I work in an LTC. Recently they have been doing these contests/games on the unit. I do not participate. I want to get my job done especially when its busy.
They were doing all of that ... telling the staff about picking a number and joining the contest, and also wearing your blue shirt on union day.
This is all HR and management.
So I am on the side documenting. I am usually a quiet person but I told my Charge Nurse "why are they happy focusing on decorating the unit, telling people to join their contest, getting food, etc... when almost everyday we are almost short or are trying to figure out who is working". One of the management Nurses heard me say that and was not happy about it. They said it was not appropriate to say during that time and that matters like that should be discussed in private.
I get that they want it to be a positive time. But, I worked 1 Nurse to 50 patients when it should be 25. Sometimes there is no staff to work, or the PSW's we are one short so then it makes it difficult as they are running on fumes. We are not paid more when we are short, and then if something goes wrong like an unreported bruise or moisture associated skin damage, they go all out and start an investigation.
This is me speaking freely but I was annoyed as this is a slap in the face to staff. Of course no one will tell them, "look no one cares about your games or food, we want to have adequate staffing so we can provide safe care." I wish I can tell them that.
Other Nurses tell me to suck it up cause they worked short too, for me its like OK speak for yourself, I don't feel comfortable working short. You want to work short let them know that but when I work there should be staff.
