baygrl11

Totally agree. In the beginning of my career as a licensed nurse I used to focus on what the CNA missed or forgot to tell me. Now that I've seen what a difficult job it is I am thankful for the times they found something and informed me...and I forgive the little things more.

It was not my intent to call nurses of LTC's or anybody who works in a LTC a joke. LTC nurses are hard working and commendable. I am frustrated with the fact that workers in LTC's are held to impossible standards. Bottom line I feel like if the government truly cares for the elderly/residents in LTC's then there should be better staff to patient ratios. It just makes me angry that they expect so much, and know that a "show" is put on for them during survey. Why? My facility always knows when survey is coming, within a 2 week window...shouldn't it be more random so facilities will always be in "survey mode"? So yes, wording of my title was bad. Sorry...love and respect to all who work in LTC's, we all deserve it!

Oh wow, I love that!

Exactly! Set to impossible standards that are really only "enforced" once a year when it's survey time.

Don't state surveyors know that med nurses (and other nurses for that matter) cannot possibly do everything the job entails? That it is impossible for one nurse to pass meds to 25+ plus patients within the 2 hour window "by the book"? That the facility basically puts on a show once a year when they arrive? I especially feel for CNA's. Its bad enough to be on the bottom of the totem pole, so to speak, as far as pay and "status". Its such a difficult job, especially when there are so many patients to care of in an 8 hour period. What makes the department of health think its okay or feasible for one nurse to care for so many patients? It almost makes me sick...it really takes a special and strong person to work in LTC's for many years. Okay...rant over!

I work for a facility who absolutely will NOT give raises to ANYBODY. It is a for-profit company that I believe does very well. I believe I am an asset to the company. I am reliable, work well under pressure, rarely call in sick. I try to be a good leader who puts patients first and makes sure they are safe and happy. This company recently helped pay for extra education/certifications (which was 100% for the company and not MY benefit) and I would feel kinda bad for leaving after they paid for this extra education for me. However, I have not had a raise in years and don't foresee one in the near future. My wage is fair, but I know I can make more money somewhere else especially with my new education/certificaion. Just wanted some input on what others think.

YES I got my license 5 years ago and I felt like I learned 95% of my skills and knowledge on the job. I felt like nursing school prepared me for taking NCLEX, but not for working as an LVN. It took me probably 1 1/2 years and 2 jobs as a med nurse until I felt like I was proficient as an LVN. The sad thing is I felt like I had to make so many mistakes, and that is how I truly learned how to do things. Good luck girl, hang in there, you're not alone! :)

I am hoping I can be non-specific and say "medical issue".... and you're right about being able to trust my managers. I do for the most part, but you never know. I guess I just want a job to come back to, regardless of who knows about my issues. I want them to know I can still be trustworthy and a good employee, and hopefully if I end up taking the leave I will come back a better person AND a better nurse!

My doc told me I would be able to get disability pay while undergoing the CBT program, so I am pretty sure I have to tell them I am sick in order to get paid

Hi everyone, I have worked at my facility for 4 years. I believe I have built a strong relationship with my employers (I love my job, have excellent attendance, only written up once for a minor etc). To make a very long story short, I have bipolar disorder/anxiety that has been under control for years, with medication. Very recently I have relapsed into a severe depression. Work has been a source of "stress relief" for me for quite some time, but my psychiatrist thinks it is only a matter of time before I experience a major breakdown. She is recommending I take time off work (about 6 weeks) to undergo a cognitive behavior therapy program. I love where I work, and I have no idea how to bring this up to my administrator. Nobody knows about my illness. I keep my personal matters to myself, and rarely socialize with my coworkers just to keep things professional. My personal life has deteriorated badly, and I believe my quality of life will improve if I go through this therapy program. My psychiatrist told me I can take the time off under california FMLA (she will provide necessary medical documentation, but it will be coming from a psychiatrist.) I have looked through the employee handbook, and it looks like I can take time off with medical documentation. I guess my question is should I take the time off? I don't even know how to bring this up to my administrator! Nobody at work knows what I am going through. I don't want rumors to start, and for word to get out about my "condition." My other option is to have my medications increased, and to continue to work....its just that my body is so tired of these meds. I think I am ready to really do intensive therapy. Just not sure I can take the time off, or if I will even have a job to return to. ((sigh)) Any thoughts/opinions on how I should approach this? Thanks guys

Would it be strange or inappropriate to keep in touch with a patient after discharge? Really because of a close patient-nurse relationship that developed and NOT anything personal or romantic. I guess just to check in on this patient's health issues in the future, and maybe an occasional "hello hope all is well". Any thoughts?

$26/hr California

I work with a staff of CNA's who are mostly helpful and work as a team. However there is one CNA who is very sarcastic, rude, and her comments are often times unnecessary. I have friends who work in the front office (not nursing) who also sees this rudeness. I have not asked other nurses about it, because I don't want to seem like I am badmouthing this girl BUT I'm pretty sure a lot of them feel the same way. Its just that nobody says anything. Its getting increasingly difficult to work with this girl. She doesn't like being told what to do...I mean, she does it but there's always a sarcastic comment coming out of her mouth. She seems to say just enough to get away with it. What should I do?

All you wound care nurses out there--what is your favorite tip/trick/tool that you use daily? A wound care nurse at my facility has one of those head lamps glued to her head, and I covered for her one day and used her little gadget. It was really helpful in seeing the wounds better because the lighting is horrible where we work. Anyhow, I was wondering what YOUR favorite wound care "thing" is.

Suppose a facility has several incidents of suspected abuse, major med errors which kept a patient sedated unnecessarily for weeks, and other things acknowledged by management, but unreported by administration. How does one go about reporting to the health department? If you could provide a phone number I would appreciate it thank you