What's a nurse to do ?

[xmaxiex]

Sorry if this runs a bit ....Anywho I work LTC , have been at the same facility for 2 years . I am the med nurse on my unit . The charge nurse is very good friends with all the CNAs . It seems to me she is more concerned about their friendship then running the unit .As of late quite a few problems have come to light , she has covered up for them in the past .Pts are not getting fed , turned , or given showers .Vitals are forged , as are weights and the like . The DON seems to be aware of all these problems . The CNAs do not like me at all. They give me a hard time when I have to do charge because I expect them to do their jobs .Now the DON is leaving she comes to me today and says they are going to pull the nurse off of charge would I be interested ? here are the issues .

1. She (ex charge nurse) will then be on meds .And probably be resentful

2.The CNAs will be upset with me as I am the one who makes them do their jobs and I now have the job their friend used to have .

3. There is no where else in the building on our shift for either of us to go . All other positions are filled with long time permanant nurses.

4.Even if I declined the postion I would still be acting charge all the time until they hire someone (which they wont )

5.This DON as I said is leaving , which then the years of mess that will have to be fixed will now be on me .

Basically a no win situation , what's a nurse to do ????I

[Nikki69]

I would take the job if I were you. Try not to care what they think of YOU. Those residents deserve to have good professional care. And if the DON is leaving, maybe the one that replaces her will pay more attention and help you turn this into a better place. Maybe you could give your DSD some suggestions on what to inservice about to the CNA's. Where I work, we have a turn schedule, such as 10:00am, left side, 2:00pm, right side, and they actually walk around the facility and check. We have stickers with the schedule that are on the back of our name tags. As for the weights-if there is a significant difference, make them re-weigh when you are present (if you have time), or send someone you trust.

Keep on working for the greater good, and look at this as an opportunity!!

[biggs]

I have been in LTC for a short time, I am an "outsider" the facility I work in is 25 miles from my home in the "cities" that's what they they call it, I am working in a rural home, in a small community. From what I have learned in my brief period of employment, I have been there 3 months, is you have to decide what is right for the resident. I have friends, I don't have to be friends with my co-workers, it certainly is a bonus if you do make a friend or two along the way, but the real goal is the resident, and when I see a CNA not doing her job, it is my job as MDS/Care Plan coordinator to make sure our residents are well cared for, and by God they are. We work the same ratio of 15:1 our CNA's bust their butts, and I help answer lights, feed, etc. I say do whatever you can to help the resident.