Is this what it's all about?

[Gilead86]

I'm in a pickle here.

For about a year now I have wanted to be a nurse. My previous career was in finance and I hated the hypocrisy/duplicity, and after a few subtle changes in my life I decided I wanted to be in a career of caring and compassion, plus the fact how it is modest to high paying doesn't hurt.

Recently I joined up as a resident sitter at a nursing home. After the educational videos during orientation the HR manager took a liking to me and asked me to work on the more administrative side of things i.e matching employee records, filing, standard HR stuff, etc for the first couple weeks until he'll be able to find me sitter's hours; he was very kind to offer me proper sitter shifts for the next four days eventually this Thursday.

The sitter shift however was a disaster; every time the resident (who I was sitting for) needed help, CNAs or Nurses would hardly respond to the call light, and when I will leave to fetch them I was reprimanded for 'encouraging' the use of call light. I was refused my ten minute break, and not allowed to have my unpaid meal until six hours of the shift had passed despite my informing them how I suffer from low blood pressure if I hadn't eaten in awhile and how California Law insists on a 30 minute unpaid lunch after four hours of service unless turned down by the employee) I wasn't even allowed to consume a snack. To even go to the bathroom I was to fetch a CNA to sit for me, and every time I tried to flag one for me, they would either disappear or refuse to lend me an assist whilst I can clearly see they were all sitting at the Nurse's station either chatting or using the internet/computer. To make matters worse, when I finally got my 30 minute meal break I heard the CNAs rebuking me for not having taken it within the first two hours of my shift. Is it really fair for me to be expected to do so when everybody else is doing as they please?

I understand perhaps sitters are not the most important people but I believe some of us are trying to make it in healthcare for the first time. During our orientation the administrator of the facility came over to us and explained how he firmly believes how each of us should receive three times the amount we are offered, but healthcare if about selflessness. On my first shift as a sitter I saw a Nurse walk in to give meds to a resident; he turned the lights on to wake her up, offered her the meds and then left without turning it off despite her calling for him to do so. I helped her, and feared for the next hour if I will be reprimanded for turning the lights off for a resident. I saw a senile woman on a wheelchair who kept asking where she is and how she needs to go home, yet nobody offered her any help, consolation or assurance... heck didn't even speak to her! Anytime I will come over to the nurse's station they would hardly look at me, and with their eyes on the computer screens they will ask "what do you want?"

What about the lessons of selflessness and compassion and how we deserve so much more in compensation our administrator went on and on about at length during the orientation, isn't that hypocrisy/duplicity? That was the whole reason why I left my previous career!

Is this what it is about? I know there are good and bad people everywhere. I have been a part of this Allnurses community for some time now so I understand that, but my resolve has been wavered; do I really want to be a nurse, should I be a nurse? I do not understand.

I will gladly appreciate your input, thank you very kindly for reading through this rant.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Staffing in nursing homes is minimal at best. They may be involved in other things when your resident used the call light. As for the lunch thing, that doesn't mean the employer is required to give you a meal break once you've worked four hours; it means the employer is required to give you a meal break at some point during a shift greater than four hours. I've gotten my meal break during the last hour of my eight hour shift (although I don't work LTC). I just shrug, move on, and know that the next day, I won't be last in line to get my meal break.

Unfortunately, nursing and the associated allied health careers in reality are far from what people expect. Nursing homes, hospitals, doctors offices, whatever, are businesses too.

[Gilead86]

I mentioned how a few of them were chatting at the nurse's station. I may not be familiar with the much but I understand if they are free enough to chat and a call light has gone off, they should be attending right? Even if I ignore the fact how I was chewed out for "encouraging call light use".

This is according to state government's website.

"In general, when an employee works for a work period of more than five hours, a meal period must be provided no later than the end of the employee’s fifth hour of work (in other words, no later than the start of the employee’s sixth hour of work)."

Plus, how can there be any excuse for not taking my health condition into consideration when I specifically mentioned it i.e low blood pressure, or refusing to even allow me some respite when it comes to using the restroom?

Since I worked with the HR for awhile at the place, I was also able to confirm how they have a good bit of staff there including both CNAs and Nurses, the nursing home is for profit after all. I am not foreign to the concept of business practices, in fact I believe the profitability factor is something that helps such an establishment to provide quality in most cases, yet I also believe there should be certain regulations. However if this is the standard that they adhere to like you said then I really am going for the wrong line of work and far be it for me to disturb all the compassion and selflessness in the world when it comes to nursing.

[sapphire18]

You were afraid for an hour for turning a light off? A lot of people experience symptoms of low blood pressure when not eating/drinking for a period of time. Just try to stay hydrated. This doesn't sound like the best place for you to be working- if it doesn't get better soon, I would suggest moving on.

[Susie2310]

I think it is really important to keep in mind that some workplaces are better staffed and have better working conditions. Some nurses who post on allnurses report being happy in their jobs and say they feel well supported by their co-workers and managers. I hope you won't give up on nursing on the basis of the experience you mentioned.

I personally believe that nursing needs people who are caring and compassionate. Not all nurses believe that compassion in nursing is very important. My dictionary defines compassion as: commiseration, sympathy, mercy, tenderness. My family members who have been patients greatly appreciated and remember the nurses who showed these qualities both towards them and to their family members. When I was a patient I felt the same. When my family members were hospitalized and I was at their bedside for most of the day and night, I greatly appreciated the nurses who in addition to giving good care were caring and compassionate as well. You will have plenty of opportunities to practice caring and compassion in nursing.

[Saysfaa]

"I saw a senile woman on a wheelchair who kept asking where she is and how she needs to go home, yet nobody offered her any help, consolation or assurance... heck didn't even speak to her!"

I do. But I'm a volunteer there who has no other responsibilities. I do understand why they don't so much of the time ... I often give 100% of my attention to people like this for over an hour at a time and rarely get more than one sentence away from either "where am I" or "I need to go home." I don't think I waste my time because even though the resident doesn't remember any of it and shows no difference in the degree of aggitation - I think it still affects his/her body chemistry in a good way. I don't see how even the most concientious, caring nurse in the highest quality, most well staffed facility can do much to ease her confusion or desire to go home. Sometimes, yes, of course they can interact with her and maybe the nurses at your facility do when they are caring for her. Just talking to her as they pass her in the hall, though, very often makes the resident more aggitated.

I agree the light left on was just wrong.

I don't know about the hanging out at the nurses station. I noticed that too when I first started but it turned out to be ligitimately working - all the documentation required just looked like surfing the net and the chatting didn't slow them down.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

If you are looking for regular breaks and frequent bathroom breaks... Do not go into nursing. Many shifts I am lucky if I have peed more than once in a 12 hour shift. 30 minute breaks for lunch, not gonna happen most shifts but I can grab a bite while I chart etc.. Nursing is more than caring and compassion. With 2-8 pts pulling you in 100 different directions; its hard to get the things done that need to be. We do this because we care. A crashing pt can take all your time to stabilize, just as pt on the call light all night long can. It is a juggle, its not always pretty. Read on here and you will get a better idea of how things really are.

Some places staff better than others, some places have better pt to nurse ratio.. Most of us, do the best we can but until you are in our shoes, you really don't much about what you speak.

The senile women you spoke of, well all the talking in the world would most likely not change her questions like previous poster stated. I can not say how I would handle her because I do not know her. Im sure many of the staff have attempted but it got them no where and just increased her agitation.

Are you in a bad facility, I don't know. Many nursing homes are stretched thin, 30-60 residents for one nurse, with that amount of people to care for; Im sure the nurses are doing the best they can to get the job done..

Is nursing for you, I don't know. I hope you find your answer.

[Gilead86]

Thank you very kindly for all of your input.

Sapphire18 - I was afraid to fetch nurses/CNAs to inquire after the call light, not turn it off, after I was reprimanded for encouraging call light use by just stepping out and trying to get someone. I must confess I did not bring a water bottle with me, since I thought I will be allowed to grab a cup at least twice in my shift. I'll keep your counsel in mind, thank you.

Susie2310 - You are very kind, and that is exactly the attitude I seek to employ in all my endeavors, not just nursing. I will remember how many facilities are different and not all people/nurses are the same.

Saysfaa - I reassured the lovely, old lady for a minute or two before she insisted she wishes to go to bed. I had to get someone to do that (since I'm not qualified and was rebuked some for it too) but after I spoke to her she seemed much consoled. I don't know her circumstances either, but I was more stunned by the lack of effort I perceived to be taking place around me.

Sun0408 - I am not the kind to want a loo break/10 minute break every few hours or so, no. But I am human despite being a healthy gentleman; how can it be justifiable to not be allowed a bathroom break even once throughout your shift, and more importantly why should one have to seek permission for the basic necessities such as a restroom break? The place has a 8 residents to one ratio so I understand it is not a big facility with no severe shortages especially with a good amount of CNAs around.

I do however think it is a bad facility, and yes I read most of what others talk about here when they are venting and this place fits the bill nicely. I understand nursing is not all about compassion and caring (and far be it for me to judge a nurse before stepping in their shoes) but I still believe one must make an effort. For that effort and courage I have decided I will continue to pursue this line of work. As others mentioned there are many other places which are different, and judging therefore from what others wrote this was a bad experience at a bad place. I will not allow it to deter me.

Thank you very much, everybody. I wish I can relay properly in words how much your input means.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Just want to say that I work as a sitter in a hospital. I was required to have my nursing assistant cert, bls, etc just like the floor cna's. I too am sometimes forgotten about. I bring my food and drinks to the room with me. If I need my potty break, I grab someone for just 5 minutes. I either Pull the call light or grab a staff member walking down the hall. I figure the nurses and cna's are just super busy or they forget I'm in there. I love my job and hope this helps!

[sapphire18]

Ok, by "light," I thought you meant the light in the room, not the CALL light. Gotcha.

See if you can shadow a nurse in the hospital for a day- may give you a better idea of what nursing is like. Good luck to you:)

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

hypocrisy/duplicity - you'll find it in any health profession. Humans are fallible, and nurses often succumb to "compassion fatigue". However, the fact that everyone seemed to behave this way points more to their organizational culture, and I haven't worked in many places, but I imagine there are plenty of places where patients are provided with better care and staff are given appropriate breaks. I'm just guessing.

[lucki_star7]

From what you have said, it sounds like the facility that you work in could use an attitude adjustment. I have been a CNA for 6 years and hoping for spring 2013 acceptance into nursing school. I have worked in LTC, Home health, assisted living, and a hospital. I have worked as a patient sitter as well in the hospital. When I worked as a patient sitter, my whole purpose in being there was to ensure patient safety and under no circumstances was I allowed to leave the patient's room without having someone stand in for me. Now in a facility where everyone is usually busy the only way to get someone's attention was by putting the call light on, whether you need something or the patient/resident needed something. I am sure this is not the first time these CNA's have had a resident that needed a sitter and I am sure they know how this works. Their attitude towards this whole situation says a lot about their integrity and attitudes. If I were you I would bring this to your supervisor's attention. I honestly wouldn't let this one crappy job form your decision on whether to go to nursing school or not. I have worked in many terrible facilities and I have worked in many great facilities, this is why I still want to be a nurse. LTC is great experience for the future; however, it isn't always the best experience due to staffing shortages and heavy workload that follows staffing shortages. I work in assisted living and I love it, plus AL is great experience because most of them you can be trained to pass meds which will be great get that extra advantage before starting nursing school! Good luck and I hope everything gets better or you decide to chalk this up to one bad experience and move on to a better facility. Do your research on the best facilities in your area!!