My Time Has Come

[Peepershops]

After 40 years in nursing, 95% of which have been in LTC, I've decided to give up being a DON and full time work. It wasn't a hard decision-my heart is just not in it anymore. Unstable staffing patterns, lack of support, buildings being bought and sold faster than I can keep up with, just to name a few things. On the top of the list, are the ever-changing rules and regulations the dictate the care that must be provided in a nursing home. Most recently, circular letters at the state level mandating that nursing homes have Narcan available and that nursing home staff are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of overdose and be prepared to administer the Narcan. Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities will now be expected to train staff to care for those with substance abuse disorders, leaving the nursing home even more vulnerable to serious citations during surveys. The next group on the list are those who are aging in prison who are now too old or sick to be considered a danger to society any longer. The push is on for these folks to be placed in long term care facilities for the remainder of their lives. I became a nurse to care for the sick and elderly but this is pushing it for me. I think the mixing of these 3 very diverse populations is a recipe for disaster, at least from a Director of Nurses' perspective. I heard from my state Ombudsman yesterday that it has already had disastrous results in larger cities where its already happening. I've done my time, I've made a good reputation for myself and have had a good career. It's time for me to step away and maybe do some consulting on the side. But I will still be watching and keeping up with what happens.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I hear you - and I'm only half a step behind you.

I had no idea about the movement to re-house elderly prisoners... that's pretty scary. It's a shame to lose your high level of expertise from the service environment. Have you given any thought to providing consulting services or even training to function as an ombudsman?

Best wishes on your decision to "Level Up" and move on to better things.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Good luck to you ... whatever you decide to do now. Thank you for the work you have done for the past 40 years.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

In a city near me the have a nursing home exclusively for male prisoners. I hear it's hell to work at, for obvious reasons. I've worked corrections & it never bothered me. But something about having those men who need NH care all in one building sounds dangerous to me.

[Daisy4RN]

Godspeed to you on your new journey, whatever that will be. Thank-you for your years of service. The world is a better place because of nurses.