gentlespirit

i decided to start a new thread rather than offending anyone who has been participating in other threads. i need to get something out in the open and this is it: if any of you caring for elderly or debilitated residents are having trouble being compassionate towards your residents then you need to get out of the profession. residents act the way they do for a reason and we may not always know that reason but we must always think and act in a non-judgemental, compassionate and empathetic manner. anticipate their needs based on past behavior patterns. go see them 15 minutes before they start complaining. even a better idea: go see them for no reason other than to say hello and give them a hug. the results are often profound. if you don't know what empathy is, or feel no compassion for the situation of the vulnerable and less fortunate, then just get out!! if you don't realize that every single resident in your care is vulnerable and less fortunate, then you need to just get out!! the residents and our profession will be better off without you.

dear, how long have you been a nurse? let me guess.. you love the challenge, sometimes thrive on the stress, but do you really know what it is costing you?? prioritize your life. mine goes like this (short version): 1. god 2. family (and me!) 3. work after you prioritize, do some serious evaluating of whether or not you are actually honoring your priorities. then get honest with yourself about what it really means to you. god bless you.

Do you have a unit/ facility supervisor? These issues that you describe are ones that should be handled by you - you need to educate and then delegate the responsibility to the appropriate person. As DON of a 168 bed facility, all of our weights were obtained by one person (assisted by CNA staff). All weights were then turned in to the ADON who reviewed and then requested re-weights. Re-weights had to be performed the next morning by the "weight CNA" and returned to the ADON to review. Once all the weights were approved, they were entered into our MDS program, which did all the math. Even the most basic MDS programs have weight management tools, as well as many other options that you may want to check it out. In my experience I believe you are probably dealing with a couple of underlying issues: 1. No one is taking responsibility for the work. 2. No one is demanding accountability for the work. 3. There has been a lack of communication and education for quite some time that has lead to erosion of morale and poor work habits. What do you think? Good luck and God Bless you.

Bless your heart... you must be terrified. I realize you feel like you are not prepared, but you are capable of more than you give yourself credit for. You need to start promptly, follow the five rights, don't give medications or treatments in a public area unless the resident requests it (I know that is not typical...but it's a regulation), be sure to use hand cleanser between each resident's med pass, double check the meds against the MAR carefully. That's pretty much it. It will be nerve-wracking but you will do your best and that is all you can do. I would ask in the am if the RN who will check you on the invasive procedures would be available to assist you on med pass. It would be perfectly acceptable if you could arrange it. Prayer helps too. God bless you.

Hello, all. I was browsing the web tonight looking for information on burnout... and found this place. I've been a nurse for 14 years. Started in ICU. Then LTC for 11 years, most of them as DON. I thought I had recovered from the burnout that coincided with the failure of my 20 year marriage that I thought was "really solid". I am trying to figure out if I'm really "done". I think I've lost the passion and devotion and determination that is needed to continue in the job I have. Pretty sure that I'm afraid to give it all to the job again and risk losing another precious part of my life. I left my former job about 8 months after the divorce and about 2 years after I started burning out. I tried for a long time to get out, but I repeatedly agreed to stay. Big mistake. I can't believe I was talked into taking my current position as manager of a post-acute hospital based unit. I just don't believe I have what it takes any more - I think I used it all up! Anybody out there survive burnout and learned to thrive again? Sorry for the gloom, and thanks for the sympathetic ear... :rotfl:

We do eat our young, don't we? I've been in LTC for 11 years, mostly as DON. I remain constantly frustrated with the working environment of our staff....except for the saving grace of the gratitude and love that you receive in return from your residents and their families. It is a very thankless job very often and it is easy to burn out. Please do make the effort to talk to your manager in a non-threatening way and offer to assist her in implementing a plan to try to make things better. Be prepared to offer some ideas. There are no easy jobs in the profession you have chosen, as I'm sure you realize. Do your very best every day and always remember your priorities and honor them. Best of luck to you and God Bless You....