Horror shift.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Has anyone had a really bad, horror shift?

I went back to work yesterday afternoon. I went to a high care aged care facility. I felt apprehensive as most shifts I have been in psych. Well when I got there I was the only RN on. Also the dayshift RN, from my agency, didn't know one thing about the patients. She said she hadn't done anything all shift, and the carers do it all. Well as soon as she left I was dumped in it. I had about 50 patients to look after, and had to do med's for half of them. It was all I could do to keep up. All the med's are in blister packs so you don't actually know what you are giving - you have to trust that the pharmacy have put the right med's in. Well I had to sign for them as giving them. I also missed a few panadol but I had already signed them but some patients couldn't swallow (which I wasn't told), refused or were just out of it. I don't normally sign ahead of time but I got so behind, I was trying to keep up with it all. The place was awful; one carer only helped me a bit because I told him he had to. He kept saying he didn't work afternoon shift; what difference does that make? He was a permanent staff member. And I had all the complaints and family concerns heaped on me - I had to keep saying I am only agency filling in for someone. And I don't like giving out med's to patients when I don't know their diagnoses, but what choice did I have?

I did get a handover sheet but there were no diganoses written anywhere. I hate that. And they said it is all on the computer but I never really got time to go through them all - not for 50 patients anyway! The whole place was terrible; institutionalised, smelly residents who were nasty and disrespectful. I certainly wouldn't want my mother or myself to end up in one of these. I honestly would rather die. And also I find many older people to be quite rude - my experience only.

There was nowhere to eat later and no free tea/coffee only some milk in the fridge. This is the first place I have worked that doesn't even have tea/coffee - how stingy is that?

I couldn't hand over properly and felt like a total fool. I didn't feel like a professional nurse at all. Shall I tell the agency or just request not to go back there? I need the money but it was the most depressing, demoralising shift ever. I had no support at all.

If this is what aged and community care is like, I will not be able to enjoy myself at all. I don't think I am cut out for it. I wonder what other facilties other people have worked at that aren't like this?

[sairin8]

There are certainly places like that, but there are also places that are fantastic to work in as well. In my (somewhat limited) experience as a caregiver for an agency, as well as talking with other agency nurses & caregivers, I've found that it seems to be from a management level that makes or breaks a place. I'm so lucky in my current job which is very supportive and welcoming to all staff

[sassy_squirrel]

Aw no good Carol. I hope it was just a one off for you and that your next shift is better. Strange with the coffee and tea - but then I don't drink it so yeah. LOL. *hugs* Thinking of ya.

[wjma]

Hi Carol -

That was quite a nasty experience for you and I feel you conducted yourself professionally in an environment that was particularly unprofessional. I know that agency nurses can be 'thrown to the wolves' in some facilities but it doesn't make it right.

I personally would not go back and I would most certainly tell the agency my reasons for that decision. There is nothing worse than feeling demoralised after a bad experience and it might be a good idea to spend a few quiet minutes reflecting on the shift and working out would you would do if something like that happened again, as it is possible with agency work. Chin up. My motto is that out of every bad experience there are positives to be gleaned. Best of Luck.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Thanks guys.

I will be speaking to the manager today, as he did say he wanted feedback on our work, so I will tell him. I was only reticent because I know if you complain sometimes, you don't get work and I desperately need the money. The manager seems pretty good and he did say he wanted his staff to be happy.

It is just so sad to see people institutionalised like that. I have done shifts in nursing support places, where people live in their own units and you have a pager, and just help with toileting, personal care, etc. I don't know what those places are called, but I don't want to be the only RN on again - I will be putting my license at risk otherwise.

If this job doesn't work out, I am going to get a loan from my very kind brother and move again for work. I have tried a few different places and can't get a permanent job. I am getting so weary of nursing - I just don't seem to fit in, unless I just haven't found the right venue?

Thanks for the kind words though, it really helps :)