucky my husband supported my decision to quit nursing. We ended up flipping homes and I would rather paint houses and tile floors than being treated like dirt in the hospital.
I left at fifty, too. There is life outside of nursing. Who knew? It has become such a horrible profession. Not because of the patients but the administrative people who have no clue what it takes to give great care to sick people. The nurses and doctors, too, are being driven out of their profession by these uncaring people and insurance companies that have no idea what they are doing. I'm glad I no longer have to wake up with anxiety and depression anymore. Blessings to my husband, who had my back. My heart goes out to those healthcare workers still struggling to keep things going. Thank you, and please try to take better care of yourselves.❤❤
Great for you because having a support system is Gold for one to be able to step away! Glad you did. Some of us with no support system and children have to stay and Try to make the Best of it until we can get our children raised and through school or whatever they are doing so we can step away from it. Very hard existence.!!
RN for 20 years. Fifteen years in the hospital, 5 years as a school nurse. No matter where you go as a NURSE, you will be treated like a super-human, a robot, whatever. The workload and expectations are absurd. And it's never enough, they're constantly finding something else for you to be responsible for. You're a punching bag for the world...everyone is allowed to take their frustrations out on you because you're there to help. I was that naive young woman who "wanted to help people" and so chose Nursing for a career. My biggest regret.
Me Too!! Found out too late I should have chosen a different profession! These people are supposed to care about patients and people but show they don’t give a dern about anybody or anything but themselves!! Arrogant,manipulative,malicious,vindictive,conniving, and just plain EVIL!! 😡😡😡😤😤😤😈😈
Midlife career change to nurse. Quit my first bedside job. Nurses were toxic and mean. Managers were just plain invisible! I was part time but expected to work 4 x 12 every 7 days. Crazy. Short staffed but they treat nurses like crap? No support, no mentoring and 8 patients for a new nurse. I will work as a nurse but no, I won't be doing hospital work. I am old, 50, I don't need this sh#@!. I am Gen X but totally agree. Always have. Life is too short to deal with this garbage. Exactly " you're not playing with me"
@KendraRN yes, and it's reassuring to see your video and people's comments. On one hand, I am advocating for myself but then there's a little inner part that whispers " oh you just can't handle it!" I know that's not true - I am choosing not to handle it. From a human resource perspective, I just shake my head at hospital management! I am in Canada but issues are similar.
I had a complete mental breakdown after only being a nurse 8 months because of the constant 6 patient ratios and ridiculous standards that were placed upon me and my coworkers. I had never been so depressed and down bad. The money no where near compares to how I put my mental health. Am going part time now after being off a couple months. However I do plan on elevating. I now know I will NEVER. Put myself in that situation. I felt so bad because my mom had to see me deteriorate mentally and physically however management only gives a pizza party and a high 5 in these times.
Im so glad as a new grad Nurse i understood this but at the time didnt have the words to quite articulate them. I stayed in the hospital for almost two years and ran for the hills. Ive been in Nursing for over 11 years now, there is so many different avenues and opportunities you dont have to stay stuck with an abusive company/employer. Currently, I've started a non-profit and Im excited about what God is doing in my life and career 🙌🏾.
This is why I am a float pool nurse. I refuse to be tied to a unit and feel suffocated. Floating definitely has its challenges, but being on a unit gives me so much anxiety.
Kendra, thank you for stating that what we do for a profession is NOT our identity. It is NOT who we are, simply what we do. This is something that I am letting go. When I entered healthcare 3 years ago, I was all in, overworking myself, taking on other people's work, feeling like I needed to give it all for a company. BUT....last year, we lost a medical assistant to a car accident.....management was so quick to clean out her desk. I was so shocked. I had heard it, but had never seen it. Man...what an eye opener. And they were all about telling us to give it all for the job, yada yada.....Now, I am like i am taking my days off, taking PTO, I am doing it. I still struggle with the identity part, but I know that God almighty will help me! He will! He already is. I will be entering nursing school next year. I will be ready to do this as a JOB, not to identify me. Thank you!
I am a physical therapist. Nobody cares about healthcare workers in any setting. You ask to take a day off for check ups , dentist appt etc and its always a problem. Sheesh. Usually low pay and high productivity expectancy
👏👏👏Thank you for this!! It's true for nurses everywhere. The only reason I'm still at the BS in a high acuity ICU after 16 years is because a long time ago I set boundaries for myself: no OT, no committees, no volunteering for extra projects at work to please some temporary manager. Meanwhile my hospital will applaud nurses who are willing to work 16 hours day after day, come in on days off, and skip vacations. The only thing that's good for is their bottom line and certainly not in the best interest of patients or nurses' health.
I am a nurse of 30 plus years. Nursing has not really changed -still short staffing and issues with administration, high nurse patient ratios and safety concerns. My u tube channel also is not just about nursing. I rarely talk about nursing on my channel. I like to cook, garden, travel, support charities and fundraisers. Go to church, exercise, etc. I don’t want nursing to totally define who I am. I have worked at bedside, utilization review/case management. I have also been a nurse manager so I know both sides of healthcare. I have a Masters in Health Administration and a BSN. I love your channel Kendra. I am proud of you for going back to school for your APRN.I work as a clinic nurse now. I am just waiting for retirement. 😊😊❤
Hi Dee, I’ll be checking you out. Thank you so much for your kind words. Nurses like you are hard to find. I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy your retirement.
No way I would've stayed. If it's too draining and I get fed up, I'm gone. As a nurse, she could've easily found another job. Why take the abuse? So sad she had to end her life over it. RIP Tristan
I know. I think she really bought into the institution and what they try and sell nurses. She wanted to do well and probably realized it’s impossible because of the lack of support.
Never considered taking my life. Always put my mental health and my family first. I quit TWICE in the same acute care facility. Nursing 22 years 18 as an LPN and 4 as an RN. I ALWAYS put my mental health first. Even when I had $3 in my bank account, I still called out and took mental days. Been taking mental days since 2002. Never presented a doctor excuse. Never felt i had to. Even stayed on unemployment a few times getting less than $300/week. Im Gen X and I would work 4 hour shifts for months so i could enjoy my life. I never understood those nurses that worked 80hr work weeks.
I hope your comment gets read by others and they start changing their approach to “work”. Your mental health is so important and these companies do not care. They will run you to the ground. ❤️
I totally agree. And from my 15 yrs as a nurse, the 80hrs per week nurses are usually working towards a project like building a house to retire back in their home land or just making plans to get things done quickly cause the money is there to make.
Thank you! I thought I was the only one who did this. I'm not alone. Because some nurses even my family tried to make me feel bad for not working by myself to the grave like they do. I live within my means so I don't have to kill myself working.
@lisajohnson1627 You are extremely smart! You have to always put your health first because there is no substitute for it if you should become sick. Your health is your wealth! I am very proud of you. We all only have one life to live! So just live, love and laugh!
Every so often I watch videos like this to remind me what and why I left nursing after 27 yrs. It's not about making people well anymore, it's about administrative profits. RNs are expendable cogs in the healthcare machine. Along with dropping my license, I also dropped extreme stress/anxiety, 50 lbs, chronic pain and regained my life back. Praise God.❤
Say it again Kendra. We had a meeting where the CFO said if we have to sit down 30 minutes to listen and talk to a patient we must. I was like what? I just work 2 shifts and my body is in shamble. We are always short. They do not care. Keep talking the truth
I always say the higher up these management types are, the more delusional they become. 30 minutes?? How?? My patients are lucky if I give them 10(LTC, not hospital but it still applies). The ratios are dangerous, but there's never meaningful correction. I do what I can do,and I do not stress the rest
Nurses don't care about each other - nevermind the hospital. Their rudness, lies, drama, and hostility toward each other is proof of mistreatment. Why should a hospital care about people who don't care about each other?
The hospital wouldn't care anyway but I know that toxic environment well enough I left my unit of 9 years. I don't know which truly came first but to my mind, the hospital being structured how it is allows these emotional cesspits to stay on staff. Instead of providing respite, counseling, or any number of ways to say get some help or get out, those types of people are allowed to flourish and even some rise through the ranks. This is most likely due to the business culture running healthcare for the past several decades and the over representation of narcissistic and psychopathic people in that field.
Being a nurse myself these people only think about the money that these companies can make not the care or the nurses that work so hard. It’s getting to the point that nurses are no longer easily available. Numbers are dwindling
LOVE your videos!! A busy ER is not for the weak. I actually developed anxiety working in a Trauma Center/ER (a long time ago). I wasn't a nurse at the time. I didn't know what was going on with me and it took me years to realize I was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. I no longer work in the ER and no longer have those issues. I notice there is a difference between Gen X and Millennials. IMO Gen X accept and understand hospitals do not care and we are just there to work. The younger generation are expecting their employers to care. But that is not a bad thing because I heard from a nurse as well the new nurses are standing up for themselves which will benefit us all.
The new nurses are not staying. They’re coming and going. My fort time experiencing anxiety was working on the floor of the busy IMC I mentioned. We had a nurse that would get panic attacks.
@@KendraRN Lets have a conversation about nurses who end up on anti-anxiety meds because of the workload. I cringe when I hear people talk about how much money we make versus what is required on our jobs. It really can affect one's mental health.
I agree with you Kendra .It was 10 years that I retired from the bedside. Had enough one day after two doctors ticked me off. Decided to put in my papers and retire,even called out the last two weeks. Do not regret it one bit. I was legally retired and working in the hospital’s DROP ( deferred retirement)457 B program. So I receive my monthly pension,and also collected my unused sick,vacation,comp time extended illness time ,as well as my 457 B. Four of my former coworkers have died, since I’ve retired.
These jobs are a business. You can drop dead and they will clock you out or ask what time you drop dead to make sure you’re not on their clock. You have to be strong mentally to be in this field. I’ve been in it 24 years. When I felt it taking a toll on me mentally , I took a 3 month break. We have to be mentally prepared for a system that has no empathy or sympathy now for a life only profit.We as Nurses have to stand on integrity and that may mean stepping back for a minute or changing jobs. You are in control of you not a job.
I’m a pharmacy technician a few hours away from Dayton and I feel just like the young lady did and it’s burnout. My employer does not care about our well being, only if we can come in on various shifts to fill in only after doing the 3565565 other jobs of coworkers on our shift that called out that evening. The last thing I want to do is stay another 8 hours on another shift to face the same bs. I feel bad for the young lady that left this planet so soon due to greedy/negligent conglomerates, but I refuse to let them take my life. I’m looking for another job as I speak and if they on the same bs as this one, I’m going into business for myself making my own soap and fragrances. F these jobs!
Thank you, Kendra, for sharing Kristin's story. I live in this area and was unaware of it. The bottom line is, we nurses need to support each other and stop attacking/ostracizing other nurses we consider different. Your videos are a source of encouragement. I wish they were around when I was working in the warzone. Although I have only recently discovered your channel I can detect the impact of the battles on you, and you are experienced and strong! It truly is a warzone. Thank you for being a source of hope.❤
Kendra I admire you and appreciate your candid conversations regarding nursing! I wish I had the courage years ago to move the way some of the new nurses move… if it isn’t working for them they are moving on. I committed 17.5 years of my life to a practice and when I asked for a raise that was $2 more than what they offered me they said no and I made a decision to leave! I was devastated that in their eyes I wasn’t worth $2 seriously. Now at 45 I am loyal to myself not to any corporation that does not value me and my work ethic.
Doctors too ! Healthcare is like a windmill factory. In the greater scheme of things everyone from the admins to the physicians are factory workers, working in a factory.
I just recently found your channel and subscribed. This video is no joke. I'm a long-time Gen X RT headed back to nursing school for the increased flexibility it offers, but I've worked IMCU's like you talk about where I couldn't believe the positions nurses were put in. Hospitals don't care.
I'm in the process of leaving my job in ITU to return to the bedside nurse as a charge nurse (I got promoted). The charge nurses in ITU were HORRIBLE and they hated that I refused to run around & jump when they snapped their fingers. Now that I'm working my notice and I'm effectively the same level as them, they are soooo nice to me. It's literally a personality change that I'm witnessing and experiencing. The cognitive dissonance I'm going through during every shift is messing with my head 🤯 it's wild! Anyway I agree with something you said in a past video...ICU...too many medications, too much documentation, too much "engineering" aka figuring out how to use/read/fix machines...the caring of patients comes too low down the list... I'm staying in my next role for two years and then I'm aiming for a research nurse role or clinical education. That's all I've got left in me ..
Nursing is a thankless job. I liken it to being an indentured servant. Nurses have no control over their own day and are powerless. You are so write that no one cares about you as an employee. That Magnet certification is a joke - nurses are not empowered. I also agree with you that your job is your job, not your life. Never let that negativity enter into your mind. I work as a nurse Practitioner now and its a little better in some ways but the system still does not care about you. However, no employers anywhere really care about their employess as I discuss with my husband all the time. You are just a number in the system. Thanks for bringing this to light.
This is so real. When I was back in school to further my nursing degree, the company was beating my tail so bad, I literally changed my major. Burned out!!!! That's why I have 2 degrees in Psych. The only things I'll do are home health one-one care, not even case management. The case manager at my HHA is literally the only one. Sis is opening cases over the phone cause she doesn't have time. When people ask what I do, I tell them I'm an author with a small publishing company and a small all natural hair and body business. I leave the nurse out. I'll only do traveling when something is coming up. Night shift, 3 days a week, nights. Period. They. Dont. Care. I've been doing this since 2006, they will never change.
You're the only nurse that verbalize my thoughts perfectly! The Gen Z generation has figured it out quickly! I never knew you have it so rough. I feel that mental trauma is some kind of badge of honor in nursing.
I appreciated this video so much Kendra. The unit you described as war zone sounds just like the one I’m working now. I recently took 3 weeks off from work because I was tired of being overworked and stressed out. We have been getting 5 patients on a IMC unit consistently and management doesn’t care at all! The way they treat the staff is beyond ridiculous and they don’t care about the patients safety. We had 3 falls in one day because we were so short staffed and only had 2 PCTs for a unit of 40 patients. I can’t wait to give my notice. I am definitely prioritizing me and my license 🪪 going forward! You work to hard for it to keep allowing people to put you in jeopardy 🙏🏾🧡🙏🏾🧡💯 Blessings to you and thank you for always being an inspiration 💯💯💯💯💯
That sounds awful! 3 falls is a clear indicator that something is wrong and what they’ll do is, blame nursing. They want us to feel incompetent. I hope you find somewhere else that has a better environment.
You said it right there, Kendra, to have boundaries around your license. I don't know what can be done for these hospital administrators to care one bit about the nurses working for them. Keep speaking out. Keep sharing these stories. I heard about Tristin Kate Smith's story this week, and it just breaks my heart. I appreciate that her family shared her letter with the world. I'll be starting an ABSN program in 2 months and going into nursing with eyes wide open. I'm very well aware about what's going on with nurses in hospitals. I have my plan like you mentioned to have. Nurses everywhere need to keep speaking out about what's happening to them in hospitals. I appreciate all your content as always, Kendra!
Congrats on your nursing journey. The most important thing is when you start working, have a plan, staying loyal to these corporations will get you burnt out and fed up.
Hi Grace, I live in this area and just learned about Tristin's story. It hit a note with me because at times I felt the same way before I retired from nursing, which will break you if you let it. I loved nursing, but the back-biting and lack of support from colleagues can break one down. No doubt there is more to Tristin's story, and it is ugly. My advice to you is to not get involved with the politics of the workplace and the cattiness of other women. Know your worth, love yourself, set limits. I would say to colleagues who commented on my sudden decision to retire, "I could drop dead in this facility, and they would step over my body and say "Dorothy'who?" It is unfortunate that no one acknowledged Tristin's pain and reached out to her, and I can assure you it was visible. Even though the facility's name was not released it could have been any of the four facilities I once worked at, because they were/are, all toxic. The really sad part is it is not all the Administration's fault. Other nurses/staff, also play a part. There are daily issues in life that one must deal with along with the work place, and it can wear one down. For the nurses who are cold and uncaring, please leave the field. There are enough mean patients and mean families to deal with, we don't need mean nurses. Nursing is not how TV presents it, it is a battlefield. It is too bad the media did not more fully share Tristin's story.
It's not just nurses but any of their employees. I use to work as a Clinical Therapist and I was so naive, super generous, loyal, and positive. I literally gave them Everything, and they were extremely hostile and abusive towards me; while working there and after I was injured. If I could do it all over again I would have remain overseas and never come back to the USA. You are correct with everything you said. The insurance company made my condition even worse and made sure I wasn't that bright-eyed super positive loyal worker anymore. No more, I no longer make excuses for anyone's bad behavior no matter who it is❤
Life long Dayton, OH here.. 25 yr RN .. all ER … 17 yrs at the facility this young lady spoke of.. I screamed.. I cried.. I begged… I watched it turn on its own.. I left.. new corporation… same city… only to realize it’s all the same… I travel now and watch them ALL eat their own .. it’s sickening how far we’ve fallen… I walked the same halls as she did.. entered the same rooms thousands of times… I tried to change it years before she ever entered 💔💔💔 God help us….. her death caused such anger in me and such a broken heart knowing she will not be the last.. Thank you for being a voice of reason! Speak on sister! I’m 55 and my voice has been silenced over and over💔💔💔
Towards the end of an intense 12hrs shift, no break, no water, I Started having intense flank pain, my kidney literally trembled. I learned the hard way.
I'm a certified medical assistant AND certified nurse aide in the state of Virginia. I was working in a fast paced high patient load dr office as medical assistant. Had medical problems cancer scare, had urgent appts with specialists, procedures and biopsies. My coworkers mom passed so she had to take time off. She and I were the dynamic duo, we did work of 3 people. My manager told me I had to cancel one of my appointments because we had no coverage. We went back and forth til she figured out I was not going to cancel my appt. That let me know then that my health was not important to them. Anyway, I put my 2 weeks notice in not long after that. My manager said it's OK she waiting for the day I come back to HER wanting my job back and that's IF it's still available. I have made it my business and mission in life not to EVER need to go back to her for a job. We need to take care of US because then we can better care for our patients.
Hey Kendra, I really love your content. I’m preparing to transition into Nursing soon and in my current job I prioritize my mental health. I do not care my mental health is priority. I am a firm believer in taking leave or sick days as needed.
Had to pause halfway and let you know you are absolutely one of my favorite UA-camrs & you’re a breath of fresh air. Been watching you since I was struggling in nursing school and had failed out due to poor mental health, I still struggle to this day and wonder why I stick around but separating who I am from my job/what I do is crucial. Keep doing you Kendra 💗
That saddest part is this is happening everywhere in every field. I currently work in mental health in ABA with children on the spectrum. No we don't typically have 12 hour shifts unless the child lives in a facility but we take a lot of physical beatings from the kids because they are unable to self-regulate and control their emotions. Clearly this is due to no fault of their own but higher ups think we should manage with little to no support. Keep in mind while may be bigger and stronger than the child we cannot harm them physically as a reprimand for the behavior. Too many aren't properly trained to deal with their aggression. Recently, I experienced irregular bleeding and felt the same way. I called out for a couple of days, then went in to prove how sick I was from all the bleeding only to have taken off an additional day. When I continued spotting and experiencing debilitating pain from passing random large blood clots I said forget this. If I drop dead, they will simply replace me. Therefore, I sent an email to my supervisor saying I was taking a hiatus until I figured out what was going on.
I’ve worked in social services/mental health for about 18 years. One of the best gifts I’ve given my self is the ability to walk away from abusive employers and telling them to shove it!
This new nurse left two weeks ago she was almost at the end of orientation. She had concerns about the new module which would increase the number of patients. They do offer a sign on bonus of twenty thousand but the New Nurses do not care another one left two months ago as well.
You hit the nail on the head with the Gen Z nurses! I graduate this year (located in FL where pay is laughable) and when I tell you my cohort did NOT come to play. We already know we aren't sticking around at the bedside because we see how poorly y'all are treated. A lot of my classmates also said that if they aren't getting the pay they deserve, they'll continue with their former jobs or relocate to make more. They really messed up thinking we are going to sit here and do as they say when we know they could give a rats behind about our well-being. I'm interested to see how long it takes for a MAJOR change, because who is going to be at the bedside if the new nurses aren't with the BS?
Ms. Kendra: thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and opening the eyes of so many nurses and anyone else watching your videos. You are lessons are clear and to the point. What a great teacher you are! This video reminded me of the lessons my father taught me a long time ago. First, to see a job for what it was, a business transaction. So, I did my best at work because it made me feel good. But I was intentional about taking my breaks, days off, and not working overtime unless I had to. Second, he taught me to stand up for myself and never let anyone to push me around or pressure me to do something I did not want to do. He told me to be respectful, firm, and direct when expressing my feelings. And third, to be ready to give my two weeks notice if the environment was not good for me. I started applying all those lessons from my first job in nursing, 14 years ago. It is the reason I refused to work in a hospital.
Omgosh!! I’m soo very sorry. I was on a nurse site where an RNs was bullying talking down about the RN that was criminally charged for an error. It’s not just the Employer it’s the Employees ( most women) too
thanks Kendra for your authenticity coming through strong here. I'm an older millennial who went through bad burnout in tech, sounds similar as healthcare.
Thank you for speaking out, Kendra. I was wondering if you or anybody here had any advice on how to protect your license when you are already at work and you have an emergency and they don't let you leave, they say it will be patient abandonment. Thanks!💛
My employer is doing these trials to increase our number of patients to six on our busy Medsurg unit. They are also trying change the matrix so that nurses with four patients will also have two vent. I have heard that this is a trend now we all know Hospitals copy each other. The thing is not all Medsurg units and Hospitals have the same acuity. Managements excuse is that they are preparing for the shortage because a lot of nurses are retiring. They a particular module of care that will give one Tech to each Nurse. They have no intention of reducing the documentation which takes up a large chunk of our time.
Just after watching your video I was reading a FB post from a nurse who works three days in office and one day work from home. Also on call 24/7. The job provided child care for 3 days. Now her boss told her she needs to be in office 4 days a week. Therefore she would need additional child care. He gave her a list of daycare facilities and 26 day notice to find child care. This is sheer AUDACITY!!! Sis is already feeling guilty for leaving her infant on the 3 days she has to go into the office. Now it will be 4 days unless she quits her job. She did mention that is is a family owned ALF and they don't have an HR dept.
Great talk! Thank you for sharing. It is always enlightening watching your vlogs. It's so sad that nurses nowadays are being exploited. For many reasons, we feel trapped in this profession. How I wish what happened to Tristan could have been prevented. Very sad news.
Hey Kendra thanks for this awesome video. We as nurses need to stick together and advocate for ourselves. Thank you for speaking on this serious matter and RIP to that nurse who has expired due to hospital poor treatment.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤❤❤❤ I tell my coworkers this all of the time!!! My priorities here are my patients not the company's pockets! I also tell them, if I need to be off I'm going to be off. PERIOD!
There should be a nurse manager monitoring when you go for a test with one pt. They should be watching the other 3 pts. The patient IS the priority! Management comes afterwards. Sometimes the problem is when you have upper management who does not know what it’s like to work with patients directly
I actually had a good nurse manager, but she left to get away from an administrator that was micromanaging her. She would let us know that if she had scrubs on, that meant she will come out of her office and be side-by-side with us: draw blood, wipe butts, whatever.
The push to do more with less is CONSTANT. Idk about nursing but physical therapy reimbursements have been cut by 10% by CMS over the last 4 years. Inflation over that same time period is up ~20%. This country does a piss poor job of taking care of people who take care of people. Much love to all the nurses out there from a PTA in a SNF. Y’all deserve better. Love y’all!
Im a cna in a rehab facility, coming up on my 1 year and MAN, my facility is terrible! We are treated so badly and our patients are treated badly because of this. Its like im in an abusive relationship with my facility and admin. I want to be a nurse so badly, because my heart is in the right place, but its so hard to put up with this BS. Im constantly stressed and overwhelmed with such a high patient load. My facility asks for a LOT, and we get 0 support. Nada. Nurses wont even assist with a pull up! They dont even wanna help with doing a brief change. Theres 3 CNAs to 24 patients, several that need 2-3 people to be assisted. I asked for ONE more "light duty" cna to help with call lights and was rejected. Didnt even get told, "let me see what i can do for you," "let me see who i can get to help." Im getting my HHA while i do nursing school and hopefully that will help me for the time being. Im applying for different employers. This facility has turned me cold at times because were so overworked and "understaffed." Im there for my team and my patients, the company is a hellhole. Now i see why so many nurses/cnas leave bedside soon. Im one year come nov 7th and im over it! I'm almost burnt out and its due to greedy ass, unsupportive higher ups and administration.
I live your videos. Kendra u are so REAL. EVERYTHING you stated about these corporations was so true. And we need to stop giving 100% of our selves to them. You are so right. They don't care about us at all!!!!
I type this as I'm getting ready to go work on my IMCU floor lol. Everything you're saying is so accurate. On my floor, they force us to have 4 patients and it's so stressful and unsafe. You're right about traveling with your patient and having to leave your unstable patients behind, only to come back and see that they're even worse and management didn't even bat an eye or try to pitch in to help. It gives me anxiety. Wondering if I made the right career choice.
Great video. As someone who’s not a nurse, I hear so much about how nursing is toxic and very little about the absolutely brutal working conditions that nurses endure. Like, hospitals take away nurses’ professional agency while subjecting them to chronic stress. That’ll make most people toxic. Yet nurses get this bad reputation while hospitals escape blame. All things considered, I’m amazed how many nurses remain compassionate and professional in those conditions.
Hi Kendra love your videos. Left the bedside to put my family first and do not regret it. Went to Consulting. Would love to connect and network. Keep it real as always!!
I love how you keep it real. 100 no job is worth anyone's life being taken due to stress. May that person rest in peace. But Kendra you keep it so real. Like it helps to keep me grounded. I just put you on as a reminder. Your like a mother and teacher wrapped up in one. Thank you for reaching us the people as we do need you.
It’s not good to give your life to a company. However, for the sake of obtaining certain benefits like 403B matching, and or pensions, it’s a good idea to give the minimum amount of time needed for you to be “vested”. Yes you can open your own IRA and roll over the 403B after you leave
My coworker stayed and worked thru Covid, had a med change and went manic, her manager was writing her up and she was afraid of being fired so took early retirement after 32 years! She worked tons of OT and didn't take any vacations. They stole almost 200 hours of her PTO! No mercy, no compassion, didn't matter the decades of loyalty and missing vacation and tons of OT during covid! Take your vacations! Take a mental health day if you need it! Some places will literally steal your PTO when you leave so use it up first! Even a staycation is a mental health break! You could use it to look for a better job as well!
Yess! We enjoy your variety and those who are meant to find your channel we will find you ❤️ we are interested in all you are brave enough to share nursing AND other content !!!
Girl i did 13 months at my first job. Moved on to another job for 6 months & been traveling ever since. This is my JOB. I’m not dedicated to any hospital 😭😂 run me my money.
20 year nurse. I realized leadership was a problem so I got a Masters in Oranizational Leadership but now I feel like I can't make the changes I was hopeful to make. Now I am so jaded. No I don't want to be in leadership either. Have no energy for either bedside or leadership. Now I want to work remote. And rethinking what do I want to do with the next 17 years of nursing...
💯. I will say as someone who works in admin as a nurse, it depends on your facility. I see nurse managers in staffing often. And I think it’s the very top that don’t care: health system CEO’s etc. The millionaires of the health systems.
Truer words have not been spoken. I've been a nurse for 29.5 years, and I can attest to how the powers that be in hospitals and nursing leadership as a whole give less than a damn about nurses. I go above and beyond for my patients and coworkers, period. Nursing leadership can go to the devil as far as I'm concerned. 🙌🏾💁🏾♀️
Money can't buy life or happiness. I went to work last night got an assignment that could have killed the most seasoned nurse. I promptly quit this morning. No regrets!!
i work at a place where i work for 7 months before I can get 1 week and 3 days of pto. after u use ur pto, u can't request off any longer like what? even w/o pto, u cant request off. I'm genz, i'm not playing with these people, im looking for another job
It's exactly why I could never be a nurse. My husband was practically begging me to really think hard and long, since he knew I would HATE it. Being a caring cog in an uncaring machine. Nope.
It's terrible to see such a young soul give away her power and give away her life. The system won't change because of it. Our entire healthcare system needs an overhaul. I got off that life so fast and don't miss it at all.
Healthcare is an avaricious business point blank, wrapped in a package of fake love and reward. It doesnt matter if you came into it with the best intentions, they will shoot you all the way down. And dont be a good worker that manages to push through and handle the chaos, they will really run you to the ground.They only care about you getting a break because of the consequences they would legally have to face, otherwise they wouldn't even care if you got that. They will let you drown, and these hospitals will continue to admit patients knowing they are understaffed in all departments that will fall back on the nurse, and that more than half of their equipment doesnt even work. I wholeheartedly agree with the part of nursing being your job only and not who you are. Its totally like a bad narcissistic relationship evoking control and fear to gain the hospital money. And youre right, it will never change.
You are so amazing, everything you said is in point. I hope viewers, especially new nurses stop and read your words. Thank you so much ❤️
I pinned this ❤️
Preach
@@KendraRN thank you for this video
It is like being in a co- dependent abusive relationship for years and years. No, you can't fix your partner! All the gas-lighting and abuse, sometimes the battered partner loses sight of what is normal decent behaviour. I say this from perspective of person who was in that sort of relationship. Health care needs to fix itself from the inside which means from policy, government, management changes .
My Mom use to tell me all the time. DO NOT DEDICATE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE TO YOUR EMPLOYER! Do not stay in a toxic environment... Gen X , here and I support this message!
Your mom gave you excellent advice!
Preach I left after 6 years lol I want even a nurse just a service assistant and we got whooped too
Yes sis!!!! We deserve so much better!
@@Solange94it’s so disgusting
I have always wanted to be a nurse but am blessed working in corporate America but its the same thing dealing with employers.Thanks for Shairing
Yes ma'am!! Been a nurse for 17 yrs and it took me 15 to figure out they dont care! I spent the last 9 years working weekends track on at the hospital, sacrificing all of my time from my son as a single mom. I requested for a weekend off for vacation in February for June and the Charge nurse that did the schedule denied my request because another nurse was off that day. I took it the the Manager, she didnt know anything about it because she allowed her so many priviledges, when she looked it up, her only response was "oh there is another nurse off that weekend on day shift". I work nights, so why the freak does it matter that there is a nurse on dayshift off, and it was my Son's birthday. I was full time at that point of time, but I regrouped, went to HR the next day, and went PRN to work only 3 days within 6 weeks. I had another cush job that paid well, went to NP school full time, and who went on a full vacation for 2 weeks? THIS CHICK!!! Still PRN, work the holidays I WANT, DO MY OWN SCHEDULE, and dont do extra, cause yall didnt appreciate my sacrifice of weeked time that the other nurses didnt have to do because of me. I will be a slave to no one anymore.
Yessss Charlene!!! This made made my morning. We need to determine our own destiny and not let these huge corporations control us. ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for this inspiration.
Good for you!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Hi can you shed any advice on how to get benefits or what can be done since you don’t get benefits as prn? I’m thinking about also going prn after I graduate as a RN.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾yessss!!!!
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💅🏾
It is so sad that this young woman took her life because of her job in the hospital. I am a retired nurse and I agree that administration does not care about their nurses. I worked at 4 different hospitals in Florida and it was pretty much the same. I also did agency work and home health care and I was run ragged there too. I ended up retiring when I was 50 because of the toxic environment that nurses have. I was very lucky my husband supported my decision to quit nursing. We ended up flipping homes and I would rather paint houses and tile floors than being treated like dirt in the hospital.
Hi Lisa, I’m glad you figured out a way.
I know of a nurse personally who left a 20-year career and went to work in a factory. She said it was less stressful and even paid more!
I left at fifty, too. There is life outside of nursing. Who knew? It has become such a horrible profession. Not because of the patients but the administrative people who have no clue what it takes to give great care to sick people.
The nurses and doctors, too, are being driven out of their profession by these uncaring people and insurance companies that have no idea what they are doing.
I'm glad I no longer have to wake up with anxiety and depression anymore. Blessings to my husband, who had my back.
My heart goes out to those healthcare workers still struggling to keep things going. Thank you, and please try to take better care of yourselves.❤❤
Oh wow 😭😭
Great for you because having a support system is Gold for one to be able to step away! Glad you did. Some of us with no support system and children have to stay and Try to make the Best of it until we can get our children raised and through school or whatever they are doing so we can step away from it. Very hard existence.!!
RN for 20 years. Fifteen years in the hospital, 5 years as a school nurse. No matter where you go as a NURSE, you will be treated like a super-human, a robot, whatever. The workload and expectations are absurd. And it's never enough, they're constantly finding something else for you to be responsible for. You're a punching bag for the world...everyone is allowed to take their frustrations out on you because you're there to help. I was that naive young woman who "wanted to help people" and so chose Nursing for a career. My biggest regret.
Me Too!! Found out too late I should have chosen a different profession! These people are supposed to care about patients and people but show they don’t give a dern about anybody or anything but themselves!! Arrogant,manipulative,malicious,vindictive,conniving, and just plain EVIL!! 😡😡😡😤😤😤😈😈
True that
But the 💰 is good tho is it not?
Midlife career change to nurse. Quit my first bedside job. Nurses were toxic and mean. Managers were just plain invisible! I was part time but expected to work 4 x 12 every 7 days. Crazy. Short staffed but they treat nurses like crap? No support, no mentoring and 8 patients for a new nurse. I will work as a nurse but no, I won't be doing hospital work. I am old, 50, I don't need this sh#@!. I am Gen X but totally agree. Always have. Life is too short to deal with this garbage. Exactly " you're not playing with me"
Sounds very familiar. I’m glad you understood and know how to stand up for yourself.
@KendraRN yes, and it's reassuring to see your video and people's comments. On one hand, I am advocating for myself but then there's a little inner part that whispers " oh you just can't handle it!" I know that's not true - I am choosing not to handle it. From a human resource perspective, I just shake my head at hospital management! I am in Canada but issues are similar.
This blows me. Why cry about shortstaffing and not be appreciative of the newcomers and go out of your way to be nasty?
You are a godsend. Far too many nurses working themselves to death unnecessarily. My motto is “imma do my 8 and skate!
I like that motto 🩷 thank you
😂😂😂😂mines too! They always tried to make me feel bad.. Bitch who??? Not me, I’m going home to love on the ones that matter!!
Me too!
No more.
No less.
I go to work.
Do my job.
Collect my check.
Go home. Period! and
The fake “we are family” I don’t buy into.
I had a complete mental breakdown after only being a nurse 8 months because of the constant 6 patient ratios and ridiculous standards that were placed upon me and my coworkers. I had never been so depressed and down bad. The money no where near compares to how I put my mental health. Am going part time now after being off a couple months. However I do plan on elevating. I now know I will NEVER. Put myself in that situation. I felt so bad because my mom had to see me deteriorate mentally and physically however management only gives a pizza party and a high 5 in these times.
Im so glad as a new grad Nurse i understood this but at the time didnt have the words to quite articulate them. I stayed in the hospital for almost two years and ran for the hills. Ive been in Nursing for over 11 years now, there is so many different avenues and opportunities you dont have to stay stuck with an abusive company/employer. Currently, I've started a non-profit and Im excited about what God is doing in my life and career 🙌🏾.
I am so happy for you and your non-profit. We all have to find our purpose and happy / safe place.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤
Another great talk! Nursing is so hard, you MUST take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else!
Always ❤️ hope you’re doing well.
This is why I am a float pool nurse. I refuse to be tied to a unit and feel suffocated. Floating definitely has its challenges, but being on a unit gives me so much anxiety.
I understand. It gives you a piece of mind not being tied to one specific unit.
Kendra, thank you for stating that what we do for a profession is NOT our identity. It is NOT who we are, simply what we do. This is something that I am letting go. When I entered healthcare 3 years ago, I was all in, overworking myself, taking on other people's work, feeling like I needed to give it all for a company. BUT....last year, we lost a medical assistant to a car accident.....management was so quick to clean out her desk. I was so shocked. I had heard it, but had never seen it. Man...what an eye opener. And they were all about telling us to give it all for the job, yada yada.....Now, I am like i am taking my days off, taking PTO, I am doing it. I still struggle with the identity part, but I know that God almighty will help me! He will! He already is. I will be entering nursing school next year. I will be ready to do this as a JOB, not to identify me. Thank you!
I am a physical therapist. Nobody cares about healthcare workers in any setting. You ask to take a day off for check ups , dentist appt etc and its always a problem. Sheesh. Usually low pay and high productivity expectancy
It doesn’t make sense at all
👏👏👏Thank you for this!! It's true for nurses everywhere. The only reason I'm still at the BS in a high acuity ICU after 16 years is because a long time ago I set boundaries for myself: no OT, no committees, no volunteering for extra projects at work to please some temporary manager. Meanwhile my hospital will applaud nurses who are willing to work 16 hours day after day, come in on days off, and skip vacations. The only thing that's good for is their bottom line and certainly not in the best interest of patients or nurses' health.
I am a nurse of 30 plus years. Nursing has not really changed -still short staffing and issues with administration, high nurse patient ratios and safety concerns. My u tube channel also is not just about nursing. I rarely talk about nursing on my channel. I like to cook, garden, travel, support charities and fundraisers. Go to church, exercise, etc. I don’t want nursing to totally define who I am. I have worked at bedside, utilization review/case management. I have also been a nurse manager so I know both sides of healthcare. I have a Masters in Health Administration and a BSN. I love your channel Kendra. I am proud of you for going back to school for your APRN.I work as a clinic nurse now. I am just waiting for retirement. 😊😊❤
Hi Dee, I’ll be checking you out. Thank you so much for your kind words. Nurses like you are hard to find. I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy your retirement.
@@KendraRN actually I am 56 years old. I became an RN at 22
Yessssss 28 years in the field. I too am waiting to clock out for good.😂
#retirement #enjoylife
No way I would've stayed. If it's too draining and I get fed up, I'm gone. As a nurse, she could've easily found another job. Why take the abuse? So sad she had to end her life over it. RIP Tristan
I know. I think she really bought into the institution and what they try and sell nurses. She wanted to do well and probably realized it’s impossible because of the lack of support.
Never considered taking my life. Always put my mental health and my family first. I quit TWICE in the same acute care facility. Nursing 22 years 18 as an LPN and 4 as an RN. I ALWAYS put my mental health first. Even when I had $3 in my bank account, I still called out and took mental days. Been taking mental days since 2002. Never presented a doctor excuse. Never felt i had to. Even stayed on unemployment a few times getting less than $300/week. Im Gen X and I would work 4 hour shifts for months so i could enjoy my life. I never understood those nurses that worked 80hr work weeks.
I hope your comment gets read by others and they start changing their approach to “work”. Your mental health is so important and these companies do not care. They will run you to the ground. ❤️
I totally agree. And from my 15 yrs as a nurse, the 80hrs per week nurses are usually working towards a project like building a house to retire back in their home land or just making plans to get things done quickly cause the money is there to make.
Girlllll I feel you on this. I had to learn to make me a priority.
Thank you! I thought I was the only one who did this. I'm not alone. Because some nurses even my family tried to make me feel bad for not working by myself to the grave like they do. I live within my means so I don't have to kill myself working.
@lisajohnson1627 You are extremely smart! You have to always put your health first because there is no substitute for it if you should become sick. Your health is your wealth! I am very proud of you. We all only have one life to live! So just live, love and laugh!
Every so often I watch videos like this to remind me what and why I left nursing after 27 yrs. It's not about making people well anymore, it's about administrative profits. RNs are expendable cogs in the healthcare machine. Along with dropping my license, I also dropped extreme stress/anxiety, 50 lbs, chronic pain and regained my life back. Praise God.❤
After 27 years ?!?! 😮😮😮Girl you served your time 😂❤
Say it again Kendra. We had a meeting where the CFO said if we have to sit down 30 minutes to listen and talk to a patient we must. I was like what? I just work 2 shifts and my body is in shamble. We are always short. They do not care. Keep talking the truth
The CFO is out of his mind.
I want for him to come down and follow one of you to see if a nurse can sit down. Ha!
I always say the higher up these management types are, the more delusional they become. 30 minutes?? How?? My patients are lucky if I give them 10(LTC, not hospital but it still applies). The ratios are dangerous, but there's never meaningful correction. I do what I can do,and I do not stress the rest
Rest in paradise Christian Smith. My deepest deepest condolences to Christians family and friends.❤❤
Nurses don't care about each other - nevermind the hospital. Their rudness, lies, drama, and hostility toward each other is proof of mistreatment. Why should a hospital care about people who don't care about each other?
The hospital wouldn't care anyway but I know that toxic environment well enough I left my unit of 9 years. I don't know which truly came first but to my mind, the hospital being structured how it is allows these emotional cesspits to stay on staff. Instead of providing respite, counseling, or any number of ways to say get some help or get out, those types of people are allowed to flourish and even some rise through the ranks. This is most likely due to the business culture running healthcare for the past several decades and the over representation of narcissistic and psychopathic people in that field.
Thank you soo much dear,you said it all .
Thank you Kendra for speaking the truth. Yeah, it does not matter where you work, it is the same everywhere.
In every industry.
@@KendraRNyup
This is heartbreaking 💔 Hospitals have to do better. There’s blood on their hands.
Being a nurse myself these people only think about the money that these companies can make not the care or the nurses that work so hard. It’s getting to the point that nurses are no longer easily available. Numbers are dwindling
LOVE your videos!! A busy ER is not for the weak. I actually developed anxiety working in a Trauma Center/ER (a long time ago). I wasn't a nurse at the time. I didn't know what was going on with me and it took me years to realize I was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. I no longer work in the ER and no longer have those issues. I notice there is a difference between Gen X and Millennials. IMO Gen X accept and understand hospitals do not care and we are just there to work. The younger generation are expecting their employers to care. But that is not a bad thing because I heard from a nurse as well the new nurses are standing up for themselves which will benefit us all.
The new nurses are not staying. They’re coming and going. My fort time experiencing anxiety was working on the floor of the busy IMC I mentioned. We had a nurse that would get panic attacks.
@@KendraRN Lets have a conversation about nurses who end up on anti-anxiety meds because of the workload. I cringe when I hear people talk about how much money we make versus what is required on our jobs. It really can affect one's mental health.
I agree with you Kendra .It was 10 years that I retired from the bedside. Had enough one day after two doctors ticked me off. Decided to put in my papers and retire,even called out the last two weeks.
Do not regret it one bit. I was legally retired and working in the hospital’s DROP ( deferred retirement)457 B program. So I receive my monthly pension,and also collected my unused sick,vacation,comp time extended illness time ,as well as my 457 B. Four of my former coworkers have died, since I’ve retired.
These jobs are a business. You can drop dead and they will clock you out or ask what time you drop dead to make sure you’re not on their clock. You have to be strong mentally to be in this field. I’ve been in it 24 years. When I felt it taking a toll on me mentally , I took a 3 month break. We have to be mentally prepared for a system that has no empathy or sympathy now for a life only profit.We as Nurses have to stand on integrity and that may mean stepping back for a minute or changing jobs. You are in control of you not a job.
Everything you said is correct. We must prioritize ourselves first.
I'm sorry but I laughed out loud at you can drop dead and they are going to ask what time you dropped dead. wow.
Can’t be on there clock “ stealing “ time .😭
😂😂😂😂😂 hahaha, very true. All that matters is you not being clocked in
During Covid, I saw how nurses were treated in the hospital. I let my RN license expire this year. One of the best decisions I have made this year.
My granny used to say, “You is good as your last favorite. I live by that advice to this day. Thank you granny 🥰
I’m a pharmacy technician a few hours away from Dayton and I feel just like the young lady did and it’s burnout. My employer does not care about our well being, only if we can come in on various shifts to fill in only after doing the 3565565 other jobs of coworkers on our shift that called out that evening. The last thing I want to do is stay another 8 hours on another shift to face the same bs. I feel bad for the young lady that left this planet so soon due to greedy/negligent conglomerates, but I refuse to let them take my life. I’m looking for another job as I speak and if they on the same bs as this one, I’m going into business for myself making my own soap and fragrances. F these jobs!
Yes please look for another job that is better for your over all well being.
Im so hurt that this nurse decided to take her own life.
This video needs to go viral. Nursing in 2023 needs to change
Thank you. We have to stand up
Thank you, Kendra, for sharing Kristin's story. I live in this area and was unaware of it. The bottom line is, we nurses need to support each other and stop attacking/ostracizing other nurses we consider different.
Your videos are a source of encouragement. I wish they were around when I was working in the warzone.
Although I have only recently discovered your channel I can detect the impact of the battles on you, and you are experienced and strong! It truly is a warzone. Thank you for being a source of hope.❤
Kendra I admire you and appreciate your candid conversations regarding nursing!
I wish I had the courage years ago to move the way some of the new nurses move… if it isn’t working for them they are moving on.
I committed 17.5 years of my life to a practice and when I asked for a raise that was $2 more than what they offered me they said no and I made a decision to leave! I was devastated that in their eyes I wasn’t worth $2 seriously.
Now at 45 I am loyal to myself not to any corporation that does not value me and my work ethic.
Yeah ur exactly right. I CAN NOT do hospital nursing anymore . My body was shutting down.
It’s hard. It’s not something that is sustainable for a long time, not anymore.
I'm a new grad been a cna for 9 years and I'm burnt out. It's impossible to provide adequate care with the amount of patients.
Doctors too ! Healthcare is like a windmill factory. In the greater scheme of things everyone from the admins to the physicians are factory workers, working in a factory.
I just recently found your channel and subscribed. This video is no joke. I'm a long-time Gen X RT headed back to nursing school for the increased flexibility it offers, but I've worked IMCU's like you talk about where I couldn't believe the positions nurses were put in. Hospitals don't care.
THESE JOBS AIN’T LOYAL!!! Rip young lady🥲🙏🏽✨
Not at all!!!!
Kendra, good morning. You are so on point with this topic. Hospital Admin can be toxic, mentally abusive
Don’t I know it!
I'm in the process of leaving my job in ITU to return to the bedside nurse as a charge nurse (I got promoted). The charge nurses in ITU were HORRIBLE and they hated that I refused to run around & jump when they snapped their fingers. Now that I'm working my notice and I'm effectively the same level as them, they are soooo nice to me. It's literally a personality change that I'm witnessing and experiencing. The cognitive dissonance I'm going through during every shift is messing with my head 🤯 it's wild!
Anyway I agree with something you said in a past video...ICU...too many medications, too much documentation, too much "engineering" aka figuring out how to use/read/fix machines...the caring of patients comes too low down the list...
I'm staying in my next role for two years and then I'm aiming for a research nurse role or clinical education. That's all I've got left in me ..
Nursing is a thankless job. I liken it to being an indentured servant. Nurses have no control over their own day and are powerless. You are so write that no one cares about you as an employee. That Magnet certification is a joke - nurses are not empowered. I also agree with you that your job is your job, not your life. Never let that negativity enter into your mind. I work as a nurse Practitioner now and its a little better in some ways but the system still does not care about you. However, no employers anywhere really care about their employess as I discuss with my husband all the time. You are just a number in the system. Thanks for bringing this to light.
This is so real. When I was back in school to further my nursing degree, the company was beating my tail so bad, I literally changed my major. Burned out!!!! That's why I have 2 degrees in Psych. The only things I'll do are home health one-one care, not even case management. The case manager at my HHA is literally the only one. Sis is opening cases over the phone cause she doesn't have time. When people ask what I do, I tell them I'm an author with a small publishing company and a small all natural hair and body business. I leave the nurse out. I'll only do traveling when something is coming up. Night shift, 3 days a week, nights. Period. They. Dont. Care. I've been doing this since 2006, they will never change.
I told someone I work at a chicken factory. Trust me, they will walk away, and not make any comments about a person's salary.
You're the only nurse that verbalize my thoughts perfectly! The Gen Z generation has figured it out quickly! I never knew you have it so rough. I feel that mental trauma is some kind of badge of honor in nursing.
I appreciated this video so much Kendra. The unit you described as war zone sounds just like the one I’m working now. I recently took 3 weeks off from work because I was tired of being overworked and stressed out. We have been getting 5 patients on a IMC unit consistently and management doesn’t care at all! The way they treat the staff is beyond ridiculous and they don’t care about the patients safety. We had 3 falls in one day because we were so short staffed and only had 2 PCTs for a unit of 40 patients. I can’t wait to give my notice. I am definitely prioritizing me and my license 🪪 going forward! You work to hard for it to keep allowing people to put you in jeopardy 🙏🏾🧡🙏🏾🧡💯 Blessings to you and thank you for always being an inspiration 💯💯💯💯💯
That sounds awful! 3 falls is a clear indicator that something is wrong and what they’ll do is, blame nursing. They want us to feel incompetent. I hope you find somewhere else that has a better environment.
What breaks my heart is the patients deserve better, but the management does not care. How can you not care especially if that was YOU!
You said it right there, Kendra, to have boundaries around your license. I don't know what can be done for these hospital administrators to care one bit about the nurses working for them. Keep speaking out. Keep sharing these stories. I heard about Tristin Kate Smith's story this week, and it just breaks my heart. I appreciate that her family shared her letter with the world. I'll be starting an ABSN program in 2 months and going into nursing with eyes wide open. I'm very well aware about what's going on with nurses in hospitals. I have my plan like you mentioned to have. Nurses everywhere need to keep speaking out about what's happening to them in hospitals. I appreciate all your content as always, Kendra!
Congrats on your nursing journey. The most important thing is when you start working, have a plan, staying loyal to these corporations will get you burnt out and fed up.
Hi Grace, I live in this area and just learned about Tristin's story. It hit a note with me because at times I felt the same way before I retired from nursing, which will break you if you let it. I loved nursing, but the back-biting and lack of support from colleagues can break one down. No doubt there is more to Tristin's story, and it is ugly. My advice to you is to not get involved with the politics of the workplace and the cattiness of other women. Know your worth, love yourself, set limits. I would say to colleagues who commented on my sudden decision to retire, "I could drop dead in this facility, and they would step over my body and say "Dorothy'who?" It is unfortunate that no one acknowledged Tristin's pain and reached out to her, and I can assure you it was visible. Even though the facility's name was not released it could have been any of the four facilities I once worked at, because they were/are, all toxic. The really sad part is it is not all the Administration's fault. Other nurses/staff, also play a part.
There are daily issues in life that one must deal with along with the work place, and it can wear one down.
For the nurses who are cold and uncaring, please leave the field. There are enough mean patients and mean families to deal with, we don't need mean nurses. Nursing is not how TV presents it, it is a battlefield.
It is too bad the media did not more fully share Tristin's story.
It's not just nurses but any of their employees. I use to work as a Clinical Therapist and I was so naive, super generous, loyal, and positive. I literally gave them Everything, and they were extremely hostile and abusive towards me; while working there and after I was injured. If I could do it all over again I would have remain overseas and never come back to the USA. You are correct with everything you said.
The insurance company made my condition even worse and made sure I wasn't that bright-eyed super positive loyal worker anymore. No more, I no longer make excuses for anyone's bad behavior no matter who it is❤
Get well. 😄 I understand. I listened to others in the field. The abuse is to all.
Life long Dayton, OH here.. 25 yr RN .. all ER … 17 yrs at the facility this young lady spoke of.. I screamed.. I cried.. I begged… I watched it turn on its own.. I left.. new corporation… same city… only to realize it’s all the same… I travel now and watch them ALL eat their own .. it’s sickening how far we’ve fallen… I walked the same halls as she did.. entered the same rooms thousands of times… I tried to change it years before she ever entered 💔💔💔
God help us….. her death caused such anger in me and such a broken heart knowing she will not be the last..
Thank you for being a voice of reason! Speak on sister! I’m 55 and my voice has been silenced over and over💔💔💔
Towards the end of an intense 12hrs shift, no break, no water, I Started having intense flank pain, my kidney literally trembled. I learned the hard way.
I'm a certified medical assistant AND certified nurse aide in the state of Virginia. I was working in a fast paced high patient load dr office as medical assistant. Had medical problems cancer scare, had urgent appts with specialists, procedures and biopsies. My coworkers mom passed so she had to take time off. She and I were the dynamic duo, we did work of 3 people. My manager told me I had to cancel one of my appointments because we had no coverage. We went back and forth til she figured out I was not going to cancel my appt. That let me know then that my health was not important to them. Anyway, I put my 2 weeks notice in not long after that. My manager said it's OK she waiting for the day I come back to HER wanting my job back and that's IF it's still available. I have made it my business and mission in life not to EVER need to go back to her for a job. We need to take care of US because then we can better care for our patients.
Wowww that was so insensitive of her, she needs to be fired. Sorry that happened to you
Hey Kendra, I really love your content. I’m preparing to transition into Nursing soon and in my current job I prioritize my mental health. I do not care my mental health is priority. I am a firm believer in taking leave or sick days as needed.
I am so happy you’re ahead of the game. Congrats on your nursing journey.
Had to pause halfway and let you know you are absolutely one of my favorite UA-camrs & you’re a breath of fresh air. Been watching you since I was struggling in nursing school and had failed out due to poor mental health, I still struggle to this day and wonder why I stick around but separating who I am from my job/what I do is crucial. Keep doing you Kendra 💗
It's sad that the helping industries in America are so toxic. I'm in education, I felt same way
That saddest part is this is happening everywhere in every field. I currently work in mental health in ABA with children on the spectrum. No we don't typically have 12 hour shifts unless the child lives in a facility but we take a lot of physical beatings from the kids because they are unable to self-regulate and control their emotions. Clearly this is due to no fault of their own but higher ups think we should manage with little to no support. Keep in mind while may be bigger and stronger than the child we cannot harm them physically as a reprimand for the behavior. Too many aren't properly trained to deal with their aggression. Recently, I experienced irregular bleeding and felt the same way. I called out for a couple of days, then went in to prove how sick I was from all the bleeding only to have taken off an additional day. When I continued spotting and experiencing debilitating pain from passing random large blood clots I said forget this. If I drop dead, they will simply replace me. Therefore, I sent an email to my supervisor saying I was taking a hiatus until I figured out what was going on.
I’ve worked in social services/mental health for about 18 years. One of the best gifts I’ve given my self is the ability to walk away from abusive employers and telling them to shove it!
Yasss I love how the young girls treat these facilities lol they know their worth. Longevity no longer matters.
They don’t care. They be gone in 1 yr😂😂
@@KendraRN lol I love it for them they are only loyal to themselves
This new nurse left two weeks ago she was almost at the end of orientation. She had concerns about the new module which would increase the number of patients. They do offer a sign on bonus of twenty thousand but the New Nurses do not care another one left two months ago as well.
You hit the nail on the head with the Gen Z nurses! I graduate this year (located in FL where pay is laughable) and when I tell you my cohort did NOT come to play. We already know we aren't sticking around at the bedside because we see how poorly y'all are treated. A lot of my classmates also said that if they aren't getting the pay they deserve, they'll continue with their former jobs or relocate to make more. They really messed up thinking we are going to sit here and do as they say when we know they could give a rats behind about our well-being. I'm interested to see how long it takes for a MAJOR change, because who is going to be at the bedside if the new nurses aren't with the BS?
Ms. Kendra: thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and opening the eyes of so many nurses and anyone else watching your videos. You are lessons are clear and to the point. What a great teacher you are!
This video reminded me of the lessons my father taught me a long time ago. First, to see a job for what it was, a business transaction. So, I did my best at work because it made me feel good. But I was intentional about taking my breaks, days off, and not working overtime unless I had to.
Second, he taught me to stand up for myself and never let anyone to push me around or pressure me to do something I did not want to do. He told me to be respectful, firm, and direct when expressing my feelings.
And third, to be ready to give my two weeks notice if the environment was not good for me. I started applying all those lessons from my first job in nursing, 14 years ago. It is the reason I refused to work in a hospital.
Awww thank you for sharing stories about your dad. It’s so important to have a plan a, b and c. Self preservation is also key. Have a great week❤️
Omgosh!! I’m soo very sorry. I was on a nurse site where an RNs was bullying talking down about the RN that was criminally charged for an error.
It’s not just the Employer it’s the Employees ( most women) too
You are a light in this world!!! Love your content.
Wow, thank you!❤️
thanks Kendra for your authenticity coming through strong here. I'm an older millennial who went through bad burnout in tech, sounds similar as healthcare.
I’m hearing that this is happening in other industries. Thank you for listening 🩷
Kendra,you just hit the nail on the head. I just got home. It is 16h and I checked in at work at 6:30. I just realised that I did not go the loo😢
Thank you for speaking out, Kendra. I was wondering if you or anybody here had any advice on how to protect your license when you are already at work and you have an emergency and they don't let you leave, they say it will be patient abandonment. Thanks!💛
She is telling the truth.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A SUPER HERO ❤❤❤
My employer is doing these trials to increase our number of patients to six on our busy Medsurg unit. They are also trying change the matrix so that nurses with four patients will also have two vent. I have heard that this is a trend now we all know Hospitals copy each other. The thing is not all Medsurg units and Hospitals have the same acuity. Managements excuse is that they are preparing for the shortage because a lot of nurses are retiring. They a particular module of care that will give one Tech to each Nurse. They have no intention of reducing the documentation which takes up a large chunk of our time.
Just after watching your video I was reading a FB post from a nurse who works three days in office and one day work from home. Also on call 24/7. The job provided child care for 3 days. Now her boss told her she needs to be in office 4 days a week. Therefore she would need additional child care. He gave her a list of daycare facilities and 26 day notice to find child care. This is sheer AUDACITY!!! Sis is already feeling guilty for leaving her infant on the 3 days she has to go into the office. Now it will be 4 days unless she quits her job.
She did mention that is is a family owned ALF and they don't have an HR dept.
That is pretty much how it is. They do not care about what their employees have going on.
Thanks Kendra for the truth. Nurses must take care of our self that’s why I enjoyed your travel vlog to Jamaica so u can get some rest .
Great talk! Thank you for sharing. It is always enlightening watching your vlogs. It's so sad that nurses nowadays are being exploited. For many reasons, we feel trapped in this profession.
How I wish what happened to Tristan could have been prevented. Very sad news.
I swear I love your videos and what you’re saying is so true and applies to every job. These jobs don’t care they want you to work until you drop.
In all industries. They do not care.
Hey Kendra thanks for this awesome video. We as nurses need to stick together and advocate for ourselves. Thank you for speaking on this serious matter and RIP to that nurse who has expired due to hospital poor treatment.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤❤❤❤ I tell my coworkers this all of the time!!! My priorities here are my patients not the company's pockets! I also tell them, if I need to be off I'm going to be off. PERIOD!
Purrrrrr!!!!❤️❤️ our loyalty lies with the patient. God sees us through.
There should be a nurse manager monitoring when you go for a test with one pt. They should be watching the other 3 pts. The patient IS the priority! Management comes afterwards. Sometimes the problem is when you have upper management who does not know what it’s like to work with patients directly
Exactly! That unit I was on was TOXIC. Management would gaslight us all the time.
I actually had a good nurse manager, but she left to get away from an administrator that was micromanaging her. She would let us know that if she had scrubs on, that meant she will come out of her office and be side-by-side with us: draw blood, wipe butts, whatever.
This is so true. Bless your out for saying the bitter truth about nursing
The push to do more with less is CONSTANT. Idk about nursing but physical therapy reimbursements have been cut by 10% by CMS over the last 4 years. Inflation over that same time period is up ~20%. This country does a piss poor job of taking care of people who take care of people. Much love to all the nurses out there from a PTA in a SNF. Y’all deserve better. Love y’all!
You are so wise and real! I gotta meet you in person next time I am in DMV area ❤ Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Let’s do it! Thanks ❤️
Im a cna in a rehab facility, coming up on my 1 year and MAN, my facility is terrible! We are treated so badly and our patients are treated badly because of this. Its like im in an abusive relationship with my facility and admin. I want to be a nurse so badly, because my heart is in the right place, but its so hard to put up with this BS. Im constantly stressed and overwhelmed with such a high patient load. My facility asks for a LOT, and we get 0 support. Nada. Nurses wont even assist with a pull up! They dont even wanna help with doing a brief change. Theres 3 CNAs to 24 patients, several that need 2-3 people to be assisted. I asked for ONE more "light duty" cna to help with call lights and was rejected. Didnt even get told, "let me see what i can do for you," "let me see who i can get to help." Im getting my HHA while i do nursing school and hopefully that will help me for the time being. Im applying for different employers. This facility has turned me cold at times because were so overworked and "understaffed." Im there for my team and my patients, the company is a hellhole. Now i see why so many nurses/cnas leave bedside soon. Im one year come nov 7th and im over it! I'm almost burnt out and its due to greedy ass, unsupportive higher ups and administration.
Speaking TRUTH! Thank you for talking about difficult topics like this! 🥰🥰🥰
😄😄 hey sis!!! Glad to hear you!!!
Terrible situation. We need to prioritize ourselves.
Morning Kendra. Thanks for the Nurse Talk. Relevant and on time ma'am. You were pouring into me this morning. God bless you and have a wonderful day.
Thank you so much. I had to get it off my chest.❤️ Hope you had a good day.
Amen! Walk away. I know the feeling. No protection therefore, I walked away.
Period
I live your videos. Kendra u are so REAL. EVERYTHING you stated about these corporations was so true. And we need to stop giving 100% of our selves to them. You are so right. They don't care about us at all!!!!
Thank you for watching ! 🩷❤️
I type this as I'm getting ready to go work on my IMCU floor lol. Everything you're saying is so accurate. On my floor, they force us to have 4 patients and it's so stressful and unsafe. You're right about traveling with your patient and having to leave your unstable patients behind, only to come back and see that they're even worse and management didn't even bat an eye or try to pitch in to help. It gives me anxiety. Wondering if I made the right career choice.
Great video. As someone who’s not a nurse, I hear so much about how nursing is toxic and very little about the absolutely brutal working conditions that nurses endure. Like, hospitals take away nurses’ professional agency while subjecting them to chronic stress. That’ll make most people toxic. Yet nurses get this bad reputation while hospitals escape blame. All things considered, I’m amazed how many nurses remain compassionate and professional in those conditions.
Hi Kendra love your videos. Left the bedside to put my family first and do not regret it. Went to Consulting. Would love to connect and network. Keep it real as always!!
I love how you keep it real. 100 no job is worth anyone's life being taken due to stress. May that person rest in peace. But Kendra you keep it so real. Like it helps to keep me grounded. I just put you on as a reminder. Your like a mother and teacher wrapped up in one. Thank you for reaching us the people as we do need you.
Hi Nicole, I’m speaking from the heart. We must prioritize ourselves and what’s important to us. Thank you ❤️
It’s not good to give your life to a company. However, for the sake of obtaining certain benefits like 403B matching, and or pensions, it’s a good idea to give the minimum amount of time needed for you to be “vested”. Yes you can open your own IRA and roll over the 403B after you leave
And that is part of thinking ahead, being smart and having a plan!
Great video. Thanks for saying what so many of us have been feeling. ❤
My coworker stayed and worked thru Covid, had a med change and went manic, her manager was writing her up and she was afraid of being fired so took early retirement after 32 years! She worked tons of OT and didn't take any vacations. They stole almost 200 hours of her PTO! No mercy, no compassion, didn't matter the decades of loyalty and missing vacation and tons of OT during covid! Take your vacations! Take a mental health day if you need it! Some places will literally steal your PTO when you leave so use it up first! Even a staycation is a mental health break! You could use it to look for a better job as well!
Situations like these make me so angry. It’s why I think the way that I do. They don’t care.
Yess! We enjoy your variety and those who are meant to find your channel we will find you ❤️ we are interested in all you are brave enough to share nursing AND other content !!!
Girl i did 13 months at my first job. Moved on to another job for 6 months & been traveling ever since. This is my JOB. I’m not dedicated to any hospital 😭😂 run me my money.
I am here just to admire the eloquence and the top notch communication skills
🫣🫣🫣 thank you!
20 year nurse. I realized leadership was a problem so I got a Masters in Oranizational Leadership but now I feel like I can't make the changes I was hopeful to make. Now I am so jaded. No I don't want to be in leadership either. Have no energy for either bedside or leadership. Now I want to work remote. And rethinking what do I want to do with the next 17 years of nursing...
💯. I will say as someone who works in admin as a nurse, it depends on your facility. I see nurse managers in staffing often. And I think it’s the very top that don’t care: health system CEO’s etc. The millionaires of the health systems.
Truer words have not been spoken. I've been a nurse for 29.5 years, and I can attest to how the powers that be in hospitals and nursing leadership as a whole give less than a damn about nurses. I go above and beyond for my patients and coworkers, period. Nursing leadership can go to the devil as far as I'm concerned. 🙌🏾💁🏾♀️
Money can't buy life or happiness. I went to work last night got an assignment that could have killed the most seasoned nurse. I promptly quit this morning. No regrets!!
i work at a place where i work for 7 months before I can get 1 week and 3 days of pto. after u use ur pto, u can't request off any longer like what? even w/o pto, u cant request off. I'm genz, i'm not playing with these people, im looking for another job
All of those crazy rules. It’s not worth it.
Omg I’m so glad I found your page! Love ya sis keep us strong ❤🫶🏾
Hey Nurse Tiff!!!! Thank you so much
It's exactly why I could never be a nurse. My husband was practically begging me to really think hard and long, since he knew I would HATE it. Being a caring cog in an uncaring machine. Nope.
It's terrible to see such a young soul give away her power and give away her life. The system won't change because of it. Our entire healthcare system needs an overhaul. I got off that life so fast and don't miss it at all.
Kendra you are speaking 💯 facts 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
This is a sad story….but the High Stress is why I only do home care! On the road! Free Mind!! Peace!