Can good nurses work in bad facility

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So I’ve always worked in the top facilities, I’m a very good nurse, meaning I care a lot about my patients , I have a lot of empathy as a person, like most nurses. However, here in Atlanta there’s a lot of facilities where that seems to be lacking a lot. I need a part time nursing job that the hours are 7-3 2-3 days a week, the only facilities hiring for that have terrible reviews from employees to patients. The pay is way higher at these facilities too for a reason. I start tomorrow but I’m worried can a good nurse handle working in that environment or should us good nurses try to make a difference in a terrible place?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

This is kind of a weird question. Good nurses work EVERYWHERE. Even bad facilities.

If the facility is bad that doesn't mean the nurses that work there are bad. It means they are being given less than ideal resources to do their jobs.

Don't go into it thinking you are better than them. You are likely in for a rude awakening to how good you have had it.

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That’s a comment from someone who hasn’t lived or worked down here, I’ve been to these facilities and they do not have caring nurses working at them, I’m not saying I’m better I’m saying I care more from what I’ve witnessed at these facilities so far. I hope your right in this case I really do. It’s been a real struggle in Atlanta nursing homes, look them up they are run terrible that’s true. I’m hoping your right.

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There’s a terrible facility near me, and my hospital often gets patients from them in pretty rough shape. I don’t blame the nurses or aides; I’m pretty sure they’re doing the best with what they’re given to work with. To brand them “uncaring” without ever working with them would be a huge leap.

I consider myself a “good” nurse too but who knows how I’d fare under different circumstances. It’s easy to be good with the right support.

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I agree with what you guys are saying and I appreciate the perspective I guess I am making judgement based on what you said I too have received patients from these places. So Maybe the better question is how can a nurse manage to work in these facilities if they have to? Or can/should they?

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1 hour ago, Mqnurse13 said:

So I’ve always worked in the top facilities, I’m a very good nurse, meaning I care a lot about my patients , I have a lot of empathy as a person, like most nurses. However, here in Atlanta there’s a lot of facilities where that seems to be lacking a lot.

I think you are in for a shift in perspective. ?

Some of your beliefs about yourself (let's stipulate that they are indeed realities - you are very good at what you do, you do care a lot and convey caring, etc.) -- some of these have been encouraged or enhanced through your surroundings; by having resources, by being supported, by simply being allowed to do your brand of caring.

Would you appear as caring (or even perceive yourself as being caring) when you don't have time to listen to a patient talk? Or when you are handling an assignment size that is usually split between two people? When you don't have time to think about a patient's individual situation? When you are nitpicked in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't fashion every day? When you/your coworkers are vilified over things you can't control?

Not so much.

1 hour ago, Mqnurse13 said:

I start tomorrow but I’m worried 1. can a good nurse handle working in that environment or 2. should us good nurses try to make a difference in a terrible place?

1. It depends on the person, although it might be fair to say that a great many people seem to not thrive in the types of places you are describing.

2. If you want to.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I did some agency shifts during a brief period of my life, mostly long-term care. One of the facilities was terrible. I consider myself a good nurse, and I thought most of the people who worked there were good nurses.

Now, maybe if I had taken a regular job there I would have learned the ropes well enough to still be a good nurse, despite the conditions. But at the beginning of every shift, I received a sticky, unstocked med cart (usually from a nurse from the same agency as me) and at the end of every shift I passed on a sticky, unstocked med cart (usually to a nurse from the same agency as me). Not having a chance to clean up and restock the med cart was the least of my woes.

After 5 shifts I realized that I was not going to be able to practice nursing there according to my standards. My options were to lower my standards and teach myself not to care as much, or decline further shifts in that facility. Luckily for me, I was in a position to decline shifts without having to dumpster-dive.

I think what you're asking, OP, is: is it possible to work in such a facility and maintain your standards as a nurse? It wasn't, for me, although I did meet some stellar nurses working in bad places. Only you know your abilities and limitations. Good luck.

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Thank you so much that helps a lot! I think I’m going to have to make a sacrifice no matter what I choose, 12 hour long shifts at a better place or the 8 hour shifts at a not so good facility. Can’t find my exact match down here, Atlanta not so good for geriatric nurses.

Tricia,

did you enjoy psych nursing, considering that as another option, I’ve always been med surg and geriatrics considering completely switching gears.

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Shouldn't be a problem.

Plenty of bad nurses working at good facilities.

But, as others have said, it really depends on your attitude, and how you define "good nurse". There are plenty of places that have such heavy loads, and such crappy resources, that the PTs don't get good care. That does not mean that there are no good nurses there.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I work at a very highly regarded facility and I love it there. I struggle with people that I work with that see nursing as "just a job"

I can understand what OP is trying to say. There are a couple of hospitals closer to where I live (I drive 45 miles to work) but I would not take a dead dog to the closer hospitals. I don't think I could work where the quality of care is sub par. It becomes kind of a vicious cycle. Good nurses, but when you are overwhelmed, overworked, I think it is too easy to get burned out or apathetic.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
6 hours ago, Mqnurse13 said:

Tricia,

did you enjoy psych nursing, considering that as another option, I’ve always been med surg and geriatrics considering completely switching gears.

Yes, I enjoyed it very much; did it for the first 15 years of my career. After that it got stale and I had to move on to keep learning and growing. I still have fond memories of most of my psych jobs.

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Shouldn't be a problem.

Plenty of bad nurses working at good facilities.

But, as others have said, it really depends on your attitude, and how you define "good nurse". There are plenty of places that have such heavy loads, and such crappy resources, that the PTs don't get good care. That does not mean that there are no good nurses there.

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