Sick of it!!!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

:angryfire I am desperately trying to get a job in a hospital right now. I just can't stand the NH anymore! Every shift I work, I'm disgusted at the lack of care our residents get. If you get on to the CNA's, they go to the supervisor, who backs them up. I'm sorry, but if you had time to be on the phone every time I saw you during an 8 hour shift, you had time to get that brief out of the floor and/or at least return some of the 20+ resident trays that were left on the unit instead of going back to the kitchen after the meal like they were supposed to. Caked on dried up poop that I have to scrub off to change a dsg, residents left in the bed all weekend that normally are up in a chair qd, g tubes that obviously weren't flushed after meds given. Poop left in the shower floor until all showers are done, gracious the list goes on! Had a very lucid resident tell me that the cna's told him they couldn't put him back to bed because they were short. Excuse me? They were short the first 2 hours of the shift, not the whole thing. Not to mention one group of residents got no care at all for several hours because they had them broken up into 4 groups and the 4th person was coming in late. :angryfire Is it like this everywhere? I've considered applying at other LTC's, but I'm afraid it'll be the same.

This sounds like a nightmare, 20 to 30 patients is just too much. Did you call the DON, Administrator at midnight and request them to come in and help? I would have. What did day shift do? I hope this place was reported to the state and is closed for abust and neglect now. :madface: :nono: :madface:

Specializes in Long-term care.
They are human beings. God made them, they deserve love and respect and dignity. How many of them were teachers, veterans, docs, nurses, moms, dads, entrepreneurs, people who have contributed to society, and deserve to live their final days as comfortably as possible. I swear, I'm going to get a BSN just to teach a CNA class.

How true. It is so refreshing to read your post. After having most people turn their nose up at me after I tell them what I do for a living, I must admit that until recently, I've been ashamed of my job. CNAs will always have to deal with family members/administration etc. who treat us like we are the dregs of society just because our job is far less glamorous than theirs. (In their eyes) Yes, changing soiled diapers and feeding pts. is the majority of my job, but ppl don't see the other part of it - the part that makes me proud - loving these people, seeing the appreciation and thanks in their eyes after you've cleaned them up and done these little things for them. We are sustaining them every bit as much as a doctor or nurse, just in a different manner. I hope that if any CNAs read this and are having the same negative ideas about their job that I had, they will consider what I've said and realize that our jobs are EVERY bit as needed/appreciated by the residents (the ones who matter) as much as the charge nurse. I am in school taking nursing pre-req's, and forever I told myself I'd never work in LTC when I graduated, but I think I have changed my mind as of late.

Certainly don't blame you for quitting CRNASOMEDAY,

43 patients!!!!! :smackingf Just curious, what the heck did 7-15 shift do? How many of them on days?

How true. It is so refreshing to read your post. After having most people turn their nose up at me after I tell them what I do for a living, I must admit that until recently, I've been ashamed of my job. CNAs will always have to deal with family members/administration etc. who treat us like we are the dregs of society just because our job is far less glamorous than theirs. (In their eyes) Yes, changing soiled diapers and feeding pts. is the majority of my job, but ppl don't see the other part of it - the part that makes me proud - loving these people, seeing the appreciation and thanks in their eyes after you've cleaned them up and done these little things for them. We are sustaining them every bit as much as a doctor or nurse, just in a different manner. I hope that if any CNAs read this and are having the same negative ideas about their job that I had, they will consider what I've said and realize that our jobs are EVERY bit as needed/appreciated by the residents (the ones who matter) as much as the charge nurse. I am in school taking nursing pre-req's, and forever I told myself I'd never work in LTC when I graduated, but I think I have changed my mind as of late.

BRAVO to all the CNA's that do their jobs. I am a brand new LPN student and so I have limited knowledge, I drove an ambulance before and worked as an EKG tech (both years ago) so I really never knew what exactly was entailed in full patient care. I just finished my first clinical rotation at a very very upscale NH and found out that its not how much money these people pay to stay there, its the attitude of the staff. Even at this facility you could see a huge difference between the CNA's that just wanted a paycheck and those that were dedicated and enjoyed their profession. NEVER be ashamed of your profession, everyone is on a team with one goal "the patients holistic health". People might say "oh she/he's just a CNA" but what they don't realize is that CNA's are the residents friends/confidants/mothers/caretakers. YOU CNA"s have a hard job and bravo to you who do it well and with compassion.

I am dealing with the "uhhh, yeah, I know its just a LPN liscence" but dagnabit,we all play our part as I'm finding out. I'm proud that I'm going to school to help others, and as soon as I can find one without a year long/must promise first born RN school I'll become one of them, and hopefully never forget the importance of a really good team.

So everyone take a moment, pat yourselves on your back...YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!:specs:

"The best way to find yourself is to loose yourself in the service of others" Mahatma Gandhi

This really fires me up. I blame administration for those not so nice NH's that let CNA's "run" the place. If a CNA is leaving a res. in dried urine rings and dried feces they need some counseling and if they still don't get it, out they go. It's very simple. If administration doesn't want to step in and do something about it, the state will when they find out about the negligence and abuse. As far as I'm concerned, the administration is just as guilty if they don't correct the problem. Short staffed or not, every resident is entitled basic care.

I wondered the same thing when the nurses did that, and I honestly don't know about residents being in pics as far as HIPAA is concerned, but I can't imagine there'd be a violation if the resident is not in the picture. Whatever it takes to make sure those people are given the care they deserve. What you are describing is not just neglect, it's abuse.

And for the record, good care CAN be given when short staffed. It's called busting your ass. At least those CNAs get to go HOME after their shift. Their residents can't.

Okay I AGREE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. BUT COME ON. THE PAY FOR CNA IS LOW AND THEN THEY ABOUT BREAK THEIR BACKS CARING FOR THOSE PTS. I agree those people need care. but not at the expense of killing the staff

This really fires me up. I blame administration for those not so nice NH's that let CNA's "run" the place. If a CNA is leaving a res. in dried urine rings and dried feces they need some counseling and if they still don't get it, out they go. It's very simple. If administration doesn't want to step in and do something about it, the state will when they find out about the negligence and abuse. As far as I'm concerned, the administration is just as guilty if they don't correct the problem. Short staffed or not, every resident is entitled basic care.

I am shocked that you all are putting this BS on the cnas. I understand some are just not doing their jobs but the others are overworked and I DONT BLAME THEM FOR NOT BREAKING THEIR BACKS. THEY ARE HUMAN TOO AND HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODIES SO THEY CAN WORK. IF administration cared they would hire enough cnas to do the job. I have been in a hospital situation; and I am an RN ,they had 1 cna to 38 patients. PLEASE PEOPLE, NOBODY IS THAT SELF SACRIFICING AND NOR SHOULD THEY BE. THE CNAS DIDNT CREATE THE PROBLEM. STINGY HOSPITAL AND FACILITIES DONT WONT TO PUT OUT THE MONEY AND THIS IS WHAT THEY GET. I believe if they dont have the money to operate the facilities properly, Then close them down.

Okay I have been warned for using foul language. I apologize, but I feel the

real reason is that I dont buy into the ill treatment of cna's. I will not post my feelings again, because what I SAY IS THE TRUTH.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
Certainly don't blame you for quitting CRNASOMEDAY,

43 patients!!!!! :smackingf Just curious, what the heck did 7-15 shift do? How many of them on days?

They did nothing! all they had to do was feed breakfast. They had the nerve to have me get up the three people I had left and rechange residents's briefs. I thought I did good to get that many up! The funny thing is when I was in orientation I was thinking how cool it was 7-3 did not have to get people up. they had eight techs on days including shower techs. But if no shower techs we haad to do some showers. We called the DON and her response was she couldn't pull the CNA's out of her butt!

so, if I had called the state board would they have done anything? I have had 22 patients before at another facility, is there a limit on the ratio? why aren't facilities required to use agency? Hell, why doesn't the DON get her butt out of bed and come help us?

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
I am shocked that you all are putting this BS on the cnas. I understand some are just not doing their jobs but the others are overworked and I DONT BLAME THEM FOR NOT BREAKING THEIR BACKS. THEY ARE HUMAN TOO AND HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODIES SO THEY CAN WORK. IF administration cared they would hire enough cnas to do the job. I have been in a hospital situation; and I am an RN ,they had 1 cna to 38 patients. PLEASE PEOPLE, NOBODY IS THAT SELF SACRIFICING AND NOR SHOULD THEY BE. THE CNAS DIDNT CREATE THE PROBLEM. STINGY HOSPITAL AND FACILITIES DONT WONT TO PUT OUT THE MONEY AND THIS IS WHAT THEY GET. I believe if they dont have the money to operate the facilities properly, Then close them down.

Thank you!!! Believe me.I love my residents. but damn, I have a back it canbe broken too. Yes, you can bust your butt and get these people cleaned up and I do, but it's not the best I can do because I am human. I work over nights and that in itself is exhausting. Why do they teach us to use two pans of water anf give this long drawn out bath, but in the three years I have been a tech, I only had time to use even one pan in the facilities where agency was used and I was working for the agency! A place that calls in extra help truly cares for it's residents and that's a good thing. I will not work at any place that doesn't use it. As for the self sacrificing part, I will quit in a heartbeat if I am continually asked to work and take care of more than 15 patients. It is the facilities responsibility to staff adequately, not mine. I feel as though if three people were staffed and I was the only one to show up if I did three people's job I think I should get their pay in the form of a bonus. No one thanks me for working under hellish conditions. I'm sorry but my job doesn't include being treated like a slave. Don't get me wrong, I will keep everyone clean, but it's not right at all. :angryfire :angryfire

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

I think the "b******t" is referring to out and out neglect, not blaming CNAs for everything.

Thank you!!! Believe me.I love my residents. but damn, I have a back it canbe broken too. Yes, you can bust your butt and get these people cleaned up and I do, but it's not the best I can do because I am human. I work over nights and that in itself is exhausting. Why do they teach us to use two pans of water anf give this long drawn out bath, but in the three years I have been a tech, I only had time to use even one pan in the facilities where agency was used and I was working for the agency! A place that calls in extra help truly cares for it's residents and that's a good thing. I will not work at any place that doesn't use it. As for the self sacrificing part, I will quit in a heartbeat if I am continually asked to work and take care of more than 15 patients. It is the facilities responsibility to staff adequately, not mine. I feel as though if three people were staffed and I was the only one to show up if I did three people's job I think I should get their pay in the form of a bonus. No one thanks me for working under hellish conditions. I'm sorry but my job doesn't include being treated like a slave. Don't get me wrong, I will keep everyone clean, but it's not right at all. :angryfire :angryfire

I totally agree with you. you certainly did not take a tech job to end up broken down yourself. continue to do what you can and god bless you and those you care for.

They are human beings. God made them, they deserve love and respect and dignity. How many of them were teachers, veterans, docs, nurses, moms, dads, entrepreneurs, people who have contributed to society, and deserve to live their final days as comfortably as possible. I swear, I'm going to get a BSN just to teach a CNA class.

You don't need a BSN to teach a cna course. You can be an lpn or an rn to teach a cna course. I bet you would be an awesome CNA instructor. Go for it.

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