Is this really how it is?

Asystole RN · May 31, 2015

I have been at my current job for about 3 months now. At first I really liked it. I work on the rehab unit at a local nursing home. It is greatly understaffed and there are days I will go without an aide because they say cencus is low. I have roughly 12 patients I take care of, but most require a great deal of my attention. Recently I have 2 people who are big time sundowners. These 2 will have multiple falls per shift. There is just not enough of me to go around. It is so unsafe. Other times I can have residents that dont give me problems at all, and my shift runs smoothly. The last 2 weeks have been complete chaos and I come home in tears/bad mood. Im scared for my licence at this point. My problem is this is my 1st job as a RN and was unable to get into a hospital d/t not enough experiance. I am definitely getting great nursing experiance and have learned so much in the last 3 months. Now Im stuck with do I wait out the storm, or take my chances at another nursing home that could potentially have the same issues. Should I just stick it out for a year and get that golden first year of RN experience? I love and hate this job at the same time, but like I said it really makes me nervous with all the things that go on here too.

Ah, I found your problem.

middleagednurse · May 31, 2015

All nursing homes are short staffed. Yes, that's the way it is.

vfield · May 31, 2015

I was in your same position when I graduated from nursing school. This was my first job, it was challenging, and it made me a better nurse. I was in that position for 10 years and would not trade it for anything. There were days I hated it and days I loved it-that is normal for any job. Any position you secure will have similar challenges. If we do not take the bad with the good of our profession we will never change the culture, and the world of long term care will never improve. You, as a nurse leader, can make it a better place which improves care and assists in building the core staff of CNAs who support you.

Stella_Blue · May 31, 2015

Yesterday I actually had to call my DON in during her daughters party just to help me because it got so chaotic. I really just wish they would staff 2 nurses on the hall. That would make things a lot better. I bet when state shows up, Ill get all the help I need.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · May 31, 2015

Most med surg units in this area are staffed 1:8. Our step down unit is 1:4. I can't imagine you're going to have much luck pushing for a 1:6 ratio in rehab. Push for consistent, good aids.

TriciaJ, RN · May 31, 2015

Yesterday I actually had to call my DON in during her daughters party just to help me because it got so chaotic. I really just wish they would staff 2 nurses on the hall. That would make things a lot better. I bet when state shows up, Ill get all the help I need.

That is excellent that you called her. Too bad about the party. These things are never management's problem until someone makes it their problem. Way too many nurses enable management to turn a blind eye, by complaining among ourselves and not holding them accountable.

What you did is being called a patient advocate. Good for you.

caliotter3 · May 31, 2015

Yesterday I actually had to call my DON in during her daughters party just to help me because it got so chaotic. I really just wish they would staff 2 nurses on the hall. That would make things a lot better. I bet when state shows up, Ill get all the help I need.

In LTC facilities, typically you will find great staffing on the days when state is in the house.