Running low on soap

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Hello- I just started a new job after two years of trying in the Bay Area of California. I was really excited and knew it was going to be hard. NOC shift and basically only RN on floor at night so not complaining about work.

I am concerned that they want us to work with no soap in the patients rooms, no sanitizer in the machines, fighting for paper towels and wipes. Plus trying to find a workable thermometer in the place and most nurses supply their own blood pressure cuff as I found out. Only thing they have there is O2 satsthat work.

The patients have no soap and are using shampoo to wash their hands. I was appalled. It's hard for me to contact the admin who orders as they work M-F 8-5 and he disn't repo d to my note or my phone message. My DON to,d me that I needed to contact this admin person but he doesn't answer obviously. What kills me too is that this is a five star rated facility!

Who are the proper authorities t contact? This is what happens apparently all the time. They also put chains on the kitchen so I have no options to give snacks to my patients if they want it. Like a prison. I want to report this since people are paying privately too for this facility. This

is not healthy or sanitary. I luckily had a vial of soap in my purse to use and sanitizer too jt this is nuts.

My patients need and deserve better

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

does not sound too nice

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

The CDC would probably interested.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

The ombudsman? Corporate?

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I am going to contact the ombudsman today when I go in tonight. this is crazy thx

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you need another job, you are not safe in this place.

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Specializes in hospice.

No one is safe in that place.

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

The Joint Commission would be interested, especially in wake of their hand-washing initiative.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

We are rationing isolation equipment. I work in a HOSPITAL, in a flu epidemic area.

We are being told not to put on gowns, when we all know we should.

We're starting to wear hospital gowns over our scrubs. We label our masks and leave them hanging on hooks and doorknobs in the patient's room. The only gloves we have left are size large.

What is going on?

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Is it possible that the place is about to shut down?

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No, it's not. From what I was told basically this happens all the time cuz they are trying to conserve cash basically. The only reason they started hiring RNs is because they had to due to staffing rules or something in Cali cuz mostly the people that work on the floor are LVNs. So they hired me and this other girl and we were like ummm what is going on here. We were getting the wool pulled over our eyes. But if you are from or know the bay area market it is TOUGH and hard to find a job. I was looking into moving, but hard due to family situation I have going on. My husband has an awesome job and we take care of my mother who has various issues and just had a baby. So my intention was to maybe stay a year and then move closer to my house for work as I commute, but I feel so guilty leaving any of these patients like that. It would wear on my mind.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
No, it's not. From what I was told basically this happens all the time cuz they are trying to conserve cash basically. The only reason they started hiring RNs is because they had to due to staffing rules or something in Cali cuz mostly the people that work on the floor are LVNs. So they hired me and this other girl and we were like ummm what is going on here. We were getting the wool pulled over our eyes. But if you are from or know the bay area market it is TOUGH and hard to find a job. I was looking into moving, but hard due to family situation I have going on. My husband has an awesome job and we take care of my mother who has various issues and just had a baby. So my intention was to maybe stay a year and then move closer to my house for work as I commute, but I feel so guilty leaving any of these patients like that. It would wear on my mind.

Reading that line made me cringe. You can't save those people. There's next to nothing you can do. Staying will do nothing for them, and make you miserable at best. Worse case scenario is they fire you, or black ball you. The truth is, that facility has existed that way for a long time. It will probably be that way when you leave. You could report them, but you'll not come out of it unscathed. They'll clean things up, pass a repeat inspection, then go back to what they're used to.

I actually said those same words a long time ago.

It sounds cold blooded, but you need to take care of yourself first.

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