Lele

Hi everyone. Hoping to get some guidance. For the last 4 years I have been in 3 different leadership roles. I have been burnt out in each one, regularly working 60 hours a week on salary. I'm considering leaving the field altogether due to burnout. Also, I'm not sure if it's just LTC/SNF, but the toxicity and lack of morals and ethics is terrible. I can't bring myself to work in these environments anymore. The only luck I'm having with employers is LTC/SNF and leadership roles- which I refuse to return to. I am applying to jobs daily and redoing my resume and submitting a cover letter expressing my interest in switching paths. Any advice on how to go about this? Thank you in advance!

Another update that will blow everyone's mind...the same nurse who falsified OSHA fit testing, used a pink highlighter to falsify a COVID test. I reported it and she is still here. I have asked for a transfer to another facility but was told since I'm under 6 months that it will be considered quitting and starting new.

It's definitely time to get out. Another nurse completed fit testing and it was reported by majority of floor staff that she didn't actually complete fit testing and just instructed everyone to sign the sheet. This is a violation of OSHA. I reported it, and the administration and DON are allowing her to stay and justifying her behavior. They have announced that "fit testing was performed", directly undermining myself and majority of floor staff who have reported it. She also had everyone sign the incorrect form. This is concerning to me as her and I are both certified in the facility to perform fit testing. I asked the administrator to transfer to another facility and was told to please give him time to fix it. This is a loss cause as I believe the problem is bigger than just the DON but maybe the entire company.

Thank you all for your responses, I have a lot to consider. ?

Hello, I am an infection prevention and control nurse within a LTC facility. I'm getting bullied by the DON and her clique (literal clique, she has hired all her high school friends and family). I am being bullied because I have stood up for what is morally right, while the DON wants to do what's easiest. For example, we had a scabies outbreak when I first started. We had an outside derm dx for it and one of the rounding providers dx. The DON on more than one occasion announced at meetings that it's not real, she doesn't know where it came from, etc. this has publicly humiliated me on more than one occasion. She has done the same thing with RSV and Covid outbreaks. I am doing what is clinically correct. It may not be the easiest choice or most popular, but it is the right thing to do. Now- I am bullied regularly by her clique. It's not always overt. There is a lot of eye rolling, glaring, withholding information, excluding, and other non-verbal messages. I had my fill the other day and told the administrator that I don't think I'm a good fit for the culture. He has begged me to stay and assured me he's going to try to fix the culture. I fear retaliation now. I have all of the floor staffs support and some management support. The DON is a manipulator and has gotten away with bullying so many people that I am very worried about my job. My peers and floor staff have given me support by telling me I'm not alone and that they are treated the same way. Floor staff and other management has stated they have reported incidents too and nothing happens. I'm constantly stressed at work, can't sleep the night before, can't focus, etc. at this point, it seems like I need to find another job. It's discouraging to know that many people have reported her and she still persists. What should I do? Start looking at other options? I'm bummed because I love the floor staff and what I do. The administration and corporate tells me I'm doing an amazing job. I just can't grow thicker skin and tolerate the bullying. Please help!

I'm sorry to hear about your long past but glad to hear you've decided to pursue the field of nursing. I can tell you my experience. I was very young and accepted at a university for nursing. I got a dui a few months before I was set to start. When I applied, one of the stipulations was that if you get arrested for anything, you must notify the department. My offer was immediately rescinded. I began reaching out to every university and community college in my state and was told the same thing. They all advised me it was too fresh and to wait a while. Fast forward 10 years and I reapplied and was accepted. If you have proven yourself and stayed out of trouble, they may look past it. Mine was a misdemeanor and I didn't have any prior criminal history. You may want to reach out to admission departments to start your search. Also, check into getting your record expunged. I represented myself in court 2 years ago and had my dui expunged, so now I don't even have to disclose it. Do your research and don't give up. There is a shortage in the field, so it's worth a shot. Understand that depending on which department your in, you will likely have direct access to narcotics. I have worked with nurses who had an opiate charge and they cannot work anywhere with controlled substances out of choice/due to state board requirements. Diversion is real and no joke.