Meg1207

You may be right. But last time I talked to the DON (who I still respect, although I disagree with some of her decisions), she said she would allow me to resign "If you give me two weeks notice." No other comments from her regarding my complaints. When I told her I might be looking for another job she said, "That sounds like a threat to me, and I will have to reassess my opinion about you." And I said, "Couldn't it also be a cry for support and validation.?" And she said, "I can't talk anymore, my plate is full." To be honest, I have sometimes paralyzing fear of someone who has such power, who doesn't include the LPN's in her decision making. It sort of does make one feel dispensible. Of course I should have seen "the light" a long time ago.

Where I work there is a new DON (with total power, of course) who wants to make changes, has fired a lot of nurses, has hired mainly new graduates, and has surrounded me with young new graduates with many, many "good" ideas they have implemented without consulting with me. I complained to the DON without much effect. What I wonder does she intend to dispense with my services, also? I am 62 y.o. with 10 years experience. Any support out there for me -- I think I am going to be job hunting and quit before I am the next casualty in this "LPN massacre". Meanwhile care quality for residents has not noticeably improved, changes I have implemented, or tried to implement against resistance of low-paid CNAs will probably go away when I leave (such as mouth-care). The new graduates are making mistakes that new graduates always make, and if I leave who will fix them, and who will suffer from these mistakes. (Such as not removing an old bottle of Vancomycin with different dosage instructions from the refrigerator, while the new bottle, with new dosage instructions remained unopened, or letting a bottle of glaucoma drops remain unopened, obviously unused, for four days). Tell me does it hurt their eyes if they don't get glaucoma medicine for four days?? Another problem is I am caucasian and have met much discrimination in this mainly African-American LTC facility -- mainly in the form of lack of respect, ostracism and even baiting. It is subtle, nothing I believe would "hold in court". And a few of the staff are respectful and friendly, that helps a little. Sounds like recipe for resignation, doesn't it - now that I have read over this. You can edit it as much as you want - I just really really needed to vent!!!