[rnwings]

I work in a geriatric skilled facility. I am a RN charge nurse, pass meds to 28 residents have 3 CNAs and a Ward clerk. Most of my residents are, demencia, alzheimers, quit a few parkinsons and the behaviors are through the roof. Don't dare ask for help. They only ask me what I'm NOT doing right. Oh, I could go on and on and on.....

[kayRN21]

what we should be asking is what a frail confused elderly woman's life is worth in our society? Is it worth only the revenue her diagnosis can generate from medicare or medicade? The least amount of care so the most amount of money can feed greedy corporations that own these facilities? The profits come from the exploitation of the elderly and their caregivers. I wonder if the politicians even care about the poor, sick and vulnerable.

[becmeister]

And I bet the pay sucks! You guys need to form a union and get the pay and patient safety ratios you deserve.

[babysitter2]

I haven't started my nursing program yet....still finishing pre-reqs....but I have heard that nurses feel very overworked and stretched to the limit (patient limit, etc..) Others say that this is one of the primary reasons for nurse shortages. Some get overwhelmed by the years of shortages and switch out of this profession.
Just a question from the new up and coming!!! (Hopefully)

[jerzytech]

On a 32 bed unit, we have one nurse director (takes no patients but helps everyone), 2-3 aides, and 4-5 nurses. This means 1 nurse for ever 6-8 patients. The patient acuity does not matter, the floor is pre-divided into sections so you just take care of the patients in your designated section. Also, the charge nurse is one of the regular floor nurses who takes the same number of patients as the regular nurses.

[rnwings]

Originally Posted by becmeister

And I bet the pay sucks! You guys need to form a union and get the pay and patient safety ratios you deserve.

Where can I find info on "union"? And, will this put my employment at risk? I've heard that when my facility hears "Unoin" the administration gets very upset.

[rnwings]

where can I find info on "UNION"? Could this cause my employment to be at risk? I've heard that at my facility when administation hears "UNION" they get a little upset.

[rnwings]

jerzytech

This sounds pretty good, compared to what I get. Where did you say you work? Are they looking for any help?

[rnwings]

babysitter2
Don't get me wrong, I love my job with all my heart, for my patients. But if your strong and versitile, you'll make it. Chin up. You can do it !!!!

[becmeister]

Babysitter, get a job traveling and figure out where you want to work. If you are back East, think again. I've heard from Travelers that their worst assigments were in Washington DC.

Originally Posted by babysitter2

I haven't started my nursing program yet....still finishing pre-reqs....but I have heard that nurses feel very overworked and stretched to the limit (patient limit, etc..) Others say that this is one of the primary reasons for nurse shortages. Some get overwhelmed by the years of shortages and switch out of this profession.
Just a question from the new up and coming!!! (Hopefully)