Corporate Nursing Home rant

[banditrn]

I'm about fed up!! I've been working at this LTC facility for about 6 weeks. I've observed the cost 'saving' methods they employ and I am getting so upset about certain things.

The understaffing is a big problem - a couple of weeks ago I hurt my knee lifting a large woman up, so I've been on a lifting restriction. They have still been leaving me there at night with 1 CNA - and we have a lot of heavy care patients. Well, I'm NOT having the CNA do all that stuff on her own - she does as much as she can.

Last nite one of the residents fell on the floor, so am I supposed to tell her that she has to just lay there, 'cause I'm not supposed to be lifting?! And my knee is getting no better.

Another thing - a lady had been complaining of pain in her right back/hip region. They finally sent her to have a Cat scan, and got a diagnosis of sciatica - and have done nothing since!! This poor woman is miserable!! I called the DON on Friday and asked that she call the doc to get an anti-infllammatory or pain med or something for her. Last nite when I went in, they reported that they were going to 'try to get an order for Theragesic' creme! Does a person give up their right to adequate pain control when they go to a LTC facility?

I'm sorry - I could go on and on. I really like my job and the residents, but things like this infuriate me and I'm ready to quit.

[Ms.RN]

i can understand what you are going through because i'm in the same boat as you are. but do you have to risk more injury by helping that cena? are you the only person who can help her? i'm sure there are other staffs and if you tell them that you cannot do heavy lifting due to your injury, and ask them to help cna to transfer patient back to bed, i'm sure they are going to understand. i think you are responsible to take care of yourself.

i work in ltc and if patient is in pain, usually nurses call the doctor who patient is assigned to and tell the doctor that patient is in severe pain and doctors are usually good about prescribing pain medications. and if prescribed pain medication is not effective then i call the doc again and he changes to different pain medication. all the pain medications are covered by insurance so doctors shouldnt have any problem prescribing pain meds and if they are not doing something about pain control, maybe you need to report it to the administrator ?

[RobCPhT]

Is there anyway you can fix some of these problems yourself? I deal with similar problems and always try to fight for what is right. I know that sometimes it gets me in trouble. What do you think would be the best way to solve these issues?

-Robert