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Which Best Hospitals Have Great (and Not So Great) Nurses

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I find it insulting that Nurses are being judged on their "politeness", before asking anyone to fill out a ludicrous survey, I think that the surveyers should take impromptu visits to any of the hospitals accross the US, if they do more likely than not they will find a mass of skewed scenarios that may affect the "politeness" of a nurse, i.e. short staffing especially when there are patients who would be considered high acutey care and that are on an assignment with four or five other patients to one nurse, where the unit may or maynot have a nursing assistant and/or secretary. Nurses are the first line of defense, safety and care of the patient. We are responsible for utilizing our critical thinking skills in assessing a patient, to curtail any rapid decline in their status. Having these skills are honed, if you are worth your weight in salt you will be able to pick up on any change that may occur therefore preventing the patient from declining or worse dying. When we have been short staffed on the unit, and everyone is running around like crazy people to answer call lights in a timely manner, maintaining and addressing medical issues that may occur, there have been times when each nurse is dealing some medical crisis with their patient. The least of my concerns during any of these occasions, were whether my patients thought I was "sweet", I am a professional who has compassion for my patients. My philosophy is to give the best care possible even under the most insane circumstances set up by management. In spite of this, my goal is to maintain safety, if I have to go toe to toe with a doctor or resident to see that my patient recieves the care that they need I will do it. But, please to not denigrate my profession before you have an understanding of all the factors that should be considered, with what occurs on the unit and why a nurse may not be able to spend time with a patient. Medicine has become about big business and prestige, and as a result nurses are treated poorly, lack of appreciation is shown for what we do, therefore there has been a high turnover because of burnout, low morale and poor working conditions. And we will not even begin to get into the politics. Please do not blame nurses or use them as scape goats for the ills that exists in the hospitals, because more than likely poor management and the financial bottom line restraints are the real causes for beaten down, worn out, stressed, resource limited, under appreciated nurses. Professional nurses are polite but may not chatty or sweet because, they are more interested in making sure everything is completed and that the patient recieves the best care possible. Believe me, the excellent nurses find all sorts of errors, made by pharmacy, residents, orders not implemented or missed, and to make sure this resident doesn't kill my patient. Then being "peceived " as being impolite is the least of my concerns, because just think you've lived another day to complain.

Anonmyous of NC 11:14PM June 26, 2011

I was an LPN, but have had numerous medical problems since a car accident and have been in various hospitals. The one thing I have experienced as a Nurse and as a Patient was how overworked the Staff were.
Insurance companies pay so low on DRG's, that hospitals are no longer making enough money to provide adequate staffing and the ones who suffer are the patients.
Until the public demands en masse better healthcare in our nation other than HMO's running the show, we will continue to have short staffed hospitals which in turn jeopardizes the quality of care that you, I and your loved ones receive.

LeeAnn of FL 1:58AM August 13, 2010

I am sad to say that R.N. means very little these days. Years back, R.N.s were highly skilled and sensitive to patients.
Unfortunately, I have been a patient several times in the past 10 years and the caliber of nurses is deplorable in top rated hospitals as well as little community infirmaries. They are ill informed, lazy, surly, certainly not bright, cheerful people. Perhaps one in six nurses knows their jobs and performs in a pleasant manner - very sad.
It's extremely unfortunate that the profession is turning out bad employees and uncaring people - far from professionals.

Roseanne Hunt of PA 9:27PM August 12, 2010

I agree with the lady of NY in regards to the survey,but I would suggest she should check her comments again in regards to her spelling. Its no secret that one of the main areas that need improvement in any medical center is accurate charts and correct spelling of the prescribed treatment. This problem and many more contribute to the fact that we must educate ourselves in regards to our own nutrition and learn the associated risks of modern day health care.

Gary of VA 7:44AM July 28, 2010

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tabweige of IN 6:37AM July 21, 2010

SURVEYS ARE CONFUSING TO THE CONSUMERS. IT SEEMS THAT CONSUMERS WANT TO PLEASE THE NURSE WHO IS BEGGING FOR A COMPLIMENT WHO GAVE THEM EXTRA TAKE HOME SUPPLIES OR LET THEM "BEND THE RULES." THE NURSE THAT SPENT ALL THE TIME ASSISTING AND TEACHING, BRINGING THEM THROUGH A CRISIS OR HELPING AVOID A SERIOUS COMPLICATION ARE LONG FORGOTTON WHEN THEY GET THE "GOODIES" SO TO SPEAK. REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR IS ONE OF MY PET PEAVES, BUT UNTIL THE SURVEYS LIST NAMES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CARE FOR THEM AND ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CARE THEY RECEIVED, I GUESS THE LITTLE NURSE THAT BEGS AND BENDS WILL ALWAYS END UP GETTING THE STARS.

SHIRLEY HUGHES of GA 5:27AM July 18, 2010

Expectations of patient's and their families are as varied as survey results and do not reflect accurately care offered or provided in most cases.
I know of one patient who complained bitterly that care provided was sub-standard only to find out the complaint was related to something totally unrelated to either medical or nursing care.
This makes my thirty first year in the profession and at the bedside.
Hospitals come with rules, regulations and treatments that are often if not most times uncomfortable and painful, therfore it appears to me patient's and their families will kill the messenger if you will, rather than realize that these situations are necessary.
Quality rather than superficial evaluation is required. Press-Gainey has created a monster in the medical community and has changed the focus of health care on superficial aspects rather than what really counts.
It goes without saying the I and my family has been on the receiving end, patients, and being an educated consumer I have been able to evaluate the care that was provided and found outstanding care all around, ( they were not aware of my profession) and I did make a few complaints at times and these matters were adressed quickly and effeciently.
I find these surveys extremely poor indicators of care provided. I would go so far as to say, one or two of the top hospitals listed I would not let any of my family members be cared for there.

Margaret of NY 10:53PM July 17, 2010

investigate cfcs occur fourth

birtlebabi of FL 6:48PM July 17, 2010

Not all hospitals are equal when it come to evaluating their staff. For evaluations to be effective, we need one standard evaluation used by all pts. and families. The hospital I work at is always in the process of educating the staff,especially in regards to customer satisfaction. I always treat my patients and families with respect and try to keep them informed. I think that the hospitals need to treat their employees well, and provide good nurse to pt ratio, so that their nurses will have the time to actually sit down and have a conversation with their patients. I believe that if you surveyed most nurses, they would tell you that they don't have adequate time to spend talking with their pt. and families. The public should look at nurse to patient ratios when deciding where to take their loved ones.

Charlene Keene of CA 3:03PM July 17, 2010

One of the most important factors is nurse to patient ratio. Mistakes are more common and nurses are not allowed time to really communicate with patients when their patient load is too much. many hospitals "short-staff" on purpose because that can increase the profit for the hospital. To really get a true understanding of health care in an US hospital look at the salaries and bonuses paid to top management. Compare how much that has increased to the pay rate of nurses and other health care providers. it will not take long for you to notice something is "out of line"...

Elizabeth C Foster, RN of AR 2:12PM July 17, 2010