I haven't posted many times here, but always receive support & wise advice when I do..so here goes:
I work LTC on the Pacific Coast..and work @ a place where nurses aides are allowed to carry on conversations that are "un-lady-like" while providing care--as if their residents can't hear them...while feeding residents, and while providing all aspects of resident care. Some use "ghetto-talk" while providing care & all attempts to correct it fall on deaf ears--there is no pathway to accountability--and talk about passive-aggressive retaliation once a nurse attempts to reprimand? OMG is putting it MILDLY...to the point where one might fear walking to their car after dark.
Before everyone gets riled up, I've written these aides up, counseled verbally and escorted a few to the manager's office. Behaviors that are unacceptable (by my way of thinking) are overlooked @ this facility.
My only expectation is that the aides provide the care that they are trained and paid to do--and do their best to be a lady or gentleman while on duty. Is this unreasonable? Am I being unrealistic?
Today, after sharing this with the DNS, I was told that I "have a negative effect on the entire building"--I was told that aides "dread working with me" ....and she went on to say that "the 3 weeks I was on vacation were the calmest that the building has been" since I was hired.
------then she threw in ......." now, I don't want you to leave......."...............Hmm. Well, it's pretty clear that you just wish I wasn't HERE, that's crystal.
In the entire time I've been employed @ this facility, I've never once been written up... & never have had any type of evaluation or appraisal of performance.
I attempted to defend myself, inquiring as to whether the DNS saw the "dread" as proof that the aides assigned to my hall knew each day what the expectation would be & simply weren't up to providing quality care---(therefore, making my hall "miserable")----and perhaps the other halls subsequently became "affected" by their complaining about having to do their jobs, as opposed to taking smoke breaks 15 minutes after clocking in, being made to turn their residents, change their incontinent garments, and actually.....hmm...WORK for 8 hours, instead of goof off...or being asked to put a lid on their 'baby-mama-drama' for 8 hours, quit texting while feeding residents & quit talking about their most recent hangover.
I was also told that I was, what the DNS termed (gotta love this) 'a rough B-tch' on the floor. I was too busy trying to see through my tears to even attempt a rebuttal to that. I'm so soft-spoken & mild mannered I'm a cream-puff to many.
Totally don't understand WHERE that could've come from. My 19 year old & husband laughed their heads off at those words ever being tagged onto me.
Before you all start suggesting that I begin walking towards the door, BE ADVISED, I'm already doing it...quickly.
Have any of you ever experienced BS like this? And how in the WORLD did you survive it with your head held high until making a graceful exit?
Please don't respond if you're going to just attack. That mindset solves nothing & offers nothing constructive at all.
honestly, you simply .... GO, head held high with your morals and integrity in place. It's that simple. I know you want to fix their messed up ghetto behinds... but one person, who lacks leadership support, cannot change a culture. It is personal suicide to think you can.
This place of employment was ill suiting for me and I will seek out something that holds to a higher moral ground in patient care.
That is your goal, it's out there. You can leave peacefully, and let them have at it with out you. As you stated just run, burn no bridges, ask for a written, written letter of recommendation and never loose it while you search. Don't ever trust a reference, get it in writing and only submit that and refuse to allow contact on future employers, you have the reference you need. I wish you sanity and peace:):redpinkhe
Please start looking for a new job ASAP and put in your two week notice in writing when you find a job. Go work for a company that appreciates you and values you as part of the team.
My CNA instructor told me a similar story when I was in my CNA class. She used to work at a LTC Per Diem and told us horrible stories about how the CNA's ran the place and management would never do anything to stop them. The CNA's never picked on her because they liked her, but they would intimidate the other nurses.
Sorry you had to endure this. I'd walk out and not even worry what they thought of me ...what counts is what YOU thought of them.
The managers at our unit sometimes side w/ our techs. I cant' understand how they don't support a degreed RN over this. I cannot also understand in this economy, where they might be 50 people lined up to take those jobs, why they don't fire the "ghetto techs" on the spot. And you don't have to be of any certain race to be 'ghetto' either.
I am lucky to for the most part, work with great techs. Sometimes they can disappear for a while, but they usually come out and will help out w/ what you need. They do stick to their schedules, and they have a great way w/ our patients. Without their support, I'd have left long ago -- then again, some of their attitudes I will not miss when I leave. A good tech is worth their weight in gold .. .I wish sometimes they could be compensated and rewarded for good behavior, and not for bad.
If the DNS is referring to you as the "the rough B--ch on the floor" to your face, then its obvious nothing will change in this place, and no one cares to. Hand in your resignation, and get out the door. Don't say a word to anyone for the rest of your stay there. After you are gone, report thier a$$es off. The best thing you can do is not even speak with anyone unless you HAVE to for the rest of your time. If they make any comments to you or ask you anything that isn't about work, completely ignore them. They'll get the idea very quick and it'll make your last couple weeks much easier.
LTC facilites are mini-villages. They are ruled by the DON. Whatever she values, goes. During the initial interview, nurses should interview the DON when she asks if you have any questions. Things like, "How does she handle situations like.."or "how do you feel about CNA's who...". It is important to get a feel of exactly what the DON's priorities are, and if she backs up her nurses.
Texting while feeding residents? Smoke breaks after 15 minutes?
Wow, there is NO WAY I would tolerate that! If there's one thing I hate at work, it's people who don't pull their weight. Lazy so and so's. Sounds like they have gotten away with it for far too long.
Your DON needs someone else to give her proof of what is going on. Can you get another nurse/senior nurse to back you up? Write everything down - dates & times of incidents, exactly what people said, etc. I know it is time consuming, but you need some sort of written proof - get a camera phone & start taking pictures even. Is there a nursing home board or council you can send all this documentation to, after showing the DON?
Unfortunately, quite often the lazy people get to keep their jobs and the whistleblower does not.
Compared to your facility I work in LTC heaven. For the most part the CNAs I work with are very professional both in appearances and work ethic. The smokers will go for the occassional smoke break but not before they have gotten the residents showered, ready for bed, vital signs, and issued snacks and ice. By reading this, I have a new found appreciation for my place of employment.
I hope you are not scarred to terribly by this facility. Believe me, there are some good LTC facilities out there. I agree with everyone else; leave this facility and do not look back.
Specializes in LTC, SCI/TBI Rehab,RX Research, Psych.
Good morning, allnurses!
I went to sleep last night when my thread had generated 5 replies...eyes swollen from crying...headache-also from the crying.
My husband of 10 years listened attentively through every painful detail of yesterday.
After hearing it all--and seeing the obvious trauma this facility is inflicting on me, he shared his unwavering support in my decision to leave.
Along with his support, he presented me with some surprising options--to take some much needed time off to recover--and he let me know I've got his 100% support to return to school-- be it to pursue additional nursing education, or something altogether different.
I knew I'd get the support I needed here @ allnurses...I always have. ((( hugs )))
I can't help but wonder why we're all scattered to the winds when it comes to struggle--those posting replies are located, literally, all across the USA...I guess God had to sprinkle good nurses all over the place :) and the concentration of us just isn't quite as large yet as the bad seeds sprouting up :)
I do know this, though--there is NO SUPPORT WHATSOEVER at the facility I'm preparing to exit.
I will definitely get that written reference in-hand before departing, though. They OWE ME that much.
Thank you all for the outpouring of support. It helps heal the wound I'm dealing with & makes it easier to walk out with my head held high.
Sorry segalpn, I disagree. The "good LTC facilities" are few a far between. Some DON's are so burnt by the endless system of fighting the Admin to keep enough staffing, to dealing with the endless turn-over of CNA's, they accept what survives. Improvements are seldom made due to beating their heads against a brick wall for too long.
I feel terrible for you, but you CAN leave and make a fresh start where your professional standards are appreciated and commended. I just feel so bad for the poor residents whose last days are going to be spent surrounded by trash talk and disrespect.
I experienced a similar situation in an LTC and it made me think that if that is where I am going to end up eventually, then why bother with a lifetime regime of organic foods, exercise, no booze and early nights. I'd rather go out with a bang than wither away in an environment like that.Poor old souls.
:eek:
Zookeeper3
1,361 Posts
honestly, you simply .... GO, head held high with your morals and integrity in place. It's that simple. I know you want to fix their messed up ghetto behinds... but one person, who lacks leadership support, cannot change a culture. It is personal suicide to think you can.
This place of employment was ill suiting for me and I will seek out something that holds to a higher moral ground in patient care.
That is your goal, it's out there. You can leave peacefully, and let them have at it with out you. As you stated just run, burn no bridges, ask for a written, written letter of recommendation and never loose it while you search. Don't ever trust a reference, get it in writing and only submit that and refuse to allow contact on future employers, you have the reference you need. I wish you sanity and peace:):redpinkhe