Should I stay at this facility???!!

[wendyd]

Hi,

I am working on my pre-reqs for the RN program. In the meantime, I decided that I would start working in a nursing home as a hospitality aide and then take their CNA course. I thought that being a CNA would help me get some clinical experience and would help me in the long run.

I had my first shift at this facility last night, and am now re-evaluating my entire plan. I am so dis-illusioned and saddened at what I saw.

I have to work around my dh's schedule, so I have been scheduled for an odd houred shift. I started at 6pm and worked till 2am.

When I arrived at the station, the whole place was in a chaotic mess. The (agency) charge RN did not even know that I was coming by the way. There are 60 beds in the skilled unit. There was 1 hospitality aide assigned to all 60 beds! There was 3 CNA's on shift (20 pts each), 2 of which had just finished the CNA course and of those for one this was her first night working on her own. There were 2 LPN's, I think one was agency. Aren't these nurse-patient ratio/s dangerously low??

The residents had just finished dinner and the aides were bringing them back to the unit from the dining room. They were then parked in front of the big screen until a CNA could take them to thier room for the night. Many were crying that they wanted to go to bed. Begging, pleading with anyone who walked by to please help them, etc, etc. As a hospitality aide, I of course could not put anyone to bed, or even take any time to even try to comfort anyone as I was now helping the other hospitality aide that was assigned to 60 beds.

All of the CNA's were extremely rude to the patients. (They were all young, early 20's). I had a very hard time with this. I understand that they are totally overworked and that many of these pts have a habit of repeated nagging, etc...but they are human beings and I just couldn't deal with it.

I helped out the best that I could where I could. I think all of the pts were finally in bed by 9:30 pm. The CNA that I told you about that was working her first night on her own was reprimanded for not working fast enough. (I am not sure by who)

These CNA's were busting their ass. They never sat down the entire eve. Their faces were flushed and they were highly stressed. Not one had ANY break or lunch. I did not see anyone wash their hands or wear gloves in any of the rooms.

Around 11:00 things quieted down. Third shift was very quiet until I left at 2 am and for the last two hours there was nothing for me to even do.

I would like your advice. I do not have to work right now. I do not want to return to this place. It really looked like a nice place when I was interviewing. Very clean, many procedures in place, and seemed very well organized.

But these people are not being taken care of!! They are being fed and washed, and that is it. There are activities, yes, but the nurses have such bad attitudes because of their being so short staffed and overworked that they do not even talk nicely to these people or try to comfort them at all. The person that was the greatest with the pts was the hospitality aide...and she is quitting in 2 weeks!

I am wondering what you all think of this situation and what you would do if you were in my shoes?

What is the PA state regulations for nurse-pt ratios?

Thanks for your advice,

Wendy

[NurseKimberley]

I think that as hard as it is, maybe you should stay, at least for a while. This may have been only a temporary situation, with the agency nurses and new aides. And if you decide to stay, maybe you can become part of the solution!

[Sleepyeyes]

Wendy,

I worked my way through nursing school as a LTC CNA. I don't recommend it

because you won't be able to perform the clinical

procedures that a Patient Care Tech in a hospital does, and you

may very well hurt your back if those ratios at that home are the

norm.

Sure, they could've had a "bad" night, but two newbies on the

floor out of three CNA's should tell you that there's a high

turnover rate. Then too, the way you said they talked to the

residents? That would do it for me. There is a place for you

that is a better "fit." This one isn't it. But remember, all places have

their problems with staffing. What you are looking for

is a supportive, caring staff, willing to train you to do the clinical procedures

and teach you about the disease processes. I was told that the "backbone"

of my

nursing skills was Med-Surg, and they were right. Although I value

my years at LTC, and I knew that was my specialty, I still did a year's

Med-Surg at a local hospital. It was awfully hard, but it was the

best thing I did.

Now I wish that I'd been a CNA in a hospital setting so I wouldn't

freak out like I did when confronted with the clinical setting.

Good Luck, Wendy, you sound like a caring person, and whatever you

decide, grit your teeth, dig your heels in, and you'll come out a winner!

[sageinbloom]

Got to agree with the lady from Atlanta... what can you do to make it better? At our nursing home, staffing varies from week to week... depends on if people have sick kids, what the place down the road is paying, etc. etc. Yeah, there are some truly awful places out there and they are pretty much always awful. But then there are places like where I work... it's a decent place, but some days are just not as good as others! Those CNAs who were totally stressed out... I'll bet nobody was breaking their necks trying to help them or make them laugh or make them feel appreciated. Sometimes your good attitude and fresh idealism can be a real shot in the arm to a tired workplace. Make a difference! Don't run away from every unpleasant situation you encounter. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic. There are some situations you should run away from as fast as you can! Weigh the pros and cons and if you can't live with it, then don't. But don't throw it out just because it doesn't look like you thought it would. Good luck to you! If nothing else, this will give you GOOD compassion for those aides when you get your degree! God bless you!

[betts]

I start each day of my professional life,

remembering and practicing a code of ethics.

I have a special gift from God called caring,

it is weaved within my soul.

I reach out with this gift and help others in need.

I plant a seed to watch it grow and flourish.

I nourish it, then pass it on.

For the true meaning of caring

is to love unselfishly with an undivided heart.

I administer ADL's to my residents

with respect and privacy.

I give the best care possible,

in hopes to earn their trust,

therefore, creating a confidence that will endure.

If I could look inside my residents hearts

what would I see?

All residents suffer pain from losses.

Some residents hide behind a wall of untrust,

rebellion, or rejection.

but, the majority of residents,

live out their lives accepting

our help with open arms.

It is not my place to judge,

or to change their disposition,

but to offer kindness in empathy for their griefs.

I respect their feelings,

and most important I respect and protect their rights.

I am their advocate and I will intercede for them.

It is my duty to encourage them to step forward.

To challenge rehabilitation

with dedication and determination.

I must act in a respectful and professional manner.

I put their needs first and refrain from gossip

within my life or the hardships of my profession.

I will honor their right not only to live,

but to die in dignity and self respect.

Let me not forget

that I too, may become dependant for care someday.

I could find myself destined to long term care

or rehabilation,

I hope to be given quality care,

privacy, respect and rights.

As every resident is entitled to receive.

I administer health care knowing that every man

and every woman is somebody's mother,

father, daughter or son.

Life is to short to worry

about the petty things of yesterday,

and to long to anticapate the future.

So I live for today in hopes

that any unfinished challenges

will be brought forth and conquered tommorrow.

-- Linda Fisher Adams CNA

[kellisdomain]

i was a cna for 3 years in a nursing home. i worked the 2-10 shift by myself most of the time and had 27 patients to take care of. when i got there at 2 i would start getting the ones up that needed showers and get them done first then get the others up after that. all in all the residents were up and dressed, and beds were made by 4:00. i would stay on the hall to feed the ones that were bed ridden and the nurse would bring the ones that had eaten into the hall so i could put them to bed. all of the residents were in bed by 6:30 with the exception of one or two which liked to go to bed at a later time. as for you give it some time. i thought "omg i cant do this" when i first started but once you and the cna's get into a routine it will be like a snap of the finger. i wish you good luck in whatever you do.