I think I'm in big trouble

[not now, RN]

I work LTC and I love what I do. I hate being short staffed. It happens a lot with CNA's calling in sick, not showing up or whatever the case may be. I used to be a CNA at the same facility and I know how hard it is to work even one person short.

I came in to work today and I had one CNA. Another was supposed to come in two hours late (you never know) and that was it. The office was trying to find people to fill in but weren't having any luck. I'm so tired of being stressed when I don't have enough CNA's that I wouldn't take the keys until a solution was made. The DON found out that I wouldn't take the keys and sent me home. I offered to take the floor as a CNA and she wasn't having it. It was obvious how mad at me she was but I couldn't take the floor with one CNA and 50 residents.

So, how much trouble am I in exactly? I was supposed to have the next two days off and I have a strange feeling that she's going to put me "on-call" when normally I'm full-time. Find another job? Wait it out?

[beautifulb]

I think you did absolutely the right thing. You should be applauded for standing up not only for yourself but for the residents. How could you possibly care for that many patients? I would wait and see what happens but always have another option. Good luck.

[MiaLyse, APRN]

I'm so tired of being stressed when I don't have enough CNA's that I wouldn't take the keys until a solution was made.>>

You made the right decision. If they expect you to care for 50 residents with 1 cna then they don't care about those 50 residents or you.

Kelly

[dawnb70]

I also applaud your bravery. Too many of us who work in LTC facilities are so used to being short-staffed, and overworked that we take it in stride. If more nurses would stand up for this issue maybe something would be done about it. You shouldn't get in trouble for what you did. I once had an awesome DON who would work the floor as a CNA if we were short, but she eventually got burnt out and went back to work at a hospital. Anyhow, bravo for what you did! :balloons:

[TazziRN, RN]

I think maybe an anonymous phone call to the local ombudsman might be good.....you know......resident safety, etc........

[DianeS, RN]

As someone who used to work in LTC, I can say that you did the right thing. Any DON who would expect 1 CNA for 50 residents obviously does not care about the residents one little bit. Way to go!

[dekatn]

I would have done the same thing had I been in your shoes. Good luck and keep us updated.

[foxfarm]

Just know that you did the right thing--you refused to accept an unsafe situation. If we all use our heads and remember that out watch-word should always be : "do what is right and what is safe" we will keep ourselves and our patient's safe. I personally would start hunting a new job--this place sounds dangerous. Never compromise your principles or your integrity. Once you start cutting corners--no matter how small a corner it may be--you are on the pathway to danger--for yourself and for your patients.

You did the right thing--take a bow and hold your head up--you did the right and courageous thing. Brave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beth--a nurse w/ 29 yrs experience

[Cute_CNA, CNA]

I also think you did the right thing. It's better to risk your job at a facility than to risk your license. You should report them to your state BON.

[LoriAlabamaRN]

As the night shift supervisor at an LTC facility, I have to ask where the **** was your supervisor??? I would NEVER allow such an unsafe situation, if I had to become the second CNA myself I would. You absolutely did the right thing. The entire 50 residents ride on your license, and with one CNA you are asking for trouble. I think that your supervisor fell very, very short. Don't worry about being switched off of fulltime, this facility is DEFINITELY not somewhere you should work!!!

[bonesrn]

BRAVO!!! As a new supervisor in a LTAC facility I also have to wonder about your supervisor, or if there even is a supervisor???? How can anyone be expected to care for 50 residents with 1 CNA. The facility should be the one in big trouble. I'd be on the phone to the DOH/JACHO and whoever else would listen. If you had stayed and God forbid something had happened the "we were short staffed" excuse wouldn't fly in a court of law and dont' think for a sec that the facility would back you up..the first thing they would say is "You should have told us you needed more help" I wouldn't go back! Good luck..you and the patient's deserve so much more!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Kudos to you for standing your ground!

I would have had to ask:

Why did the DON not pass the meds and have you work as the 2nd CNA? Or if she didn't feel comfortable with passing the meds, why didn't she work as a CNA herself?

There were alternatives that THEY would not consider, yet it was incumbent upon THEM to work out the staffing problems somehow, not just make you work short like that.

If you've had to work like this a lot before, you might want to change jobs. And make it clear that you will not work like this during your 2-week notice period, too.