I started working in a nursing home 4 days per week about 7 months ago. The care is overwhelming at times, but I enjoy helping others. I've been a CNA for 4 years and hope to get my nursing degree someday.
I like this place but the problem is is that I've literally been sick working in this place since I started. It's been mostly respiratory..... cold symptoms, sore throats, stuffy nose, runny nose, chest congestion. I feel like I've been living on cold medicine since I've been here. On my days off I feel like I'm recovering, but it's back to the same old symptoms when I go back.
I thought it was because many of the patients are sick with respiratory symptoms and so are other employees a lot of the time. Maybe lack of hand washing in the facility. I've never had this working anywhere else.
We've had plenty of rainy days since I've been there. Instead of roof being fixed, we also get the task of putting patient trash cans, towels, barrels all over the facility in dining area, patient rooms, hallways, everywhere. The ceiling has water stains in some areas too. No one wants to bring it up to the owner for fear of being fired. I'm told from co workers that the roof is nothing new, been going on for years and the owner does not care to fix it. Last rainy day was so bad keeping up with the leaks, emptying trash cans, putting new towels and trying to keep track of patients who are not in a wheelchair so that they don't fall.
is it possible that the roof leak could be causing the respiratory symptoms that never seem to go away at this facility? What are the health risks in this situation? If so, what do I do?
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Yet another dump of a nursing home. Sheesh, I feel for you and especially, those residents who cannot escape the dangerous environment. I believe like others, a call the DOH is in order and yesterday. True, you might be out of a job, but the important things are your health and that of the residents.
It's sickening how we treat our elderly in this country. That ANYONE thinks it's ok to let Grandma or Gramps live like this---- both family and the ones running the home---- is ok, disgusting. They best hope they don't wind up like this one day.
So yea, MAKE THE CALL and prepare for finding a new job. Do the right thing for everyone please.
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
Yet another dump of a nursing home. Sheesh, I feel for you and especially, those residents who cannot escape the dangerous environment. I believe like others, a call the DOH is in order and yesterday. True, you might be out of a job, but the important things are your health and that of the residents.
It's sickening how we treat our elderly in this country. That ANYONE thinks it's ok to let Grandma or Gramps live like this---- both family and the ones running the home---- is ok, disgusting. They best hope they don't wind up like this one day.
So yea, MAKE THE CALL and prepare for finding a new job. Do the right thing for everyone please.