I dread going to work tommorrow, I literally hate the thought of going in. How can I make it better?

Question

I have to go to work in a hospital. There is never enough help. The techs who are supposed to be helping me out sit on their rear ends mad because the nurses tell them what to do. On a weekend, the support staff never want to do their jobs. I have to argue to get tests done because it is Sunday and no one from other depts want to come on. The desk clerk always puts my orders in wrong and I end up staying late for hours to get them put in right. Sometimes she just simply doesnt put them in at all.
I am so dreading tommorrow. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

First, let me thank you for the work you do. I can't tell from your note which role you serve but no matter what area you work in, you make a difference in people's lives, and it's directly related to their well-being. So again, thank you.

I don't think there's any easy answer because hospitals are businesses and like any corporation, the administrators are looking at the bottom line. You're right, the hospital staff are overworked. They have been for many years. It angers me that the hospital board can put a dollar value on a person's life, and say that this or that kind of care is too expensive to provide.

And I'm willing to bet that you've got plenty of stories that would shock your readers, as most people do not have any understanding of what really goes on in a hospital. You're in a tough position, because there's probably not a lot of latitude in what you can change.

The first thing I wonder is whether you can list the grievances you have and then sort them into things you can change and things you can't.

Things you can't change are areas like salaries, staffing, etc. But things you can change or at least have an impact on are areas such as performance by the people who affect your work.

Once you have that list, pick just one thing that you want to try to change. You said the techs who are supposed to be helping you aren't doing their jobs. Let's start with that.

Everyone takes orders from someone else, and most of us don't like it. How the techs do their job affects how you can do yours, and it affects peoples' health care. Let them know that they have a choice: they can do their job or you'll document the dates and times when they refused (and don't soft-soap this .. they REFUSED) to do their job. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Just the fact that you have dates, times and a bit of an overview will establish a pattern. Turn it over to your supervisor. Ask him/her for their support in making things work more efficiently on the weekends. Tell your supv. that you want to look forward to coming in to work on weekends but these people are directly impacting your ability to do your job.

I know what I'm outlining seems overwhelming and you can probably think of 15 reasons why it won't work. But if you don't make a change then nothing will change.

I know how hard this is, but I learned from the school of hard knocks that as long as a supervisor/director/manager sees the work getting done, they are not compelled to change anything. You need to convince them that there is a genuine problem and that some simple employee coaching with these people may be enough to increase productivity.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Yeah i have to agree with frogface5 start moving in the direction of a job change, not just from one hospital to another that wont change anything just a different location, same ****. But rather consider other applications of your skill set even in the same place you currently work. As for your present dilemma, dont you have enough hours in to call in sick? If not consider the trade off of losing a days pay in contrast to how much you are in the black or in the red financially. Then consider the possibility of being homeless, hungry and unemployed that should put a rocket in your pocket to go to work and grin and bear it. I dont agree with the smoke a joint theory - thats escapism, usually doesnt work.

Answer 3

First, make sure you are not bringing some of these problems on yourself. If you are not, then start looking for another job. I understand there is a great demand for nurses so you should not have a problem finding one. It makes no sense to work in a place where you dread going to work each morning. Life is too short for that.

Answer 4

Think about this. If you dread going to work, find another hospital that is hiring. If you can't find any openings that you qualify for then you are stuck working. At least you have work. Sompe people don't even have a job. They have to find another job.

Answer 5

Wow! I thought I had a tough job! I could say you have to go into work tomorrow with a positive attitude, grin and bear it, etc. But it looks like you have already tried that approach

You may have to "grin and bear" it for the mean time, but if you hate going to work that much, why dont you start looking for another job? One that you wont dred going to??

Answer 6

It's better than the alternative 6 ft under. Seriously, if it's that bad no one is forcing you to stay. Start looking for a new position.

Answer 7

Find another job that will have less stress. You are burned out and need a change ASAP.

Answer 8

Find another hospital to work at.

Answer 9

Look for another job that is more suitable for you,

Answer 10

smoke some weed and nothin will bother u...u acctually might really get into what ur doing