RN&mom

Thank you! We had a long talk and for now at least, things are going much better.

I asked if anyone has any strategies for dealing with someone like this. Sorry if that was unclear I was trying to give some insight into what I'm dealing with which is the reason for the long post. Thanks for any input I'm very frustrated.

I have an ADON who honestly I really do like but she is one of those people that once she gets an idea she won't let it go. If I say no she continues to pursue it! I finally told her that behavior will not be tolerated. I respect her 100% and listen to her opinions and ideas but if I say no (which is not very often), I expect her to listen... It's not just with me either. I honestly think the problem is that she is one of those people who only listen to half the answer because she's thinking about what she's going to say. I don't want it to sound like she's a bad person or a bad Nurse because she's a sweet caring person and a great Nurse, but honestly no means no... Please don't take this like I'm on some power trip. I'm not. The CNA's find me in resident rooms changing people all the time, I help clean poop off the floor, make beds, help with transfers, if I have a minute I go out on the floor just to let me staff know I'm here for them and to help. Does anyone have any strategies for dealing with someone like this? I'm a new DON, only been in this position almost 2 years and this is a first for me... Thanks!

I will readily answer call bells, help with transfers, assist putting in orders on a new admit, help with meals, and I will work the floor. But it is my preference to show my staff that if I expect them to work an extra shift or half shift a week (when we need it), that I'm wiling to do the same. I won't work the floor day shift during the week. I get pulled for DON stuff too and it's too much doing both... Generally if night shift is running short I will sign up for a 3a-7a spot to help them out but again that's my preference. Occasionally I will work a weekend shift but it may be different for me. I am hourly not salary. I actually would never take a DON position as salary due to the fact that I don't mind helping on the floor once in a while.

Yes I contacted the CNA registry and they gave me a recent list (within the past month) of all active CNA's in my state. We then had to narrow it down to surrounding counties. We did a postcard for our direct mailing and put basic information about the facility and what we are looking for. I needed CNA's for all shifts but mostly nights so we did include all shifts on there. We added things like we have a whirlpool aide 7 days a week and a restorative aide 7 days a week and that we staff well above minimum numbers. Of course you want it eye catching so we put a nice picture of the building on it too. I sent 500 postcards and have had a lot of inquiries and 8 interviews! I will definitely use this method again!! Postcards can be printed really cheap at Staples too!

Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate the ideas. I have had a very positive response from my direct mailing so I'm hoping we will get the staff we need but if not I'll use those ideas.

I am lucky enough to be DON of a small family owned and operated Nursing Home/SNF facility for the past 1.5 years. Approximately 70% of our CNA's have been with us 10+ years! The problem is we have recently had some CNA's leave for various reasons (retirement, bad attitude, etc)... We have puts ads in local papers, online ads, we are sending out a mass direct mailing Monday and my ADON is going to hit some job fairs. Any other advice for recruiting CNA's? The other problem is, every facility within a 30 minute drive (Hospitals, Nursing Homes and even Agencies) are struggling to find CNA's. We have great staffing ratios and utilize extra resources for them such as 7 days a week of a whirlpool aide and 7 days a week of a restorative aide to also lessen the floor CNA's load. Most people who I offer a job to accept, but I've also had several people apply and just not show up for interviews. I would have never done that in my day as a CNA so it's very shocking! Any tips on recruiting? Thanks!

Obesity is a huge epidemic and in rural areas more so. That being said, there are a lot of great studies going on for people with a condition called Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) that will most likely help the entire population. The problem is, PWS occurs in about 1:15,000 live births. Therefore it is not profitable for companies to jump on board... The drugs they are testing now for PWS are showing amazing results at stopping hunger! Unfortunately it will take longer than normal to get through drug trials due to lack of funding... If we keep people obese we make money off their healthcare needs! Ok rant over...

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions! I adore her and have so much respect for her for being able to continue in this profession for so long!! I'll look into some of those suggestions. And yes she has the most amazing stories!!!

She also takes the stairs! Ive tried to tell her that once you are 90 I think it's ok to take the elevator but she just tells me she needs the exercise!!

I work with a 94 year old Nurse who still is using her RN degree! She will be 95 soon and I was wondering if it's possible to find out the oldest or longest practicing Nurses? I've done a quick google search without much luck... I think it would be cool for her 95th birthday to give her some type of recognition if it exists... She no longer works the floor but does paperwork which she could not do without having her RN! She recently celebrated her 75th anniversary of her graduation from Nursing school!!! Thanks for your help, I have so much respect for this amazing woman.

So I work in a SNF/LTC and the medical director of our facility has a Nurse leaving his office practice. He approached me & asked if I would be interested. I am and I did send him my résumé but I've been doubting myself... Is this OK? As a side note I have been quietly looking for another job anyway I'm just not sure it's OK to get a job while at work?? Any thoughts? By the way, this is probably the nicest doctor ever and I have a friend that works at his practice & loves it.

I have never worked in the NICU but my son spent three weeks in one and while I am VERY fortunate that my son is alive I do wish I had kept in touch with this one nurse... I can't even imagine what it's like to lose a child so I won't pretend I do but when you have a child in the hospital there is nothing better than knowing there's someone who loves your child and has connected with them. I think writing the parents a letter as previously mentioned, would mean a lot to them. My son is constantly in and out of the hospital & I love hearing someone saying how much my son means to them. It helps to know he's cared about. It sounds like you really connected with this child, as a parent who had to feel the guilt of leaving my son alone in the NICU, (I was there every day but also had a 3 yr old) the loving nurses were my savior!!

Every facility is different but I can tell you my first RN job was overnights and there was plenty to do. We were responsible for filling out all lab slips, which on 38 skilled pts was a lot... I also had to draw blood off any PICC lines as the lab is not allowed to (in my state anyway). Chart checks, which can be time consuming, scheduled meds were generally 12a & 6am but you always have PRN's. All fentanyl patches were changed at 6am as well. Glucometer testing, high/low range, restocking carts for day shift. Making out assignment for day shift, and filing that the other shifts didn't get too. And don't expect all of them to sleep all night, many are awake often and ring a lot! Plan to help your CNA's more too because they are generally expected to do way too much with too few of them. I have worked all shifts and am now on days so I know all shifts work short but I really think management at most facilities think pts sleep all night, otherwise they would not staff the way they do and expect the girls to clean wheel chairs & do all the other extras they do... I liked nights, I had a bit of a drive and had a hard time staying awake on the way home. Just plan your sitting time for when you are most awake. I could not sit and do paperwork between 3-4am it was my sleepy time so I would go answer call lights if there was nothing else to do. Good luck!

Yes some facilities don't use LPN's or are working toward phasing them out but there are plenty of facilities that use LPN's. Just like some hospitals won't hire RN's with an associate degree. We are all nurses and all have a place in healthcare. My facility will no longer hire LPN's but we have a couple on staff that are not being pushed out and I'm glad. My favorite nurse in the entire facility is an LPN, she's been a nurse forever and I've learned so much from her!