MaineNurse67

Whew... Things could have gotten real ugly! I know from experience! :) Good luck, Bonster... I am sure you will make a fine nurse! Take care... Peace... Tim

Bonster... as you can see by my posts, I do agree with you... but as I have learned from my experience here... you do have to look at both sides... enough said? Take these experiences here and learn from them. If you are treated a certain way... learn from it... don't ever treat anyone else that way. If you hear things that are negative... learn from it... maintain a positive attitude... positive attitudes always win out. Just keep in mind, that no matter what anyone else says... it is all in the attitude. (My favorite saying) :) Good luck... Tim

Thanks, Christina... I will keep posting... I have grown quite addicted to the folks on here! Peace.... Tim

I have to agree... Silicone does rock... :) Don't tell... but she is my favorite responder, thus far. Not to mention that she took all that time to write out such an elaborate response. And, with a name like that... who could complain?? You guys are a wonderful bunch... I appreciate (most) of you for your honesty and integrity. I am truly enjoying these boards. Although, I am finding myself getting addicted!! Good night all! Tim

Hey, maybe it WAS PMS! Am I not entitled to a bad day?? Geesh. Anyways... I am a great manager... I promise. To those of you who have responded negatively to this posting... you obviously have not read it all the way through. Read my other postings, too... I am not a bad guy. For those of you who feel the need to know this... on Saturday, my wife took the day off from work because we had plans... I got a call at 6am that the day supervisor had called out sick... well, guess what?? I was in there within the hour... helping out on the floor, passing trays at mealtimes, passing meds, etc. That is the way I am... sorry... And do you think that anyone cared that it was my sixth day straight? No. Do you think anyone said "Thank You"? No. Do you think that anyone cared that I am salaried and was not even getting paid for being there? No. But, I was there just the same, helping out in what ever way I could. I am NOT one who sits back and lets everyone else do the work. I am out there on the floor daily. I am certainly not "above" lending a hand where it is needed. I spend a lot of time with residents and enjoy doing so. I view that as one of the major "percs" of my job! Trust me, I am not the "typical" manager. I am told that time and time again by co-workers. So, I really have nothing to apologize for... like I said in an earlier posting, none of you REALLY know me... Cut me some slack, would ya? I am NOT the monster that some of you would like to portray me as... Have a great day.... Tim :)

I agree with all the posts. I was always interested in working with the elderly, as well. I have been in nursing for the past 14 years... worked my way up through the ranks. Started as a CNA... then became an LPN... am currently an RN and the DON at a LTC facility here in Maine. The experience issue is MAJOR. It is so important to get as much experience as possible in all areas in order to be able to really understand and relate to staff in a manager position. Good luck to you... and remember... one step at a time... be a sponge... take in and absorb everything! It takes a very special person to work in LTC... and we need EVERY one of them!! The best to you in your career! Tim

I work in a 125-bed dementia facility... so I am well aware of the risk for elopement! We use several different techniques to keep our residents safe from wandering out the doors and out into the world. We have all exits with code boxes which does help out a lot. We also have "Wander Guard" bracelets which set off an alarm when a resident passes a certain point. These make me a bit nervous because they are constant maintenance and not always 100% effective... we do have a routine maintenance program... but there is always that one that fails to work! We use lots of different alarms... chair, bed, etc. The most effective alarm that we use is the motion detector alarm. We purchase them at Radio Shack... they are not all that expensive but are very effective in detecting when a resident gets out of bed or goes into an area that they should not. We also have a "Code Silver" procedure... this relates to a missing resident. Once the staff have noted that someone is unaccounted for, then the code is called. All persons from that unit report to the nurse's station and are immediately assigned to certain areas of the facility to search. We, of course, do drills and constant education in this area. So far, so good. But, I am always fearful of something happening. It is impossible to prevent every situation. And, I do not look forward to having my picture on the front page of the morning newspaper! This is an ongoing problem for many facilities... a good topic for this forum! I will be watching to see other's ideas about this topic. Tim

Sadly, I get along well with my superiors... sure they do things that I don't always agree with, but I do try to see their side. I am fortunate to be able to speak my mind and be listened to... in this job, anyways. In my previous job as DON, I worked for a total idiot... that would be why I am not working there any longer. He and I NEVER saw eye to eye... his opinion of the staff was "they will work for a price" and "we will NOT hire agency staff"... no matter how I begged, he would not budge... even when my staff were burned out and injured.... that part I could not tolerate... so I left. Now, I have a much more supportive upper management, who listen and support my ideas. I am well aware this is not true everywhere... so I know I am lucky. And... a small reply for P_RN... I laughed when I read your last post... thank you. You were right, I do like it here... and have been checking out other posts and even replying! Appropriately, I must add... and with a VERY open mind. Thanks to all... Have a great weekend... TGIF!!!!

I have to thank you "frustratedRN" and "NavyRN". I have to admit that I am enjoying myself here on this BB. I am enjoying the fact that there are others out there who understand the frustrations of being a nurse... and at the same time love being a nurse. Do you think this is the same in any other profession?? Probably so... but not nearly as much. There are so many days that I come home totally exhausted and think "gee, what did I accomplish today" and then there are those other days. I guess the good days make up for the bad. I have to tell you that today was one of those great days. I had several awesome interactions with co-workers today. Shared a lot of stuff and left feeling better... both parties. These are the days that make it all worth while I guess. I totally agree that you have a point, frustratedRN.... it is tough to get someone with a totally different focus to understand your focus. I do take that into consideration... and there are times that I am as frustrated as they are! But, in all honesty, I really do enjoy spending the time with the staff to which I have been assigned to oversee (is that politically correct?) Thank you all here on this site... you are right... I am learning lots from each and every one of you... whether you agree or disagree with my comments. In the long run, it really does not matter who is wrong or right... it does not change the fact that we are all in this together. I agree... there is a lot of straightening to be done... and it will get done sooner and more efficiently if we all work together. Thank you all... Tim

Well, here I am again... what is wrong with me?? I did want to reply to Silicone and some of the other most recent postings. Yes, I am a member of the state nursing association and an active participant in the Nursing Summit Task Force for the State of Maine which is in place to address the recruitment and retainment of nurses in the state. Thank you Silicone for taking the time to analyze my every word... geesh, you are too much! :) I did read your entire letter and it does make sense to me. I am open minded and certainly not above receiving constructive criticism. I appreciate it actually. I am impressed with the time and effort involved in your reply as well. I do want it to be known that I have been a manager for a long time and am very innovative in my thinking... especially when it comes to staff retainment. Retainment is key. I know that. I have been a DON for quite sometime, but am new to the facility I am located at now. The previous DON here had the attitude that "nurses were a dime a dozen" and that is how she operated, so you can well imagine that my adjustment period here over the past year has not been exactly smooth. I have put a lot of time and energy into building the nursing team and gaining their trust. We have worked together to improve morale and quite honestly... and I am not sure why a comment was made about my retention of staff being a problem... but, my retention here has shown great improvement over the past 6 months or so. I am pleased with the progress we have made. Trust me, this little adventure on this BB has been an experience and a half for me. I was in no way expecting the response I got. And, I cannot believe how much can be read into one statement. I do, however, appreciate the fact that everyone was upfront and honest. That's great... and like I said, I have no problem with criticism. I was just not expecting so much of it all at once. Trust me, the job of DON is not an easy one.... as a few of you know... and regardless of some people's view of "management"... I am NOT one of the non-caring... money hungry... "fill the beds" type manager. My residents come first and my staff second. I am fortunate enough to work for a not-for-profit facility... opposed to my last DON position in a for-profit facility. The focus change has been awesome. I also am not totally responsible for the finances for the department... my primary focus is allowed to be on staff relations and smooth operations of my department. I am fortunate in that aspect. P_RN... yes, I do work in long term care. I make rounds on the floor every morning. I get to spend a lot of my time "out there" with the staff and residents. I love being out there on the floor. It has taken the staff a while to get used to that, but it is going well. We are a dementia-focused facility and I love having that one focus. It is a great thing. (I do, however, wonder if dementia is contagious!) I have my moments... some days more than others. (yes, I have rough days too... just like everyone else.... there he goes... moaning and complaining just like the rest of them... ) So... that is it for now... Tim

Wow... and thank you P_RN. Until I read your last message, I was honestly never coming back on this site again! I cannot believe some of the responses my post got.... I have been so upset all day that I was beginning to question my abilities! But, then I have to remember that these replies are from faceless people that I have never met. I am a good manager. I know that and the people that I work with know that. That is all that matters, I guess. I am somewhat relieved that some of the nurses who have posted on here today do not work for me, however... although, if they did, they would have a whole different outlook, I can assure you. I have never felt so attacked over an opinion. There sure was a whole lot of things read into my posting. I am sorry for that. I do care. I care about the residents of my facility and I care for the people who work for me at the facility. I do not rule with an iron hand. The nurses are my family and friends. I cherish them more than most of them even realize. None of you know that. None of you know the amount of time I spend every day listening to everyone else's problems and concerns. None of you know the number of nights I lay awake trying to solve all the problems of the day. None of you know me at all!! I owe none of you anything. I do my job and I do my job well. I am proud of the job that I do. I am committed to doing my best. I am actually sitting here thinking... what am I doing?? Why do I feel it necessary to even explain this to these people?? Well, it is because I do care... I do care what others think of me and how I do my job. I don't think that is a bad thing, do you? I am sorry I upset a few people on here. I thought this would be a great place to make a statement, to express my feelings. But, now I know better. I will keep my "immature" statements to myself from now on. This is the end of my story... I am sure there are many that are thankful for that, eh? Love & peace to all... Tim

Sorry to have upset you all by my posting... that was certainly not the intention. The only point I was trying to make was that generally nurses tend to portray their jobs in a negative light. That was it. And, so sorry, but I believe it to be true. The fact that I am management does not matter. Trust me, I can well remember being a CNA on the floor, as well as a charge nurse, a staff nurse, etc. I have been there, done that. Which does help me out a lot on many occasions when dealing with staff. I well agree that if you have not been there, you do not understand... but, I have been and have a great memory. I did not mean to take away from the "peer" aspect of this site. I well agree that it is important to have a place to go to vent. Not a problem. What really got me started was the "What State is the Best Place to be a Nurse" forum. There were several nurses in there downing the states that they work in. Making very negative comments, etc. My concern was that anyone reading that would certainly not be "turned on" to entering the field. That was all. So much for being entitled to an opinion. I guess I have learned from this experience that only the "Senior Members" of this forum are allowed an opinion, no matter how much experience or knowledge of the field you possess. Thank you all so much for the very warm welcome. I will continue to promote nursing as a profession... I will do it positively... not negatively. In the big picture... maybe someday, my efforts will pay off. My efforts here were NOT to recruit... that should be made perfectly clear. Only trying to make a point, which was obviously missed due to narrow minded thinkers. Thanks.

I keep reading all the messages posted by everyone in this forum and I have to just keep asking myself... how much of the nursing shortage problems are being caused by nurses themselves?? I feel that each individual is responsible for how they portray themselves and their professions. If we portray our profession in a negative light, then who wants to join?? If each individual is not part of the solution, then obviously they must be part of the problem, right? Well, I am a Director of Nursing at a 125-bed facility in Maine. Yes, I am part of the "dreaded" management... a term that I am just fed up with. Nothing makes me angrier than when I hear the statement "management doesn't care" or "we get no support from management." Well, I have to tell you that we are all in the same big boat. I spend a lot of my time recruiting new staff. Nothing is more frustrating than hiring a new staff member and then having my staff treat them like dirt when they go out onto the floor! Is this not counter-productive?? Many of the same staff that act in such a manner are the very same staff who come into my office to complain if they have to work short!!! UGH!!! This makes no sense to me!! Why is it that people have to behave this way? I have spent many hours with my staff in trying to get this point across... and I have to say that one by one, they are catching on. And.... believe it or not, I am beginning to see a difference. It just takes time and takes patience in hitting the idea home. I also spend time talking with high school kids and promoting the profession. I am amazed at some of the ideas that kids have about the nursing profession... yet again, one by one, you have to start changing the image of the nursing profession. The press and other nurses have tainted people's view of the profession and it does take a lot of time and effort to change these images. Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to these issues. Those without lots of patience probably do not make the best managers. I visit these forums regularly and read what other nurses are saying about the profession... wow, sometimes I am appalled by what I read. I am surprised that a nurse would come on here to tell the world how horrible her/his job is. This sure does not lend to the idea of attracting new people to the profession. It makes me very curious if these are some of the same nurses who frequent their DON's office to complain about working short. I love to bring those people's attention to this fact and do so often. I am a big believer in making people accountable for their actions and making them look at something just a bit more differently. Promoting the nursing profession in a negative light certainly is not helping the cause. Think about it the next time you make a complaint. Thanks for listening (or reading!) It is up to each individual to make the difference... remember, an avalanche starts with just one rolling stone.... Peace to all.... Tim Knight