Vent about work

4 Okay I will start out saying to those of you that think it is wrong that I am complaining about my job because I should be "grateful that I have a job" you can kiss my big toe. Today I am not very happy about my place of employment.

They are so busy admitting all manner of new residents and not paying attention to the amount of work these residents are and the amount of staffing that we have. I have at least 6 residents that get hourly PRN pain med and they need these meds because they are in a great deal of pain. These residents are end stage of life. If they go too long without their med they are moaning and in distress, so I make sure they have those meds. Also, due to their declining condition and the lack of staffing they are starting to breakdown. I find this very upsetting due to the fact that I rarely have residents breakdown on my hall because my CNAs and myself make sure people are turned and changed often.

All of this is in addition to the 24 other residents that I have to pass meds, do tx. ect on. My boss wants all of my work done within the 8 hour shift. It is not happening. Sorry, but there is no way in heck I can get this all done on time. I try everyday and today I gave up. I passed my meds, did my treatments, charted what I needed to CMA, but all of the little extras that state wants forget it. My boss made it perfectly clear that my job is on the line if I do not leave on time, so I leave on time. At least this way I have a few more weeks to look for a job and hopefully when state comes I am gone. I am not one to leave my place of employment high and dry, but if they want to be stupid about things I will give them what they demand.

It is not just me that can not leave on time. When other nurses work the hall that I work they leave late too. I have part time nurse come up and ask how I can stand working that hall all the time due to the amount of work that is on it. Most of the time I do not mind it, but when they ride my butt like they are I am miserable. I honestly thought of walking out today because the amount of stress that I have been under lately.

I just wish that they would get off of their behinds and show me how to do this job properly. They seem to think it is possible, but could they really do it if push came to shove. I think not. Last edit by JB2007 on Jun 4, '10
Staffing is and will continue to be a horrendous issue for some time I predict. We are expected to do way to much in the amount of time allotted be it 8 hours or 12. Nurse=machine. Its ridiculous. There is way too much on the plate, and when things go wrong it all comes back down on who? Oh, the nurses!! I feel your frustration. I'm sorry you had such a rotten day. You obviously have great intentions for caring for your residents they way they deserve and should be cared for. Unfortunately systems in place make that almost impossible at times. Its disgusting to me how business driven everything is with only lip service given to "patient centered care". I love what I do, but the politics of staffing, or lack there of, and the idea that nurses can do it all is almost enough to make me not want to try anymore at times. Who needs to pee, consume food, or actually have the time to CARE FOR THE PATIENT!?! Sorry, a bit passionate about this. Again, I feel for you, and I'm sorry you aren't given the tools and support to be the kind of nurse your residents need. I hope that you are able to find a job that doesn't leave you feeling like this at the end of your shift.

Thanks for your kind words. I guess I am just upset because I have so many residents right at this moment with so many issues. I do not feel that I can tell them to wait a moment because when they are in the kind of discomfort that they are in it can not wait a moment. I am considering going into hospice or home health. At least that way I will possibly be able to give the patient better care. I am just really sad for my residents because if I leave who is going to care if they are hurting or make sure they are being turned so they do not breakdown. Management will not care until state comes and then they will demand to know why they have so much breakdown.

I feel your pain. There just isn't enough staff to get done all that needs and should get done in many facilities. It seems LTC has especially heinous conditions. They just keep taking the money without providing the care residents deserve.Have the nurses tried coming together in their worries? I would try and put something in writing so they can't hide behind not knowing of the issues. It's easier for them to sweep things under the carpet when it isn't documented. Can you report them to the state without giving a name? Maybe a surprise visit is just what the patients need. In the interim do what you can and keep this job until you find another. It's a shame your facility will lose a nurse that truly cares.

Hope you can find something better.

I know it's a vent, and I feel your pain. Any chance you can get your hourly pain meds put on a patch or something else more long-acting? Would better cover their pain (the official reason) and give you a bit more time since you won't be running around with hourly meds. Probably can't change staffing (because that never seems to get better, only worse) but might be able to make things a bit easier.

you seem to really care about the residents you are caring for, and i hate that the administration doesn't see that. but sometimes all they see are dollar signs. it's hard to decide what patient will be turned, fed, and given their meds on time. how would you choose? i bet if the administrator had a family memeber there, the choice would be made for you. i hope you find what you are looking for, and that you will be appreciated for all you do.

Its been years and years since I've worked LTC so Im sure it has gotten alot worse since then but I do remember that there is a OMSBUDSMAN ?(spelling) number that you can call or anyone can call including family members to report unsafe or inadequately staffed facilities. Im also fairly sure it is annoymous. If you've gone to management and voiced your concerns and they do not seem to care and you truly feel it is unsafe I think that's what I'd do...make that phone call. Also if you are being asked to stay to finish work without getting paid for it then the Department of Labor would love to hear from you. Like I've said its been many years since I was in LTC and Im sure its not gotten better and Im also sure its gotten worse and will continue to get worse. I think the only hope is if nurses and CNA's begin to step up all over the country and start reporting unsafe practices but unfortunately that doesnt happen often enough...most are glad to have a job and do not want to risk losing it and others feel there is nothing they can do and they find another job and move on.I know our elderly are the ones suffering and I also know that if the time comes either of my parents need to be in LTC I will be one of those noisy family members that everyone complains about because that seems to be the only way to make sure that adminstration makes sure proper care is given. I know its not right but its a reality that in this day and age its all about who makes the most noise as to who gets the proper care. Management bends over backwards to make sure families think the facility is superb and the patients with no family or family that doesnt make themselves known are the ones left with minimal and/or inadequate care. I DO NOT blame the nursing staff for this because when there is only so much that can be done in a shift and most of the time management does not understand that because they have not attempted to do what they ask the staff to do so they are clueless as to just how much time and staff it takes to provide care to the patients.

I believe I may be the OP!? LOL! Sounds just like my facility! we were low on census so they started taking whatever they could get. My hall has the most pts, as always, just got a new one today. I havent been this stressed for awhile. Acuity goes up and staff gets cut. Good game plan. I feel for ya original OP!

I just wanted to offer a ((( HUG ))) because I know exactly how you feel......it's wonderfulthat you care so much and TRY to keep these patients turned, dry, and out of pain.... and Idon't blame you a bit for wanting to walk out.I haven't actually worked in LTC, and sadly---I have considered it because I would love to reallyknow the residents and generally love the elderly. And the reason I haven't even attemptedto work in LTC are the reasons you mentioned in your post, not to mention alllllll the nurses I'vespoken with about how bad it is.....it truly breaks my heart for these people, not tomention, always scares me that one of my loved ones or me could end up in a place like this....I've always sworn IF it came to that, I would do everything I could to take care of my loved one atmy home, but we all know sometimes that isn't possible.....just so sad, it really depresses me to no end! P.S.....I used to feel the same way when I worked med-surg and had 8-12 patients---I'd drive homealmost in tears, knowing I gave sub-standard care....left people wet, didn't turn them....not to mention,NO time to hold their hand /comfort them when they were venting about their fears/ concerns ofthe next day's surgery, etc..... And in my current job, sometimes it's the same way and I just reallllyfeel like leaving bedside nursing is the ONLY answer!

I doubt there was ever a shift where I completed everything I should have done when I worked in LTC. Now I am in home care and feel a lot better about my job. I agree with everything you wrote. It is impossible. Either you find a way to reconcile yourself with that fact or you will end up going to another specialty like so many others do. It is very, very difficult to stay day after day somewhere where you realize you are not accomplishing everything you would like to in the time allotted. I would murder the next supervisor that ever told me I didn't get it done because I have poor time management skills. Phooey!

Quote from caliotter3I doubt there was ever a shift where I completed everything I should have done when I worked in LTC. Now I am in home care and feel a lot better about my job. I agree with everything you wrote. It is impossible. Either you find a way to reconcile yourself with that fact or you will end up going to another specialty like so many others do. It is very, very difficult to stay day after day somewhere where you realize you are not accomplishing everything you would like to in the time allotted. I would murder the next supervisor that ever told me I didn't get it done because I have poor time management skills. Phooey!

So sorry for you. I like the suggestion from one of the others about using a Fentanyl patch on those at the end of life (if they have any fat on them, that is). What about hospice? In some facilities hospice is allowed to come in and supplement care for the LTC residents.