is this job nuts or what?

[realnursealso/LPN]

Hi all........I need some advise. I started a job at an assisted living facility about 2months ago. When I interviewed for the job, my supervisor told me, I can't guaruntee you will be out on time every day. I said ok..........I don't mind helping out. Well, I want you to know that in 2 months, I have gotten out on time twice. It is very busy and my job consists of anything they want me to do. Their seems to be no end to the work. I have been an LPN for 23yrs and I have never had a job where I could not finish my work by the end of the day. I work 10-12 hours a day, by the way I am salary, no overtime, and am considered management. My title is LPN/ Supervisor. Their is never enough time to have a break or lunch, in fact if I do take a lunch it is frowned upon. I come home exhausted every day. They need to hire another RN, which they have been trying to do for quite a while., but it never happens, supposedly my work will decrease when they do. When I was hired my supervisor told me that my position was newly created. Wrong, the last 4 LPN's left due to too much work, and overwhelming demands. I do enjoy the place, the residents are nice, the chha's for the most part who work there are good people. But I am so tired all the time. It is almost the end of the month and that means new pages for the MAR's. The other LPN, who works evenings and I are responsible for checking them all before we put them in. We have close to 130 residents. That is alot of pages...some residents are on 25 to 30 meds a piece. Their is no time to do this at work so I have been bringing them home after working 10 or more hours, and checking pages til I fall asleep. I have tried in everyway possible to try and say that the workload is overwhelming and the answer I get is, we all have alot of work to do, you can't get any sympathy from me. Also it seems that everyday a new things will come up and we get told, that is part of your job:eek: . What would you do?

[Edward,IL]

1) GET OUT OF THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2) Slavery was ended in the US in 1865.

3) Get a new job. Not a salaried one, but one that pays by the hour. Have limits in your employment agreement re hours of work with specifics for overtime, number of hours per week or pay period etc.

4) Nurses learned about this along time ago. Employing institutions will work you like you are a pack animal if you let them. They seem to have a grudge since they don't have student nurses to exploit any longer.

Left to there own devices, they'll have you mopping the floors, washing dishes in the diet kitchen, doing the laundry, the mending and anything else they can talk you into doing.

5) Move quickly. If you need help with car fare, let us know and we'll take up a collection!

JMHO, Edward, IL

[SirJohnny]

Instead of quitting:

- Just go at your own pace. Let the work pile up.

- Take your lunch. Heck, I'd go to lunch with the boss. Then complain, complain, complain. I'd spend my lunch hours in my boss's office.

- You are at the stage of where you want to leave -- or have to leave (mental/physical reasons). So go ahead and be a pain in the butt.

- When 5:00PM comes around - just LEAVE!!!!!

- Call the patient's families --- tell them the situation is unsafe.

- I'd slow down to a crawl. And NEVER EVER would I take work home more than 1 or 2 times a week.

John Coxey

[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally posted by Rapheal

Here is some good advice given to another poster on another similar thread:

"RUN FOREST RUN!"

That was me and I was gonna say it here, but ya beat me to the punch. Sounds as if they out and out lied to you. You owe them nothing. Either change it, or if you cannot, find another situation. I wish you well.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

:) I was so tired last night I thought I would die. Thank you all for your well thought out advise. I have been through alot the last year. Then end of my 30yr marriage, loosing my home because it had to be sold due to the divorce. I moved to North Carolina to start a new life, stayed 6 months, hated it and came back home. I looked long and hard for a new job here...wanted something that was a little challenging, because I have been an LPN so long. I am staying with my parents temporarily til I get my own place again. But I support myself and just quitting is not an option. The corporation that owns the place I work at has great benefits and great tuition deals. I want to go back to school to finally get my RN. For alot of years I said to myself, I am a great LPN, and the world needs good ones. But I am finally giving in. After my probationary period is up.....which is very soon.........I can bid out of there to another position. They will pay 90% of my tuition as long as it is job related, and will reimburse me 90% of the cost of my books if i get an A in the course. This is all with no strings attached. As far as the question asked if I am really management, the answer is yes. I get 4 weeks paid vacation, better health insurance, 7 paid holidays. Eventually I will hire and fire the chha's, do evaluations, and the scheduling for my shift. Thanks again....I left earlier today, and was able to eat some lunch. :wink2:

[Ocean06]

It is definitely time for you to get out. Things will only get worse. Unless........you demand hourly pay and demand them hiring an extra hand and someone to lighten the workload. Nurses are in high demand anyway. If you have 23 yrs experience I'm sure it won't be too hard to find a new job!!!!!!

[Noney]

It sounds like want to stay so here is a little suggestion.

Keep a notepad with you for a few days. Write everything down that happens in your shift. I mean everything. after a couple of days or a week sit down and read you notebook.

Look for things that you are doing that could be done by someone else. Look for things that are really unneccesary. Type up some suggestions for change. Maybe staff isn't being utilized to the max. in other areas. Have a sit down meeting with your boss. Make solid suggestions for changes. Explain that you have concerns, but that you also have some answers.

You never know it might work. I think that we are listened to more when we offer suggestiuons for change, rather then just say things need to change.

Noney

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

I should have listened to all of you. Just wanted to let you know that on Monday, my boss called me into her office and told me that she had to let me go. She told me that not enough work got done. I know in my heart I did the best I could and got there first in the morning and was the last one to leave. What an idiot she is. I am so mad and sad at the same time. Now I have a firing on my record and have to go apply for jobs. How do I explain this to prospective employers? I am at a loss to make a positivfe out of this very negative experience. Some of you who are in management give me some advise on how to explain this to future employers. Thanks:o

[Bambi]

Realnursealso,

I am so sorry to hear of your misfortune. Keep your head up, there is something out there for you. This is one of those bumps in the road of life, you can and shall get through this. I am at a loss right now on how to give you answers to your questions, but I know there is someone out there that can give you some good advice. One thing I can say is, I don't know when or if you can start drawing unemployment, but this may be an opportunity for you to start going to school and get your RN. If you can draw unemployment for at least a year, than this will give you a big head start on your education. I wish you well, and my prayers are with you.

[asil]

I would get another job.. Do not forget it is your license on the line. When you are working all these hours a mistake can easily happen and you would be responsible. Life is to short to work such a terrible job.

[Brownms46]

(((((((((realnursealso/LPN))))))))

I'm sorry to hear this happened, but I have said and will always say, everything happens for a reason! This place wasn't the place for you, and I believe there is somewhere, with the very position for you. One that won't have you falling asleep in your work at home! This is no life for someone who is still young, and vital:)!

First ...get the screams out! And then let it GO!!! You gave it your all, and you refused to allow yourself to be beat down, and took some assertive measures to take care of yourself. This may have been what prompted them to fire you.

But that is ook too!

They did you a favor! Seriously, because I have a feeling you would have stayed there, and endured waaaay too much grief, and ran yourself down in the process! Being freed from this job, was the best thing that could've ever happened!

Now take a few days to relax, and pamper yourself. Get out and see people, and smell the fresh air!

Then pick up the paper, put your resume online, or whatever you need to do, to find that next saddle, and get right back up there!

You have nothing to be ashamed of, but refused to allow yourself to be bullyed. Hold that head up high, and go on with your bad self!

You're an experienced nurse, and you're a valuable commodity, and the next employer, should kiss his lucky stars, if you decided to grace him with your presence. I wish you the best, and don't give up your dreams:cool:

[babs_rn]

What would I do? LEAVE.

[fulwood]

I read your email and then hated to read they had fired you. I think it will work out well for you but hated to read how they had treated you and then had the bloody gumption (wnated to write another word but it would be deleted) to fire you. I am sorry and wish you all the best... It will be fine in the end...