What is it with the nurses in LTC?

lilypad2424 · Apr 27, 2007

Addendum: The hardest working person at the facility is Maria, she cleans poop off of the floor and toilets, and whatever other measly task that we are all above doing with a beautiful smile and attitude. She is my hero.

lilypad2424 · Apr 27, 2007

good post swatch007. 'preaciate ya.

lilypad2424 · Apr 27, 2007

very funny post, southern rn brat, I always appreciate a smart a$$. You sound like a very hard working nurse. They could use you at the facility I am talking about. And BTW, the nurses there don't have to pass meds.

bshaw96 · Apr 27, 2007

Addendum: The hardest working person at the facility is Maria, she cleans poop off of the floor and toilets, and whatever other measly task that we are all above doing with a beautiful smile and attitude. She is my hero.

You're generalizing again:nono: Do you have any idea how much poop and pee I clean off the floor in a given day? Don't even think about it, just wipe it up and keep going. I was a CNA while getting my nurses license, so there's nothing I think I'm "above" doingl. And I don't think students are annoying at all. We've all been students. You just can't expect to be a student, not having even worked a day as a nurse, much less years, and think you can decide what's going on in the minds of seasoned nurses. I promise you, the world of clinicals and nursing, when you have an idealistic view of how things are going to be, and the world of real, you're on your own nursing are 2 different things.

Just be careful about saying how you will and won't react until you've actually been there. Honestly, your "strong opinions and judgements" are coming thru loud and clear on a message board. I can only imagine how you may be coming off to these nurses in person.

I stress again. I wish you the best of luck in your clinicals and nursing career. I'd be interested to read your posts in about 5 or so years when you've gotten out of school and have been in the trenches awhile.

This is not to say there are not a lot of bitties in LTC. There are everywhere. I've probably been one myself on a couple of bad days. But generally, when someone thinks EVERYONE has a problem BUT THEM, it's time to look internally.

swatch007 · Apr 27, 2007

good post swatch007. 'preaciate ya.

You're welcome.

There are nothing to be ashamed of what you wrote here. We are all in the process of learning. We are all teachers and students to others one way or another in this university of life, and each experience is a lesson that will lead to wisdom when we are willing to spend pondering.

Take good care of yourself and others.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2007

Furthermore, the nurses there do paperwork and are completely uncaring towards the residents.

That's a mighty big assumption. They may simply be too buried in what needs to be done for compliance with legal requirements to appear to care.

Believe me, when the state shows up they care that the paperwork is done, not that Mrs. G didn't get a hug today.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2007

Believe me, when the state shows up they care that the paperwork is done, not that Mrs. G didn't get a hug today.

Well-written, and so very true.

nightmare, RN · Apr 28, 2007

That's a mighty big assumption. They may simply be too buried in what needs to be done for compliance with legal requirements to appear to care.
Believe me, when the state shows up they care that the paperwork is done, not that Mrs. G didn't get a hug today.

It really annoys me when non registered staff think we are "just sitting in the office all night".Our care plans are,on average ,at least 2 inchs thick,they take anything from 2 to 3 hours to start from scratch and it is often the night staff who do this as "we have more time!" When we review them monthly,we each have at least 4,it can take at least an hour each plan.Writing "no change" is not allowed so you have to think of something to write which means no change without actually saying that!Yes we would all like to be out there giving one to one care but the reality is we spend so much time writing about the residents we sometimes can't be out there caring for them! :banghead:

pepperann35 · Apr 28, 2007

:monkeydance::balloons::yeah:I think I'm pretty nice.:smilecoffeecup::biere::cheers::biggringi:thankya::beercuphe

Me too!!!:monkeydance:

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Apr 28, 2007

That's a mighty big assumption. They may simply be too buried in what needs to be done for compliance with legal requirements to appear to care.
Believe me, when the state shows up they care that the paperwork is done, not that Mrs. G didn't get a hug today.

Nevermind the state's not caring part...they'd probably cite you for giving someone a hug. My facility got cited once because one of the demented women walked up to a surveyor and hugged her. The surveyor cited us because we didn't have an "inappropriate sexual behavior" care plan. harumph! nothing inappropriate about a hug....but I digress.

BebeRN2 · Apr 28, 2007

OMG! I don't understand why the nurses in LTC have soooo much attitude. Wait, let me back up. I am a student, and am currently in my geri rotation, which makes this the 2nd facility that I have been exposed to. Anyway, the nurses and staff that I have personally run accross are the meanest, most selfish, and downright rudest people I have ever had the pleasure of encountering. Have I just had 2 experiences in a row that correlate, or do LTCF's breed negativity?

Sounds to me like the attitude adjustment needed is yours.

wefdm21 · May 2, 2007

Wait until you experience RN'itis during your OB rotation. Then you'll love the LTC nurses. I work in LTC and I think the environment is so stressful that the energy just rubs off on everyone. However when I was in school the LTC nurses were some of the nicest encountered.