Are all LTC jobs like this?

[Comfortably_Numb]

Been having a rough time at work lately and I just need to vent a little bit, maybe some people posting about their experiences will help me a little...

I have really been struggling with my job (CNA for about 3 months). I feel like I am reaching my wit's end and don't know how much more I can take. I spent the first 3 hours of work in tears today and I was so stressed out that I was left with a pounding headache that lasted until 3 hours after my shift was over.

What I am wondering is, is it common at LTC facilities to have coworkers that bully/mistreat others? Is it common to see backstabbing and cattiness? There is one particular hall at my facility that I absolutely detest working on because of the "regulars" on that hall (I'm a float). I've probably posted about them in the past.. they are still a problem. The one woman has been rude to me ever since I started. She was very experienced at her job (and she is good at what she does), I was a complete newbie and I was clueless about the residents.. she got frustrated when I would ask questions about *completely new residents that I had never cared for* or asking for help with the more difficult transfers that I wasn't used to doing yet.

She never blatantly came out and said it, but I know she can't stand me.. her facial expressions and being yelled at by her explained enough. Her buddy co-worker is pretty much the same way. I'd end up crying my eyes out and feeling horrible about myself whenever I would work that hall, the stress was overbearing. I eventually ended up "telling her off" a few weeks ago after she raised her voice at me. I didn't use any obscenities, but I told her I was sick and tired of being treated the way I was and I wanted her to stop being so mean. I ended up on that dreaded hall today and she was pulling off some of that passive aggressive stuff.. example, when she saw me this morning she slammed the trash bin lid down really hard as I walked by. When it comes time for afternoon breaks, her and her friend go out together and leave me alone on the hall *with a list of TWO-PERSON changes/transfers.*

I also feel upset by the nurses sometimes. There is this one nurse that can be very nice when she wants to be, but when she feels stressed and overworked she yells at someone for whatever thing sets her off. I've been yelled at her twice already for petty things and I ended up getting worked up and crying about it. I end up feeling like I am stupid. I understand that her job must be very difficult, but it stresses me out too when I get yelled at.

I feel like I am too fragile. I hate going to work and being treated that way because I deal with it enough at home. I get yelled at and told how stupid I am (sometimes threatened) if I do something imperfectly or if I can't find something fast enough. My mother is very controlling and verbally abusive (but I still love her), and all these years of it has taken its toll on me. I guess dealing with the abuse, seeing my mother battling cancer and wondering if she will die, and feeling trapped on top of the stress I deal with at work is getting to me.

Also.. many days just feel like I'm working at an assembly line. I wanted to get into this type of work because I wanted to help people. I don't feel like I am helping anyone.. I feel like the job just encourages us to cut corners to make sure everything gets done.. Most days are so hectic that we barely get to spend time with the residents. I think the socialization/interaction with their caregivers is also an important part of their care, because for some of them, we are all they have. Honestly, it makes me feel so good (even if just for a little while) when I make a resident smile or one of them gives me a hug and a kiss and tells me I am nice. But the stress I'm feeling overshadows that rare good feeling I get.

It is getting to the point where I want to go on antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication to stay at this job. The stress of home and work is a lot to handle. I love my hours (6a-2p) and the flexibility (if I need time off, I can usually put stuff up on the tradeboard for another employee to pick up), and *some* of my coworkers are fantastic, but I am feeling burnt out already. Is it normal to go home crying some days? Is it normal to have bad dreams about work? Is it normal to cry at night at the thought of going in the next day?

I was once an aspiring nurse (half of a BSN completed so far), but now I think I want OUT of this altogether. I don't know if I will be happy in a job where I deal with this kind of disrespect. I've talked to one of the nurses at my facility and she told me that I shouldn't completely give up on nursing just because of a few bad co-workers and one job I don't enjoy at all. That not every place is like the place I am at now. I LOVED the stuff I was learning in my nursing curriculum. But I just don't know anymore.

I'm thinking of toughing this place out a bit longer once I visit a psychiatrist and maybe try some meds out.. if I can't do that I might need to move to a different setting like home health.

I'm sorry this was so long, I just needed to vent.

[greeniebean]

Unfortunatly a lot of LTC jobs are really tough. There are burnt out employees, demanding residents, and gossip mongers. LTC's are often understaffed so that only adds to the stress. If you are only 3 months into the job I would try to stick it out, only because being a CNA is a difficult job that takes a while to get used to. Ignore those workers, usually they're miserable and want everyone else to be. As long as you know you're doing the best you can, let those rude comments roll off your back.

That being said (and I'm in no way trying to offend you) but do you have a feel for the job yet? Do you preform tasks without being told, or do you wait for instruction? Sometimes employees can have a short fuse for having to work with newer people. They feel they have to babysit. Take inituative if you don't already. While it's no excuse for treating you badly, maybe this worker feels overworked and doesn't want to feel like she's responsible for you. It's sad but usually if something goes wrong, the senior on the hall gets blamed. I may be way off the mark here and if I am I apologize. I'm just trying to think of reasons this employee would be so hateful to you. If that isn't the case tell your charge nurse that you're being mistreated.

As far as not being able to spend time with the residents, try to talk to them while providing care (bathing, toileting, etc..). I know it sucks because you want to spend quality time with your residents but it isn't plausible most days. I talk to them when I give them care, while i feed them, while I brush their hair. It's not much I know, but it's the most I can offer with my work load.

I really hope you stick with nursing. Don't let one crappy job diminish your love of the field. Try to remember why you wanted to be nurse in the first place. You seem like a geniune person who really cares for her residents. We need more people like you in this field but I fear many of them get scared away because of jobs like the one you described. I wish you the best of luck.

[marineswife0809]

:angryfire:devil:I CANT BELIEVE IT I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT FELT LIKE THIS!!! I HATE WORKING IN LTC ITS LIKE HELL-WHEN IM @ WORK IM SO STRESSED OUT I PLAN ESCAPES TO LEAVE THE BUILDING!! RESIDENTS ARE JUS CRAZY AND THE OTHER STAFF SHOULD TAKE SOME PYSCH MEDS RITE ALONG WITH THE RESIDENTS. THE OTHER CNAS AND NURSES TELL ON U AND BE IN CLICKS OR WHATEVER. THEY DONT WANT TO HELP WITH TRANSFERS "BUT WE ALL CARE FOR THE PATIENTS" YEA RITE!! NURSES ACT TO GOOD TO HELP THE CNAS AND WRITE YOU UP WHEN U MESS UP. U HAVE SOOOOO MANY PATIENTS OOOOO NOT INCLUDING THEIR CRAZZZZYYYY FAMILIES THAT U SEE ONCE IN THE BLUE MOON TO MAKE UR DAY @ WORK HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!! THE LTC ARE TRAPS AND NO PLACE FOR GROWTH-UR UNDER PAID-UNDER APPRECIATED!! U CAN WORK A DOUBLE AND THEY WONT EVEN FEED U!! IM TRYING MY HARDEST TO THROW THIS CNA STUFF TO THE CURB!! NOT WORTH THE FRUSTRATION--TAKES A TOLL ON UR BACK KNEES WRIST--ON UR MIND!!

[Comfortably_Numb]

Unfortunatly a lot of LTC jobs are really tough. There are burnt out employees, demanding residents, and gossip mongers. LTC's are often understaffed so that only adds to the stress. If you are only 3 months into the job I would try to stick it out, only because being a CNA is a difficult job that takes a while to get used to. Ignore those workers, usually they're miserable and want everyone else to be. As long as you know you're doing the best you can, let those rude comments roll off your back.

That being said (and I'm in no way trying to offend you) but do you have a feel for the job yet? Do you preform tasks without being told, or do you wait for instruction? Sometimes employees can have a short fuse for having to work with newer people. They feel they have to babysit. Take inituative if you don't already. While it's no excuse for treating you badly, maybe this worker feels overworked and doesn't want to feel like she's responsible for you. It's sad but usually if something goes wrong, the senior on the hall gets blamed. I may be way off the mark here and if I am I apologize. I'm just trying to think of reasons this employee would be so hateful to you. If that isn't the case tell your charge nurse that you're being mistreated.

As far as not being able to spend time with the residents, try to talk to them while providing care (bathing, toileting, etc..). I know it sucks because you want to spend quality time with your residents but it isn't plausible most days. I talk to them when I give them care, while i feed them, while I brush their hair. It's not much I know, but it's the most I can offer with my work load.

I really hope you stick with nursing. Don't let one crappy job diminish your love of the field. Try to remember why you wanted to be nurse in the first place. You seem like a geniune person who really cares for her residents. We need more people like you in this field but I fear many of them get scared away because of jobs like the one you described. I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you for your post.

In response to your question- yes, I get things done without being told. I admit I will ask questions about a resident I don't care for very often, and I will ask for help with two person transfers and hoyer lifts, but other than that I take initiative and do what is needed. In fact, one of the nurses on my floor today saw me and told me I needed to relax and slow down a little bit. I did all of my residents and I even did AM care/made beds for two of my co-worker's residents.

HOWEVER, I think you are dead on when you mentioned that aide may feel like she has to "babysit" me. She was hostile to me from the very beginning; I was new and inexperienced (fresh out of school), she probably got fed up with the questions I was asking and needing assistance with transferring residents that she and her friend could transfer with ease.

There was a confrontation with another co-worker today. She was mad the DON moved me to the hall I like best for the rest of the week. I went to the Director of Nursing today with my concerns, and what she said made me feel a lot better. She told me to try to ignore my co-workers and just focus on my work. She told me not to worry about how some of the other aides treat me or what they think of me. She said that she's heard nothing but good feedback about me from the people whose opinions actually matter to her. Hearing that from the Director of Nursing made me feel better for a little while.

I'm sorry if I come across as whiny.. I am just going through a difficult time.. I don't cope with it as well as I should and I break down sometimes.

[Comfortably_Numb]

:angryfire:devil:I CANT BELIEVE IT I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT FELT LIKE THIS!!! I HATE WORKING IN LTC ITS LIKE HELL-WHEN IM @ WORK IM SO STRESSED OUT I PLAN ESCAPES TO LEAVE THE BUILDING!! RESIDENTS ARE JUS CRAZY AND THE OTHER STAFF SHOULD TAKE SOME PYSCH MEDS RITE ALONG WITH THE RESIDENTS. THE OTHER CNAS AND NURSES TELL ON U AND BE IN CLICKS OR WHATEVER. THEY DONT WANT TO HELP WITH TRANSFERS "BUT WE ALL CARE FOR THE PATIENTS" YEA RITE!! NURSES ACT TO GOOD TO HELP THE CNAS AND WRITE YOU UP WHEN U MESS UP. U HAVE SOOOOO MANY PATIENTS OOOOO NOT INCLUDING THEIR CRAZZZZYYYY FAMILIES THAT U SEE ONCE IN THE BLUE MOON TO MAKE UR DAY @ WORK HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!! THE LTC ARE TRAPS AND NO PLACE FOR GROWTH-UR UNDER PAID-UNDER APPRECIATED!! U CAN WORK A DOUBLE AND THEY WONT EVEN FEED U!! IM TRYING MY HARDEST TO THROW THIS CNA STUFF TO THE CURB!! NOT WORTH THE FRUSTRATION--TAKES A TOLL ON UR BACK KNEES WRIST--ON UR MIND!!

The mental toll is much worse than the physical toll, I am afraid.

Sorry to hear you are feeling stressed out as well. I hope you can find a job that makes you happier. This field itself is good. It is important work. Often it's just the conditions under which we work sometimes that makes it so tough.

[MedNurse2k]

I so feel for you! You are a rare person, like myself, who is extremely sensitive. People like us are few and far between, so you may notice that many people can not relate to you. I've been there, and even still have my days. I am in CNA school (just started), and understand that I will more than likely be tested by rude individuals who have no business in healthcare. Ive even encountered selfish people like that at previous administrative jobs. And girl, just because people are over the age of 18 doesn't mean they haven't mentally graduated from high school - they still do the gossiping and hanging out in cliq's...it is what it is.

Anyway, I digress. Before you consider meds, have you spoken to the person in HR about switching your schedule to times when those immature little girls aren't working? Consider it - I would rather you have a totally different schedule, than to put some meds in your body that you more than likely don't even need. This seems to be an environmental problem, rather than a brain/chemical issue...so change your environment. Also, can you afford to move out of your house into your own apartment? You mentioned your mom verbally abuses you.... If your income is low, consider section 8 or some sort of public assistance for a few months to get on your feet - it can assist with rent, food stamps, medical bills, etc. After you are on your feet, then you can get off of public assistance.

I know you love your mommy, but look how this is killing you inside. Then, when you get to work, you have to deal with someone else's crap. I suggest you move, and get a new schedule....or, while still working at this job, apply at other facilities....then, once you get hired, leave.

There are other options....if these don't work, then you can consider other alternatives. Trust me, I understand you. PM me or shoot me an email if you need to chat or vent.

D

[johnst10]

I am so sorry for you. LTC IS a tough place. I had a rough experience too. I hope some people can help you resolve your anguish. Hang in there

[CNAmonica65]

I got fired recenly because, another CNA verbally abused me throwing the F word out and verbally and physically abused a resident! I reported to the DON and 2 days later i got phucken fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How about that???!!!

This was 1st facility the bull crap that goes along with it sucks!

[nkara, CNA]

Yes they are all like this. At least all of the ones I've worked for. Seems that they hate their jobs and take it out on anyone who doesn't stand up for themselves. IE: the new guy.

I worked at a LTC facility when I was brand new out of school and they asked me one night to stay in the morning to pass out trays.. that's it. Well the "regulars" were ******** that I was lazy and what the heck was I doing there anyway. So I told them straight to their faces that I was only asked to pass out trays and didn't know their residents so they could all go to "H..." because that was the last time I would help them out.

I ended up only staying there for 3 weeks because of the facility not being safe and I couldn't in good concience work there. Plus I was hired at a hospital. When I left the women who where the meanest to me were wishing me well and were smiling from ear to ear.

I would just say stand up for yourself and maybe take the other person aside and ask them why they are so mean to you? If it doesn't help just ignore them and go about your business doing your assignment. If that still doesn't help look elsewhere.

[CNAmonica65]

I stood up for myself when the CNA cursed me out when i asked her to help me with a resident. I got fired so, stcking up for yourself doesn't always help. I was the "new" cna

[GCTMT]

I'm sorry you are being treated that way. First of all, if you are being threatened at work, DON'T TOLERATE IT! Making threats is illegal, period!

As for the rest, I really don't have that experience at my LTC. It's tough work and I enjoy it. But, there is one co-worker that I have problems with but my attitude is, respect me and I will respect you, and everyone knows it. Sometimes I really think it's about what we project to others. For example, if you project yourself as confident and capable, you might be less likely to be bullied. That is not to say that this is your fault, but the sad fact is, CNA's are no better than anyone else, some of them are bullies and bullies will find what they perceive to be the weakest link to attack. Stand up for yourself and don't take their crap!!

Whatever you do, DON'T GOSSIP. Gossip always leads to trouble.

This is the way I do it, I go in, do my job to the best of my ability, occasionaly have some friendly banter with the co-workers and then clock-out and go home. I understand that you really care about your residents which is why most CNA's get into this type of work. But, at the end of the day, it's a job. Do the best you can and the rest will fall into place.

Hope things work-out for you.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Cattiness is part of the job, unfortunately. CNA work is fast-paced and stressful and you cannot work independently. I'm a sensitive person too, but I overcame a lot of the catty crap by getting good at my job. I thought it would never happen, and that I would be a bad aide forever, and then eventually things clicked. Then they started making me work on other halls. The cliquey girls that I had never worked with were a-holes to me. I had to confront the worst offender to her face. After that they were nice to me. I still cringe when I think what they must say about me behind my back. Everyone talks about everyone, so you just have to avoid thinking about it!

I totally understand how hard it is to do a good job when you have no confidence and feel persecuted all the time though. Just focus on doing what you need to do for the paycheck and let the chips fall where they may, and you might end up doing better and getting accepted by the others. That was my experience, at least.