problems with "too many chiefs" and etc in my LTC fac

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Where I work there is a new DON (with total power, of course) who wants to make changes, has fired a lot of nurses, has hired mainly new graduates, and has surrounded me with young new graduates with many, many "good" ideas they have implemented without consulting with me. I complained to the DON without much effect. What I wonder does she intend to dispense with my services, also? I am 62 y.o. with 10 years experience. Any support out there for me -- I think I am going to be job hunting and quit before I am the next casualty in this "LPN massacre". Meanwhile care quality for residents has not noticeably improved, changes I have implemented, or tried to implement against resistance of low-paid CNAs will probably go away when I leave (such as mouth-care). The new graduates are making mistakes that new graduates always make, and if I leave who will fix them, and who will suffer from these mistakes. (Such as not removing an old bottle of Vancomycin with different dosage instructions from the refrigerator, while the new bottle, with new dosage instructions remained unopened, or letting a bottle of glaucoma drops remain unopened, obviously unused, for four days). Tell me does it hurt their eyes if they don't get glaucoma medicine for four days?? Another problem is I am caucasian and have met much discrimination in this mainly African-American LTC facility -- mainly in the form of lack of respect, ostracism and even baiting. It is subtle, nothing I believe would "hold in court". And a few of the staff are respectful and friendly, that helps a little. Sounds like recipe for resignation, doesn't it - now that I have read over this. You can edit it as much as you want - I just really really needed to vent!!!

Sounds like a recipe for resignation to me. Start looking sooner rather than later, or as you suggest, she may beat you to the punch. Best wishes.

You may be right. But last time I talked to the DON (who I still respect, although I disagree with some of her decisions), she said she would allow me to resign "If you give me two weeks notice." No other comments from her regarding my complaints. When I told her I might be looking for another job she said, "That sounds like a threat to me, and I will have to reassess my opinion about you." And I said, "Couldn't it also be a cry for support and validation.?" And she said, "I can't talk anymore, my plate is full." To be honest, I have sometimes paralyzing fear of someone who has such power, who doesn't include the LPN's in her decision making. It sort of does make one feel dispensible. Of course I should have seen "the light" a long time ago.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Whew. Pay heed to the message behind your DON's words---if there was ever a "see you later", that was it.

In your situation, I'd be gathering references and updating your resume before you shake the dust of that place from your feet. You may not have the chance to get those references once you leave; I've seen a couple of DONs threaten staff with disciplinary measures if it were ever found out that they gave a reference for a departing employee on the management's "S" list.

What a lousy way to wind down a career......I don't know how close you are to retiring, but if you are going to be working for a number of years yet, you'll want to get out of this place under your own power. Finding a nursing job is hard when you're over 50, but your chances are better if you're still employed when you start looking. Best of luck to you....and please keep us posted!

Specializes in Hospital, med-surg, hospice.

Sounds like they want to replace you because you 1) have senority and you are probably making more than the new nurses, 2) Your age, you are not fitting in with the clique, and 3) they want to change the facility. I would update the resume, put out some applications before resigning. Good luck, I know how you feel I am in an almost similar situation, only I am in an acute care hospital.. but they need me too much right now, they have a hard time keeping good staff, I am also a preceptor for a lot of the new nurses so they need me for now.

Specializes in ICU.

I wouldnt have told her you were looking elsewhere. Thats just more motivation to fire you. "obviously" you dont want to work there. But yes i would look quietly elsewhere untill you find something else, then give your 2 weeks.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

It sounds like you've either got to make peace with saying nothing at all or find another job. The DON has made it crystal clear she is not interested in your concerns. However, she doesn't necessarily sound vindictive towards you from what you've said. Maybe she's filling the place with new grads so she'll have a staff of "yes men" who won't know better and who will not challenge her.

Specializes in Ortho/Peds/MedSURG/LTC.

If you leave on good terms, she may call you back. It happens around here. Stay and take the invisible route. She obviously doesn't need any more input - I'm sure everyone's squawking away in her office. Too many chiefs is right! But you could stay and just keep doing what you've been doing. Just write up errors that inspectors will find and slip them under her door, so that she can read them when she gets a minute. If she knows you have her back it'll go better.

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