Just tired

Nurses Stress 101

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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!!

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It's tough when it feels like you're the only one who cares. All I can say is document well, CYA, and make sure you have insurance..

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... 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?"

Dear god!

If that is the first thing out of their mouths, what does that tell you?!

Disturbing...

I will toss out there that some folks develop spontaneous hip fractures... but if you have a situation wherein that doesn't makes sense either, well... hmmm.

Wow.

PS,

No... non-nurses don't get it.

Only other nurses understand.

That's why AN is so huge.

I am seriously wishing the best for you and your residents.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Leave now.

It's just that simple.

A really bad place to work.

Usually I advocate for quitting with notice and not burning bridges. Not with what you describe.

I've been where you are. Some places are so bad they injure you just working there.

My sister is my best friend and cheerleader. Unconditionally supports me as I do her. Even my sister doesn't want to listen when I talk shop.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I thought they shut that place down when I left there years ago!!! (not that I know where you work but it sounds IDENTICAL to the last LTC facility that I worked before finally giving up on LTC for this very reason!!!! After the vacation, I would return with a two weeks notice in hand, if I were you and I would be trying to secure another position somewhere else while on vacation. This is why I ALWAYS keep a second job if only for one or two days per pay period.:yes:

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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.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
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.

.

:no:You have just insulted a LOT of nurses EVERYWHERE!!! WOW!!! I think this is by far the meanest insult I have EVER read on this site!!!! Lots of great nurses choose LTC because of a love for the ones who are the reason for us being here!!! I did LTC as an LPN while I was working in a hospital as well as being an agency nurse FOR YEARS before I returned to get my RN. I have 27 combined years of experience. Being an RN has made me no different than when I was an LPN. No wonder the general public has very little respect for ALL NURSES....they learn that behavior from some of our very own!!!

WOW!!! Just.....WOW!!!:no:

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

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.

"issues that can easily be done during the day" ... oh boy. When you take a day shift as an RN then I think you could make such a statement but until then you have no idea what goes on during the day shift. So many distractions that can literally leave the RN at the end of the day with lots of stuff they couldn't get to. Nursing is a 24 hour job. This shift blame stuff is so old. I have been so busy during the day sometimes that the simple little things like phone calls to MDs just don't get done. Then it's handed to evenings who has a literal fit. Then handed to nights.

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.

Oh and justashooter, in my state, all the LTC facilities pay union wage. It's nothing to sneeze at. I also live in a state where the employer is mandated to cover their employees with health care so it's not a bad gig if that's what you're into.

Good luck to you OP.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

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.

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Although broken hips are usually related to a fall, there are also documented cases of hips being broken when a patient was being turned in bed. In these cases the staff were not aware that a fracture had occurred at the time because there was nothing to indicate it until later.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I have seen 2 cases of spontaneous hip fractures and one spontaneous ankle fracture with out a fall or other trauma. All 3 were dialysis patients with weak bones related to dialysis and dietary noncomplaince that resulted weakened bones.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Couple of things . . .

First of all, as a licensed professional, you have an ethical, professional and legal obligation to report suspected patient abuse or neglect. We are "mandatory reporters" which means that failure to act is considered unprofessional behavior and therefore a violation of your nurse practice act no matter where you work. Think about it - how could you respond if any one ever asks you "can you explain why, even though you thought that something had happened to harm that patient, you did not take any action?

I just cannot believe the PP comments insulting our colleagues that choose to work in LTC. I am so disappointed that any nurse would disparage her/his colleagues in this way. Basic rules of respectful discourse - If you have had a personal experience, it's OK to share that but PLEASE don't generalize by disrespecting/insulting entire groups of people based on your own unique situation. Unbelievable.

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