difficult unit for just 1 nurse

[makes needs known]

In the past 6 weeks 2 nurses have quit because of this difficult unit that is mostly dementia residents. One walked out to take supper break, and never came back. There are 40 pts. on this floor. Many behavior problems, a very heavy med pass. To count the narcotics at beginning and end of the shift takes at least 25 minutes each time. This floor is always messy and unorganized, it's hard to find things, no one has time to pick up or make thing easier for the next person. It's a disaster. When we go to deliver meds to a pt., we have little ladies that come up to med carts, they close our mars book, they take our pens, they get their hands stuck in the sharps container! It is hard to redirect them constantly, and pass meds at the same time. Having 1 nurse is not enough. It does not get all done. Working on this unit almost always guarantee's that a med error will happen. We all know these problems and we all communicate this to our DON. But what happen's is finger pointing. It's our fault that the nurses quit. We weren't friendly enough. It's our fault that the dementia pts slow us down. Figure out inventive ways to keep them occupied. Of course it's our fault when a med error happens. But they happen to everyone who works this floor. Thats all for now, thanks for listening.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would be the next one creeping out of the door as soon as another opportunity allows.

[nightmare, RN]

Yes ,I've lost a lot of pens that way! now I just shove it in my pocket when I'm not there!Med carts are like magnets to the corridor warriors.I don't know what your carts look like but we had a wooden box with doors built to go under ours and that is where the sharps and liquid meds goes.it has a padlock to keep demented little hands out! 40 patients to one nurse...no way.even 30 is too much !

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Yes ,I've lost a lot of pens that way! now I just shove it in my pocket when I'm not there!Med carts are like magnets to the corridor warriors.I don't know what your carts look like but we had a wooden box with doors built to go under ours and that is where the sharps and liquid meds goes.it has a padlock to keep demented little hands out! 40 patients to one nurse...no way.even 30 is too much !

That is the very issue that keeps me from applying at nursing homes. At the moment, hospitals are still hiring LPNs in our area, but I often wonder what would be my fate if the doors are closed to me. My conscience wouldn't be clear because I know I could not keep up with all of their needs. Those poor people who had to give up their lives to reside at a nursing home need more dignity than this.

[AngelaLPN08]

I don't know if I would want to stay there either. It is sad that the DON is not helping, because she is putting her residents at risk, and her nurses.

If your DON continues to do nothing I would eventually consider leaving myself. It sounds like a risky place for you and your license to be. My opinion!

Best of luck to you!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

What is so unfortunate is that it seems that these unsafe situations are the norm for LTC and even for nursing in general. When will it stop?? I see so many nurses (myself included) basically afraid due to the pressure placed to produce stupid documentation, but are leaving patients and our licenses at risk.

[militarymom06]

This could be a very dangerous situation. Not only for the residents, but also your nursing license is out there on the line. You have worked too hard to get your license, and since the D.O.N. really isn't doing anything to help with the matter it seems to me that you only have one alternative. Have you considered calling the state on this matter? What would happen if one of the residents, that sticks their hands in the sharps container, actually got a needle or lancet? It wouldn't be the resident's fault, because of the dementia...it would be the nurse's fault. No, I'm not saying "you", but that's the way the administration would view it. It's not all your "place" to keep the residents occupied. You are doing your med pass, and really shouldn't be interrupted until finished...by anyone. Where are your CNA's while all this is going on? Sounds like there isn't enough CNA's either. Your facility really should have atleast one more nurse for the area, especially with all the dementia/behavior residents you have. Afterall, isn't the residents supposed to be the number one priority? From the sound of it, it doesn't feel that way. As I said, earlier, if your D.O.N. won't do anything to fix the problem, then I would call the state. Don't worry, it will be anonimous as they all are. You could also notify the local Ombudsman for your facility. Best of luck, and I feel for you.

[makes needs known]

Thanks everyone for responding. The funny thing is that I've worked here for many years. This difficult unit is not my normal unit, but they ship us around where they want us. So because this unit's nurse is always quiting, we get floated there. Hopefully things will get better. Thanks again.

[gettingupthere]

We have a 40 bed dementia unit also, however, there are 4 aides during the day and eve shifts and all day activities there keeping them busy. There are 2 nurses during the day shift and 1 on the eve shift,which is all do-able. I would NEVER just go to a meal and never come back! That is abandonment! I know how frustrating it is to work under those conditions, but I also know that I could never just walk out on the patients, and it sounds like you feel the same way too! I commend you for sticking it out and hope that somehow you are able to get your DON to convince the administrator to get more help. If your administrator is anything like mine, GOOD LUCK!