is this job nuts or what?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Peds Homecare.

Hi all........I need some advise. I started a job at an assisted living facility about 2months ago. When I interviewed for the job, my supervisor told me, I can't guaruntee you will be out on time every day. I said ok..........I don't mind helping out. Well, I want you to know that in 2 months, I have gotten out on time twice. It is very busy and my job consists of anything they want me to do. Their seems to be no end to the work. I have been an LPN for 23yrs and I have never had a job where I could not finish my work by the end of the day. I work 10-12 hours a day, by the way I am salary, no overtime, and am considered management. My title is LPN/ Supervisor. Their is never enough time to have a break or lunch, in fact if I do take a lunch it is frowned upon. I come home exhausted every day. They need to hire another RN, which they have been trying to do for quite a while., but it never happens, supposedly my work will decrease when they do. When I was hired my supervisor told me that my position was newly created. Wrong, the last 4 LPN's left due to too much work, and overwhelming demands. I do enjoy the place, the residents are nice, the chha's for the most part who work there are good people. But I am so tired all the time. It is almost the end of the month and that means new pages for the MAR's. The other LPN, who works evenings and I are responsible for checking them all before we put them in. We have close to 130 residents. That is alot of pages...some residents are on 25 to 30 meds a piece. Their is no time to do this at work so I have been bringing them home after working 10 or more hours, and checking pages til I fall asleep. I have tried in everyway possible to try and say that the workload is overwhelming and the answer I get is, we all have alot of work to do, you can't get any sympathy from me. Also it seems that everyday a new things will come up and we get told, that is part of your job:eek: . What would you do?

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

You're being taken advantage of. It will never get any better as long as they can convince nurses to put up with this. Do yourself a favor and GET OUT.

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

"They need to hire another RN"

Why would this happen? Why would ANYTHING happen to improve your situation, so long as you are (or your replacement is) willing to just continue filling in all these "gaps?" And for NO pay at that!

Wake up and smell the coffee, and remember:

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I agree...you're getting screwed...as long as you take it, they will continue to dish it out...you deserve better.

Best wishes.

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Just a suggestion for your MAR's. Perhaps you could put them in your computer and that might make it easier to update them monthly. I agree with the other posters about being taken advantage of.

Since I am the "mouthy" sort, I would probably write a letter stating that unless they either:

1. Lighten the load and /or

2. Hire someone to help out NOW and/or

3. Put me on hourly wages with guaranteed overtime after 40 hrs. and/or

4. You will find my letter of resignation on your desk first thing in the a.m. with two weeks notice!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

If you're the 5th in this position without any improvement on their part, the facility is not going to change things. Get another job.

Noney

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Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

This is ridiculous - you need to write them a letter as already mentioned and get out!!! You will make yourself ill carrying on like this.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

HOrrible. I am facing a similar position with a new job I accepted. The requirements seem to be growing and I have not even started yet. Gosh can you change to hourly and stay there? Would you like that? Seems to be an unfair position.

renerian

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Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.
Originally posted by peggysue

I agree...you're getting screwed...as long as you take it, they will continue to dish it out...you deserve better.

Best wishes.

Exactomondo. :(

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I know everyone has different priorities, but for me my personal time and my health are much more important than money or job (as much as I love my job!!). Unless they make some major changes very soon, I'm with everyone else. Leave. Best of luck, and take care of yourself! :)

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Here is some good advice given to another poster on another similar thread:

"RUN FOREST RUN!"

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I think they are using you -- and baiting you with promises they don't intend to keep.

I am not an nurse (yet), however my wife and I have some experiences with this in our business careers.

First of all, leaving is your final trump card and the game is over. However, the appearance that you might leave can be more powerful. You have to be mentally ready to walk out though -- or it's not going to get better.

You got to be assertive -- and at the same time, non-confrontational, very diplomatic and professional. My wife and I actually reheorifice these situations with each other before talking to management. We get the anger and tears out, and provide feedback what posture is helpful, not destructive. Illiciting others to help you be a strong, assertive, diplomatic professional will be your biggest ally. A good therapist/coach can help a lot here.

One example:

My wife leaves the office at 5:30. She got all kinds of flack for it, and she still walks out at 5:30. They veiledly threatened to fire her. Her response was something like

"I understand you want me to stay longer. However, I work hard all day so I can provide for my family. Now I must go home, my family is waiting."

She had practiced the confrontation many, many times at home. When it came time to deliver, she was confident, poised, and quite at ease. She was also mentally prepared to move on -- and it showed very very subtly. Yet she never said anything that brought the conversation downhill. That's an artform -- actually a skill that can be learned. They haven't bothered her since -- actually promoted her a year later.

Another observation:

Start recording your hours even if you are on salary -- you may need to refer to them later. Do you perform any management duties now? If not, you may be falsely classified. You can request to be put on hourly wage (and if you they fire you, you may be able to sue for back wages! hence time records are important.) If you remotely think you have been falsely classified, consult a labor attorney. The first consultation is usually free or reduced, you'll find out if you have been truly taken advantage of.

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