Just tired

[lauriepat]

I am almost 21, i am an lpn working 11-7 as charge in an assisted living facility

I just got into rn school to start next month and graduate next may (!!!!!) which i am ecstatic about.

I have posted on here before.

But i am just getting so, so tired.

My last night shift is in 2 weeks, going part time because of school.

I am so sick of my coworkers.

I love my patients

But management is crooked, we recently got a new don and she is inexperienced, the day nurse is a frantic, anxious mess and always keeps

me late in the mornings rambling about irrelevant bs, there's forever holes in the schedule and people calling out. The day nurse does scheduling and only fills her 7-3 slots.

Allegations of pt abuse- fingerprint bruises on a pt's thighs, a man broke his hip a few weeks ago, still don't know how it happened, no fall reported and if he did he couldn't have gotten up on his own.

I was the one who sent him out, and when my executive director talked to me, there was no "good judgement call!" It was "who do you think did it?"

I know nursing is a thankless job. Why is management so **** crooked?

I am sure it will be swept under the rug so state is unaware.

When i work days i am the only nurse who actually follows up on issues and resolves them. I tell the day nurse about issues all the time that could easily be taken care of during the day (like calling md office or pharm) and nothing is followed up on.

I try to talk to my boyfriend/family about it and they don't understand.

Sorry for the long rambling post.

2 weeks till my last night shift and then i go on vacation.

If i make it till then!!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Management is crooked in many places and many facilites. It's part of what is nursing. Great for you getting your RN but be careful how you blame each shift.

When I would get the MD stuff handed to me when I use to work nights I would fax the doc instead of calling. I realize that we need to think out of the box to accomplish the many tasks that build up during the week. Sometimes the solution can be so simple and then all the bickering is avoided.

Where I work the MD offices for both major provider systems turn off their fax machines after 5:00 PM and on weekends, so the faxes after hours don't go through. Strange, Huh?

[alrighThen]

This sounds like where I started out, too! I was also a 20 year old LPN charge nurse in a LTC facility, 'in charge' of the aides who taught me how to be a CNA when I took the course at 17. I felt the same punitive overhead and frustration at not being able to resolve ALL things on night shift. There are some situations ie PCP offices not taking faxes at night. Good example. You're on the right track to go back and get your RN. I tried to leave LTC and worked for a summer as an LPN in a Job Corps facility at the wellness clinic for the residential students and that was a nice break, but in the end it was the flexibility of the nursing home that kept me there until I graduated and relocated. Best of luck to you, chin up! If you need this job then your best bet is to continue CYA. Not everyone can handle this type of work, so give yourself a pat on the back.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I would be careful about reporting suspected abuse, a hip fracture does not necessarily have to be from a fall. It can be from pathological reasons such as; osteoporosis, infection or cancer or it can be due to unknown reasons. There was a case a couple of years ago in which a personal care worker was accused of causing the death of a nursing home resident secondary to a fracture. It was alleged that the worker injured the resident while transferring her. After a couple of months and much stress for the worker, the medical examiner concluded that the resident was extremely fragile and there was no conclusive evidence as to how the resident sustained the fracture, in the meantime the worker was wrongly accused and her life was turned upside down.

[pkimmich]

Whether you decide to report abuse or not, the least I would do is go online and find the facility on Yelp or something, and leave them a horrible review. That way if other patients are considering going there, they can maybe find out about the nasty people working there and think twice...

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Whether you decide to report abuse or not, the least I would do is go online and find the facility on Yelp or something, and leave them a horrible review. That way if other patients are considering going there, they can maybe find out about the nasty people working there and think twice...

You can do something passive aggreissive like this or you can stop and consider when you have a problem with everyone you work with...the problem may not be them.

[lauriepat, ASN, RN]

I would be careful about reporting suspected abuse a hip fracture does not necessarily have to be from a fall. It can be from pathological reasons such as; osteoporosis, infection or cancer or it can be due to unknown reasons. There was a case a couple of years ago in which a personal care worker was accused of causing the death of a nursing home resident secondary to a fracture. It was alleged that the worker injured the resident while transferring her. After a couple of months and much stress for the worker, the medical examiner concluded that the resident was extremely fragile and there was no conclusive evidence as to how the resident sustained the fracture, in the meantime the worker was wrongly accused and her life was turned upside down.[/quote']

I agree, i agree. Management already called in APS and i had to speak with them wednesday.

What you said is key reason why i am so frustrated..management does the opposite of what they should..they blame the workers trying to cover their own licenses. (My executive director is an lpn)

It is nothing but the blame game.

[lauriepat, ASN, RN]

Why is management so crooked? My observation is that many people who go into management are quite different types than those who stay at bedside. They prefer to "manage" people than hands-on nursing. And so there's conflict arising from the differences in personality and perspectives.

Why is management prone to blaming and finger-pointing? As much as it is reprehensible, managers are under great pressure from the corporate to resolve problems quickly and bring quick result rather than time-consuming and laborious process of true quality improvement. And so, unfortunately the easiest way to "fix" problems is to "punish" the nurse.

The unethical corporate practice is the root of the ills that plague so many LTC facilities. Individuals -- managers, staff, residents alike -- are all pawns in the great money-making machine. The saving grace is the countless LTC staff who toil day after day, and give care and affection for the vulnerable elderly.

Amen, you hit the nail on the head.

[lauriepat, ASN, RN]

grow a pair, sister.

seriously, you are 21, inexperienced, untainted, and working in a field that will taint you. nursing homes are the bottom of the barrel. they hired cheap and inexperienced labour like you as charge, yes?. get thee to a top flight hospital as soon as you have RN. in the meantime, suck it up and get thicker skin.

I cannot wait to work in a hospital,

But i really do love ltc and the elderly.

And where i work is a private pay assisted living..they pay me really well for my experience.

I would continue my career in ltc if i found the right facility, honestly.

You are right about the tainted part though..is every facility like this? I wish i could continue my career in ltc but i can't see stupid management and ignorant employees (which i know is everywhere, but here it is ridiculous)

if i could be at a place where EVERY employee was held to higher standards and staffing issues were

minimal, i would hop on a DON job in a heartbeat after i get my rn.

One can only dream though lol

Sorry for the multiple posts, posting from my iphone

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I agree, i agree. Management already called in APS and i had to speak with them wednesday.

What you said is key reason why i am so frustrated..management does the opposite of what they should..they blame the workers trying to cover their own licenses. (My executive director is an lpn)

It is nothing but the blame game.

Ahh I didn't understand that from your first post... it was the management who blamed the personal care worker in the case I spoke of as well.