miserable at job

[The Bell Jar]

I work nights with around 65 residents,skilled nursing home,no med tech,3-4 CNAs.With the treatments,reg scheduled night meds,and prn narc requests I run around like a chicken with my head cut off.If there is an emergency situation-you are completely involved in that for at least an hour or more and the clock is ticking to get everything done.

I feel like a ball of anxiety and feel a ball of dread in the pit of my stomach whenever I go in there.Two other nurses have quit there without notice due to things like this.

I would take a cut in pay to work at a hospital-to only have a few patients that I can give more time to.

The only problem is this horrid economy nobody is really hiring. *sigh* Just needed to vent.

[Jules A, MSN]

Wow, that sounds awful. Hang in there, keep applying to other places and best of luck.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago. I worked night shift at a nursing home with 70 residents and 3 aides. It was a really bleak situation. I was continually on the run and felt a sense of constant tension.

There's light at the end of the tunnel, so keep on trucking.

[The Bell Jar]

Thanks for the replies.It just petrifies and angers me when I feel that my license is on the line.But I feel that I can't quit-because I need the money and like I said nobody is hiring.I don't think I can get unemployment due to quitting a job.I feel trapped.Its just hard when I don't know when this is going to end,because I dont think I can handle this much longer.

[josh1974, LPN]

And ya hear RN's complain about their 3-4 pt load! Hang in there, I know your frustration!

[OldMareLPN]

May I suggest that your problem is not unlike others who have ventured into LTC (me, too.). Your enthusiasm may make reality harder to see, i.e. that you are letting the employer put your license in jeopardy every shift you work. Make no mistake, if there is a sentinel incident they will toss you under the bus faster than you can say "money, money, money".

While still there, it is important that you take the time to complete your documentation in a manner that is both professional and acts to explain your care. At the end of the shift, take the time (even if unpaid) to perform the most important nursing function of Covering Your ****.

Mosby puts out a great little book about documentation that far exceeds what I was taught in school, it is well worth the few bucks. Read it! You drive defensive, and unfortunately you need to document defensive.

Geriatrics is a great field, except in private-for-profit LTC, where I will never work again as a nurse.

Good luck.

[The Bell Jar]

I totally agree Old Mare.I will get the documentation book you recommended.This is a private for profit LTC.Geratrics is a great field,I do like it,its just the unreasonable work load.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I totally agree Old Mare.I will get the documentation book you recommended.This is a private for profit LTC.Geratrics is a great field,I do like it,its just the unreasonable work load.

If you like geriatrics and long term care, I would suggest working at a non-profit facility or one that is affiliated with a church. The work environments sometimes tend to be more conducive to keeping patients and employees satisfied without pushing to increase the profit margin.

Also, the VA has long term care facilities, since our veterans deserve good care, too.