Need advice please!

[TSimpson730]

I am typing this on my phone so forgive any mistakes.

I just took my first nursing job at a 90 bed LTC facility. Upon hire everything seemed great! I was told I would have three days of orientation, and could ask for more if need be. My first day of orientation I was shown how to use the med cart, pass meds ect. Learned that about 90% of the residents have behaviors, so it's more like working in a pych field (not really an issue). Second day, the other nurse didn't show up for her shift along with 3 cnas so we just had to bust tail to get meds passed with only us two and 1 CNA (who was a saint!!l Third day, was thrown out on my own with no help and when I stopped to ask questions was in turn asked why I stopped passing out meds...and that I only had X amount of time to do it and go back to work. I asked for more orientation days because I have not been shown how to do ANY OF the proper paperwork and was told that I couldn't have anymore because they were short staffed. I actually witnessed the director of the facility scream at nurses (to the point where they were in tears) and GRAB a resident and shake them and tell them to "shut that **** up" because they were hollering out in the hallway (this resident has a mental illness, and regardless no one should lay a hand on her for any reason like that). Should I run?? I've never quit a job in my life! How would I explain that on a resume? I come home and cry everyday for these people and want to make a difference in their lives, but I want to keep my license!! Please someone, anyone, give me some advice. I tried asking a senior nurse at this place for advice and all they said was "**laughing** welcome to nursing little girl!!"

[GuEsT78]

Probably for the best. Although their reasons are different, they've also decided you're not a fit for this job. That explains dropping you from the schedule but not contacting you. Not a nice way to behave, but probably typical of them.

You've given them two letters, waited around for two hours, and left three voice messages. That's certainly being professional in your desire to communicate. You've done all that could be expected of you. I'd suggest:

1. Not making anymore efforts to get in touch with them. They clearly don't want to talk.

2. Write up what you did while events are still fresh. Get someone to sign that document as a witness, and put it someplace safe. It's highly unlikely anything more will happen, but if it does, that'll refresh your memory.

3. Do something inexpensive but fun with your spouse to unwind.

4. Put this "anvil" behind you and concentrating on getting that next job.

-----

I wouldn't be too hard on this DON and administrator. They're probably under a lot of constraints from above, particularly budgetary. Making life difficult for staff and patients is probably the only way they know how to cope. LTC work is demanding and requires an ability to inspire and motivate that they must lack. I've never understood why people persist in jobs for which they are ill-suited. I guess they need the money and couldn't make as much doing anything else.

In general, I try to not dwell on negative feelings about people whose lives are worse than my own. You've escaped from this terrible work situation. They're still stuck there. You're the fortunate one.

[PMHNP-1]

Good for you - you call the state agency in charge of investigating elder abuse, you call CMS also - since CMS certs these places.

You should just QUIT. It sounds bad enough that your license could be in danger. It will never ever look bad if you quit. Everyone in town who knows anything, knows about the revolving door at this place. You *could* put it on a resume, and then just say, "I stayed a week hoping what I saw was not the norm, but then it was so I left" (you don't have to give details). I myself was at one psych hospital for 1/2 day.