I hate being a Nurse

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I love my patients every one of them even the demanding ones! I love patient care but I hate being a nurse because working LTC I feel there is no patient care! My day focuses on med pass, treatments, and charting!!!! Some days I have 40 patients and I'm the only RN. I get out of work 2 sometimes 3 hours late and there are days every muscle in my body aches from running all day! I wanted to be a nurse more than anything and have my license for less than 2 years and am so sad that I feel this way after working so hard to make it this far I never imagined I would be this unhappy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

I was in your place too at one time and felt the same way. A SNF job was the only job available to me when I first was licensed as a RN. I worked in that job for 1 year. I loved working with elderly patients. I am currently taking NP classes to become a geriatric NP. So naysayers don't you dare tell me that I don't truly appreciate caring for the elderly.

But I hated the system of the SNF that sacrifices patient care for corporate greed. I had 20-45 patients on PMs, or 70 patients on NOCS and was the only RN in the building on NOCs. I too had overtime most shifts, for which you don't get paid because the company doesn't allow overtime, but yet you better have all your charting done or you'll get written up.

The atmosphere was toxic. There was gossip, back stabbing, and no team work. There was a 'clique' and if you weren't in the clique, then you were shunned by those in the clique. It truly was like being in high school again.

I was very, very depressed. Wanted to quit every day, but hung in there because I needed the paycheck.

Finally, I found a job in a psych facility and I love it! I actually have some time to talk to my patients and assess them properly. The staff are supportive of one another. It is soooo much better to work there.

If I had the time, money, and could pull it off, I'd love to do an undercover expose to show people how our dear elderly folks are really treated in SNFs due to corporate greed and the constant ridiculous ratios and understaffing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Sounds like a bad facility. I work in a LTC/SNF and we have 17-24 residents on days/afternoon and 36 on NOC.

Not all facilities are bad. Look around if you can. Give it a second chance. I love my job, even the busy days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Why don't you send your hidden cameras to my facility? We are well staffed, the residents are well cared for, and we don't use any restraints or alarms. People move in and thrive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why don't you send your hidden cameras to my facility? We are well staffed, the residents are well cared for, and we don't use any restraints or alarms. People move in and thrive.

You are definitely in management.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked in LTC as LPN and RN and I am so happy that I left. Good luck with finding something new. And don't feel bad for feeling the way that you do. It's not for everyone. You will find something that you love just hang in there. I am in a hospital setting now and I've never had so much support like I do now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Wow, 70 residents on NOC?! I thought I had it bad with 40 but nope. Maybe you can you find another facility? The ratios vary across facilities so maybe you can find a better working environment. I'm sure since you have experience it shouldn't be too hard to find something.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
I worked in LTC as LPN and RN and I am so happy that I left. Good luck with finding something new. And don't feel bad for feeling the way that you do. It's not for everyone. You will find something that you love just hang in there. I am in a hospital setting now and I've never had so much support like I do now.

How long did you work in LTC before you got into a hospital position? Just curious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know what you are talking about. I work night shift and I have 95 patients. (one LVN to help me, though).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg and Ambulatory Care (multispecialty).

Some of the long term care floors in my facility have anywhere from 40-60 patients to one RN or LPN on nights. I was just floated over there this past week as part of my orientation ( my usual floor is Acute Care with up to 7 patients per RN) and it was a lot just to have half of the floor. I give anyone who does that day in and day out big time credit. The LPN who precepted me on that floor was AWESOME. She had been there for a few years and had her system down. She really did care for her patients and they all loved her. It is tough.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would look for another position. You will burn out and lose your passion for nursing if you stay. I so wish the powers that be would realize overloading nurses is bad for business as well as patient care. It is horrible to work in a place that puts profit ahead of patient welfare. What types of facilities are available in your area?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment