Sad and confused

kathc · Jun 18, 2005

Doing a 2 hour med pass in 45 minutes, means she is going from memory and/or skipping things. One of my preceptors passed from memory and then looked at the MAR. There is also an evening nurse that passes all meds for two meds passes at once (except for "heart pills"). Her shift is a race to finish as fast as she can so she can talk on the phone all eve....and forget about having her do any treatments. She will eventually get caught, but I hope a resident doesn't have to get hurt for it to happen. And yes people have complained, but because there are drama issues going on in my unit, the nurse manager thinks it is all just personality problems.

As someone that has only been a nurse since December, it is frustrating to see the nurses that don't care. But it is also wonderful to see those that do. I have one charge nurse that I have learned so much from.

Don't leave nursing, you will find a place that works for you. Despite the problems on my unit, I will not leave. There are more good things going than bad...and I hope in time I can increase those good things. I'm there for my residents.

javanurse2000, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2005

i don't understand-were you fired? and if so, why? why are you thinking of leaving nursing? please clarify.

I'm sorry, I didn't say that I put my notice in...since the change I have been working a lot of extra hours to get stuff done and I had just felt like I was in the wrong place so when I went to talk to the staffing nurse about it and told her I was thinking of putting my notice in she said "I understand"...so I did. When I told the DON she said "ok". I put my notice in on Monday....I am sorry for the confusion...I'm really stressed out over this. I'm thinking of leaving nursing b/c LTC is all that is open to LPNs in this area on the weekends and I want to get through school...working myself to death on the weekends isn't going to work out. For another example, there was a resident on Lopressor BID hold for sys

javanurse2000, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2005

I just read everybodies posts so far. Thank you everyone for the advice, support and beans. There's a small hospital about 5 minutes from me and they have a sub-acute unit. Maybe I will apply. Convenience stores around here make btwn $8-9/hr. I graduated in 2000. I lost my job in January at a long term care facility I had been working at for 4 years...had to do with an ice storm and I recognize some of you as helping me back then. Both this facility and that one are under HMR. It was within my 90 days so no unemployment(each facility hires separately) They just had there DHEC survey and the were re-surveyed (d/t 18 deficiencies) I want to thank you guys again for your encouragement...I don't think anyone else but nurses can understand what we go through and it really helps to have you guys. Ok, I have dial-up and I may be 'off-line' for a few weeks while getting my phone bill in a respectable condition :rolleyes: Not sure when they'll disconnect - could be any minute :uhoh21:

Liddle Noodnik · Jun 18, 2005

You made waves for the pet and TPTB do not like waves of anykind.

Ok, translation please, what is "the pet" - oh, the pet nurse? and TPTB? Thanks! LOL! :rotfl:

Fuzzy · Jun 18, 2005

TPTB=the powers that be, I think.

Fuzzy

Liddle Noodnik · Jun 18, 2005

TPTB=the powers that be, I think.
Fuzzy

Hey, that works! thankee

nelligolitely · Jun 18, 2005

Doing a 2 hour med pass in 45 minutes, means she is going from memory and/or skipping things. One of my preceptors passed from memory and then looked at the MAR. There is also an evening nurse that passes all meds for two meds passes at once (except for "heart pills"). Her shift is a race to finish as fast as she can so she can talk on the phone all eve....and forget about having her do any treatments. She will eventually get caught, but I hope a resident doesn't have to get hurt for it to happen. And yes people have complained, but because there are drama issues going on in my unit, the nurse manager thinks it is all just personality problems.
As someone that has only been a nurse since December, it is frustrating to see the nurses that don't care. But it is also wonderful to see those that do. I have one charge nurse that I have learned so much from.
Don't leave nursing, you will find a place that works for you. Despite the problems on my unit, I will not leave. There are more good things going than bad...and I hope in time I can increase those good things. I'm there for my residents.

KathC,

I had to look at the name to make sure I didn't write this! I, too, graduated in December and have exactly the same problems in my nursing home in N.J.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 18, 2005

I started a new job a few months ago. The facility was as ok as I've seen...you know, a can of mixed nuts - I thought I fit right in and the day nurse I worked opposite to (she on weekdays and me on weekends) was really good....not over-reactionary but would do what needed to be done for the resident when needed. A few weeks ago, she was moved to another unit. The new day nurse was completely different....having read another post from today I guess you could say she's not 'acute care minded'. This last weekend was the worst...every CNA coming to me with observations of residents that have been ignored all week. After a 12 hour shift on Sunday that lasted 18 hours, I had had it! I put my notice in on Monday...my boss acted like she didn't care and that made me feel awful. I know the day nurse is well liked...she can do a 2 hour med pass in 45 minutes. I found a serious med error on Sunday and had to get it fixed....the day nurse tried to pin an 'error' on me back....when I proved that the day nurse was lying (we counted the medication) she completely ignored the facts. I pressed it and the DON flatly said, "I don't think you need to work a notice". I really thought I was being a good nurse, guys...but I feel terrible. I am sad and confused...I'm trying to get back to school this fall --non-nursing--I'm thinking of just going back to working at a convenience store or something...get food stamps for the kids and me to make up the difference. I guess I would just like to hear from you guys....pinto bean recipes would be nice also

So sad to read your story, but is sure seems like you are doing the thing by getting the heck out of there. Things happen for a reason, just keep your head up and be positive. You will find something better soon, you will see.

Good Luck,

Jessica

military spouse · Jun 18, 2005

Please don't let this experience get you down. I have worked at SNFs in the past and I don't think I would do it again. Generally speaking, the facilities' mgt. tends to turnover every few years which leaves people with a sense that they are dispensible. You sound like you've done your job well, but this other nurse is perhaps mgt. current favorite. Don't take it personally:)

kathc · Jun 19, 2005

KathC,
I had to look at the name to make sure I didn't write this! I, too, graduated in December and have exactly the same problems in my nursing home in N.J.

I bet its common in most nursing homes. What I love is when the nurses that go from memory act so surprised when they missed something that changed. "Wow, nobody told me that changed." Guess that is what the MAR is for..duh! The speedy nurse is actually a new graduate - go figure.

I'd laugh if it wasn't so sad. But it is nice to see we still have good nurses - imagine a unit filled with nurses from allnurses.com. :)

LPN-n-2005 · Jun 19, 2005

Nursewendy, you must be in upstate south carolina if most of the facilities are under HMR. Good luck! I could never hack nursing homes,the atomsphere is usually depressing and the staff abusive towards each other.

nurse1986 · Jun 19, 2005

I started a new job a few months ago. The facility was as ok as I've seen...you know, a can of mixed nuts - I thought I fit right in and the day nurse I worked opposite to (she on weekdays and me on weekends) was really good....not over-reactionary but would do what needed to be done for the resident when needed. A few weeks ago, she was moved to another unit. The new day nurse was completely different....having read another post from today I guess you could say she's not 'acute care minded'. This last weekend was the worst...every CNA coming to me with observations of residents that have been ignored all week. After a 12 hour shift on Sunday that lasted 18 hours, I had had it! I put my notice in on Monday...my boss acted like she didn't care and that made me feel awful. I know the day nurse is well liked...she can do a 2 hour med pass in 45 minutes. I found a serious med error on Sunday and had to get it fixed....the day nurse tried to pin an 'error' on me back....when I proved that the day nurse was lying (we counted the medication) she completely ignored the facts. I pressed it and the DON flatly said, "I don't think you need to work a notice". I really thought I was being a good nurse, guys...but I feel terrible. I am sad and confused...I'm trying to get back to school this fall --non-nursing--I'm thinking of just going back to working at a convenience store or something...get food stamps for the kids and me to make up the difference. I guess I would just like to hear from you guys....pinto bean recipes would be nice also

Dear sad and confused

I know how you feel been there done that . But we learn from all of our experiences and this was a good one. I feel LTC are very sad places but someone has to do it. I am at an Assisted Living , been there 8 years and love it

Don;t give up on nursing all the sick and elderly need some one like us

Good Luck