Backstabbing in LTC

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Are all LTC facilities like the one I work in? I have a pressing problem at my workplace. A couple of weeks ago, all nurses on one rotation were moved around. It did not bother me, I explained when I was hired that I was eager to do any area. Well, now I have been told it is my fault, that I didn't stay on my assigned hall. Untrue, the only time I leave my hall is to get pharmacy orders when these come in, and if I'm called to help on another hall. This has really angered me, this is like I'm abandoning my post, and that is serious. Nurses can and have lost their licenses for abandoning patients. There have also been accusations of my being burnt out. It is my opinion a nurse needs to be on the job longer than 7 months for burn out to occur. Am I wrong? There seems to be so much backstabbing in this particular facility I'm afraid to say anything to anyone, even in report for oncoming staff and also from the offgoing staff. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
It is my opinion a nurse needs to be on the job longer than 7 months for burn out to occur. Am I wrong?
Earlier this year, I had a night shift nursing home gig where I had a load of 70 patients by myself, with no other nurse or medication aide to help. Half of the patients received oral medications at midnight and 6am, and there were about 10 feeding tubes that needed attention. I also had to vitalize the dialysis patients before the bus picked them up at 6am. I am only listing a few of the duties for which I was responsible.

Needless to say, I became burnt out and quit in less than one month.

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So is quitting my only option?

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So is quitting my only option?

If that's the culture of the place, yes.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I don't miss LTC at all, so glad to be out of there. I worked in LTC for almost 20 yrs, and it's the biggest Peyton Place I've ever seen in my life. Seems like someone has to keep something stirred up all the time. If someone doesn't like you, for whatever reason or for no reason, watch out. Trust me, they are ALL like that. Frankly, I'm happier putting up with the inmates at the state prison than I ever was working in LTC. You actually get more respect from everyone....warden down to the inmates.

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Thanks to all who have replied. The general consensus seems to be move on. I was a hairdresser for 30 years prior to becoming a nurse and never in those years did I have the problems with backstabbing I have encountered in the 15 months I have been a nurse. Everyone says it's because nursing is a female oriented career, well so is hairdressing. Is there anything in the medical field that pays as well as LTC?

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, ER.

It has been said that nurses eat their young...and that is very true in LTC. I have worked in 3 LTC facilities either as a nurse oringinally as a CNA. They are breeding places for mean, backstabbing behavior. I finally made it out. I took a nearly $10 on the hour paycut...and saved my sanity and my license. A vindictive nurse (or aid for that matter) can cause you much trouble. Don't give up on nursing. We need caring, respectful and eager nurses. Just try another type of nursing of you can possibly get out of LTC. Something new will likely pay less, but how much is your mental health worth?

Hang in! We need you!

Stacey

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Specializes in LTC.

Oh, the joys of LTC! Things were going well (enough) at my facility then a former long-term employee return "prn". Well, seems she doesn't want "prn" at all and has begun "digging" for things other nurses have missed or lacked or, to put it bluntly, is trying her level best to get someone fired. She wants full time 1st shift and will do anything to anyone to get it. So, on top of the stress that already exists, here she is adding more just to serve herself. I truly believe that if nurses like her would put their energy into doing her own job, most LTC's would run beautifully. But, there are just mean, self-serving people out there that don't care about anyone but themselves, and delight in causing problems for others. Too bad they won't spontaneously combust. Like posted before: Move on. Your license and mental health are not worth the couple extra dollars an hour. I have resumes out, myself.

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I did LTC out of school and I will never go back. Not all facilities are bad, in fact I have a friend who loves her job. However, there are so many terrible ones out there it is hard to find a good one, and I think that 1 bad experience ruins it for you. We do need nurses and aides to work in LTC who else will take care of the elderly and handicapped? I am ever thankful that there are some people who can deal with those types of places. I know I can't.

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Nation aveage for burn out for a CNA is 5 years, A nurse 7 years. That average is for long term care, they are lower for ER nurses and surgery techs. We have never been known for longevity in our field. We are way above wait staff at "WINGS" and better than the people at "LOWES". Well above anyone who would care for you at "WALL MART".

But then, you did not go into this for the pay, did you? Take a second look at the LTC places and you will find more Acute care and Rehab going on. Do a year at any local hospital. People transition so fast in this healthcare system..that many local healthcare places are now the place to be. We are all needed in many areas. This field you have chosen is so big. Try all the areas, before you say quit.

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We are way above wait staff at "WINGS" and better than the people at "LOWES". Well above anyone who would care for you at "WALL MART".

But then, you did not go into this for the pay, did you? Take a second look at the LTC places and you will find more Acute care and Rehab going on. Do a year at any local hospital. People transition so fast in this healthcare system..that many local healthcare places are now the place to be. We are all needed in many areas. This field you have chosen is so big. Try all the areas, before you say quit.

I resemble that remark. I worked at WalMart.

And I don't work for free. Nursing is the only job where you're supposed to put up with overwork and low pay because we're, what, angels of mercy?

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

I just left LTC/Rehab. I couldn't take it anymore. Even though our staffing is better on the Rehab floor, they still found a way to increase us to 20 patients. And on the LTC they keep having us admit Rehab patients when a bed is not available then send them down when they are. With 30 patients and absolutely NO HELP! You just can't take care of anyone properly. Rehab patients have IVs, CPM, wounds, etc and are always on the bell. Nevermind your little dementia patients that you are supposed to be able to take care of on a LTC floor bcause they are 'stable'. The paperwork is RIDICULOUS and increases every year (if not every month!) It is all a huge joke, mostly impossible, and even though I've done it for years, loved my patient's, I had enough and finally took a job that paid much less to save my sanity.

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