Do I cut and run?

[karmababy]

Really looking for some insight from those of you that have far more experience then I do. Quick background, I have over 21 years experience in both long term and acute care nursing and was ADON at my last facility. I just finished my first year as a DON at a 140 bed SNF and have never felt so defeated in all of my life. Nothing in this place works, from policies to the staff. We have gone from a 2 star to a 1 star during my tenure largely in part to 3 complaint surveys (d/t staffing) and a drop in our QM's) again attributable to staffing. We were slayed during a mock survey by our management company (no surprise there) and I know we will have an awful survey. I have no staff, it not uncommon to be short 2 if not 3 nurses a shift (call off or have left for more money) and maybe 5 STNAs in the whole house for much the same reason. On top of it all, I have lost my scheduler and am having to do the scheduling, attendance monitoring and ordering supplies. I have broached the subject of agency ( I know a bad word) without success. Both myself and my management team are working the floors and I am unable to move forward on anything at this time. First question, and please be frank: Is this really how this position is and I am just really incompetent? and secondly should I just see the writing on the wall and find another job quick? Oh by the way the facility has just hired a new administrator..... Sorry so long but I just had to get this off my chest.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Impossible situation. Bail.

[Karou]

Unless the company is willing to contract with agencies to get some staff in, that sounds like a lost cause.

Hired staff are leaving to make more money. Company won't allow agency nurses (they have to pay more). New administrator (administration/DON/ADON may be constantly turning over as people bail out). That says a lot. Staff are probably calling in because it's always short staffed and is a miserable situation to work in.

You can't fix a bad corporate company, that only cares about $$$. I would resign, work out your required notice, and leave while you still have a nursing license.

[karmababy]

Quick update, a week after a fairly dismal survey the administrator of 4 months was asked to leave. I have taken full responsibility for the survey and resigned only to have my corporate boss ask that I reconsider ( I did). I continue to lose staff to facilities who pay more or offer 12 hr shifts and have more agency staff in the building than my own. I have not even interviewed a nurse for 2nd shift in 2 months! I am trying to run a 140 bed SNF with myself and one unit manager and can not keep my head above water, I am called in at all hours. To those of you doing the job, is this really what the job is like? And if so, what keeps you going back?