Oh "woe is me!"

WIN007 · Jun 14, 2011

Am I just negative? It is not nursing, but me?
I have worked in SNF for one year and I don't like it. My partner has to hear me complain more often than not. I am trying to curtain my complaining (hmm, I guess this thread isn't helping:lol2:), but I just can't see the upside in the facility where I work. It is all about MONEY --not the patients-- and it teeters on unsafe care. My partner says he has not heard me be happy about a job that I have held, including non-nursing, so I am wondering if it is just me. The other nurses at my facility can't run away fast enough. They can't keep nurses there and the only shift that I can bear is night.
This forum always offers great honest advice. Thanks!

Hi,

I can't comment on your previous jobs. But on this, I dont' think it's just you. Near everyone is saying what you say. A lot. I think the economy and the loss of patients with premium insurance having elective surgeries is really hitting the hospitals hard and the easiest solution is to cut staff. My old facility was doing that by attrition rather than layoffs although cancellations on shifts were frequent as well. In my area there were so many health networks that built lots of fancy-dancy new modern facilities in the early 2000's right in time for the economy to tank and they are trying to break even at a time when insurance companies and CMS (Medicare) are microscoping every claim while at thee same time competing hard for a smaller pool of premium insured patients among each other. It may get worse before it gets better tho I do think it will get better as EMR's and healthcare information exchanges help reduce costs in ways that are much better than in slashing staff. Meanwhile I think maybe if you can find a unit in an outpatient facility or in daybeds, where they contribute positively (financially) it may be better staffed and more pleasant to work in. the other option might be to specialize. If you can find a niche that really interests you (cardiac, icu, ed, maternity, oncology, et al) you might like it better. you could also look at auxillary nursing such as case management,education, diabetes clinic, dietary et al.

PS - I also don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong but your partner doesn't sound so supportive. Nursing is hard work and can be extremely stressful and it's important you have a support system.

Art_Vandelay · Jun 14, 2011

Thank you! :nurse:

You are not "putting your nose where it doesn't belong". I like all feedback regardless of what it may be. My partner is supportive, but he is not in the nursing(or healthcare) field so he does not always get the insanity that nursing can be. Conceptually, he gets it, but I believe it is true, at least to some extent, that you have to experience it to truly grasp it.

Funny, as an aside, I just read a "red herring" post. "You have to experience it to truly understand it" was one of the red herrings: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/top-three-red-571761.html. Anyway, I disgress, but I posted the link if you're curious.

The insurance industry and Medicare are a mess in this country, IMHO. But if I were queen of the world, I would take profit out of healthcare or at least mandate staffing ratios nationwide. There is something seriously wrong when you attempt to save money with horrible staffing. :uhoh3:

I am hoping for another area. AN helps because it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in the experience.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Jun 14, 2011

I have worked in a SNF for the last 6 months, and hate it too. I don't think that it is you, it is the job.

I know that there are better places out there, the hospital that I worked at as a CNA while in nursing school was great, granted no place of employment is perfect, but they were a non profit and it was more about the patients than the all mighty dollar and they rewarded their staff for a job well done.

The thing with most SNF/LTC they are usually for profit owned not by someone who is in health care but by an investor looking to make money (at least the one I am at is)

Art_Vandelay · Jun 14, 2011

I have worked in a SNF for the last 6 months, and hate it too. I don't think that it is you, it is the job.
I know that there are better places out there, the hospital that I worked at as a CNA while in nursing school was great, granted no place of employment is perfect, but they were a non profit and it was more about the patients than the all mighty dollar and they rewarded their staff for a job well done.
The thing with most SNF/LTC they are usually for profit owned not by someone who is in health care but by an investor looking to make money (at least the one I am at is)

We must work at the same one because they should have "$$" signs on the door where I work! Cha-ching! I wonder how many SNF have decent staffing and happy nurses? I would propose that they are in the minority. I just love the irony of the rhetoric claiming patients first. Uh huh.

SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 14, 2011

Some people are just complainers (I'm not saying this as an insult). My husband is a complainer. He complains about EVERYTHING. It's just the way he is and I think it's how he deals with stress. So I let him vent but I try to make sure that he acknowledges the good things every once in a while.

There is a lot to be desired in LTC (and in health care in general for that matter) and I know there are plenty of things to complain about as does anyone who has had dealings with a LTC facility. When you can't fix something complaining might be the only way to deal with it. Complain away! but make sure that when something good happens you point it out to yourself. :)

Art_Vandelay · Jun 15, 2011

Some people are just complainers (I'm not saying this as an insult). My husband is a complainer. He complains about EVERYTHING. It's just the way he is and I think it's how he deals with stress. So I let him vent but I try to make sure that he acknowledges the good things every once in a while.
There is a lot to be desired in LTC (and in health care in general for that matter) and I know there are plenty of things to complain about as does anyone who has had dealings with a LTC facility. When you can't fix something complaining might be the only way to deal with it. Complain away! but make sure that when something good happens you point it out to yourself. :)

I am offended. I will work on that. It helps to be aware of the negativity. Not that I want to be Smiley Mc. Rainbow but a happy medium would be nice.