I hate it

MedChica · Aug 15, 2013

'They' don't practice standard precautions...or 'you' don't? LOL

Unless the residents sneezing and snotting all over you or you dealt with a resident on isolation (unbeknownst to you), I don't see how others can be blamed if you're 'gloved up' and washing hands.

As for the rest of your problem? Quit or go to a different shift. If you're not a new nurse, securing a position with another facility shouldn't be a problem. If you're a new nurse? Might have to stick it out.

I don't know what you mean by 'unsafe', though. Are the nurses practicing in an unorthodox fashion or is it the facility? I suppose you could charge 'safe harbor' but you might as well just start looking for another job. LOL Make trouble for your facility and they'll just get rid of you, from my observations.

I pulled PRN at a facility who hired a GVN on. Their GVN permit was expired and they still let her practice as a nurse. Had a hall to themselves. Failed their exam 3 times (but lied to everyone about testing initially).

Only reason they were yanked off the floor? One of their residents had a fall and the family member was a lawyer...and even then - they still pulled med aide and worked the floor as an aide. The nurse who launched a formal complaint was told by management to 'mind her own business'. Basically.

Sure, state will come in and check things out. Doesn't matter. Everything will be cleaned up by then. "Problems? What problems? No, that nurse was lying."

Only way that a charge can stick is if the nurses stand together against the facility. Other than that? A lone nurse will just take the fall.

The person finally passed boards and that facility hired her back on. I stopped doing PRNs with that facility because I don't like things like that. But... they had a new nurse on the floor and I made sure to tell her to never take the word of that particular nurse when it came to the narc count. Yes, sometimes, it's done at my main facility where IMs and such are concerned. Especially, in the morning when I come in. LOL We'll save that count for when they come to relieve us or whatnot. We all know each other and none of us do drugs. It's bad practice but we tend to do this.

Still, I told her to 'watch it around that chick' because if that 'nurse' can lie about their GVN status and lie about passing boards...what won't they lie about? She's not to be trusted.

That's why, when I read the nursing newsletters and see these 'Imposter Alerts? Please. Call me cynical but I don't believe for a second that most of these facilities were in the dark about it. "They had a doctored GVN permit." ; "They couldn't find their license at the time of hiring." Yeah, right. The facility probably ended up in hot water through that non nurse's actions and threw them under the bus to save their own necks. "We didn't know! They fooled us all!" Whatever.

How can you NOT know that your nurses aren't licensed? How can you NOT know that a GVN's permit is expired? Did you not check the freaking TXBON site?

I don't say, 'Don't complain'. Sometimes, you have to 'blow the whistle' when wrongdoing is going on. It's a hard thing to do the right thing.

I'm just saying: Be prepared to seek employment elsewhere. Be prepared with a lawyer of your own. No one's going to protect you.

Bigmaine33 · Aug 16, 2013

I mean if a pt is on droplet isolation they should be confined to there room or wear a mask, people go in out of the rims without wearing gloves then come back and get on the computer. It's a mess. I don't practice like that. That's what I mean, I don't want to bring nothing home. Even after I wipe down the computers they do it again.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2013

If my memory is correct, you are the same nurse who was unemployed for nearly one year after graduation, took a part time job at Burger King to stay afloat, got evicted from your apartment and lived out of your car for a while, correct?

LTC is a beast of its own, but I wouldn't be complaining if I were in your situation. Having a job in LTC is better than joblessness, and receiving a paycheck is better than being flat broke.

The 'unsafe environment' worries are very overrated. LTC nurses usually do not lose their licenses over any bad care that they render. In most states, loss of nursing licensure is overwhelmingly the result of addiction, drug diversion, and other issues related to drugs.

In addition, although nurses can be sued, patients and families typically pursue the deepest pockets (read: the physicians and corporations who own healthcare facilities). That's why a nurse's Liability Insurance runs about $100 yearly while a doctor's malpractice policy cost tens of thousands annually. The doc pays more for his/her insurance because (s)he is more likely to be sued than the nurse.

I worked in LTC for six years and dealt with unexpected deaths, threats of lawsuits from families, and the whole nine yards. Guess what? My license is still intact and I have not been sued. In fact, I regularly read the disciplinary action pages on the website of my state board of nursing and the vast majority of nurses who have reprimands on their licenses were employed at hospitals, not LTC facilities.

katiescow · Aug 25, 2013

If you feel your license/ safety/wellbeing is in danger then you have every right to find a new opportunity you would be more comfortable working in, it doesn't hurt to look around and apply to new places even if it's only been 2 months you still have experience and you now know a little more about what not to do as a nurse and future employers will understand that and like the fact that you wanted a better opportunity/ place to work because of those reasons

LuvScience · Aug 26, 2013

Honestly...being a new lpn in LTC is uncomfortable even in a good facility. Its overwhelming and stressful. When I first started I was terrified of making a mistake and I constantly felt like I was being set up to fail. However, it really does get better. My advice would be to just do your best and take it one day at a time...you can always keep your eyes open for a better job but its usually not a good idea to quit before finding a new one.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Aug 26, 2013

Your first job after graduation is generally pretty awful. Facilities that hire new grads tend to not be the best. My advice is to stick it out for your year and use it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. I also agree with the above posters your first job is overwhelming even under the best conditions. I do have a point of contention...you will get sick at this job no matter how careful you are or how well your facility is run. You will get the immunity of a school teacher after a while but you will most likely get sick 4-5 times in you first year, in my expearence. As far as people not wearing gloves, are they giving care? Gloves are not required for a lot of nursing practices, really shoe of changing briefs or dealing with non intact skin there is very little I glove for. Encourage handwashing

lindseylpn · Aug 26, 2013

Pretty much anywhere you work as a new nurse will be overwhelming. I think I came home and cried several times a week for the 1st 3 months as a new nurse. It does get easier though. Maybe give it some more time, 2 months is nothing. It takes several months to even get yourself in a good routine at work. Everywhere I've ever worked there has been other nurses/staff that won't change their gloves or wash their hands. It happens, some people just don't care. Your immune system will get stronger too, I rarely get sick anymore.

lindseylpn · Aug 26, 2013

That 1 year experience is crucial too, a lot of places won't hire anyone without it.

futurenurseOB · Aug 31, 2013

I hope all goes well. Hopefully everything is good with you now. I wish u all the luck in the world.

Finally a nurse...All for my three♡♡♡

DrkCocoMurse215 · Sep 1, 2013

Do what you have to do which is continue working there but while doing so be on the look out and apply to other places but don't leave until you have something secured.