Physicians should respect nurses when orders are completed correctly and changes in the patient condition are observed and reported quickly and accurately by competent nurses. I have been employed at Cook Children s Medical Center since I graduated with an ADN in 1996. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most caring and compassionate people. Naturally, there are some people who are just generally unhappy and dislike nursing as a whole. But most love their jobs and feel rewarded working for Cook s.
Retention is a top priority.
That is evidenced by employee referral bonuses, sign-on bonuses, the hiring of extra staff during the winter and a real sense of being appreciated for the job you do. Seven months ago, I left Cook s for a hospital closer to home, thinking that all facilities were the same. I was shocked at some of the nursing practices I witnessed. There was a total lack of support from ancillary staff and, on several occasions, I felt patient safety was sacrificed. Low pay, dishonest directors and total lack of regard for nurse satisfaction were all that I found.