Problems at work? Is this common? Please read!

[IHeartPeds87]

I am currently employed as a direct caregiver at a LTC facility for adults with disabilities. I am not certified as a CNA, but the job I have is meant for CNA's (as in you either had to be certified or had to have atleast 1 year of related expereince. I had the one year of related experience).

My duties are similar to what a CNA would do. ADL'S, documentation, etc. Since it is a longterm care facility with a patient care tech, I don't get to do anything with documentation and we don't really take vitals. Still it's good exposure with transfers, helping with feeding, toileting, etc.

I love the work. I love the clients and feeling like I'm doing something useful in the world.

What I don't like: the politics. The other people who are in my same position. they gossip constantly, are catty, and are just plane rude.

Here's the other thing that really bothers me. Some of the rules at this place are messed up.

For example, there are two pagers that rotate between staff that the patients can press and you have to go answer the page if you are one of the staff with the pager. If you ahve a pager and you don't answer the page you can get written up. And, you can't refuse a pager unless you are 1/2 hour away from the end of your shift, or leaving the building (to take clients to therapies, or into the community), or 1/2 hour from your assigned break.

Here's the thing though. There are a few clients that we have that are 1:1, which means that you have to be an armslength away from them at all times if you are assigned to them. If you are not an armslength away from them, you can be written up.

The dumb thing? If you are 1:1 and someone asks you to take the pager you have to take it. So either way, you can get in trouble. If you ansewr hte page and leave yoru 1:1 that is a violation. If you don't answer the page and stay with your 1:1 that is a violation.

This is only one example of many of the double standards that are here. I feel like they do this just so their liability is covered...no matter what happens, you are to blame, not management.

I like my job and I don't want to quit because i've grown really attached to the patients there. What scares me, is that is this the way it is going to be when I"m a nurse? I mean, as a nurse, you have even more responsibilites to worry about.

It's really wearing me down. I love the work, but I don't know if I can stand the environment. I was written up for using my best judgement when I got a page. I left my 1:1 (who was asleep, in bed, with the bedrails up and in my opinion doesn't really need a 1:1 as she can't really move herself out of bed) to go and answer a page of a client who I know is impatient and gets really, really upset if she has to wait.

I guess my question is are there double standards at most places in healthcare? Does this sound normal? It scares me because I am really frustrated and Im doubting wanting to be a nurse because of this. Which is sad, becasue really, I love the patient care.

[soulofme]

I wish the management that come up with these bright ideas would actually test their "brainstorms" out first...then, if they can do it for a two week trial, have the staff assigned to do it...WON'T HAPPEN:eek:

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

1. Don't participate in the cattiness and gossip. It is possible to remain neutral. Be polite, respectful and courteous at all times no matter how others treat you.
   
2. You need to talk to the DON or whoever supervises you caregivers about these specific "double standards" that you have described. Unfairness is unfairness and needs to be addressed.

[bethin]

Those rules are seriously screwed up. As much as you like this job, I would suggest getting a new one. You could try talking to those who implemented such rules, but I doubt you'll get anywhere because in their mind they're right and you're wrong - even before you open your mouth. So, essentially, you could be handed the pager because you HAVE to take it but then can you immediately hand it off to someone else because that person HAS to take it? Hardly fair. If they want to implement such a thing ground rules need to be set: one must have it for a set period of time and then it goes to the next person on the list, not just to some random worker.

You seem like a good worker who genuinely cares about her pt's/residents. Have you considered Home Health or Hospice? While those can be busy, you are more 1:1 than in a LTCF or hospital.

I'm afraid that if you keep going at this pace and have to deal with these arcane rules that it will burn you out...quickly. I've been doing med surg and ICU for over 5 years as a CNA and I've known I've been burned out on med surg for 3 years. Therefor, I have become moody and sometimes rude to coworkers. Thankfully, they all understanding.

I wish you lots of luck. Remember, no matter how much you hate this job, don't burn any bridges. Go out with a smile if you choose to quit. I'm sure there are plenty of other places that would gladly hire you. Keep you chin up and keep doing the great work you're doing.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[bethin]

I forgot to discuss the gossip. Stay out of it. What you overhear is not groundbreaking CNN news. It's mundane stuff that people do to make themselves feel important because they have the latest juice on that nurse. In the end, it hurts everyone and it's unprofessional to be doing it at work where residents might over hear.

An example of gossip gone bad: we had a wonderful nurse. She was the best of the best. Woman never lost her cool in codes, when she was stressed she still remained cool under pressure. She was very well liked by everyone because she would help other nurses out with meds, orders, admits, etc and help out the aides with baths, linen changes, vitals, etc. even though these were not her pt's. Rumor was she was an alcoholic and came to work drunk. Whenn I heard this I said no way. I know there's functioning alcoholics who can continue to work while drinking but this nurse walked a straight line, her eyes were not glazed over, etc. I considered this nurse a good close friend. I told her that there was a rumor that she was coming to work drunk - I told her outside of work. She broke down and said she is an alcoholic but is 13 years sober and has not drunk since. The rumor wouldn't die even though I told the gossipers the truth (with the nurse's permission). They didn't believe me. In the end, this wonderful nurse put her two weeks in and when HR found out the reason for her quitting, we all got a seminar in gossiping.

But it still occurs and it does in any profession. Backstabbing same thing - happens in every profession and it's happened to me many times. Now my skin is so thick lab has a hard time getting blood.

[leslie :-D]

1. don't participate in the cattiness and gossip. it is possible to remain neutral. be polite, respectful and courteous at all times no matter how others treat you.
   
   i reiterate what daytonite said.
   no matter where you work, gossip will be abundant.
   do.not.get.involved.
   just do your job.
   
   
   
2. you need to talk to the don or whoever supervises you caregivers about these specific "double standards" that you have described. unfairness is unfairness and needs to be addressed.

agree again.

you need to have a 1:1 with the don and ask her outright, what/how you are expected to handle these situations.

bring the write-up with you, using it as a case in point.

how the heck do they expect you to be in 2 places at 1 time???

if you do not receive any satisfactory input, it is clearly time to move on.

otherwise, you are being set up to fail.

best of everything to you.

leslie

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

You know, Leslie, sometimes I think I might know you because we think alike on a lot of things, except I can't recall ever working with anyone named Leslie.

[leslie :-D]

You know, Leslie, sometimes I think I might know you because we think alike on a lot of things, except I can't recall ever working with anyone named Leslie.

i agree that we are both very no-nonsense people.

i've been referred to as other names.

unfortunately, i can't repeat them, per tos.

leslie

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

I am currently employed as a direct caregiver at a LTC facility for adults with disabilities.

I love the work. I love the clients and feeling like I'm doing something useful in the world.

What I don't like: the politics. The other people who are in my same position. they gossip constantly, are catty, and are just plane rude.

I like my job and I don't want to quit because i've grown really attached to the patients there. What scares me, is that is this the way it is going to be when I"m a nurse? I mean, as a nurse, you have even more responsibilites to worry about.

I guess my question is are there double standards at most places in healthcare? Does this sound normal? It scares me because I am really frustrated and Im doubting wanting to be a nurse because of this. Which is sad, becasue really, I love the patient care.

1. Don't participate in the cattiness and gossip. It is possible to remain neutral. Be polite, respectful and courteous at all times no matter how others treat you.
   
2. You need to talk to the DON or whoever supervises you caregivers about these specific "double standards" that you have described. Unfairness is unfairness and needs to be addressed.

I think you must be a wonderful person. Gossip and politics are found in all jobs and in all vocations. Unfortunately some places are worse than others. You change jobs and you will likely be changing one set of problems for another so I don't think the answer is to quit your job. It's not always possible to remain neutral, polite, repectful or courteous at all times no matter how others treat you. There are times when it is right to speak up and stand for what you believe in and also times when you don't let people speak ill of you or run over you. You are not a door mat, don't let anyone wipe their feet on you.

I would talk to the DON and ask specifically what are the reasons for these rules? Maybe there is a reason that you're not aware of.

Don't let this experience discourage you from being a nurse. The higher the level of education you obtain, usually, the better group of people you'll be working with. And I emphasize "usually".

[nina4nursing]

It sounds like you work where I do! I work in direct care/group home

setting. Again you don't have to be a CNA, but previous CNA'S are

perferred.

As for the gossip your right same thing here. It's all females and guess

what I am the hated one. But on the same token I am the one who

tries to do best. You follow all the rules and try to fit in until you just can't

stand them anymore. What has kept me here? The PATIENTS! You need

to let your co-workers know straight up that your not trying to be their

enemy but nor do you need to be their friend. Tell them that your ethics

only allow the patients to come first and that is why you are here. And if it

comes right down to it come to work and do your job. Ignore their gossip and

focus on your path to become a nurse. Once you do this the one's who

are decent will realize your intentions. Those are the ones you can

depend on for help but still be wary.

Nina

[Kempochic]

Gossip will find its way anywhere you go. If it comes your way, I believe you have a choice...u either react to it or brush it off.

I will be attending nursing school this coming Fall but I have been with my current job for almost 19 yrs (phlebotomist). I also enjoy what I do and I'm much more aware when "gossip" comes around the corner. After awhile you do learn to deal with it or react to it(accordingly).

I refuse to be a part of it. I believe it fosters a negative environment for everybody, including patients. I remember there were days when I used to dread going to work. That alone is enough to zap the energy out of you but I guess I started to fight back.

I finally had to look at my job from a different perspective (paradigm shift). I started to concentrate more on donors, patients & volunteers. Somewhere along the way, I was so consumed by the "negative" that I forgot how much I really enjoy "doing" my job. I was distracted and I started to find strength from patients, etc. It's amazing how that has changed my perception.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

I guess my question is are there double standards at most places in healthcare? Does this sound normal? It scares me because I am really frustrated and Im doubting wanting to be a nurse because of this. Which is sad, becasue really, I love the patient care.

Double standards are everywhere in health care these days. It's awful to think that people's lives are given such little consideration. Where I work, rules are only rules when it's convenient to apply them, and it often depends too on who is doing the applying. We have a rule that says we have to have a nurse for every patient (ICU where care is supposed to be 1:1 but often isn't), a transport nurse, a resource nurse and an admitting nurse before we can grant ad hoc time off or float to the NICU. But many times we don't have any of that and we're sending someone to NICU, or the manager's crony is given a vacation day. We're also not supposed to leave our patient unattended. But then they stick someone in an isolation room at the far end of the unit with two patients, no other nurse within earshot or view, and no supplies in the room, no one to take the lab work out of the room and missing meds. What to do?

I wish the management that come up with these bright ideas would actually test their "brainstorms" out first...then, if they can do it for a two week trial, have the staff assigned to do it...WON'T HAPPEN:eek:

I've said the same thing, or a variant. When the assignments are really unsafe and the workload unbelievable, the person making the assignment should ask themselves, "Would I want this assignment? Would I be able to get everything done and keep these patients safe?" and if the answer is "No", don't just give it to Jan!!