Most of my coworkers are leaving...

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Currently, I'm working at a rehab/long term mix facility, primarily working with the rehab patients. If you're lucky, you have a second nurse with you, and you split up the work assignment so it's more manageable. If you're not and this happens a lot...you sometimes have 20, 40 or even 60 patients to look after. While working here, I have met some great nurses and coworkers. When I need help, I know I can go to most of them for their advice and recommendations. We're great about helping each other out, so that when one of us is behind, the other jumps in and helps keep the pace going.

The problem is, almost every single one of these people is leaving. I completely understand why--our workplace is very chaotic, we're often lacking in crucial medications, medication errors occur because changes in orders are difficult to find, management would rather criticize than be supportive, and we're so short-staffed that mandations occur almost every day. At the same time, it makes me nervous to continue working at this place.

While I have certainly had successful shifts without some of these coworkers, I really do count on these other people to help my shifts go more smoothly. They're great assets during emergencies, when there are many tasks to complete, or when a patient asks a question that I am not sure about the answer to.

At six months, I have been there longer than most of my coworkers. Yet, I can honestly say that there is much I still do not know, and am not ready to be a resource person for others, which is probably what will happen since many new people are going to have to replace these people's positions. I am not sure whether or not to continue employment at this facility; at the same time, if I left, I would be seeking my third nursing job in one year, which wouldn't necessarily be a good thing, either.

What are your thoughts? Would you stay or leave?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Oh I would get out. This place is dangerous and there is good reason all your coworkers are leaving. So sorry this is happening to you.

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Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.

I agree with SmilingBlueEyes: Get out and find a new job pronto. I workedLTC/Rehab and left after I was put in an unsafe situation. It is so not worth your sanity. Find a new job, where you have safer staffing ratio's and you can hold on to it.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

The concern here is that most of those places are like that. Short staffed, what is a lunch or even a break! My mom is in a rehab right now and I joked with one of the nurses today that I never had a lunch or break like they make you guys do these days. That nurse looked me square in the eye and told me that this was her lunch break she was working through. Nothings changed. It is what it is. Most people, students, etc... have a romantic idea of what nursing is.

The reality is that nursing is brutal. If you're lucky enough to get into a good facility be it hospital or LTC/rehab/SNF don't leave. You see how that works. All the good places that are left have staff that's not going anywhere. Work until you reach a year. and than look for something. In the interim; learn.

I constantly see people on here advise others to up and quit. Think hard before such action and when you do please give a 4 week notice. This is the ANA guideline

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I think in situations like those, decorum goes out the door. the longer OP stays, the more she's risking her license. 60 pts, even in LTC, is beyond safe.

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The concern here is that most of those places are like that. Short staffed, what is a lunch or even a break! My mom is in a rehab right now and I joked with one of the nurses today that I never had a lunch or break like they make you guys do these days. That nurse looked me square in the eye and told me that this was her lunch break she was working through. Nothings changed. It is what it is. Most people, students, etc... have a romantic idea of what nursing is.

The reality is that nursing is brutal. If you're lucky enough to get into a good facility be it hospital or LTC/rehab/SNF don't leave. You see how that works. All the good places that are left have staff that's not going anywhere. Work until you reach a year. and than look for something. In the interim; learn.

I constantly see people on here advise others to up and quit. Think hard before such action and when you do please give a 4 week notice. This is the ANA guideline

See, that's the thing--it will be hard work wherever I go. To be honest, my coworkers are going to places that may or may not be better jobs. All I know is that the pay at the places they are leaving for is SLIGHTLY better. But the staffing shortage and nurse: patient ratios are not necessarily a lot better. But, like you said, the ideal jobs are already being filled, and, even if they do open, will not be filled by someone like myself with less than a year of experience. However, my biggest concern is the lack of resources available in the case of an emergency.

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I think in situations like those, decorum goes out the door. the longer OP stays, the more she's risking her license. 60 pts, even in LTC, is beyond safe.

I have had my license for about a year now, and certainly would not like to lose it over this job. I could see it happening, too, with how scarce our resources are. What if a diabetic passes away because we didn't have the correct insulin? Or, because their blood sugars are so low, and there are never any snacks to be found? Also, they have mandated people to stay so long that they have worked over 24 hours. Certainly, there's a higher risk for mistakes with that, which of course increases the risk of losing their license...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

When I worked in LTC, I had 15, 17, 25, and (for 1 nightmare night shift) 60 residents. I had an LNA for the 60-resident shift, but that was my last shift in LTC. I will only go back if my family is facing immediate homelessness.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have had my license for about a year now, and certainly would not like to lose it over this job.
The 'losing my license' mantra is greatly exaggerated, especially in the realm of LTC/rehab/SNF. Generally, nurses do not lose their licensure over sloppy care or medical mistakes.

The vast majority of nurses lose their licensure over impaired practice, theft, drug diversion, intemperate use of controlled substances, and failure to complete mandated impaired nurse programs.

And statistically, nurses who work at acute care hospitals are far more likely to see their nursing license numbers referred to the state BON for complaints over sloppy care. LTC/SNF nurses are far less likely to have their license numbers referred to the BON for complaints and investigations.

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Better you to seek your third nursing job, than let this unsafe facility cause serious damage to your entire career.

I would be sending my resume to anybody and everybody that would review it. Similar facilities will recognize the reputation of the place you are in. It could take another 6 months to get hired somewhere else. Keep your head down and perform a serious job search.

Definitely time to move on.. just do it wisely.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We are having issues with a cycle of high turnover. It is very sad. It is management. We are not unsafe but it is not a happy place.

I started in a LTC/rehab. We only had 20 beds and there was only one time that it was full. I was a new grad and it was me and an aide (a WONDERFUL aide). If it getting unsafe, you need to get out, your experience will help get you a new job. I LOVED rehab nursing, but it was so chaotic, I had to go. I am now on an ortho unit and it was a perfect fit for post-rehab. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I have had my license for about a year now, and certainly would not like to lose it over this job. I could see it happening, too, with how scarce our resources are. What if a diabetic passes away because we didn't have the correct insulin? Or, because their blood sugars are so low, and there are never any snacks to be found? Also, they have mandated people to stay so long that they have worked over 24 hours. Certainly, there's a higher risk for mistakes with that, which of course increases the risk of losing their license...

No insulin? No snacks? People working 24 hrs straight? Time to drop a dime to the state agencies that oversee nursing homes. Your facility is committing so many gross violations it's unbelievable. Contact the labour board about the mandatory overtime. Call everyone you can think of. Think of it as being a patient advocate.

If they get wind and fire you, then they just saved you from an agonizing decision. Good luck.

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