need your opinion

[birdietiel]

I work in a SNF, have been there since August. It was really rough at first, took a while to get used to all the things I have to do. I pretty much have a routine down. Sometimes I run late if I have an admission. I work on the rehab/medicare hallway. The thing that is bothering me is my co workers are now expecting me to help them with their med passes when I'm done with mine, because I have less residents. Well, I have a lot more charting and assessments than they do, and residents that need more. It's almost like a med-surg floor. I have a res with a feeding tube, about 8 diabetics, post stroke pts, post MI pts, pts with CHF, and renal disease, and one with CA. My co workers seem to think I have it easy because I have less residents. Well, I don't! Tonight my co worker said to me " It would be nice if you could help me out with my med pass if you get done early because I was way behind, and had no break. I have helped people in the past, then ended up staying late to finish my work when the person I helped left on time. Not very fair. We need to hire more nurses! I don't think they will. The midnight shift that came in tonight only had 2 LPN's for the whole nursing home for that shift! I did take my dinner break, only 20 mins. I need to eat because I get low blood sugar. I had an admission today, and even though I didn't help the other ones, I still got out late because I had a lot of my own work to do. I never sit around, or take my 15 min breaks. They seem to think I do nothing. It is so frustrating, they think I have the easy hall! It's not easy! I'm often very tired after work. The res are more demanding, and some families too. I think if I were to do more on other halls to help out, my res on my hall may end up not getting all that they need. But co workers are making me feel so guilty! I feel so depressed! And one wants me to work a day for her. I was only hired for 3 days a week because that's what works for me. I already work 4 next week because she didn't have enough staff. Now she wants me to work a day for her, then it would be 4 next week too. I feel bad to tell her no. I don't feel very liked by them. They are very cliquish. I am a nice person, and would like to help them out. I also feel like I need to look out for myself. I'm worried that sounds selfish. I have a son at home, just turned 13, but still needs me. I don't feel like I should have to justify to people why I only work 3 days a week, and that's what I was hired for. The other nurses seem to think I'm wimpy for being so PT, they work more. They are also a lot younger than me. I'm 37. They are early 20's, with no kids. I was sick all last week. In order to call off last sat I had to find a replacement. Then I went in while I was sick for a few days. I was even in the ER last fri night for chest pain, turned out was bronchitis. I don't feel appreciated by people. Everyone wants more and more out of me. I feel like I've been sucked dry by leeches! Any advice on how to handle any of this? I eventually want to work in a hospital. Not sure LTC is for me. I love my residents, and caring for them. But this understaffing situation is getting out of hand! Thanks for listening.

[Pegasus65]

Hi Birdie,

First off... don't let anyone make you feel guilty about working part-time. That is YOUR choice NOT theirs and it is no one's business but your own what days you work. If folks want to work 60 hours a week they can have at...for me it is out of the question. I am in the same situation as you except I have an elderly mom at home instead of young children. I choose to work part-time because she needs me and I can't depend on anyone else to make sure she gets to appointments etc. I am also not a spring chicken myself.... I will be 45 next month.

As far as LTC goes my first job was nothing short of a nightmare. I posted on here about how horrible it was. I have recently found another job in a much better facility. However, it quickly became apparent that if I allow it they will call me in constantly.... much more than the two 12 hour shifts that was agreed upon for the weekends. I even had them call me 20 MINUTES before a shift was due to start last week and want to know if I could come in lol. I am at least a 35 minute ride away on a "good" day. If I am free I don't mind helping out but I am not going to be taken advantage of because they knew my limitations from day one. Apparently being short staffed and a lot of workers calling in is something most of the LTC's have in common. (Especially when it is storming like the dickens outside)

I totally understand what you mean about breaks. We are supposed to get two 15 minute breaks also, which I have never taken. I am lucky to get my lunch choked down lol in the allotted 30 minutes, which like you mentioned usually amounts to about 20 minutes. I am still finding my way and have much to learn. So far my co-workers have been okay to me... at least to my face. Judging from the way they talked about another new worker one day at lunch I am sure I get raked over the coals too when I am not present :). I stay out of the "cliques". I learned this early in life . I am there to do a job, which is take care of the residents..not make friends. I treat everyone with respect, but I am not letting them run over me.

My suggestion would be just to put the 14th and 15th letters of the alphabet to good use and say em really loud and clear when they are either trying to get you to work when you can't or pawn their work off on you. Helping is one thing... but you mentioned the worker you helped leaving before you did... there is something wrong with that picture. It doesn't make you a bad person to look out for yourself. While there are some great folks in this world that I would bend over backwards to aid.....there are also just as many that will use the devil out of you until you put your foot down!

I am also not sure LTC is for me..at least on a permanent level. While I genuinely enjoy taking care of the elderly population.. it would be nice to actually have enough time to have a conversation instead of just shoving medication at them and then on to the next person. The BEST medicine most of them could get would be someone just actually "listening" to them!

Good luck to you and hope everything works out! Have a great day!

[Blackheartednurse]

wow i dont know if it is legal to pass someone's else meds-be careful so you wont lose your license you worked so hard for...anyway you know what-i wouldnt do it,you work hard as well and it is not your problem that they are behind their work,just ignore their "blame" game. i think in this profession you have to becareful and learn to say "no" because sometimes saying "yes" can cause you to have your license revoked...a lot of facilities try these tricks on nurses especially newer nurses. i would neverpass pills for another nurses,chart something i didnt do..if you let them use you it will only get worse-next,they may ask you to chart for them. it is hard to say no but please remember it is your license not their that is in jeopardy and you are legally responsible for your patients only.