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?
Your manager would be foolish to write you up for this. Where was he or she? Its time that management step up to the plate, shake the dust off their scrubs and get to work. I would have done the same thing. I would not work in those conditions.
Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.
You did the right thing to refuse to be responsible for 50 plus residents. Patient safety is first and your licensure is second.
I have had to cancel contracts in the past citing unsafe working environment and fear of losing my licensure. And no this was not deemed as 'abandonment' either.
The manager should have assisted you instead of expecting you to do it all on your own.
If this isnt a sign to you to get another job, i dont know what is! good luck!
That DON should have stayed the shift and split the work with you. If she sent you home, who took care of the patients. Your DON does not care about the residents or you!
You did the right thing. As a DON myself for 10 years I can tell you that there were MANY times I worked the floor when we were short, including eves nites and weekends. The Dept of Public Health could be informed confidentially. I also believe the Ombudsman should be notified. You worked hard for your license; you shouldn't have to risk it like that. And if they discipline you, my advise would be to fight that.
I, too, applaud your bravery and your brilliance! It's a GOOD thing you didn't clock OR sign in OR accept the keys or else the DON could possibly have had you for "pt abandonment". Even had you stayed as the "second CNA", (undoubtedly ALSO an unsafe situation since the two of you "CNAs" would have each had 25 pts), chances are the DON would have been asking you to do nursing tasks as well as those of a CNA.(I've been in similar positions having to be both and left very quickly) LEAVE THAT PLACE as soon as you can! Good luck!
hip hip hooray !!!!!Its amazing how she made it to look like it was your fault and had sent you home. If you complain its her that will be sent home for the lack of compasiion for those 50 residents and for YOU. keep up the goods. :roll
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?
I offered to work as a CNA and she just told me "No, just go home." As I was walking out I heard her on the phone with the administrator saying "Call 'Bob' (one of the owners who is also an NP) and tell him we may need help. One of the LVN's is refusing to take the keys." It turned out that the AM nurse did a double, the DON, administrator and assesment RN all stayed until 7PM, got people up and fed during dinner (normally they do home at 5PM). At 7PM a few noc CNA's came in to work a 12 hour shift.
The next morning the DON left a message on my phone saying that when I came back (I had the next two days off) there would be better staffing.
YOU are not the one in trouble. THEY are. If these facilities (for whatever reasons) can't achieve or maintain safe staffing ratios, then they need to SHUT THEIR DOORS!
lorster
224 Posts
Your manager would be foolish to write you up for this. Where was he or she? Its time that management step up to the plate, shake the dust off their scrubs and get to work. I would have done the same thing. I would not work in those conditions.