Feeling really let down!!!!

Published

Okay guys please help me understand this if you can. I graduated from LPN school in July. Passed boards in august. And i thought to myself what a great career i am going to have. I had a little trouble finding a job, but i finally found one. Well i was hired in LTC and since then the DON has resigned and the new DON has said, along with administration that they want to do away with 2 nurses from 7p-7a sat and sun. and just have one. Well It dosen't put my job in jeporady because the other nurse quit because she has a M-F job. So that leaves me going from 29 pts to 52. I am considering resigning I hate to do it because this is my first job and i just started in september, I have bonded with my residents. But i feel i am not ready to take on all those residents at this moment in my career. I know and understand that the BON allows this ratio but numbers are nothing to me its acuity of the patients and the care that's important, yes even at night. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going back to school in January for my RN and very excited about more opportunity but right now i'm just depressed about the work situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
So that leaves me going from 29 pts to 52. I am considering resigning I hate to do it because this is my first job and i just started in september, I have bonded with my residents. But i feel i am not ready to take on all those residents at this moment in my career.

Wow! Fifty two patients is a lot of patients...even for a seasoned Nurse! I think it is really dangerous and personally, I would get out. It is not worth risking your license, especially if you are returning to school in January.

I understand that this is your first job, but there will be more jobs out there. If you decide to resign, explain why. Maybe tell them that if they would hire another Nurse that you would be willing to stay. My bet is that they would hire another Nurse in a heartbeat because they know darn well that there are very few new Nurses willing to to take on 52 patients.

Sorry you are having to experience all if this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the reply I LOVE MY CAT! I have tried talking to administration and that's there final opinion is that there only needs to be one nurse. Which stinks because they make decisions without being back there and knowing what's going on with the patients. And to me thats sad! You are right my licences and my pts are my number one priority so that's why i am leaving. Thanks for the input!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

One of the unfortunate things about LTC is that this is usually the norm for an LPN to have that many patients to care for. It is a horrible situation, to me, and it makes me totally afraid to go. Try to look around to see what the job market and situations are for LPNs in your area. If your immediate area limits LPNs to long term care, this may be the story almost everywhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

UUUGGHHH....this brings back so many bad memories. This time last year I was in the same boat. I had 46 residents, on days, 12 hour shifts so all meals, no tx nurse. I actually posted about some of my TERRIFYING moments. And of course being the stuborn person I am didnt take to any of the replies to GET OUT!!! Well, to say the least I lost my job. To something I didnt do of course. Those kind of facilities will do ANYTHING to cover there butts. They do not care about you or your hard earned license. If you went in and talked about hiring another nurse, they would find a reason to fire you and show you the door. There is always SOMEBODY crazy enough to take on that task. Hate to be so negative, but its the reality. You should bow out gracefully. You sound like your on the road to being an excellent nurse and you do not want a cruddy facility to taint that. Now with that said, dont give up on us LTC nurses. There are some decent ones out there, you just gotta find yours. I love my old people and my facility, I hope you can say the same soon (about your facility)!! Good luck and get outta there!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you Nurse Peace. I am trully thankful for this site and people like you. That have been there and can give me advice. I am leaving i have already put in my 2 week notice and looking for another facility, home health or something better. I have come to realize this facility is budget driven not patient driven

thanks again!!!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
Thank you Nurse Peace. I am trully thankful for this site and people like you. That have been there and can give me advice. I am leaving i have already put in my 2 week notice and looking for another facility, home health or something better. I have come to realize this facility is budget driven not patient driven

thanks again!!!!!!!!!

Your very welcome and good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNF/Acute.

Wow, talk about overwhelming, that ratio sounds ridiculous :nono:...

Anyhow.. best of luck to you on whatever you choose and RN school!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I was in LTC, I accepted a job where I was the only licensed staff at night for a 52bed facility. Twenty three of these were classified as subacute. When I took this job, I was a little apprehensive but I already had a year of experience so I had the basics down. When I ran into problems in the middle of the night I was supposed to call the ADON or DON. Reached an answering machine. Like others at this place, I came to the conclusion that being unemployed was better than working in a place that was literally falling apart around me. If you feel that you are jeopardizing your license then you need to make the decision whether or not to stay with this job. Only you can decide. Good luck with your decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion