Passing the buck.

[DedHedRN]

Been at a new job at a LTC center, I have worked six shifts so far. Two shifts I have had to send people to the ER the minute I got report. I have had to contact MDs about rashes that the CNAs say they have been telling the nurses about for days. I have had skin tears that were obviously cleaned, not documented pointed out to me by the offgoing nurses as " oh! look what just happened!".

Then I get chewed out by a nurse this am because I was complaining that she left me with a hypokalemic pt. that had been passed on to her from the AM shift, She was PM, Im NOC, so she left it up to me to call the MD. I was upset, because this seems to be a pattern at this facility. She actually yelled at me not to make her look negligent when she came back in AM and heard me complaining about her not calling MD for the pt the PM before. The pt had a eletrolyte imbalance and was admitted to ER.

I have witnessed all kinds of crud in my short six days. Im not new to LTC, and Im just shocked at this place.

I recently had to quit a job I really liked because I could not find housing in the area due to the remote location. I didn't really want to take this job but I need to have income to live.

I am looking for something better...I don't want to job hop... but that's what I feel I am doing!

I need some words of wisdom from the more experienced. Help!

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

She actually yelled at me not to make her look negligent when she came back in AM

"If you were worried about looking negligent, why didn't you handle this issue?"

Do the best you can. You coworkers will either hate and despise you or they will rise to the challenge of the standard of care that you set.

Either way, you'll be taking care of patients.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

30 years experience here, many areas. The area itself doesn't really matter.

You are in an unsafe situation.. for you ..and your license ... and the residents.

This facility will not improve their standards. They expect you to bust your butt and cover up.

Are you willing to do that?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

This place is like so many others. It doesn't matter if it is LTC, Homecare, Hospital, Physician office, etc. We are short staffer, over worked, and the slackers get to stay so the rest of us have to do their jobs. It's insane. Good luck to you. I would start looking for another job ASAP.

[scrubwearer]

Sounds like we work at the same place...

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

Will you be able to keep up this pace without burning yourself out very quickly or getting caught up in their mess? Continue to do what you know is right to protect your license which you worked hard for. If something stinks after only 6 shifts, it's usually rotten.

Job hopping? Eh, not really. I had a job once that it only took me less than 3 months to determine it was a bad fit. The 90 day probation period works both ways. I don't list them as a former employee, I act as if I never worked there.

[DedHedRN]

I am feeling burnt out, even thinking about calling in sick tonight. I am truly scared that this is the type of place where people lose licenses at. Im actually dreading going in tonight. This feels bad. I need to work though. Quiting without another job to go to is not an option at this point.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

How frustrating is this...for now you need to stay focused in on your patients and your practice. You will have to deal with whatever is presented to you at time you take over. You are not responsible for poor care given by others.I would at least try as much as possible to take the same patients from day to day. That way once you get some of the chronic issues resolved that others have ignored it will be a bit easier. As far as dealing with issues that should have been taken care of like the hypokalemic patient...I would have dealt directly with the nurse who passed the buck..perhaps she needs some education...if not at least she will know you look down upon those who do not have high standards in the delivery of their nursing care. I have often found that it just takes one or two people in a group to set an example of great nursing care and many will follow you. It is a slow process..but it happens and I have seen it happen many times.