Ok people, face facts: Staffing in LTC is always going to be outrageous!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

All these threads about staffing ratios are driving me nuts! I have worked LTC for 16 years now. Staffing is what it is people. It is not going to change or get better. It is what it is. The decision you need to make is "Do I want to work in LTC?". Be realistic about the job. If you continually have these feelings of things are unfair and you think you can do something about it when noone has been able to for years and years, then you are always going to be disappointed. There is no middle ground...you love it or you hate it. I hate to sound jaded but all these whining staff posts are driving me nuts! Continually complaining will do nothing but put you on a radar at work you do not want to be on. And if you think going over your DON's head to the administrator is the right choice, think again people. It's time to look at the job logically. Life is unfair. Grow up. if you accept the job...then do it! If you don't like it...then stop whining and do something about your own life....get a new job! sorry for the rant....

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Specializes in LTC.

Well. Tell us how you really feel.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
Well. Tell us how you really feel.

I'm kind of shy :p

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

You're absolutely right. In a system where people are willing to just lay down and take it, and point their guns at their peers who attempt to fight the system, things will never change.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Yup, I worked in LTC as a CNA while in nursing school way back in the day, and then worked as an RN in same LTC facility because there were not hospital jobs at the time (1986). It was the same back then too. I agree, if it bothers you to the point where it spills over into your home life then find a different gig because you will not be able to accomplish what others have tried for decades.

There is no job you will ever be able to mold to suit your needs so get over it right now. The fact is that you can't fight city hall and will have a miserable life trying. If you find a job you can tolerate consider yourself successful. In many times that's as good as it gets. Find your kudos, attaboys and life rewards someplace else because if you expect them from your work you risk going through life unhappy and disappointed.

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The problem is that staffing is unsafe whether it is the norm or not. If you're willing to take the abuse, have at it. Be my guest. And if there were jobs for new grad RN's in anyplace besides LTC, they'd go take those.

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Specializes in LTC.
I'm kind of shy :p

Coulda fooled me. :cool:

I'll just say that LTC is all I've done...and not ever place is insane.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

If a nurse, or anybody really, believes that their working conditions are unsafe, they have three options.

1) Report and risk losing that job.

2) Continue to work in an unsafe environment.

3) Come to AN and vent, because # 1 is really not an option, and # 2 is very painful.

I'll agree that LTC staffing is inadequate. I'll agree most of the time it's not going to change. That doesn't mean that fact should be tolerated. Even it all you can do is complain to your family, co-workers, and AN.

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My new job has nurse staffing where no nurse gets over 18 patients in my unit. So I'd say that if you want to wrestle 30+ patients and have not a second to be safe, go for it.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
You're absolutely right. In a system where people are willing to just lay down and take it, and point their guns at their peers who attempt to fight the system, things will never change.

:yeah::yeah:

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We need to start a grass-roots effort to get better staffing levels. They are mostly mandated, so we need to contact the people who decide the levels to come to some facilities to see how it's working. Maybe if those people understood what was involved, there might be some changes.

In many facilities if there was just one more professional and one or 2 more aides then life would be more bearable for all. And I don't mean per unit, but in the entire facility.

We are not totally powerless, but the facilities will only do what they are mandated to do, and nothing more.

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Specializes in SICU/MICU and soon...CVRU.

Instead of telling people to stop complaining you should encourage them to vote and lobby. Why, as a profession do nurses still feel so powerless? Telling people to stop complaing does nothing to move the nursing profession forward. If you cannot resist telling people to stop complaining then perhaps follow up with do something about it.

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