2.5 mos., disgusted w/ ltc!

[NurseHopeful]

I am a new cna. I chose to do this work til I start LPN classes later this year so I could develop a fundamental understanding of nursing. I felt I would not get it from a book. I cannot believe what I have gotten myself into! I don't even know where to start except to say I am so disgusted I am not sure I want to be a nurse now! We are always working short. Call offs are an incessant way of life on the floor. I know the cna's do this to each other. The don, in an attempt to fix this has implemented a new policy. If you call off fri-mon, you must make it up. That is not the only time we have call-offs. It is all the time. This will not solve the problem. In fact there seems to be no solutions to all the problems. Is this everywhere? I was told when hired I would be scheduled every other weekend and holiday. I work the next three weekends in a row, and some of my co-workers have worked many more. I am a very good cna, though I am still learning. I get compliments from residents and their families. I have a good attitude, am friendly, treat others w/ respect, do not call off, and I am responsible. I run non-stop from beginning to end. Where else can I go? Or is this my warning sign to stop before I get started?

[ERNurse752, RN]

Can you apply for a job in a hospital now that you have a little experience?

Some places are like this, some aren't. It's just looking around until you find one that's not!

The above problems stem for a management problem for allowing them to happen. I'm sure she's afraid to fire people though, and be even more short.

Good luck in finding a job where you are treated more fairly!

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I have worked in hospital, in group homes, camp nursing, and in assisted living...same story different place! The only exception was that Nurses showed up for work like clockwork in assisted living (where I currently work) because we are so short staffed you just have to to ensure patient safety!

This situation will be in every facility to a certain degree...same with other jobs! I mean, have you worked in other jobs where you had a certain person call in so often you just roll your eyes and say "of course..its Friday!". Same situation!

What my facility did, and it really helped..was they only give out personal schedules and most staff can not see the full employee schedule! That way, people aren't looking and seeing if a certain someone was there that they know will cover for them, or if we had a float available to take their service area! Nope, you only get YOUR schedule and no once elses! That has really helped us!!!!! Suggest that to your managment if you wish...best thing mine has done in two years!

Now do remember once you are an LPN or RN, short staffing on CNA's means you get to pull the slack on top of all your duties too! May want to remember that if you are debating going into nursing! You become a different rung on the ladder basically to management, and they hold you accountable for what they consider 'below you"...and for me that will include kitchen staff, housekeeping staff, CNA's, LPN's (since I am RN)...the works on weekends or other times those department heads are not in!

If you are feeling like this may not be for you...please take a serious look at why you wish to be an LPN! Be honest with yourself, and find out what you are willing to comprimise of yourself for your profession...if this isn't one of them, then I would strongly suggest looking into other areas of healthcare! Your mentioned situation is just ONE of the daily grinds as I call them that happen to CNA's, LPN's and Nurses...there are many more and best you take those into consideration first. I wished I had!

Good luck to you...and really try to find out why you want to be in healthcare...sometimes people like bedside more than management, management more than bedside, hands on people person or from a distance people person...these are all things to consider! I was a hands on untill the situation you mentioned drove me crazy! Now I like doing more administration and helping from a distance with paperwork or care planning! I may even switch all together to do radiation tech or something where I am helping, but only with a patient for a small amount of time and don't have to explain their dx! See...be honest with yourself..nursing and healthcare do have other avenues awaiting you and your personality/skills :)!

[suebird3]

Please don't let one facility cloud your judgement. I was an LPN for 17 years, and worked in several facilities that would make your toes curl. Of course, the administration, etc. makes a difference. The facility I am in now....for over 5 years-had worked with me regarding my school schedule, and I now have my RN. Hopefully there are other places to work; don't dispair! :rotfl:

[weetziebat]

That was a very smart move on your part, to become a CNA and check the waters before plunging head first into the deep end.

What you describe has been my experience in LTC - different facilities, different cities or states, but same thing. Before giving up why don't you try to find a job in a hospital. For a CNA that is an entirely different world than LTC.

And if you don't like it please don't be afraid to find another field. There are so many others healthcare related fields or maybe something else - but don't go to nursing school thinking it will be different when you're a nurse. Or you may find yourself writing this post as an LPN or RN.

Best of luck to you.