Integrity in nursing (LTC)

[bklynborn]

I am a RN have been for 10 years. I've worked both Acute and Long Term Care. I started as an CNA out of high school and worked my way through school.

Of all the things I have come across in Nursing, I feel most upset about having to do things I feel go against my personal integrity. It's amazing some of the things you are asked to do in preperation sor State Survey or during the survey itself.To me it seems that ongoing education and audits should be done on a routine basis rather than the week befor State is due. I have been obligated to falsify records as part of prep for State. I have seen incidents covered up. I could go on but I am sure you get my point.

I have worked for bad facitities where favortism is obvious. One nurse is written up for calling in and for another the DON will do everything including pulling a manager to the floor to work for her so she can leave mid- shift.

I have been forced to sit in meetings where discussions of personal events seems to be the main topic on the agenda rather than any work related topic. And forced to sit through the escapades of the gay DON the night before with the flavor of the week during the morning managers meeting.

What ever happened to the work ethic? Professionalism?

Sorry to go one but I tell you this can be tough stuff to deal with.

Do any of you deal with this? How do you cope?

Is any job, profession worth putting up with this?

[pumpkin92356]

Wow! The rush to impress the state surveyors goes on at every facility I have ever worked at. I worked at a state facility when the DON employed there was caught up with pushing the pen on the paperwork. The state moved in on the facility and stayed there for a month picking every little lit ball from under the beds! They even wrote the place up for having the ice tea to warm! So it doesnt pay to lie to the state. They have been around and know who is telling the truth and who isnt.

pumpkin92356:D

[Jo Dirt]

Thank you BradleyRN, I totally agree with your post!! This is what I have been trying to get across to my employer for the past year and a half. I am going to add this: There is a reason why we have a certain time frame to pass these meds and there is a certain way that we have to pass these meds. That reason is resident safety!

I ask all of you this when is the state going to do the math and realize that nurses in LTC are asked to do the impossible everyday? When is the government going to do something about it? When are they going to give these facilities the money and the mandates so that they have to hire enough staff to do the job within the time frame given, but also safely?

They are not, because THEY DON'T CARE.