thsnursluvsgeriatric

I agree that it should be a choice, and that that lady should have been moved by one of the staff. I have worked in nursing homes that also have the sevice on the PA, I love it. The nice thing about this home, they had speakers in each room that could be turned off, so those that did not wish to listen did not have to.

Daytonite, hi, I did not realize that this was an old thread. Thankyou for pointing that out. I had just been pecking through the new postings on the thread.

I agree that one should take charge. But today I had an interesting situation. I asked a senior aid at 945am whether a certain resident was going to be fed. She said in a rushed way, oh ya it's been so crazy, we'll get it done. It did not get done each time I approached her it was some story. I approached a senior nurse and she said that she had never noticed it before, I've noticed this from the start, this girl always has an excuse for everything. She is a busy person on the ward but I am not sure how much is work and how much is just 'spinning your wheels'. The harder I work on the ward the harder I have to work. I believe that at times these girls just hang back waiting for someone to pick up the slank. I'm not the type to report things. I love my new job and am still on probation. The other day one of the nurses did not take a break on her ward until 2pm, she said it's either I feed or these people starve to death. She also said that they have complained for 6 years that they need more help but don't get any. Honestly I do not mind doing alittle double duty but today that same girl with the excuses did not step into the dining area after the trays were out. I asked her to check on someone and she did not. She just kept on writing in her binder and chatting to the girls. I am really ticked about this. I've discussed this with my fiance and he says that in order to get control I'll just have to be so much firmer when it occurs again. I am a bit of a softy and people mistake this for vulnerability. But I can be as authoritative as the next person. I just feel that adults should know better. I am very disappointed in that team member and am unsure how to approach the situation the next time.

I find it quite puzzling as well. Equally as puzzling is the fact that when you do have adequate staff the people want to sit and groan when there is a buzzer, or are rude to residents. Those needling aides, well, they are a complete menice to the profession.

Do they confront you or do people repeat what they have said about you? If your job is being done to managements satisfaction be happy. It would be nice if the people that tell you these tales would instead stick up for you and not repeat things as it only causes hard feelings. There will always be petty people, I always think that they must be unsatisfied with their lot in life.

Hi, I was in a similiar situation a few months ago. I feel nothing but relief. I am now at a wonderful job. I still think about the old job at times as it was tramatizing but I don't have to live it anymore. Feel sorry for our elderly though. God bless hope you get the job. I absolutely LLLLLove my change.

Sounds relaxing, I have cats too they love attention after I've had a days work. When I'm exhausted they are equally as happy to sleep with me.

Hi Jen, I feel for you. It's hard to access the right feelings to convey to you. You did sound very tired in your post and I can only hope that you have been able to rest both your mind and body. I'm sure you know that dying is as much a part of life as being born, but why? I never understood this until I searched for an answer. This might only be an explaination for my own heart but it soothes me. I think that it is when we have to dig deep that we can grow, this often happens in our lowest times. I used to wonder why the elderly had to endure or why did the bed patient have to endure. Then I realized (and this may only be true for myself) that even in death our elders can teach us something about ourselves. The patience and love, the gentle touch and acceptance of grief what greater gift, then for our frail elderly to bestow us at their weakest. But when you see the vulnerability and need, well it has taught me that live is fragile, and to love those who are living and in my life more patiently. I do hope that all is well and have been praying for you.

Make sure your scales are recalibrated before each resident is weighed, follow the owner's manual. Weigh scales all take different measurements, document which scale was used on a resident and emphasize that this is the only scale to be used on 'said' resident. After a few months you should notice a pattern. Chair scales seem to vary depending on where the resident sits or if he/she is leaning back. The most dependable scale I have worked with is the type the wheelchair rolls onto. You weigh the chair and resident then weigh the chair after the resident is out of it, subtract the two and their is your weight. You must be vigilent and make sure that blankets that were on the resident when weighed are on the chair when weighed. I don't know what your ward is like but if you can use only one scale you'd probably have a more consistent result. Good Luck

How do you guys unwind after allot of shifts?

just curious, why did someone's bad stay dangling? I've been known to say okay, then go up to the HCA and say Let's go. There has never yet been a refusal. But a person that can refuse to help someone in those circumstances, well I'd question their motivation for working in a long term facility. I have a feeling that that wet pad is just the tip of the iceberg in the neglect department.

That's cool, I do think that saying goodbye to a deceased resident is as healing as anything. I do the same thing. I sometimes feel their presence. When I was 18 years of age I watched my first resident die, it was a terrible struggle for her and the RN brought her back twice through CPR. It was horrifying to say the least. All I could see was my mother. I went home made peace with my mom ( I was still in my teens ). After having dealt with my own past and asking forgiveness from my mother the death of residents were never the same. I felt nothing but the tenderness and compassion of a caregiver. I have many times when someone was struggling encouraged them by saying (while stroking there forehead) 'It's okay to let go'. I have found that in all cases they were less stressed. Possible because of the tender affection?

:nono:oh, just the stick, no popsicle

Hi, marjoriemac: I agree, some warmness and caring goes a long way. I like to be goofy with those that enjoy it, dance with those that can and will, sing hymns and spiritual songs, visit and listen. I lived in a small town for 9 years, away from my family, never been so lonely in my whole life. It helped me understand what the loneliness of the elderly might be like. This does not come close to the losses they have known but it taught me allot. If I can ease some of their grief with companionship I will, it's as much a part of nursing as giving pills, care plans or doing the ADL's.