I'm not sure if this is the apropriate place for this thread so forgive me if it is not.
I am not a nurse (yet) but have taken a job at a local nursing home as a resident aide. My reason was to get some experience as I will be going to school for nursing soon. Today was my first day and I have some severe concerns. Please tell me if this is the norm, or are these red flags???
The home is owned by a company in England. They just took over and nearly all the staff has quit due to changes (cut in pay..hours..that sort). The English owner is here for 2 weeks and has ordered that the facility was spending way too much money in food and thus has made up a precise menu on portions..leaving no room for seconds. The people are quite used to be able to get their fill. I asked if the restrictions were Dr ordered..answer was no..which is how I learned about the "cut".
Security: When I first applied, I rang the bell. A resident allowed me in. No one was around for a good 5 mins.. I could have been anyone walking in. Furthermore, a resident can just walk out. And it is right off a main road. NO gates.
Hazards: Where do I begin? Bleach, cleaners..meds.. all within easy reach and plain sight of residents. Again TODAY WAS MY 1st day.. I have not been trained, I have NEVER done this stuff before. I was handed a diaper and told to go change a resident. Ok, how.... A baby is easy to move around, an adult?? OMG that was rough, but I managed. My concern is...since I havent been trained, what if I hurt one...move them the wrong way?? Which lead me to another resident. When I got him to roll over, he screamed in pain.. I panicked and asked what was wrong..he told me where it hurt and after some digging..learned he had fallen a few days back, no report was made..and the Admin had just found out about it and ordered some x-rays.. How do I know I didnt hurt him even more???
I applied as a resident aide..however, I did housekeeping most of the day..on top of watch residents, change diapers, and help feed them. Im not complaining but the staff is myself, the cook..and the Admin during the day...for 11 residents. It's a bit hard to "watch the floor" if I'm in the laundry room or mopping a residents room. Is this how it works?
My biggest problem is how easily anyone can walk in or out and all the safety hazards..or am I over reacting? If anything, I learned this today... should the day come where my parents need care.. it will be by me..not a nursing home.
Please report all of what you told us to the state. They will come and do an inspection. If things are really as bad as you say they are, we can only hope the residents can be placed in a different facility until this place gets its act together.
you are REQUIRED by law to make a report of the conditions because you are an employee of a long term care facility/nursing home. If you don't make the report, and later they find out you didn't you may never be able to get a nursing license.
Don't wait for the Ombudsman in the morning - call this number TONITE!!!!!!
The home is owned by a company in England. They just took over . The English owner is here for 2 weeks.
Here's a thought........if an English person is the owner of this facility, they would most likely have had to go thru strict immigration procedures to obtain approval to operate a business in the US. I am an English RN and this thread saddens and angers me :angryfire
Maybe this company's dubious "business activities" should also be brought to the attention of your Immigration Authorities as well as the State Board
To the OP, are you keeping written documentation of all that you have seen, heard, and done in this "facility"? If not, get started ASAP. This is very, very important for back-up. I would also recommend printing out what you have told us on the board here and to call the Agency for Healthcare Administration, Long Term Care Unit, at 1 (850) 488-5861, and ask to speak to whomever oversees the area of the state that your nursing home is in. If s/he cannot help you straightaway, see if s/he can connect you to someone who can.
You are NOT abandoning the patients. If anything, it is the cretins running the place that are.
I just got off the phone with the Florida Abuse Hotline. He took my info; showed concern about the resident that went to the road. I asked about the resident in pain that was given pain meds that were not his; He said that since I could not verify whether or not the admin was a nurse..basically there wasnt anything that would be done (as I understood it). As for the rest, he gave me another number to call. On my way to call the second number...but I must say...after the conversation with this "Mike", I do not foresee much being done....
NOrmally I'm a firm believer in going by the book and up the chain of command, but in these type of situations...cover ups happen. Sometimes the media is a good choice of action. I know you weren't there that long, but what about the families? I'm sure someone had to complain or voice concerns?
I was making my rounds and happen to glance out the window to see one of our mentally handi-capped residents out at the road. I panicked and ran to the front room to dash out the door but was stopped cold by the admin. She asked what was wrong and I said "so & so is out at the road!" She laughed and said he was getting the mail and that I needed to stop stressing so much. Now this road is one people FLY down all the time.
Is this assisted living or a board and care? I can't imagine a skilled nursing facility letting their residents wander around and have such a cavalier attitude towards meds, personal care and feeding. Not that this would be ok in assisted living or board and care either but...what you are saying is unbelievable. Especially that they let all this stuff be apparent to you without a care on your very first day! They must think you are too young or meek to say anything but please do!!!
UM Review RN, ASN, RN
1 Article; 5,163 Posts
This is blatant abuse.
Please report all of what you told us to the state. They will come and do an inspection. If things are really as bad as you say they are, we can only hope the residents can be placed in a different facility until this place gets its act together.