Cherie

Julie, I got defensive for a very good reason. The advice I'm getting is based on the knowledge of these workers, not the knowledge of the home. If they do infact take care of the problems then I will be happy to stay on there as an employee. And as for the double shifts, I was implying that I'd rather work doubles then have these ppl staffed.. not that I was working double shifts. The only thing that might burn me out is working and going to school at the same time. As long as things are being handled and not ignored then that is an improvment.. The LPN is monitored closely by the other nurses because they all know what's going on, and they have now started making sure she isn't killing any residents. So if I sound defensive, it's because I'm not going to let a couple of rotten apples spoil the whole bunch.. we'll just toss out those rotten apples. Like I said in my other reply to Tim, I will be reporting to my Omb. about the other aide. And the LPN doesn't work full time, 1-2x per week tops.. but that's too much regaurdless. Thanks for the support Julie ------------------ Ü

Barbara.. The reason I have not run away from this facility, is that these are 2 extreme examples.. and I have no other examples to speak of as of yet. I work with a great bunch of people, everyone is getting above and beyond the basic care that an aide/nurse can provide.. accept these two women. I'm not sure of their reasoning for not firing sooner.. but that we all know what a hard time it is to find help, and good help at that.. but I stand by my morals and I will work double shifts until they can hire someone to replace these people because I believe that these residents deserve better. I'm not going to turn my back on them. If I don't stand up for what's right, no one else will when I'm gone.. and I refuse to leave them in that state because I think that is an unacceptable option. Keep in mind, this is not a "bad" home. With these few acceptions this is a nice place to live, even if the funding is low.. because the rest of us actually give a damn. I guess that should answer everyones question to why I'm still there. ------------------ Ü

Well everyone who has replied, I do have some great news from the war front. I spoke to the LPN who was bringing all of the med errors to the DON's attn. and he informed me that this incompetent LPN will be dismissed, starting March 1st. I have yet to resolve the other issue and will have to keep you all posted. Thanks for all of your replies and input. PS Duckie.. It's amazing what you can get away with when you have friends in the right places. I'm glad you don't have to deal with her anymore! ------------------ Ü

Well.. all in all this isn't the worst home I have ever worked in, mainly because they either a: lack the funds for quality products, such as good linens. Or b: don't want to spend the $. At any rate, the aides I work with for the most part (excluding you know who) are great with the residents.. this horrible woman works on day shift, I've actually never even seen her before. But as I said before hearing it from several sources, including some residents, I know it's not a BS story. Like I said to Tim, I will be reporting her. As for the LPN who is grossly dangerous, one of the other LPN's has started bringing all of her med errors to the attn. of the DON (not the first time) but he is being very stern that if something isn't done the state will be notified.. so I'll keep you posted on that subject. And as far as being inspected when state comes around, that I don't worry about, I do my job and I do it well. Since I started there the only complaint I've heard about my work is that I'm too "by the book", said by one of the aides that likes to whiz through her work, and no longer works there.

I wasn't aware of that.. so with the knew knowledge I will report her, for whatever good it might do. I hope this time they will do something about it instead of letting her off with an psych. eval. that obviously didn't do much the first time around!

I am a 2nd year PN student.. and I too thought school was never going to end.. but everyday I learn something more.. I graduate in July and I look forward to everyday I have left of clinicals because as a nurse you will never stop learning. Just remember what you are being taught because it WILL be used in practice in the future! Have you gotten to your lab test outs yet? Good Luck! ------------------ Ü

I continue to work there as of right now because I want to change things.. I haven't witnessed any abuse by the "horrible" aide, but I've heard enough from the other aides to know it can't all be a forifice. What my ultimate goal in life is.. to gain a possition where I evaluate the aides/nurses on the quality of care they are giving their patients, retrain or fire when appropriate. I would like to see things change around this place.. but I have some doubts that the "new kid" is going to effect much. Although even as an aide I've made some pretty big changes for this woman. She likes to use the older hoyer lift sheets, and as we all know they are dangerous and should be thrown. So every morning when she gets to work, whatever wing she's down, she replaces the nice new EZ lifters with the old hoyer lifts. Well.. 3 weeks ago I took a stand, put a note in the communication book about the danger of using them, and stashed the remanding lifters in the Nursing Supply Room, and only the nurses can access them. I haven't heard boo out of anyone about it.. I'm still holding out hope to help a dying home.

I work in a small town in Minnesota, and the wages are actually decent! I started at 8.45, a make a $1 more on Fri. and I get time and a half on Sat. & Sun. So for weekend pay I make more then an LPN that's been at the home since 1988. Only the aides and TMA's get the time and a half (all profit LTCF). So the sad part about it is.. I'm a PN student, graduating in July. I don't think I'll pick this home as my career landing pad! ------------------ Ü

In the LTCF where I work there are 3 nursing staff that should not be allowed in the building.. an LPN and 2 aides. The LPN can't handle doing her meds, makes daily med errors, signs the MAR for every resident before she gives her pills, they have to break up her shift and hire a TMA to cover her meds for the 1st 4hrs! One of the aides I mentioned verbally abuses the residents, scolds them for incontinence.. she's horrible! She's been reported and been forced to have a psychiatric evaluation, but the behavior still continues and they won't fire her. The other aide is legally blind and although she is a very nice person.. how can you check someones incont. product if you can't read a chart? This is very frustrating to me as a 2nd yr PN student, graduating in July. Do I want to work in a facility that doesn't function for the better quality care of the residents? I'm thinking no. How do you handle this? ------------------ Ü