Open letter for those with family in care....

[adrienurse, LPN]

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[Jo Dirt]

There is this poem I would see above the beds of some patients, it said something about open your eyes nurse, and look at me!

Well, that works both ways. I'd like to print out this letter (add a few more things to it) and have it blown up in a big poster. It should be standard in nursing homes.

But I also know that a lot of families could care less how hard our job is. I've actually heard them say that the other patients can go to hell, they just want their family taken care of. Well, what I wouldn't give to show them the swinging doors.

LTC is a nasty business and it won't get any better.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

I haven't worked in LTC since I was a CNA but I really identify with this.

I'm the only nurse in my family/circle of friends. The same people who thought it was a dumb move for me to career change to nursing are the ones calling me, crying about their relative in LTC.

What's screamingly obvious to me having listened to tons of these calls is that the average person has no idea what LTC means. They think it is like the Shady Rest on Petticoat Junction. Sitting around, sipping ice tea, having a lovely chat. The average person is horrified by even the greatest of LTC facilities. They don't want to think about incontinence and dementia.

I do about 100 presentations a year to senior groups in my job, all over the state. And I see these gorgeous, independent living facilities popping up like dandelions. I see adult children touring them. It struck me a while back that I'll bet they think this is what LTC is. All pretty lobby and carpet, fresh flowers and obsequious counter staff.

[adrienurse, LPN]

7. No I cannot promise you that your 93 year old mother won't die. I also cannot tell you when she will die or schedule it for when you come to town.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

Amen to all you have said. I plan to put in my 30 days notice within the next 2 weeks. I have had it with LTC. It's all I've ever known for 20 years, but I just can't take anymore. Everybody pray for guidance on what my next "adventure" should be.

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

They think it is like the Shady Rest on Petticoat Junction. Sitting around, sipping ice tea, having a lovely chat.

I know this is not funny, but I can't help laughing. Well put.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

There is this poem I would see above the beds of some patients, it said something about open your eyes nurse, and look at me!

Well, that works both ways. I'd like to print out this letter (add a few more things to it) and have it blown up in a big poster. It should be standard in nursing homes.

I can't stand that poem.

I understand the sentiment behind it, but all it does is send nurses on a big guilt trip. It sets the nurse up as the villian when the real villian is the person profiteering on the fact the nurse has far too many patients and far too little time for them. There seems to be some underlying assumption that the nurse is sitting around eating bon bons and ignoring the old lady in it.

[RNDreamer]

"there seems to be some underlying assumption that the nurse is sitting around eating bon bons and ignoring the old lady in it."

i'll admit it, before coming to this site, i thought nurses who work in nursing homes passed medicine all day...this was after my cna clinical at a not so nice nursing home (but i do miss the patients, they were wonderful! sigh!)..the different nurses that i worked for would ignore the patients...they and the cnas wouldn't help me help a patient...for instance, if i needed helped adjusting a chair or bed (didn't know how to work them for the life of me) at the patient's request, the nurses would wave me and the patient off and continue watiching tv or talking on the cell phone, anything other than what they were supposed to do. it was frustrating...

also this is what the nurses would tell me wheni asked how things operated. they said that the nurses felt that they "were too educated to do dirty work"

fortunately, my view has changed and i envy the fact that a nurse can care for so many patients....i cannot do it, or rather, i don't want to do early in my career, don't think i could handle it...maybe after a few years when i feel more confident in my skills

i understand the sentiment behind it, but all it does is send nurses on a big guilt trip. it sets the nurse up as the villian when the real villian is the person profiteering on the fact the nurse has far too many patients and far too little time for them. there seems to be some underlying assumption that the nurse is sitting around eating bon bons and ignoring the old lady in it.

[k3immigrant]

My mother in law was in a nursing home, she actually died there. whenever I go visit her, i can't help but admire all the people that works there.I guess you need to have a big heart to work in LTC facility.

I work in a critical care floor & i've tried working in a rehab facility w/ 10 patients & i quit after 2 weeks.

[adrienurse, LPN]

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[Jo Dirt]

10. And don't be shocked to get a phone call that your 80+ y/o relative died peacefully in his/her sleep. I actually had a woman who couldn't believe her 90 y/o mother died. She wanted an autopsy, she wanted to know how this could happen...