Don't think I want this job anymore.

Published

I've been putting 200-250 miles a day on my car (but that isn't why I don't want this job anymore) I'm so exhausted by the end of the day I'm nearly in tears. Last night I was sure I'd get a good night's sleep, get to sleep till about 8am, after all, I wanted to get into home health because of the flexibility I heard it offered.

Well, the phone rings at 5:30am and when I answer hello I hear this (almost psycho) sounding voice that was like it had just unraveled some big criminal ring and was ready to begin interrogating the suspects..."You told me you were an RN!"

I was still half asleep. I said "huh? I didn't quite recognize the voice at first.

It repeated, "You told me you were an RN!!!:angryfire (you could feel the heat behind it.) She went on to ad," I've got your file here and it is all FILLED with LPN papers!!!"

I had it figured out by then. It was the DON. So I reminded her that I *was* an LPN and had worked for this company as a private duty LPN before I got my RN license. She is silent a few seconds and then says, "Oh my gosh, I'm soooo sorry! I was over here about to have a stroke! I;m sorry to call you so early but I usually do my paprework early in the mornings! Ha, ha, well good morning!"

So, I figure all is well and good. I go to the office today and she is giving me the evil eye and it is making me feel extremely nervous and paranoid. She makes me nervous anyway because she is (no kidding) in a constant state of panic/mania. Talks a mile-a-minute. Has us running around in circles like chickens with their heads cut off along with her and before we get anything accomplished we have done so much running we don't know which way is up. I was warned by another office person she would have me so confused I wouldn't know which way was up. I should have heeded the warning more closely. I know this woman has good intentions and she is very bright...but I think maybe she is a little too bright. She gets real excited and flies off the handle, puts everyone in a panic. Today she was giving us all a hard time. But this is also the same person I have seen who wants people to be happy (maybe it is her alter ego) and will do what she can to see everyone is satisfied.

But I can't take the craziness anymore. I just don't have the stamina to keep up with someone like that. I like peace and calm. I do hate that I am only three weeks into the job and am already a quitter. I hear rumors she will not be with us long, she was just brought in because she had worked for the state as an inspector at one time and they thought she could help the company get up to par.

I would like some advice on what to do.:trout:

BTW, I'm still traumatized about this morning. It really freaked me out, and I can still hear that voice running through my head in that accusatory tone...it's left me confused and worried about where I stand.

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

motorcycle mama;

you need to sit down and evaluate what you like about this job and what you dont. if it is the travel and the mileage, that will probably not change. if it is the wacky don:gandalf: she may or may not always be there...but you can limit your time with her since you will mostly be with patients....and remember sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you dont!!!

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Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.
sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you dont!!!

Ain't that the truth! Best wishes with your decision.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I like to do pro and con lists for big decisions. Helps me work it out. Let us know what you decide.

renerian

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I like to do pro and con lists for big decisions. Helps me work it out. Let us know what you decide.

renerian

Yesterday was fair. I didn't have any visits, only paperwork to finish up. Today, I just have one skilled nursing visit. The DON was nice yesterday. I really do believe she has bipolar, and this isn't just because I'm trying to make a dig at anyone, I truly believe it.

My husband at first gave me a hard time for taking this job, now he doesn't want me to quit since I am making decent money, more than I would make at a hospital or nursing home. DON had told me when I first started to bear with them, things would be crazy for awhile but it would get better and I will be able to pretty much set my own schedule. So I guess there are good days and bad days to be expected, only I hope I don't get anymore 5:30am phone calls from this DON's alter ego...that just freaks me out. Also, she is trying to see that we start getting paid by the visit rather than being salaried. I don't know if this is good or bad.

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I would give it a bit more time. I worked for hospice, similar with the driving and flexibility, and there were times that it was the GREATEST job ever and times that I HATED it! Of course, my boss was an awesome individual who always tried to make employees happy. There were times where I could be checking on pts by telephone and doing paperwork at home (while doing laundry). Other times were just plain crazy. My recommendation is to try not to get roped into taking call too often. Don't let them tell you that you won't get called--you probably will! I bet the labor intensity of the work is much lower than the hospital. Also, do you ever do your paperwork at home while watching TV? I useo think that was the coolest thing.:lol2: I used to go home from the hospital absolutely bone-tired. Was never physically exhausted that way from hospice. Also, I used to love listening to talk radio in my car. My car was my office! Just make sure the grass is greener somewhere else. If it is--go! Oh, also, she probably called you in a panic because imagine the trouble she and her company would get in if you were exceeding your scope of practice. Maybe, she had been already working for hours when she called you so early. It was probably one of those "oh crap" moments for her ;)

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I would give it a bit more time. I worked for hospice, similar with the driving and flexibility, and there were times that it was the GREATEST job ever and times that I HATED it! Of course, my boss was an awesome individual who always tried to make employees happy. There were times where I could be checking on pts by telephone and doing paperwork at home (while doing laundry). Other times were just plain crazy. My recommendation is to try not to get roped into taking call too often. Don't let them tell you that you won't get called--you probably will! I bet the labor intensity of the work is much lower than the hospital. Also, do you ever do your paperwork at home while watching TV? I useo think that was the coolest thing.:lol2: I used to go home from the hospital absolutely bone-tired. Was never physically exhausted that way from hospice. Also, I used to love listening to talk radio in my car. My car was my office! Just make sure the grass is greener somewhere else. If it is--go! Oh, also, she probably called you in a panic because imagine the trouble she and her company would get in if you were exceeding your scope of practice. Maybe, she had been already working for hours when she called you so early. It was probably one of those "oh crap" moments for her ;)

I love to listen to Dave Ramsey in my car...even though I can predict everything he is going to say, I still love to listen. And I know what you mean about an office car. My car is a rolling office. I still haven't quite gotten a grasp on how to organize my papers, it's all still new.

There are only two visiting full-time RN's with the company, and the other RN wanted to split on-call which means he covers his counties and I cover mine...but this means we are on call ALL the time!

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I love to listen to Dave Ramsey in my car...even though I can predict everything he is going to say, I still love to listen. And I know what you mean about an office car. My car is a rolling office. I still haven't quite gotten a grasp on how to organize my papers, it's all still new.

There are only two visiting full-time RN's with the company, and the other RN wanted to split on-call which means he covers his counties and I cover mine...but this means we are on call ALL the time!

That call schedule is rough! I used to KNOW my radio lineup......Dr. Laura, Bob Brinker's Money Talk, Dr. Laura, Tojm Martino's Trouble Shooter, Michael Reagan show! I used to plan my long drives around my favorite show-ie, That drive will take me 30 minutes, I'll go at X time because Y is on! For paperwork and pt files I bought one of those plastic portable filing cabinets with a lid (maybe $10 at office store) and had hanging files for variety of paperwork and pertinent stuff about pts. Also, until I got to know where a pt lived, I would always make a copy of that page of the city mapbook--always seemed easier than tried to look at the book! Good luck with your decision!

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The new admin/DON has not been in the office all week. And I hate to say this, but it has been the most peacful, pleasant week I have had at this job yet.

The difference is amazing. And I feel like a heel saying this, because this DON has a big heart and wants people to be happy. She just doesn't seem to be satisfied unless there is total chaos all around her, so whereever she goes she is jumping around all hyped up ordering us to run here, run there, do this, do that...but this past week we have all been doing our jobs without a single episode of panic/urgency and not knowing why.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
The new admin/DON has not been in the office all week. And I hate to say this, but it has been the most peacful, pleasant week I have had at this job yet.

The difference is amazing. And I feel like a heel saying this, because this DON has a big heart and wants people to be happy. She just doesn't seem to be satisfied unless there is total chaos all around her, so whereever she goes she is jumping around all hyped up ordering us to run here, run there, do this, do that...but this past week we have all been doing our jobs without a single episode of panic/urgency and not knowing why.

I would not hesitate to let the DON know that you are not to be called at home, only on your cell and that you will not answer before 8:00 on weekdays and later if at all on weekends. I have to say I have the best DON on earth. She is very very considerate. I cannot imagine the mileage you're putting on your car. I log 150-250/mi per week. Our company is very conscious of the price of gas and is very good about only sending us in one area at a time and usually close to home. If I have a visit that is 30 or so miles away then she'll give me 4-6 in the same immediate area. It makes it soooo much easier. I'm usually done by 3:00 pm. Paperwork is an issue for me sometimes because of the admits and recerts, routine visit paperwork is a breeze. I fax my Dr's orders myself from my home. That way I know they are faxed and then I turn them in with my paperwork. I only go into the office once or twice per week. Good Luck!

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Wow, what company do you work for?

When we aren't on visits, the office manager wants us in the office doing chart audits. This isn't going to fly with me for very long.

The new admin/DON was "let go" Friday, and so was the team of friends and relatives she brought into the office and created jobs for. It's like a different place. We went from 16 people in the office to 8 overnight. With this agency going through so many changes, though, I'm starting to wonder if my job there is secure. The part-time RN suggested since this company doesn't seem very stable right now I might want to have another job lined up. But where?

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I wouldn't jump ship right now. The company took appropriate action at the appropriate time -- if they believed you weren't an asset, they would have "sweeped you out" with the others, I believe. Just my opinion, of course.....

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