Short nursing staff

exit96 · Mar 3, 2013

I was in LTC as LPN for a year, and did some CNA work a couple years prior to that. I don't think that THAT issue will ever be resolved. There are always too mant pt's to care for (short staffing). It is amazing and sad how we, as a society pay lip service caring for our fellow humans, but with financial holocaust in place we can't properly care for our LTC residents. Maybe consider getting out of LTC? Like I said, I was in there for 1 year, I am a hustling hard worker and the expectations, from what i have seen and heard, are just unreasonable and a pipe-dream.

nurseywifeymommy1 · Mar 3, 2013

Just heard another nurse is quiting thru the grapevine.

PacesFerryBSN · Mar 3, 2013

I think nobody cares anymore:(

Salisburysteak, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2013

Unfortunately, everything in LTC or healthcare in general is ruled by the almighty dollar. :/

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 3, 2013

I think LTC gets hit the hardest regarding this, but this happens everywhere...not just in LTC. I was reading an article (I think it was from the AJN or something, can't remember) stating that it is actually more cost effective to hire additional staff than to work short-staffed because of potential patient harm and potential lawsuits. Why facilities cannot grasp this is beyond me.

Keep_Calm · Mar 3, 2013

That's awful. I am currently working LTC (and hopefully getting out soon) and have 18 residents on 2nd shift with psych/alzheimers and rehab into the mix. THAT is hard sometimes depending on acuity. Unfortunately, it is the exception for a LTC facility to be fully staffed and have a high job satisfaction rate...as least in my experience. I don't know how it can be changed except for at the state level, and even then it's highly doubtful.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

Aww I was hoping this was going to be a discussion on "vertically challenged" nursing staff. Like, why do they always have to move the IV pump down so low on the pole?? :sarcastic:

But purposefully scheduling shifts short is not acceptable. Most of the time when we are short it can be blamed on sick calls, people are on disability leave, or simple scheduling snafoos (it can't be an easy job).

But seriously, those short nurses always drop the computers in my rooms halfway to the ground too...seriously?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

The unfortunate reality of nursing....working short everywhere. Administration would rather cut costs. After less than 3 years of nursing, I am also feeling close to burnout, as many are. Soon, I'm switching to PRN just for a break. Is reducing your hours a possibility?

multi10 · Mar 5, 2013

What is the deal with so many drugs we have to give in LTC? How come doctors prescribe ten or fifteen drugs for each patient? Does anyone pay attention to possible negative effects of mixing some drugs with others? It takes so much time, as an LTC nurse, to drag the med cart around and give so many pills. (We used to have a person that was not an RN giving the pills but his position was eliminated so now he cleans and turns residents q 2 hours.)

I guess it's about the money. (I'm being facetious, of course it's about the money.)

I bet that in Canada and Europe the long-term-care patients don't have to swallow 15 pills a day.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

Probably some of the meds are redundant. At 90, a Calcium pill is not going to be very effective. But the large med passes are the same in Canada also.

nurse4sale · Mar 5, 2013

Why doesn't anyone call the State Health Dept.? You can do it anonymously and pretend you're a family member with real concern of injury for your loved one. The same thing happens in hospitals, especially the Med/Surg floors and ER. Always not enough staff. Why do they do this? Is it because we are nurses and they really don't care about us and we are a dine a dozen? I'm sure they have more than enough money with all the new wings they're adding and new hospitals they're building. It's strikes me as funny how doctors are treated with the up-most respect, while nurses get the ****** end of the stick. Oh well, why complain, it's our job.