[My2Giants]

I have worked 2 days and 3 nights so far. The aids on the day shift are awesome, but the aids on nights seem to have some attitude.

The first night I worked it was with an agency nurse and one of the aids told me first thing that if you want to make it here you need to be laid back and not be strict!!! Of course I am thinking WTH! Some balls on that one. I just kept my mouth shut and did not say anything, hoping my silence said it all.

The second night I worked 2 of the aides went to sleep!!!!! They were sleeping on the job. Of course I was working with an agency nurse who had only been there 2 other times so I knew more than she did. What a night that was. I had a resident whose bipap was not hookedup correctly and their sats dropped to the 80's. I had to call a staff nurse to come in and help me figure out the equipment because I had not been trained on it. It turns out the O2 was not hooked up!!!!! We finally got it all figured out, thank goodness. Residents sats 96 and resting.

The sleeping aides would have the other aid wake them for rounds and then back to sleep. I kept my mouth shut for the time being.

Night three working with agency nurse from night one. The agency nurse was approached by someone who had walked through the building and noticed the sleeping aides. This person told him about it and more than likely it will get back to the DON. He told the aides what was said and they were very nervous as they should be. This shift ended with a resident falling and splitting open their head!!!!!! I was thinking to myself "what next".

So all and all it has been eventful and a little dissapointing at the same time. Not sure if I will continue for the long haul.

[My2Giants]

Update: I did leave this job and I am going back to my old psych position. At least at this job I know that we work as a team. My co-workers are awesome and I missed them so much. I am glad to be leaving this other place and going back to what I consider home.

[ellen 12]

It was your responsibility to make it so they didn't sleep.
You needed to inform them this was unacceptable - and you needed to follow up on this unacceptable practice.
Leaving might have solved the problem for you - but it allows the continuation of unethical conduct and practice that puts innocent patients at risk.
Your post upsets me.

[My2Giants]

Originally Posted by ellen 12

It was your responsibility to make so they didn't sleep.
You needed to inform them this was unacceptable - and you needed to follow up on this unacceptable practice.
Leaving might have solved the problem for you - but it allows the continuation of unethical conduct.
Your post upsets me.

Yes I agree with you and we did have a good long talk to them. I am sure they will not do it again.

There are numerous reasons why I left this position during orientation, it was not a good fit and I new it, so as too not waste anymore of their time I quit. The DON was very understanding of this. I do not regret leaving.

[ellen 12]

Also - it wasn't a safe environment for you to be working in. I have left a similar job for these reasons. Sorry if I seemed to jump at you.

[My2Giants]

Originally Posted by ellen 12

Also - it wasn't a safe environment for you to be working in. I have left a similar job for these reasons. Sorry if I seemed to jump at you.

Thats okay! I realize you were just voicing your concerns.

[achot chavi]

Originally Posted by sharlynn

This is very good advice!
Help them answer lights if it's busy
Follow up on what they tell you
Remember to say "thank you"

When you work as a team it can be awesome! Good luck!

For starters- Lots of luck- don't try to change anything right away (unless its dangerous to you or to others and u could lose ur license) . You were right to say lead by example. BE VERY PATIENT!!! show that you are a team member and there to help. If you are kind to them they with be to you in return, express your appreciation at the end of each and ecery shift say "It was a pleasure to work with you.. I';m sure you will do fine!!!

[achot chavi]

Originally Posted by My2Giants

Update: I did leave this job and I am going back to my old psych position. At least at this job I know that we work as a team. My co-workers are awesome and I missed them so much. I am glad to be leaving this other place and going back to what I consider home.

U did the right thing- but next time if someone is sleeping in a shift u must wake them and remind them what they are getting a salary for - I don;t care if they read a magazine )|(or better a professional article....) if you look away you are just as responsible