Accused of breaking resident's hearing aid...

Published

:( Work is being accusatory toward me and it makes me sad. I worked for them for quite some time and all it took was something minor to destroy all of my hard work. My resident dropped her hearing aid and the shell cracked. She then told the staff that she didn't drop it. I know that I should have thicker skin...but it still sucks to be "guilty" all of the time for every little thing! LTC is a drama factory and it's gets worse every single year... Me and LTC are gonna' break up now so that I can care for folks with more pressing problems. LTC is all about pleasing the state. The care is not very caring anymore...
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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Your post has been moved to the LTC forum so that you'll receive feedback from other LTC nurses. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

As a LTC Rn I have went through this many a time with hearing aides.....lost ones, broken ones, ones that needed repair. Most times the aides would collect them and give them to the nurse to lock up in the cart overnight. But, in a way this is not a good idea in case of a building fire, flood or disaster, or even a health issue with the patient themselves. They will feel more isolated, scared and irrate not hearing anything that is being said or going on around them. I have not been accused of breaking a hearing aide. I have been lucky. Most times the aide would bring me the hearing aide and it was broken while they put it into my hand. What happened from the patient to my hand sometimes is a mystery. But all I documented was, Recieved Hearing aide from CNA from patient which was broken" then I would describe the damage. The next day, the family was usually very upset......most times IT WAS UNKNOWN how the hearing aide was busted or misplaced. Sometimes patients would take them out of their ears, they would drop in the bedlinens, or they would mistakenly throw them in to the garbage can!!! And yes, its not right for you to be crucified over this. I was always afraid they were going to take it out of my paycheck when the hearing aide couldnt be found.

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I no longer work in LTC. I left LTC for many years and recently came back for a very short period of time. I was quickly reminded of why I left! The acuity keeps rising as does the drama! My side of the hall had as many dressing changes as a hospital. I adore the residents but the petty accusations, phone calls on my days off, and "guilty" family members who constantly have to stir up drama have turned me off completely. Show we some folks who have real problems and I will show you an enthusiastic nurse! I have worked with psych patients for many years and I am staying in psych!

That LTC job went south real fast! I saw an accusatory tone between the nurses. This one nurse would run to management if another nurse had forgotten to give an ensure or healthshake. Lots of petty stuff that just wasn't healthy... I have been working in a small psych unit where I am the only nurse on duty. It is wonderful!!!

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Nurse_Wretched, I just love your screen name. It has such an 'Eeyore'-kinda feeling to it.

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