Remind me why I do this

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I spend my life investigating bruises. I have almost nothing to do with anything except making all of our care plans and investigations State-proof.

The CNAs who are good are great. The ones who don't care are infuriating. When I go to write someone up I'm told not to because we can't replace them. We also have nurses who are just warm bodies with RN licenses. LPNs need to be decent -- we can find them. RNs here, not so much.

The families are in-freaking-sane. Why isn't your dad walking? Seriously? What part of end-stage Alzheimer's do you not understand?

We are owned by a corporation and my DON is always terrified that she's going to lose her job and she reacts rather than acts. She is not supportive. She cares, but she's too fired and nervous to be any help.

Someone tell me there's a reason I do this. And "for the residents" doesn't really work. I don't do anything for the residents. I do freaking paperwork.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

people have a tendancy to live up to expectations - even low ones, as you have learned.

Before you go postal I recommend looking elsewhere for work.

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So Sue, I saw a bumpersticker today that just about sums up about how you and I feel right now (albeit for different reasons), it said,

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and it's gonna **** too." :anbd:

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Heh.

Finding another job isn't an easy feat in this area.

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Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

Suesquatch, I am so sorry that you feel this way, it sounds like it plain stinks! OK. So very simply put, you want the answer for why you do it. That is simple. Not for the residents or anyone else, but so you can pay your bills and have the ability to do something FUN when you arent there. :) I hope things get better. Hugs, Ivanna

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

I feel your pain. You have desribed my job and how I feel about it exactly. In fact, do we work in the same facility.

I have the unrealistic family that want their 100 year old grandfather to make a full recovery and be able to hold a conversation with them. Hello people he was not holding a conversation for YEARS before this last near death experience. You would know this if you would have came in to see him once in a while before this last hospital visit.

Don't even get me started on the bruises and skin tears that magically appear and nobody has any idea of how they get there. I understand these people are old and the slightest bump is a giant hematoma, but state does not. We all know that we are not working in LTC to keep the residents happy. Oh heck no, we work to keep the state and the insane families happy.

With that being said, I feel your pain I really do. Despite everyone else expectations that nurses need to be self sacrificing angles of mercy there are just times that we must be mere humans and do the job for the paycheck. Sorry to say that is how I get through the day when I am feel the way you are feeling. Repeat to yourself I must go to work to pay my bills.

I hope things get better for you soon.

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Specializes in LTC.

Besides the residents and the state, you definitely do it for yourself. Now, how about a vacation? wakeboardsmily.gif

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Besides the residents and the state, you definitely do it for yourself. Now, how about a vacation? wakeboardsmily.gif

:)

I'm taking Thursday off so I'll be off two before I work the weekend (cupe every third). And I'm off a week in May.

Good plan.

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Specializes in LTC.
:)

I'm taking Thursday off so I'll be off two before I work the weekend (cupe every third). And I'm off a week in May.

Good plan.

Hey, anyway I can help. xspace_sunny.gif

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Specializes in Med-Surg/home health/pacu/cardiac icu.

You do it for the money. :lol2: Oh wait, I think I just ate some funny mushrooms on my pizza! Seriously, you do it, because you are superwoman :dancgrp: and you can change some elderly resident's life, one day at a time.

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Sorry to be the downer, but if you're like most of the people I know who are stuck in a crappy job, it's because you don't know what else to do and you hold on with tightly clenched fists to the faint hope that the next shift will suck less.:crying2:

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Sorry to be the downer, but if you're like most of the people I know who are stuck in a crappy job, it's because you don't know what else to do and you hold on with tightly clenched fists to the faint hope that the next shift will suck less.:crying2:

Oh, I have no hope. ;)

The work itself isn't bad. The environment isn't bad. I just feel ground down by perpetual attempts at perfect compliance.

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