betweenus64

I need help. I want to be a better nurse, be able to handle responsibilities and be able to juggle it all and do it in the time frame I need to. So how? I recently quit a job before getting fired. Here is the reason: I am an LPN working in skilled care unit, have 20 residents, some long term care, med pass going on, call lights to help answer, go to the front door of our building many times due to 2nd shift no one to let people out or in building, answer and help families with questions along with med pass, yes, I'm trying to get it all done, 4pm hang vancomycin but have to get trough per the chart, NOT THE MAR., yet I was told verbally the day before to do this, so 4pm rolls around, getting blood and running across town to lab, I am at work, 4:30 comes, blood goes out to lab, I continue passing meds, doing blood sugars which is around now, I take a 10 min lunch because I am running out of time, I have to chart still on all these people, I start charting at 5:15 pm and finish around 6 and take my 15 min break if any, run back to see call lights going off, get more pain meds passed as requested and are due, so its 6:45 time to get ready for the 8pm med pass, I start, reminding of call lights, pain meds, crush meds, read the mars which are all in writing and make sure to pull the right meds, then a fall occurs, so I still have not got the lab results for hanging vanc back yet, but a 30 year nurse tells me the lab will fax it, so I continue on with med pass, all the while I barely get to leave my shift at 11:00 and still no fax from the lab. I get a call the next day from my boss on my day off, she yells at me asking to explain why I did not hang the vanc. I told her because lab results were not back and I was told the lab would fax results to us and we did not get them back by the time I had left. So I did not hang the bag. She was livid!!!! yelling!!!! My day off!!!!! I told her another nurse explained to me the lab would fax results, she said I am responsible and should have called the lab. In fact, the lab was called at 10:30 but it was then too late to hang the vanc. So I was told I was going to be wrote up again and my job performance was being looked at. THE QUESTION HERE IS, HOW DO I GET ALL MY JOB DONE, AND BE ABLE TO GET LAB TO GET WHAT I NEED TOO? I did not have time to call but was told the lab would fax to us. I am a fairly new nurse in this facility, did not know the lab needed to be called, yet I got in so much trouble. I just need help with when to do things, how to prioritize. Am I in the wrong here? I get the importance of getting things done, but we work 8 hour shifts, some days its impossible to do it all.. What to do? Please give me advice??????????????????// TN

I want to take the time to say how sad I have been the last 2 1/2 months from working at LifeCare Center in Blount County, TN. This is a beautiful new building, but the administration staff are horrible to work for. If you don't suck up then you are put out in the cold, I am not this type gal. I cannot possibly do enough to please these people even though my residents loved me and hugged me often, smiling, and cut up with me. I will miss them, but I cannot take the attitude any longer with these people. My immediate boss has so much sarcasim that I want to scream, my other boss says I need to do more like I have the extra time to keep calling the pharmacy, even when a fall occurred and all of us are scrambling for finishing our jobs, so I get wrote up once again, for not haning vanc when the labs where not back, was told I should have kept calling the lab every little bit until I got the results, in fact, I would have done this, but I had medications to pass within the allotted legal time, call lights to answer, peg tubes to flush, blood sugars to get, pain medications managed, plus on top of this a fall that led me to doing 4 pages of paperwork on top of doing the charting for 18-20 residents. So I cannot get it all done and I am in trouble, they are going to let me go. So I have decided to leave them and smile doing so knowing Lifecare may be new, but it still will have the issues all nursing homes have, and will lose great nurses if they continue to allow supervisors to be unkind, unhelpful, rude and speak in an unhelping way. I wanted help and could not receive it here. I am leaving and hoping I can find my happy again. I have been so sad for the last 2 months. I pray I can find it again. I am a good nurse, I need more experience, yes, but they also knew this when hiring me. Don't work here. They will lie to you, and cut you loose if you don't meet some crazy expectations!!!

Again here I am about to be fired...I have written on more than one occasion the stuff that I have either learned or did wrong and learned from. I am here to tell you about hanging Vancomycin. Okay, 2 days ago I was told "verbally" a trough would have to be drawn on Wed. which was yesterday, I said okay. I went home, slept and came back to work, the MAR did not have any of this information on it about getting the trough before hanging the vanc but I did remember I was "verbally" told this and it was in the chart, not on the MAR. I am an LPN and have been a nurse 5 years without nursing home training yet I work here and am happy, or at least was until today. I did not hang the vanc and we did the labs, I went to work passing meds, answering call lights, etc and had a fall with all the stuff going on. The vanc was not hung because we have to wait for labs to come back, so I asked a nurse that was doing all the paperwork like charts and orders about the lab, she said, oh, we will get a fax when it comes back not to worry until then, so I did not. I did pass the message on to the next shift, no vanc hung etc. Today I got a call from my boss on my day off, yelling, saying to explain why I did not hang the vanc. I told her I was told the lab was not back and it was not on the fax when I left at 11:30 pm but I did ask about it and was told we can wait for the fax. The vanc was drawn at 4pm and the order for vanc is 4pm so when 7 pm came around either way, it was late to hang, yet I did not because of the levels could be harmful, I got in so much trouble today, stating I am getting wrote up again for another med error, by not hanging the vanc I missed a med. Well, I am so tired of taking the heat for things that I just don't have knowledge about. I told her I could not hang it and the levels were not back and with everything that happened with the fall and all I did not get the labs back. She told me I was responsible for calling the lab instead of waiting on a fax. I guess she is right on this one yet a nurse that has been licensed longer told me not to worry then today I called her at home to tell her I was told they are now looking at my job performance. I would assume I am getting fired. I truly hate working for this company only because I don't suck up and am not their best friends and most of them are. I just want to do my job, do it well and learn, but I can't learn when they won't help me or teach me. I have asked questions but got smart elick answers leaving me not wanting to learn anything here. I am glad I did not hang the vanc, they are more pissed about that than if I had hung it and killed someone. I just can't win here and not sure what to do. So how do you get more experience on handling stuff? I am a great nurse, I just need experience and am tired of all the worry here. Any advice?

Well, going on to being great nurses, it takes a great supervisor to guide us as well when we don't know the exact answer, yet having the kind I have, the kind that likes to try to make you feel horrible about being a nurse, speaks to you as if you are useless to the team, is not a team player themselves and tries to suck up the bosses ass every time an opening occurs, well, I know this all too well. This is a new facility and I even made the comment , is it okay for supervisors to talk to employees any way they want. I was told no, but will anything be changed? NO....So I am holding on to my sanity by way of not being in or near this fat pig. She litterally looks the part, no pun intended but I'm so angry anymore. I try not to be but how can I not. Every time I work its the same ****. I don't even want to be there when she is but we work the same times and there is no other changing. I am over this place. I try so hard, yet, just one person can make it hard for a good nurse to be good and try to do a good job. Its sad that this place will allow a good nurse, one that is trying, one that wants to learn, do a great job, be there on time every day if not early, do my part, and still allow one person to ruin it. Its really sad!

Thank you for that comment. I really don't get it, why have supervisors that don't want to get off their asses to help when we ask for help? I could not find a vein and poked like 3 times before going to the sup which by the way did not get up off her fat ass and come draw this blood, another RN did. I feel she is just lazy and tries to do her best to pick on someone. I am getting angrier by the day and hoping not to blow up on the wrong person. I really am trying, I do a great job, I have learned my mistakes, yet when I need the additional help my supervisor will not help out. I get responses that are nasty, and really uncalled for. I asked a question last night and the response was really nasty in return, not that it needed to be. I won't go to her any longer, I will do whatever I know and not let this person steal my happiness. I know I am learning, yet, being ugly to people is not the way to be....its just not necessary and she truly needs to blow some air out of her fat cheeks and be nice for a change....

Oh my gosh....I just want to say thank you. I needed to have all that broken down just as you did, it totally gave me a new perspective on things and I had no one tell me this. Thank you again. Maybe a little thick skin with better nursing is what I need and I will do better. I just needed to have it all broken down for me. I need to not worry so much. I am nervous now at work, but I need to be, guessing I need to step it up. I am so new to working in this type facility, I work in long term skilled care and never worked in a facility like this, yet they knew this when hired on, so I am learning but some tact would be great, huh? But a huge thank you to all this, by the way, how do you learn how to be a better nurse other than experience it? Is there anything on reading about being a nurse on a skilled unit and how to handle falls etc? I really just need to get my head in the game....thanks again....

So after reading this, do you think its me or do I truly need advice on how to sort this out. If its me and I really need to do better, then I need to hear it, but if you have read this and feel there is more to the issue, please say so....I don't know anymore....

Here are the issues that I have been told about, in public, with others standing around, yet I know some of this stuff could have been handled better, went over my supervisors head, yet I am still am still the bad guy. Really? Bullying has to stop some time! Here are the issues raised.....not in full detail...yet made with no tact to me... Given meds in dining room Dropped narc and instinctively threw it in sharp box, immediately went to ---- and told her I needed her help and explained what I did, she called ---, came back to me saying ---- was really mad and she could not sign off what I did because she did not fiond the medication, finally found in sharps box but told me she could lose her job, this was an ambien, yet made me feel like I could lose my job, finally signed off med that it was wasted. Clean gloves worn at the nursing station for a second Called other staff member regarding resident meds while in hallway CNA asked where ----was, told her she was at nursing station, was told she could not leave CNA has fall that I could assist and that they could not leave resident alone if there is a fall, told ----I knew this but did not know at time there was a fall before telling CNA that ---- was at nursing station Told by ----I had to do the pharmacy deliveries because she never sees me doing it, told her I would do it but was in middle of narc pass, she still insisted on me doing pharmacy from now on, again told her I have done it before, insisted I still do it even after other nurses are not busy or say they will do it CNA asked question if a residents family causes skin tear do we still have to do a report? Told her to go see ----, later ---- told me I should have went and assessed the situation and find out about skin tear, I did not know who resident was or if we do a report, later after RN saw skin tear decided not to do anything regarding it I found a place on mar that no one was filling out from the 9th and it was the 13th, pointed it out to ---- and she made point to tell me I should have been responsible for this even after I had not been there a day or two either and was not the only one on the cart at that med pass Didn't lock the med cart, keys on top yet I was standing right there where I could see the cart the entire time yet got into trouble with this. The issues I list has happened to me, yet they have or may have happened to other nurses, yet I was the one that was in trouble for it, they never got in trouble by the same supervisor...and its being done by others, yet I am the one that hears about it. This is some things that have happened. I feel my spirit as a nurse is breaking and I want to cry all the time. I love my job as a nurse, but it really has gotten to where I am sick physically and mentally due to my supervisor. She has it out for me and here I am. I feel alone. I feel like crying all the time. I feel like I am simply being bullied.

I'm only writing because I have gone over this time and time again. I'm an LPN and feel like I need to throw the towel in only because one of the supervisor has it in for me and how much can a person take? How much? I have gone over this persons head and still this happens again and again. I am tired. I am a good nurse yet continue get the raw end and feel like maybe I need to throw in the towel and just give up. When is it okay for a supervisor to just nit pick and at the end of it all have a nurse want to throw in the towel, give up. I have no energy left to deal with this. My supervisor is actually breaking my spirit of being a nurse. Is it okay for this to happen? I say no but after awhile, it happens and I feel so abused. I am harrassed for sure yet no one will help me. I need my job, like my job but hate her. I try so hard yet nothing works. I can't please her or do anything right. Maybe I should just fall off the earth, I am so tired of trying to be a great nurse. My spirit is broken, my yearning to be there is broken, my being a good nurse is starting to break, I feel alone broken and lost. I am trying so darn hard to do what is right, yet it never is enough. My heart is lost, broken spirit and don't know how much I can take if any. I cry alot at work, I just want to do my job and have her off my ass and this is not easy, I work hard, I do my job, yet she likes to just nit pick. I would go elsewhere but I just started this job recently and need to stay put. My heart is hurt, I feel spent in all areas including being a nurse. I often think I would be better off never to be a nurse but its not me, its her, yet I cannot get around this. I need help, I just don't know what to do. I want to smile again, I want to feel good again.

Hi there, I have been a nurse since 2011 and I understand all of what you are saying. I too have waited a long time at different times to get a job., but what are you losing by calling them back and speaking to the scheduling dept or whoever it is and ask, are you going to be on the schedule and you were told you were able to get 40 hours if wanted, maybe that person does not know this. Often people in HR or other offices get so busy, that communication lacks. If you don't get the response you need and are still at home waiting, don't wait longer, do look for a different position. You are better doing that and if they call, they call, if not, no need to worry. I have gone to different jobs looking for better pay, etc., be cautious starting out this way, it sometimes leaves you in a job you do not like and its horrible working someplace not liking your job and where you work, you end up not wanting to go in and work at all. Pay is so important, yet being happy is too. If you like your job it is much easier to work and be an important part. I hope this helps, don't wait too long on one job, there are other jobs out there, be patient yet get in touch with this company. Okay....

Hi RLtinker, thank you for your response, and yesterday I went in and spoke to the ADON, I was informed there is no policy to giving meds in the dining room, yet I can bet they did not say anything to this girl continually getting on my case about everything I do. I actually told them I think we have a communication issue, and I am sure they took her side., was told I have to work with her. Well, you know....I will but I am staying far away from her and trying not to say or do anything that will get me in more trouble, sad but true I have to feel like this. She told them I did not want help, yet when I went to her and said I did not know how to do an injection she would not get up and help me. I guess that is okay, oh well, I was told I could always use the drug book in the med room, I told them I thought this is why I have a supervisor., guess I was wrong. The funny thing is that when I work when she is not there, nothing is said to me that I have done something wrong. Sounds funny right. I am sure she is just jealous or something...heck, she has the issue not me.

Wow! I feel like you do when you first started, our issue is not racial or ethnic related, I am new and I just don't fit in, guessing. My sup hates me, she tries every way in the world to find things I do wrong, I am new still in orientation and she continues to find flaws. I am not perfect nor plan on trying to be, I am growing with this new company. I am a nurse, a good one, but when making an error and going to the sup has made me feel I cannot continue to go to her is really hard. I ended up crying the entire shift while passing meds. Yeah, I did! Now I am left to working with her and she is not working, she sits on her cell phone while I do the work, even after I asked for help. She said NO. I have gone to my other sup for help and waiting to see what happens now. I guess I feel alone and not sure why I am feeling so treated unfairly. I need help sometimes as a nurse and I don't have it. What now?

Hi there. I work in a facility where the sup is hard to get along with. I want to try to learn more from this place I work, but she is making my life hard and am now feeling I can't do anything right, always trying to find stuff i do wrong and blurt it out instead of come to me. And talking about people behind their backs, I heard her doing this. Really, where do they find sup's that are like this? I am a good nurse and am tired of the down talking to me and I have expressed my feelings to another sup over us. Anyone give me ideas on how to handle myself when issues come up while working, I'm tired of crying and feeling worthless. I just started this job and know I am doing the best job I can. I need to fill my head with good things instead of having someone try to take it all away!

Darn, I didn't mean to hit a nerve with some of you, was just concerned, and before going into this clinic to work again, note: I have been off for a few days in between shifts, and the day I go back, what happens......shards of glass left on the countertop after a glass vial was broken the days before I worked and almost med error, injection to the wrong patient....so my point goes out....the importance of training and educating the non-licensed staff is so important, documenting is also, this can be used for court records if court requested them, so I may be overly cautious, but my training, my education and my care for my patients is very important to me! When you watch a non-lic person use blame for not knowing or realizing the 8 rights to admini. (nursing 101) instead of implementing or learning from this almost made error, then I do question staff non-lic. doing anything!!! By the way, has anyone asked non-lic staff if they know the rights? 8 rights? just saying....

NO! They are NOT! NOT even a CNA.....just saying... rose

Our x-ray techs are also doing nursing, yet they are not aware of charting and how important it is to document well, in fact, one of our techs told me I was documenting too much, this is the ignorance of not being educated and an urgent care doing this! I am trying to find work elsewhere, this is crazy! thanks rose

Hi there, thanks for the info. I had submitted a nursing ethics question and not sure yet, but where I work, urgent care, is allowing receptionist with not much than watching injections given be able to do this. Its called cross training where I work and I don't like it. I went to school for a reason, but this is totally unacceptable to me. Also they are asking we give injections to patients if the patient brings in a vial such as allergy injection. I told them I will not do this, I won't give anyone an injection with not knowing where the vial came from, who prescribed it, and why don't they go back to where they got it and get an injection? I will not do this!!!!! rose, so tell me, what you think of those practices?

Hi there, I am an LPN and have finished most of my pre reqs for getting into the RN program, but I am not sure if that is my career path. I love nursing, but want more, and I am 50 years old. I feel I may be too old to do more, but I want more!!!! How do I go about in the State of TN to become a CNS? I am not sure about pay, what exactly they do, but I would like to advance my career. Do I need to get my RN, then get my associates or bachelors degree? This is where I am unsure about? Then from there what? Can anyone guide me on the path to this career? Or something like this??? Rose, LPN

Hi, my name is Rose and I am very concerned. Live in TN and have an LPN license and not sure but where I work, they are allowing receptionist to give injections. The ONLY training they are getting is what they are told, not actually any schooling on the side effects, the sites to be used etc. I don't agree with any of this, but it is being done in my office I work. I feel that my license is more important than just anyone being able to do this and more. I agree with cross training but not this!!! Also, they just told us we can give injections if a patient brings in their own vials such as allergy injection. I told them I will NOT be doing this due to not knowing why they have their own vial, what is in the vial or if tampered with and why can't they go back to the doctors office and get the injection themselves. So, am I being overly cautious or is this nuts????? I need help on this. I just am freaked out by some of the standards we have. I work in an Urgent Care Center Rose, LPN

Oh yes, I do remember that. Thank you for the reminder. I worked in a place that was not like that and remembered all the wrong things. Sorry. You are correct. Thanks again. Rose

Can I say this one time, NEVER EVER IS THIS ALLOWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If that nurse is doing this, she needs to be stopped. Who is to say she is not taking this medication or abusing it? She is not allowed to do this under any law....

I worked in a nursing home where the CNAs thought they were the nurses and did not listen to their advisors or nurses on staff. They think they own the place if they have been there for any time. At least, this is how I have found some of them to be, maybe not all. CNAs must be reminded to report to their nursing staff before any documentation is done, or they will be let go. I would not put up with any of this one day. This is your *** and your license. If they say, they told you when they did not, who is to prove otherwise? If upper staff will not help you find another job, your license is worth more than this!

Our PA told me what she wants, but when I do that, its not good enough, she even put a 4 year old child thru the ringer. I did strep and flu on this child, she came behind me, knowing I had already done the tests and re did both of them, plus she then swabbed for an outside source for reading.....the child was not sooooo sick that this needed to be done, and I do my testing correctly, she is not happy with anything we do there....I can do it right, I still here flack....

Thank you for the confidence and kind words, I am usually confident in what I do, and still am basically, but when continued questioned why I do things, it gets old. When a patient has no symptoms of flu, such as body aches, high fevers, and that just all over yucky feeling I do not run a flu screen, if the patient has no sore throat, nothing but a cough and chest congestion, I do not run a strep. I may be over seeing something but symptoms tell me to do certain tests, and this PA keeps saying I should have, or I should not have, etc......all the damn time....I really am being tested here if I stay or not.....

Are you me, lol? I really think I am a good nurse, I just can't be in 2 places at the same time right? lol...I so try to be fast in my job, ask the right questions, but no matter what I think and believe, something is always said. If I don't do a flu screen, then Is am told to do it, if I do one, then I am told it did not need to be done, I just feel like nothing I do is right and its very frustrating. I'm sad that I deal with this, but I am here for the patients. I feel that this person is not giving much time in the rooms because they are always like lets go...lets go....I am smart, and I know what i am doing, but this is insane.....