Lots of changes at our facility!

[melissa_rn]

Last week I found a new job (therefore I notified my boss, the executive director, that I would be leaving my position as nurse manager). The next day she quit without notice (read: stormed out).

We only have 4 full time nurses and are supposed to have 7. Today one put in for a status change to go from full time to per diem. No one wants to fill in as interim nurse manager until a new one is found. In fact, all the other nurses have mentioned that they are going to look for other jobs.

Has anyone been in this position? One nurse has made a comment like "We should all just walk out, that would say something to administration.." - it infuriorated me! The only people you're going to hurt by doing that is the clients!

We're a non-profit so don't pay as well as other facilities. Any ideas of how to find a new nurse manager? We've posted ads but historically that hasn't given us anything (which is why I was given the job).

Thanks for your help!

[fluffwad]

Been there..........our facility is recovering from a similar situation. There must be a reason (or lots of reasons) why no one wants to go near the management jobs, you got a different job, and your boss couldn't stand it anymore. You might not be able to do anything about those problems.

There were lots of reasons why we didn't get new people (wages offered, lousy benefits)...But you have already put in your notice. This sounds like a job for administration, who is supposed to deal with this kind of thing anyway and is responsible for managing the situation in the first place.

Abandonment is never ethical, but giving reasonable notice is. Yes, the patients might suffer because of the staffing issues*. I've had bosses who would use that kind of line to manipulate people into staying and endure lousy working conditions. This can be bad for the patients in the long run if it allows the management to avoid dealing with the real issues. (*the state regulatory agencies exist to police this.)

My current employer didn't wake up until turnover was 100% and the complaint surveryors were in every other week. The working conditions and patient care are getting better now because the ownership realized that it was either clean up their act or the business would go down the drain.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

I had a HN tell me just yesterday "the well is drying up", meaning employment seekers are no longer interested in working at this particular facility. I know her, she is a piece of work, so I have no doubt she can not keep staff. You gave the notice, keep the new job and be thankful you are out of this situation. I feel sorry for the residents, but sometimes we must move on to save ourselves.