ltc rant: short staff- burnt out-fall downs

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Dear state:Please educate me on how i'm suppose to do my job. How to medicate 28 residents ..do the admission..help the stna's ..prevent another hip fx.I just can't do it fast enough. I freaking hate my job but love what i do. How do i turn the other cheek and not be bothered by what i see.Sure i can go look elsewhere..and i asked and check i'm often told by others that tried it's worst of out there. Stuck here between love and hate.

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You are not alone. And the new cuts in Medicare are not making it any better.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

It's very hard. I realize every day in LTC that we nurses and CNA's have to swallow a lot of emotion just to get through the shift. We can't feel everything because if we did we'd be crying all day long, it's just that sad.

That said...you are doing a beautiful job. Helping people who are at the end of life have the best quality of life possible in a bad circumstance. I often wonder if we should be keeping people alive like this just because we can. :(

You just do what you can each day and learn to say good-bye at the end even though wrinkled hands are reaching out and old voices are saying please take me with you. Heart breaking. Live for the moments that warm your heart. The med pass gets easier and faster. Give lots of hugs. Stop and listen when you can. Empathize. Acknowledge feelings. Do what you can and go home and relax. Let the next shift do it for awhile. Eat relax sleep and come back tomorrow and smile, because your life if better than theirs.

Don't hate. Love. You will never be perfect and s**t happens. Do your best. And, yes, it's the same all over so changing facilities won't matter that much. (((((((Hugs. )))))))

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Just get out there and do your job with a happy attitude. You can only be in one place at a time and can not prevent all falls. Volunteer when or if you can perhaps 30 mins a week after punching out? Take care of your health and family then when you come to work your fresh. Leave work at work and live yor life!

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