Longterm care nightmare job

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I just started a new job a month ago. I had been out of nursing for awhile so I took a job in a local nursing home to ease back into things. Not because I thought it would be easy but because I'd had alot of ltc experience in the past and I like that the residents don't come and go as quickly as in acute care. Well what a rude awakening I have had. Firstly, the med pass in the morning takes almost four hours and sometimes longer. And that's only if I have the extra nurse to take the 8 accucheks and sliding scales as well as routine morning insulins. If I have to do those too, then that sets me back another 45 minutes to an hour. Now it's after lunch and I've had no break at all, my feet are killing me, I haven't had any time to look at the treatment book or see what the aides are doing, and residents who have had appointments are returning and I'm supposed to have their vital signs checked and be signed back in, after which I'm supposed to look take off the orders. But wait, first I have to spend almost 40 minutes in the dining room and help feed. After that I have to hurry and start my afternoon med pass which takes another 2 hours at least and also I have to endure resentment from the two nurses at the desk because I haven't done the "paperwork" and they are stuck with it. So now I'm up to 3 o'clock and I'm just finishing up the second med pass and then have to count with the oncoming nurse. After all this, it's time to fill out the "books", meaning I&Os, progress notes, daily notes in the notebook, and supervisor's report. There are also lists and lists of stuff to fill out and sign by the hour or even 15 minute checks for the residents who wander. By now it's about 4 pm because it just never ends, and I'm happy to get out by 4 because sometimes I'm there til 4:30 or 5!!

When I get home I realize I got no breaks or lunch, and my reward for sacrificing what I am owed is dirty looks from the other nurses who somehow get all these chores done with time to spare and are therefore superior. But one of them actually admitted to me that she doesn't even hand out most of the afternoon meds, just signs them off, except for a specific few. And I'm sure she doesn't do the treatments because when I come on after her, none of the heart or lidoderm patches have been removed and replaced. And then one of the nurses at the desk told me, "just sign them off" when I told her I don't have time to do the treatments!!

I found out that this particular home has been audited frequently by the state and is under "supervision" and I can certainly see why. I've talked to the DON several times and told her that I don't feel like a safe practitioner because I'm always in such a hurry! And she tells me, "just give it time." But after a month, I don't think I can work any quicker than I already am.

Should I quit and go somewhere else before something happens and my license is revoked?? I'm actually afraid of that. There are alot of jobs around here so I think I could find something else pretty easily but what if I find the same situation in those other places? What if I was away from it for a few years and now that is just how it is????

Shouldn't I be able to take a lunch break??? Oh, goodness what do I do?

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EVERYTHING you just posted is EXACTLY why I will never work in LTC again. I tried two facilities and they were pretty much the same.

I wish you the best of luck in finding something else... in fact I wish BOTH of us luck. I haven't worked since April, which was when I resigned from the second he**hole I tried.

Have a great evening!

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

If you've been out a while from nursing, I wouldn't quit until you have a new job if you really need an income. The job market is nothing like it used to be and those without recent experience are being passed by at every turn.

If you're interested in staying I'd keep at it, it took me 3 months for it to feel like I had some sort of a handle on things. I don't prepour my meds, and I don't take shortcuts. If I really can't do it I pass it along to the next shift (and document the same. ) But after 3 months they know I work my butt off to get it done and don't usually hold it against me. On the other hand I have yet to have a break or a lunch, and I can count on one hand the times I've taken a bathroom break. Again, jobs are scarce and I'm just grateful to have a job, any job.

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
I just started a new job a month ago. I had been out of nursing for awhile so I took a job in a local nursing home to ease back into things. Not because I thought it would be easy but because I'd had alot of ltc experience in the past and I like that the residents don't come and go as quickly as in acute care. Well what a rude awakening I have had. Firstly, the med pass in the morning takes almost four hours and sometimes longer. And that's only if I have the extra nurse to take the 8 accucheks and sliding scales as well as routine morning insulins. If I have to do those too, then that sets me back another 45 minutes to an hour. Now it's after lunch and I've had no break at all, my feet are killing me, I haven't had any time to look at the treatment book or see what the aides are doing, and residents who have had appointments are returning and I'm supposed to have their vital signs checked and be signed back in, after which I'm supposed to look take off the orders. But wait, first I have to spend almost 40 minutes in the dining room and help feed. After that I have to hurry and start my afternoon med pass which takes another 2 hours at least and also I have to endure resentment from the two nurses at the desk because I haven't done the "paperwork" and they are stuck with it. So now I'm up to 3 o'clock and I'm just finishing up the second med pass and then have to count with the oncoming nurse. After all this, it's time to fill out the "books", meaning I&Os, progress notes, daily notes in the notebook, and supervisor's report. There are also lists and lists of stuff to fill out and sign by the hour or even 15 minute checks for the residents who wander. By now it's about 4 pm because it just never ends, and I'm happy to get out by 4 because sometimes I'm there til 4:30 or 5!!

When I get home I realize I got no breaks or lunch, and my reward for sacrificing what I am owed is dirty looks from the other nurses who somehow get all these chores done with time to spare and are therefore superior. But one of them actually admitted to me that she doesn't even hand out most of the afternoon meds, just signs them off, except for a specific few. And I'm sure she doesn't do the treatments because when I come on after her, none of the heart or lidoderm patches have been removed and replaced. And then one of the nurses at the desk told me, "just sign them off" when I told her I don't have time to do the treatments!!

I found out that this particular home has been audited frequently by the state and is under "supervision" and I can certainly see why. I've talked to the DON several times and told her that I don't feel like a safe practitioner because I'm always in such a hurry! And she tells me, "just give it time." But after a month, I don't think I can work any quicker than I already am.

Should I quit and go somewhere else before something happens and my license is revoked?? I'm actually afraid of that. There are alot of jobs around here so I think I could find something else pretty easily but what if I find the same situation in those other places? What if I was away from it for a few years and now that is just how it is????

Shouldn't I be able to take a lunch break??? Oh, goodness what do I do?

I'm a guy so what I'd "do" is probably different that your's. Step one would be to insert boot into rectum of the "resentful desk nurses". Give me a break. Ah well, its like they say, "The less you have to do, the less you want to do."

I've been considering getting a part time second job at a nursing home. Me thinks your post is making me have second thoughts. IDK. We'll have to see.

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BTW, with that link I posted. You have to have the name exactly right or it will not find your facility. I find if I put in zip code, and then choose same city... I get what I came looking for.

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I worked in a place like that for two years and it completely turned me off from working in ltc.

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.
I'm a guy so what I'd "do" is probably different that your's. Step one would be to insert boot into rectum of the "resentful desk nurses". Give me a break. Ah well, its like they say, "The less you have to do, the less you want to do."

I've been considering getting a part time second job at a nursing home. Me thinks your post is making me have second thoughts. IDK. We'll have to see.

Erik, I think you have rectums on the brain after your shift, today. :lol2:

OP, I resigned from a LTC facility for exactly that type of working environment. The only way those other nurses get done on time with that load level is by cutting corners. I wish you well, and I would seriously be looking for something else.

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Specializes in Long term care.

hi, It's awful that you work in such a place, you didn't mention how many residents you are assigned too, but I am guessing it is at least 40....where I work, I am blessed to have great fellow nurses, and aides. You will get faster and more efficient with practice but it is hard job to begin with, and if you don't get help and support from the other nurses, then it is impossible. I could not make it on my job without the help from the other nurses, sometimes all it takes is encouragement and alittle help here and there. I don't know how bad you need the income, but remember that the residents look to you, smile at them, do what you can for them, and remember you are not a superwoman, do the best that you can, and that is all you can do. Maybe the coworkers will come around and help you as time goes on. I hope the best for you.

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Get another job.

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
Erik, I think you have rectums on the brain after your shift, today. :lol2:

OP, I resigned from a LTC facility for exactly that type of working environment. The only way those other nurses get done on time with that load level is by cutting corners. I wish you well, and I would seriously be looking for something else.

I didn't even notice that till you mentioned it. I'm refusing that assignment if they put me there again tonight. NO NO NO NO. Not doing it again. I shoulda called off.

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I'm confused and maybe someone could explain it. Back when I was in nursing school I had a fellow student who worked as a med aide who passed meds at a nursing home (what they used to call LTC). Do they not have those anymore and why not?

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