LTC Nightmare

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

Hi Everyone,

I had the worst day:crying2:.... I started as a RN on nights parttime at a SNF about 6wks ago. I received 1 week of training for the position. Relative 30+ patients so far with the capicity of holding about 40 - 45. Dementia/Alh unit. I have been their about six weeks now. The DON was furious with me about the chart checks. which are done on my shift. I missed some of them which I didn't realize... She yelled at me so bad which is valid reason for missing a couple chart checks, but I thought she crossed the line when she said that I was lazy, untrustworhly, a liar, asked me why I choose night shift, etc... The DON said that I was trained for 5 weeks and I told her that I had about a week. Originally, the training was suppose to be 5-6 weeks. Most RN's working their said that you need at least 3-4 weeks, nothing less.

The nurse training me was so upset that she had to come on nights to train yet another RN which was me for the night shift. Apparently she works dayshift & has trained about 17 people for the position and they left due to these conditions. I should have done the same. Every night that I trained with this nurse was an issue about coming in to train another RN:uhoh3:...

The DON had the nerve to call the nurse that trained me during her hollaring episode with me & PUT THE CALL ON SPEAKER PHONE & YET AGAIN CALLED ME A LIAR with the other nurse on the phone. How professional of her. So I decided to end my employment. The DON called me to come back to work stating everything will be ok, your upset, we can fix this, train with the nurse again... She called me 8x's & even got the HR person to call me on my cell phone using a private number. I finally collected myself & spoke with the DON & said thats ok... I will not be coming back to this facility. She said dont leave... I broke down & cried all the way home. I have to protect my NURS LIC. Any thoughts is appreciated???

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

You were right to leave. You shouldn't put up with that and if you stay it will happen again.

[EmmyBee]

Leaving isn't always the answer, but in this situation, I would have done the same thing. They didn't give you the full orientation, which unfortunately happens often. Regardless, things happen, especially when you are new to a facility and overwhelmed.

She had no right belittling you the way she did. Yes, you need a job. But that doesn't mean you have to settle for being degraded. Maybe next time she will think twice before she goes off on another person like that.

Keep your head up. Things always have a way of working themselves out. Good luck! :hug:

[caliotter3]

Under the circumstances you did the right thing for yourself. Calling someone a liar without justification is not the thing to do if you want to keep employees. You were right to stand your ground. Had you given in and allowed yourself to be lured back, you would then be losing sleep over the ever present possibility of retaliation. Retaliation, when it comes to nursing, can mean much more than losing your job at a future date. You would have been very unwise to have set yourself up to be her whipping girl. Gather yourself and find another job. Best wishes.

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for responding.... I do appreciate it very much.... I actually enjoyed working at this facility but I believe that I did the right thing by telling the DON that I will not be back to work here.... I told the DON Thanks but it's ok. She totally ignored me & thats ok to.

Anyway, I will be starting a Nurse Residency Program at another facility... It starts this Monday & it runs for 8weeks full time..... Thank God for this opportunity because after this last place, I dont want to go thru this again. I had applied to this Nurse Residency Program several months ago and was in the process of accepting an offer for a fulltime. Thank God I did!!! I was very upset earlier, but since I have been home talking with family & talking with you'll about this horrible situation, I feel a whole lot better in terms of my decision to leave. I'm not a quitter but it was impossible for me to stay & get the proper training & stupport that I needed from this company. Thank you'll for listening to me...

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

Hi Everyone,

I got a call this morning from the lady that does the schedule to pick up some more time... She had no idea what happen to me the other day. She agreed with my decision to leave. I told her that I told the DON about it yesterday & she refuses to listen to me. The scheduler said she understands & said if I ever need anything to call her & let her know... I said thanks for everything she was very nice to me. she wished me good luck. The DON called of course I didn't p/u the phone she leaves a message ( Thank God for answering machines)... She is refusing to let go & states that she will get me more orientation & that she wishes that I would pick up my phone to talk to her.... Go Figure?

Anyway this chapter is closed and I will definitely LEARN from this experience.... I can't wait to start the Nurse Residency Program next week at the other facility..... Thanks again to ALL for your listen ear;)

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

You need to call HR and ask them to tell her to quit calling. You might even want to play that message left by her.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Now that you have the other job I would call the HR at the first place and do an exit interview with them. Let them know why you left. The HR person might not know that the DON is psycho...maybe that is why the turnover is hight?

I don't mind being told what I did wrong or what I can do better, but to do it that way...NO WAY!

[caliotter3]

Good luck with your new job opportunity!

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

Thank you everyone for posting comments regarding this crazy situation....:)

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

Good luck with your new job opportunity![/quote

Thanks.... I am so happy about the Nurse Residency Program... I start this Monday... I am beginning a new chapter with my head up high;)

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

:ancong!: