LDK6294

I suggest finding a good therapist; go once or twice and get all this off your chest in a non-judgemental, non-threatening setting. My instinct says you already know what you want to do; since no one here knows you or your kids what we say or think doesn't really matter. You have to provide for yourself and your kids. When anyone says 'their head is a mess' it really means they've chosen to allow chaos into their life as a distraction. get rid of the chaos. Good luck.

Life Care Centers are a national 'chain' of Long Term Care facililties. They have a web page. They aspire to a certain standard, but are only as good as the people who work for them.

Hi to all who have contributed to this topic -- Here's the thing; having talked this over with a psychologist, it was put to me this way: IF you, as a conscientious, ethical, worker do all you can in a given day to provide the best possible care within the scope of your responsibilities, then you set an example of doing the right thing. Often, others notice that you are doing what they themselves are not, whether that includes taking an extra few seconds to calm someone in pain, or listen to a concerned family member, it only highlights to the observing co-worker the things they realize they should also be doing. Perhaps they've remarked to you that 'patient so-and-so is very difficult' but then see said patient respond warmly to you because of your extra effort and little bit of attention. That sets up some uncomfortable feelings in the co-worker; it requires reassessment of their own skills and abilities. Face it, none of us like to look in the mirror and see warts. So what is easier? Instead of making changes internally, striking out by way of high-school type behavior is a tried and true defense mechanism that frankly, quite a few people resort to. It isn't an answer, it isn't mature, and it usually sets up an uncomfortable environment for all involved; sometimes (in the case of a LTC setting) even patients get involved in these mini-dramas. This is only an explanation as to the why of it; how to 'change' how nurses and other health-care professions treat each other belongs to each and every one, it comes from within. Recognizing that others may feel threatened by someone modeling behavior in a higher standard goes a long way to diffusing a sense of "What's their problem?". Their 'problem' is just that; THEIR problem. So what if the perception is that a nurse is 'snooty' because they refuse to associate with juvenile behavior? Again, it only holds a mirror up to their own inadequecies. This applies to all careers, male and female. It may feel like it's just in nursing, but as others have already attested, it's everywhere. Listen to the lyrics in a song called "High school never ends" by a group called Bowling for Soup. It's spot on. Life is what you make of it. Cheers! :balloons:

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands...

Here's a thought: As a patient, I often mistook the PCA/NA as a 'nurse', often embarrassing them (and myself) by asking personal care questions they were not able to discuss with me; I did have a nurse who wore 'modern' whites (pantsuit type, with her nursing pin) and oddly felt reassured when she was around. Working in a LTC setting, everyone wears the same scrub-type apparel. The bigger picture though, is this. Instead of needing recognition/validation from others, or feeling resentful for not being recognized after years of education/service, maybe the question is "How do we feel about ourselves as nurses"?? All the frustration that comes from a lack of respect from patients, doctors and peers is something that comes from within each and every individual. We (should) know that we choose to be frustrated, or we can ignore the ignorant. If you truly believe that what you are doing is where you should be, then the only validation/respect you need is looking at your life and how you affect others. Every job on this planet has its share of toxic co-workers, administrators, and clients. Whether or not one is willing to put up with it because one cares about how they do their job is the relevant question; not whether the uniform makes the person more valuable. I think the forest is being missed for the trees. respectfully, LDK6294