Goodbye, LTC

Hello fellow CNA's! It's been a while since I've stopped by.

I earned my CNA certification back in April in order to acquire direct patient care experience, and immediately began seeking employment. I ended up in a LTC facility. I love the residents! They are smart, articulate, eloquent people, for the most part, and the ones who are unable to articulate just pull at my heartstrings. Becoming a CNA has easily been one of the best things I've ever done. However, I have become disgusted with the way long term care is carried out. Shortages, staff calling out, insane patient/CNA ratios, horrible salaries; this does not facilitate patient care. This is NOT patient care. And as a student, you can forget about any nurse taking time out to teach you anything. They are too busy stabbing you in the back, blaming you for all that's wrong with the patients, and breathing down your neck so you can cover their butts. In my 6 months at the LTC facility, I have seen and heard the most horrific things: residents being treated like 5 year olds, residents being manhandled, residents being called crybabies to their faces, residents being asked questions pertaining to their sex lives (yes, I heard a nurse do this). It sickens me. On top of that, the CNA's are expected to be miracle workers. With a patient load of 13-16, how can we give showers, bed baths, dress, pass trays, make beds, feed, do vitals, change briefs, etc, and keep an eye on the dementia patient who keeps transfering by himself? In addition to all of this, management couldn't care less about our concerns. I've spoken to the DON on many occasions, and she looks at me like I'm an alien. What happened to quality of care? I'm tired of the whitewashing...what happened to actually doing things the right way? I'm tired of the "by any means necessary" mentality. What happened to do no harm; patient confidentiality; dignity; and residents' rights? I can't take this anymore.

I knew early on that I wouldn't be in LTC for long. Because I had no prior experience, I was pretty much stuck. However, I recently landed a PCT position at a hospital in my area on an ICU floor! I'm looking forward to actually learning something, and feeling like a member of the team instead of the black sheep. Tomorrow is my last day in LTC. I will miss my residents dearly. I have so many people to say goodbye to. They have really touched me in a special way!

For all PCT's/Nurses: How does LTC differ from the hospital setting? I love a hard day's work, so that doesn't worry me. My goal is to learn as much as possible. I have already completed a phlebotomy training course, and I am good with EKG interpretation. I recently got accepted to PA school, and I will begin matriculation a year from now. Is it wise to tell the staff this in hopes that they will facilitate my learning experience, or should I feel them out first? To all CNA's, keep your spirits up, and know you are a vital part of the healthcare team!