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Discussion

Burnt out

I just recently visited this website and found out how helpful it can be so I want to use this website to help alleviate my anxiety and some what depression on what I am currently going through. This is going to be a bit of a long story but i'll try to make it as short as I can without crossing out the highlights.

I changed my career in 2008 and started looking into nursing schools; I started an lvn program in 2010 and finished in 2011. I started working as an lvn since then. I've came to really enjoy what I do as an lvn and wanted to go further ex: rnbsn which I am now in the bsn program. Ironically, my exhaustion and burnt out comes from working as an lvn at a SNF. On a daily basis, I am put with 35 patients per shift. I tried to do what I can with each and every one of the patients i'm given but I feel like I cannot give quality care with this ratio. I get stressed out trying to fulfill this demand because med pass is never on time, gtubes are always clogged up, family members from time to time stop me from what im doing to ask about a patient and that slows me down greatly. Now that I am going back to school for my bsn, i only work over the weekends. But i feel this is not the type of care i want to be giving. My question is how come the states does not regulate this? as in the nurse ratios down these SNFs? I feel like there's no quality care whatsoever.

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    I feel where you're coming from. Any option of going to a more acute setting?

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    I don't think it's possible for anyone to walk out of a shift at an LTC feeling like they gave good quality care to 35 or more patients :(

    Have you considered private duty? There seem to be a lot of openings for LVNs in this area and -- wonder of wonders -- one patient. I'm doing this currently (after blowing out my right knee working acute care), and though I wasn't planning on doing this forever, I can work 40 or more hours per week with NO stress. Perhaps I'm fortunate to have NO stress, but even if there were, it's not the same stress as acute care or being overworked in an LTC.

    The pay is less and benefits may be nonexistent in private duty. There are downsides to having a nursing job with NO stress lol.

    I do feel like 'a real nurse', and I get to do all those things that I never had time to do. I can really take care of the patient in a very holistic way, from skilled care to fingernail clipping and buffing the kid up before school (which is a blast, he has the best clothes :D ).

    Another suggesting is to get your RN. It would give you an opportunity to work in acute care where there are legal nurse to patient ratios instead of the immoral, IMO, ratios justified in LTC.

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    The only state that has mandated nurse to patient ratios is California for acute care facilities. It is still a businesses so they will try and get the most out of you so they can make a greater profit. Thirty five patients to one LVN is just out of bounds and is a travesty.You can get a burger in 1 minute because there are many people working in In and Out but we can't have enough nursing staff!

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    I am very burnt out and every time i go to work like this, i feel guilty and just terrible. Patients dont deserve this type of care. Also, i cant even go on lunch on time, and when i do go on lunch, its always 10minutes and no more than that. Bc if i dont rush back to work im gonna get way behind. I am so burnt out! :'(

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    If I were you I'd try to find a home health job with a reputable company. You'll likely be paid more if you find a pay per visit position which will pay for your productivity. And after what you've been dealing with, you'll be able to be very productive.

    However, clear your head and take a little time off, home health gets inundated by burned out nurses, come fresh and ready to start a new career.

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    I am very burnt out and every time i go to work like this, i feel guilty and just terrible. Patients dont deserve this type of care. Also, i cant even go on lunch on time, and when i do go on lunch, its always 10minutes and no more than that. Bc if i dont rush back to work im gonna get way behind. I am so burnt out!

    This is exactly why I left LTC and never want to go back! Sorry you are going through this.

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    Do you think home health is less stressful? Private duty for example.

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    I think I am going through a depression right now....... I am so tired of SNF work, I don't think I can handle this type of work and low quality care anymore.

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