morale/teamwork

[zuchRN]

I am a DON of a 104-bed facility. We are going through a rough time right now. I have been there for about 3 months. Prior to my arrival, the weekend program was changed and people were to be paid a different bonus for the weekends- effective January first, Well, needless to say...I have had to replace nearly all the weekend staff. As you all know, as you replace a large amount of people, you have to keep replacing because not everyone works out (the interview crapshoot). Now, I am a DON who is not afraid to work the floor. I have worked the floor every weekend since October, as has the rest of the nurse managers team. This is not a problem.

The problem that has taken shape is a lack of teamwork and low moral. I am also finding that a lot of staff just expect me to work no matter what...as an example...I was scheduled to work 1am to 7 pm a 18 hour shift. a newer nurse came in..one who had already called in for multiple orientation sessions ( she ended up with 16 hours orientation) She came in and demanded that I come in and give her additional orientation or she was walking. I attempted to explAIN that That would cause me to work a 24-hour shift and the nurse really did not care. I came in. I believe that this nurse has the potential to be a great asset to the team so I didn't rock the boat about it.

At thi point, I am just a little tired and running out of ideas. I would like some suggestions on boosting morale and improving teamwork. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thank you very much!!!!! Let me know the things that you enjoy and the things that mean the most coming from a nurse manager. I am genuine in my desire to do the things that will benefit the entire staff and make everyone happy.

[Disablednurse]

I, too, am a prior LTC nurse of 20 Years, who is no longer working due to becoming disabled. I was "brainwashed" into thinking that I was needed there in spite of my health. I could not take off for dr. appts etc because the facility could not run without me being there. I was the MDS coordinator for a facility and was responsible for the entire building as well as for care plans, raps,etc. However, there was one small catch, I also had to work the floor when staffing was short, check charts, and forty other things and then caught hell when MDS's weren't up to par. I finally put off going to have a problem with my back checked out until I ended up with permanent nerve damage that caused me to have to file for disability. Now they have two people doing the MDS's and that is all they do. I just could not stand up for my self. We worked short staffed, and I was supposed to take call for a week every five weeks and had to work any shift not covered and then work my regular shift.