Please don't say "I told you so"

[LovebugLPN]

I went to work, for the first time last night, at the LTC facility from Hell. I know everyone said I would burn out. I don't think I will be there long enough for that to happen. The nurse with me last night was administering insulins long before they were ordered (hours), doing glucometers hours before he was supposed to (hours), naked people running through the hallways and nobody stopping them, the list can go on. I was sickened and when I mentioned my concerns to the nurse he said things like "I haven't lost anyone yet" and "no one has ever said anything to me". I called my friend (a fellow nurse) this morning and she advised me not to go back and look for something else. I did get a call back today from another place I applied at and they will be setting up an interview next week. I feel like I should have handed them my license at the door when I came in. My question is should I keep working there until I find something else (for the money) or let them know I will not be returning after last night. Honestly I am scared.

[javanurse2000, BSN, RN]

I just called the DON to let her know I would not be returning. She asked if it was just that I didn't like it. I told her there were things there that were things there that concerned me and I could not see myself working there. Her response was "okay, thank you". She never asked what concerned me or anything. Not really the response I was expecting.

It's that kind of "don't ask, don't tell" attitude that allows that kind of treatment of people to continue. I hope you follow up with the state...they need to know (our surveyors have been known to come in on third shift). I KNOW that the people under your care will be blessed to have you...good luck on your meeting next week.

[TazziRN, RN]

Oh, Lovey, please make sure you call the state. That kind of attitude from the DON means she's aware of what's happening and either won't or can't change things. It's places like this that gives LTC's a bad name. Please think about the defenseless residents who are at the mercy of the staff there and do what little you can to help them. You couldn't help them the way you had planned, but that doesn't mean you still can't help in another way.

[LovebugLPN]

Wow! I must be hormonal because after reading all of these supportive responses I started to cry. Yes, I will call the state and Thank You to all of you!

[jill48, ASN, RN]

I just called the DON to let her know I would not be returning. She asked if it was just that I didn't like it. I told her there were things there that were things there that concerned me and I could not see myself working there. Her response was "okay, thank you". She never asked what concerned me or anything. Not really the response I was expecting.

Of course she didn't ask what concerned you because she already knew. She should be afraid of losing her license! That's just terrible. Run...run very fast.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

Lovebug, I think your original impulse, to go to the place that most needs you, is absolutely awe-inspiring. Now if you and 10 or so of your closest friends who feel the same way could have gone to that facility, it would have made a huge difference. Those who are already there, I can't speak for, but it would be you someone would be aghast at in a few years, if you stayed there. Or it'd be you on worker's comp with god knows what kind of injury, or you working retail due to loss of your hard-earned nursing license.

So while we all want to take care of others to some degree, you now know how important it is to also take care of yourself. Drops of water, make a difference as surely as a waterfall does and you can't be the waterfall. Find a place to work that supports your ability to do your job. Or as Timothy usually puts it, (is it him or tweety...) "vote with your feet."