So, as a nurse it's my #1 priority to serve your narcs on a platter...

Nurses Medications

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.... So sick of handing narcs out like candy to haughty, rude entitled ADDICTS. I work in a dam SNF and too many of these people must think my whole world revolves around their scheduled pain meds. Is there a way to stop the madness?? Irdk if your grammy or mom has "had to wait" a whole 30 min extra for pain pill s/he didnt really need. Well, unless getting high is a necessity. How do I get away from this crap? I almost feel like a drug dealer!

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
I don't think I'm burnt out, I'm feeling disillusioned. All of my nursing clinicals were at hospitals. I often wish the hospitals in my area would hire new grads...

What do you think "burn out" or "compassion fatigue" is? How would you define it?

It is unfortunate that your nursing school clinicals did not expose you to SNF or ambulatory care nursing. Back in the day I had clinicals in a VA hospital, a civilian hospital, a SNF, an ambulatory care clinic, and a psychiatric facility.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
What do you think "burn out" or "compassion fatigue" is? How would you define it?

It is unfortunate that your nursing school clinicals did not expose you to SNF or ambulatory care nursing. Back in the day I had clinicals in a VA hospital, a civilian hospital, a SNF, an ambulatory care clinic, and a psychiatric facility.

Agreed.

I was exposed to hospital, clinics, SNF, home care in my BSN clinicals; I graduated 2 years ago; I choose the school because of their well-rounded clincials. :yes:

Agreed.

I was exposed to hospital, clinics, SNF, home care in my BSN clinicals; I graduated 2 years ago; I choose the school because of their well-rounded clincials. :yes:

Lol, that's funny

What do you think "burn out" or "compassion fatigue" is? How would you define it?

It is unfortunate that your nursing school clinicals did not expose you to SNF or ambulatory care nursing. Back in the day I had clinicals in a VA hospital, a civilian hospital, a SNF, an ambulatory care clinic, and a psychiatric facility.

Thanks for your sympathy. It says a lot! :cat:

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Lol, that's funny

What's funny about that?

There are several schools in my area that provide well rounded clinicals; I knew of two schools and went with the one that fit for me; I am aware there may be issues where that is not possible; and sometimes people focus on NCLEX scores and don't ask about clinicals; that's something people need to think about, and don't....In your case you can't go back; but you can do self study and understand the specialty that your in, which in my experience has opportunities for advancement and abundant opportunities for leadership and attributes that acute care hospitals and other avenues respect; it's all in how one WANTS to hone their practice in order to get to their eventual career destination.

The thing about entitled patients and family members, chronic pain management problems, understaffing and overworked nurses is that it is rampant everywhere, not just LTC, SNF, and AL facilities-everyone everywhere has too many problems to deal with. Don't kid yourself that going to a hospital or clinic setting will change any aspect of what you're experiencing. The best advice you've been given is to develop some new coping skills, that it's not about you or your perceived failings, and that you need to leave work at work. If you're looking for the perfect work environment you'll never last anywhere. You are going to have to set some realistic standards about what is acceptable and what is not in your work setting. I agree that rude people suck and mean people never seem to die, but there are more of both in today's health care world. I hope you find what you're looking for soon. Best of luck!

Specializes in NICU, Mental Health, Psych.
I have another job (just part time) and have comparatively few problems when I work there. I will be honest in that I always wanted and expected.to work in an acute care setting after school, just because I FEEL stretched too thin when I'm in a situation where I have 20-25 pts, about half of them being new from the hospital. I want to be able to do a good job. I don't think I'm burnt out, I'm feeling disillusioned.

Ack! I feel you there. You have my sympathies...nobody likes feeling disillusioned or less productive. I would tell you, just as I have done previously, to take stock and really decide if this facility is for you. If it isn't don't waste time trying to make something happen where it won't, you know?

Lots of good advice here- and a safe place to vent as well- but at the end of the day, remember that this is YOUR life. YOU need to be in charge of it, and if you are feeling stretched too far, or there are some real practice issues that you don't like or won't change- don't feel bad for walking away. That being said, make sure you expectations aren't too high or unrealistic. I know it can feel like an eternity to get "that job" that you really really REALLY want...but sometimes plugging along gets you further than you can see at the time.

Spend some time asking yourself some tough questions. Really give it some thought and then decide if you want to keep doing this or if it was just a bad day. Can that other part time job become full time? Have you asked if it will be full time or is a possibility? And nothing wrong with exploring other options. Hang in there!

Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

Very sad that you feel the need to label patients. Education in understanding pain and it's consequences is critical. Not all types of pain require a opioid. Learning about the types of pain will help you get the right medication for your patient. Thinking that waiting in pain is a treat perhaps you should try it. Walk a mile in their shoes you wouldnt want the same treatment for yourself or your family.

I don't know about this individual, but it seems as though some of these folks first BECOME addicted post op at our SNF where the narcs flow free. Then they go see your people in the ER later, I dont know?

Yep, they come see us for constipation, altered LOC, and falls.

But back to the topic at hand, to have an expectation that every pain med will be delivered at a certain time, on the dot, when you have 25 people to care for is completely unrealistic, and treating you badly because you cannot live up to an unrealistic expectation is really unkind. If you cannot find a way to manage these expectations and deflect this unkind behavior, then maybe letting this job go might do a lot for your stress levels and general sense of well being.

I'm not saying this as a judgment on you. Some nurses can work under these conditions and do just fine with it. Me, I'd be bald from pulling my hair out after the first couple of hours. I'm empathetic and compassionate and all, but I have my limitations and can recognize them, and not being suited to work under those conditions is one of them!

I'm not going to lie and sit here myself and say that when I am on a unit (or have to pick up an extra unit when short)...and find myself continually handing out prn narcs q3 q4 etc...that I don't get annoyed. However....it is my job as a nurse to treat the whole patient...the good the bad...the ugly...and the annoying. My own personal opinion if a pt is drug seeking or not/addicted or not ..or not is not something I can Bring to the floor. And prns given out routinely on the hour need to be addressed with the Physician. Maybe the person does legit need a higher dose. Or a long acting med, a patch, etc. can help to decrease the use of prns.

And! You have to try non pharm interventions. Maybe the pt just needs 1:1 or their nails painted or a couple more pillows...to maybe just hear someone is listening (take the 75 yo AA03 female who is shown empathy by her family when she came from the hospital yr facility and they haven't visited her since) ...involvement in activities to take her mind off whatever it is...yes as nurses we often don't have the time to do all this stuff.p but it is something. To keep in mind.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

So; the SNF doesn't staff adequately to allow the nurses to address the pain relief needs of the patients. The patients are unhappy with that situation. The nurses are unhappy with the patients for asking them to get them their pain meds "on time" and suspect that they are addicts (that makes it easier to ignore their request for pain relief until you have time to address it I suppose).

Seems backwards to me.

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