Jenwicki89

Long Term Care has evolved into this unrelenting MONSTER (imho)! Long gone are the sweet little old ladies living out their last years at a well staffed quiet "rest home." The residents are younger and more difficult, sicker and needing more by way of ADL assist, dressing changes, IVs, respiratory needs or attention; and this is being asked of us - the few of us that have remained. Facilities are short staffed which is a haven for unhappy nurses and staff, so to be in charge is simply too much- or at least it was for me. If a nurse doesn't show up for a shift, or a resident to resident situation comes up, or a traumatic event occurs - you are called upon at all odd hours of the day or night to find a solution or BE the solution. And that's on top of the constant heavy weight of corporate leaning on you to do whatever new idea is trending for the facilities that are "Best in Class" -all while increasing your census. CENSUS!! When you don't have the staff to take care of what you already have. You are it when it comes to dealing with angry docs, angry family members, angry staff and angry residents. Sure you have your 'support' staff but the one's on my team were sort of involved with "their own work" because the work has become so overwhelming its a coin toss as to whether or not it will even get done. It's sort of every man for themself ya know? So you show up day in / day out and take care of everyone / everything. And you BUST your BUTT to tidy up all the loose ends and get all the work done for your annual survey - Every year. And sure there will be some years where you are rocking it out but what I've learned is that it is all a game. If you have a stellar year one year they will be coming after you soon enough. I speak from experience and it is still a bit of a sore spot for me. We worked so hard to keep our residents well during the pandemic and I was so proud of the team for really hanging in there and keeping the virus at bay and managing all the difficulties that came with it so well. So when those surveyors came in and slapped us with an IJ for confusion over a Quarantine sign I was beside myself - and I haven't been the same since. That's when I gave my DON position up - and had to take a mental health leave. I mean who wants all of that crap for most often, much less money than what your floor staff is making because you are a salaried employee? All of it out weighs any perks that are few and far between. Too many good DONs and nurses in general are walking away from Long Term Care because of similar situations to what I've written above no doubt and it's sad to see but who has time to look up and truly see it happening? Im so much happier on the floor - when I bust my tail I get compensated for it and when I leave I get to leave the worst of my day at the door. To be a DON just isn't worth it.