staffing24

Hi guys, wanted to get your advice. I work as an RN in LTC in CA, 12 hour shifts. We recently went through a huge staff quitting spree, including the DON and management team leaving. Now we have to heavily rely on registry RN nurses. They are great, but sometimes they don’t show up or cancel. It looks like in CA, mandatory overtime is not allowed, but I am extremely nervous about leaving without giving report to an RN. I have talked to upper executive management that if this ever occurs, I want some kind of letter stating that I gave notice that I cannot stay beyond my shift and they are aware there is no RN for the next shift. I am concerned about my license or having to work 24 hours straight.

Yes when I was a dsd that happened frequently. Or more likely, the admits came the night before and I was notified and had to inservice asap in the AM. Awesome :)

Hello everyone, 2 quick questions! First, I am a new RN supervisor at a SNF. It is chaotic, which I expected, but the worst part is the phones! Once the receptionist leaves at 430pm I am stuck answering all phone calls (I work evening shift). The other nurses are busy passing meds and the CNAS are busy. Sometimes it is the pharmacy, lab etc but sometimes it is just, "please transfer me to room 501". I have mentioned the need for a receptionist many times, nothing changes. It is making me lose my mind :) Second, as a new nurse I am aweful at IV starts. I always try, but get about 25%. Should I try phlebotomy class? I have little kids at home so very hesitant to sign up for a class, but I really need to improve. Thanks everyone!!

Wow, sounds like you had quite a day! :) Congratulations on surviving! I am working on pre-reqs for nursing school, but I remember the first day on my own in CNA training. The CNA I was with said, "go to room xx and get the patient up and ready to go to Activities." I walked into the residents room and looked at him, and I honestly had no idea what to do, where to begin. I was terrible! I think you should give yourself a break, and just keep on trying. Does your preceptor treat you basically with respect and treats you ok? If the preceptor was actually mean to you or made you really uncomfortable I may consider switching, otherwise I would stay with the current preceptor. Can you go in early to prepare? Either way good luck. I have been new at many jobs and it just takes time to know the ins and outs. Good luck!!!

Hi there! I work in staffing for an LTC facility. I am also working on pre-reqs to get into an RN program. What is bothering me is the frequency of nurses calling in sick. Many of our nurses call in sick once a month (or even more often!). If you are sick or have a family emergency, by all means you need a day off! If nurses call sick every month however, I am assuming that they are not actually sick. It is disheartening to me that I am trying to get into an industry that these nurses are so..burned out?...that they will just call sick. Is it so stressful in LTC that nurses need a day off every month? Is it harder to be sick at work, especially if you are on your feet doing med pass, etc? Are these nurses working 2 jobs and would make more money at the other facility that particular day? :) any thoughts on the subject? thank you!!

This is terrible!! I agree with other posters that you dodged a bullet. I have been let go from a position a couple of years ago. It took some time for the emotional hurt to go away, but now I don't even think about it anymore. Good luck to you, sounds like you have so much experience and skills to offer an employer.