nsnan_2000

First off, do you really want to work LTC? Yes, it is emotionally draining and frustrating at times, but if you really have a love for the elderly, it can also be very a very satisfying and rewarding career. First off, you have to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of your residents and your license. If you have followed your chain of command in your facility and getting no results about the CNA using drugs and endangering your residents, you have an obligation to report to appropriate authorities. What if you left there and found out she had hurt or abused someone? Could you live with that? I know I couldn't. Sometimes it is difficult to work as a charge nurse over people you once worked side by side with as a CNA, but YOU are the charge nurse and you are thier supervisor, whether they like it or not. If they are bossing you, you may have to remind them. If they aren't doing thier jobs, you must confront them and possibly do write ups. We cannot make people respect us, we have to earn it by being just and fair. We as nurses also need to let our CNAs know when they are doing a good job, because they are often the first to apprise us of changes in our residents. With 39 residents to look after, there is no way that you can take care of them alone and see all that you need to see without the help of your CNAs. As a former CNA yourself, you know how hard it is for so little recognition. I always try to encourage and let my CNAs know how much I appreciate all they do and I find that they will work much harder and go the extra distance for me. Of course, there are some there just for the paycheck, and no amount of encouragement or praise will make a difference to them, but the majority will appreciate it. I hope that you will hang in there if this is what you really want to do, but if it is not, then remember that not everyone is cut out for LTC. Sincerely, Nancy LTC Charge Nurse for many years

I think that nursing home caregivers need to be re-educated about elder sexuality. It is amazing how closeminded some people are in this day and time. It is not just that they feel uncomfortable about them having sex, I have actually heard nurses and cnas say "that's gross!" I am always amazed at how some people think. This subject really does need to be addressed in all facilities.

Could you please fax me a copy of your alert charting form to try at my facility, and any other documentation inservices you might have. Our facility just went through inspection and our only flags were in documentation and charting. We are having an eight hour nurses meeting on July 2nd and I think it would be extremely helpful. Thank-you so very much. Nancy in Oklahoma OUR FAX # 580-924-1302 Attn: Nancy Harris

I think that you have to earn the respect of your CNAs. When I first became a LPN charge nurse after graduation I had the same problems, maybe more so, because I had also worked as a CNA with some of these people. I had worked with new nurses as a CNA with "nursitis" so I knew what they were expecting. You CAN be a good charge nurse. CNAs deserve our respect, because without them, how would we ever manage to do OUR jobs? In the longterm care facility, they are often the first ones to notice something going wrong or just isn't right with the residents. I find that they are invaluable assets. Anyone who has been a CNA knows how very hard it is and how seldom they are given the appreciation from thier charge nuses that they deserve. I have been a charge nurse for many years and I will work beside my CNAs if neccesary and I ALWAYS let them know how much they are appreciated for all they do. It doesn't take much time and it is surprising how much it means to them. Of course there are some that really don't care one way or another (the same as nurses), but I have found that if you give respect, you will get it in return. That is not to say that I won't write up a CNA, but it has to be a really good reason ( like abuse or something like that) Nancy 11-7 charge nurse

I know how frustrating it can be as I was a CNA for many years before becoming a LPN. You sound like a CNA I would love to have on my team. I know that the work is incredibly hard and no matter how long you have been there, everything is never all done, (always something else that needs to be done), but when you realize how much your little resident's appreciate you, it makes it all worthwhile. It takes a special person to do your job and do it well, and I am not talking about how fast you do it. Just remember to do the best that you can do and continue to talk to your residents and let them know that you care about them and how they feel. You will learn much from them and although exhausted and frustrated, you will go home knowing that YOU have made someone smile and made someones day a little brighter, just by being there. It is amazing what a little hug or touch can give them. They deserve all the kindness and love that you have to give.