Need some encouragement

[Skeetersmom119]

I have been a nurse in a LTC/Skilled nursing home for 2 years. (I graduated nursing school in 2007 at the age of 49) I am the oldest nurse on the unit. I also have ADHD, (which is controlled by meds), I have IDDM, and also a heart attack survivor with an ICD. I received a call from my unit manager that one of my patient's INR is low, and she inferred that I was not giving the coumadin. I give all of my meds all of the time. She said that she may start counting the comadin. She also said that if she had to count and find out that I was not giving it, I would lose my job. So- I saved her the trouble, counted the coumadin for my patients, had the RN supervisor verify the count, another nurse verify that I had the dosage needed, and that I had administered it. My appraisal stated I was not good at time management, (I was labeled because of my adhd) because sometimes it takes longer than the 8 hours to get everything done, if extra things come up which need attention. Nothing is said to the others that work overtime. I was told that someone watched me do something and said that it took me 1/2 hour (which I guess was unacceptable), but that time the person spent watching me took 1/2 hr of their time where they could have been doing something else. I am the nurse that has been singled out to write up for petty things. It is hard for me to find work elsewhere because of where I live, and I do not want a long commute, and there is no facility that can match what I make. I get assigned the straight caths, stool samples, hemoccults, from the other shifts, because they decided that they did not want to do them. I am a good nurse, I can assess my patients, but I am treated as though I am not smart enough to do things such as admissions, mars and tars (I have to go and clean up the mars and tars on the 1st because of all the changes that were missed). I also found an antibiotic IV that was not given for 8 days,(fortunately it was not on my shift) because the admitting nurse wrote the generic nameon the MAR and pharmacy sent the brand name. I was the one who took the time to call pharmacy to find it out.

Our stat med box is supposed to be locked, every day I come in and it is unlocked. I lock it back up, told my boss it is unlocked every day. We had an inservice regarding this matter, with the threat of corrective action if it is found unlocked. My boss tells me, "that is why you are here, to lock it back up." I get no complaints from families or my patients.

My hall does not look like Christmas, with call bells blinking on and off . We keep the patients happy. I love what I do, I am just tired of being treated as though I am unable to handle my unit, and that I am dishonest, and that I am not smart enough to do things such as order labs, or do an admission. I am going to speak to my boss, let her know how I feel about her not being confident that I was giving meds. She will probably say, " looks like you got hemocult #1, the stool sample for C-Diff, and the caths for UA C& S, way to go." Any encouragement/advice would be helpful.

[arcoiris]

I worked for an employer that whatever anyone did, it was never enough. It feels awful to know that you are giving it your all and never get any credit. You said you were reluctant to go somewhere else. I think it would be best to look into other options. Even if the pay is not the same. Remember we cant give our best to our patients if we dont take care of the caregiver. Sounds like you do a great job at what you do and you deserve to be treated better.

[LiferRN, RN]

Sometimes the best solution is to move on. It's unfortunate that all managers and directors aren't good at team building or have good leadership abilities, but the fact remains that some of them are really terrible at it and as long as they are the ones leading the ship, you have to decide either to sink along with it or set a new sail somewhere else. Good luck.

[Durable]

I am in the same situation. I think that nurse managers deal with their insecurities this way, by picking on a designated person. I think you should definitely talk to your boss and tell her you do not like the way you are treated and ask her what is the reason for it. If you don't she (and others) will continue to pick on you. I am looking for a new job for this reason. The rule where I work is to pick on or humiliate any body with credentials that threaten others like a BSN or pick on anyone who is a nice person, as opposed to an evil troll which most of the nurses there are encouraraged to be if they aren't already. Why are nurses so unfair and emotionally immature? I thought this was a profession but it works more like an army platoon.

[achot chavi]

I understand your situation, I also understand why you want to keep this job and that has its merits,

You have two choices, either to look elsewhere understanding that the grass is not always greener in other pastures, or you can decide to be patient and do your job well and hope that things will improve.

I think you should keep your options open, dont quit until you have found something you think will be better.

Your health history does put a strike on you, but your positive work ethics should balance that.

Dont worry about the jobs that they think you arent "smart" enough for, but make copies of the mistakes you have to correct on the MAR and TAR and show them to your supervisor, she should know about them anyway. Continue to report problems that you find or people will think you are responsible for them.

Keep a diary if you think it will help.

Good Luck!!

[yadda_yadda_yadda, LPN, LVN]

DEFINITELY keep a diary/log of the goings-on @ this facility...you never know when State might get involved...or some vindictive coworker may decide to call the licensing authority. ---People are weird that way.:smiley_ab

I've never worked in a place as harsh as what you're describing, but have worked places where the management has their obvious faves.

After 16 years, I finally adopted the philosophy that nurses are not "property" of their employers. The employer has a NEED for nurses...Nurses have a NEED for a job. It's a relationship based on trust & mutual respect. There has to be trust, reciprocal loyalty & each needs to take care of the other. The nurse must, of course, do their job. The employer rewards that with fair wages & decent working conditions. :yeahthat:

If those conditions can't be met, it's like being in a dysfunctional relationship....one filled with dread...where you never know 'when the next shoe is gonna drop', or just what waits around the next corner for you. No one should have to dread the drive to work, wondering what kind of BS awaits them while they're clocked in. (I'm not talking medical happenings, but employer/employee/co-worker dramas) :uhoh21:

Follow your heart regarding what you need to do for your own well-being.

P.S. I'm 42 and wouldn't put up with such BS. :icon_hug:

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

I am so sorry for this unfair situation. I understand why you feel limited in your options. Living in a rural area has these draw backs. I agree with the advice of others, keep records of other mistakes you routinely correct, look for another position if you can, and attempt to pay your bills and save some money. I get the feeling you are on the hit list and sooner or later you will be hit with dismissal. Someone wants you gone. I do not mean to be blunt or cruel, but sometimes we take too much for the sake of a bad job.

Good luck to you, I think there are better opportunities out there for you, just look for them. Blessing to you and let us know how things go. Also, get a few good references from those families and a coworker or two, you never know when they come in handy.