So here's my nursing dilemma ......

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · May 24, 2012

A nursing home, that's who.

Sorry to hear that. I can't speak for all LTCs, but the one I worked at (Extendicare facility) regularly threw RNs - and any other staff they could - under the bus every chance they got.

They basically criminally understaffed then blamed nurses when the facility got flagged for violation after violation by the state. The facility would fire RNs, pay the $3,000-$5,000 in fines to keep their cert then hire some new crash test dummies to mangle.

They got in real trouble a few years back when people started dying. Basically people in bad shape were never assessed and found dead. Firing RNs wasn't enough so they fired the Administrator, transferred another from a different facility to replace her, paid about $15,000 in fines and got their cert back.

They are still in business doing the same crap. Employees serve as nothing more than cannon fodder for them.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · May 24, 2012

Sorry to hear that. I can't speak for all LTCs, but the one I worked at (Extendicare facility) regularly threw RNs - and any other staff they could - under the bus every chance they got.
They basically criminally understaffed then blamed nurses when the facility got flagged for violation after violation by the state. The facility would fire RNs, pay the $3,000-$5,000 in fines to keep their cert then hire some new crash test dummies to mangle.
They got in real trouble a few years back when people started dying. Basically people in bad shape were never assessed and found dead. Firing RNs wasn't enough so they fired the Administrator, transferred another from a different facility to replace her, paid about $15,000 in fines and got their cert back.
They are still in business doing the same crap. Employees serve as nothing more than cannon fodder for them.

Not just administration dumping on nurses, but nurses dumping on each other in a mad frenzy not to be the one to take the fall when somebody has to be sacrificed.

Being without a job stinks big time. Consider that the facility did your husband a favor. He would probably still be there, miserable, waiting for the axe to drop.

Nursing is not a job for sissies.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 24, 2012

first of all, congratulations on your new baby, and on the other hand i'm sorry that you both are having to go through this the dilemma of unemployment. needless to say, it is sad when a facility decides to clean up and in the process tries to find any excuse to justify their actions. once again, i'm totally surprise on how the management and administration are taking such drastic measures in justifying their actions. however, they don't just eliminate what they think is their problem they also exclude their best nurses in giving their patients a high caliber of care, in other words they shoot themselves in the foot sorta speak. at times i wonder if these facilities are better off non- existing. i have no doubt that your husband will find a work place where he can be valued and appreciates him for his contribution. wishing you both the best in all of your future endeavors...aloha~

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 24, 2012

As the title implicates, im having a major nursing dilemma. A little background: my husband and I are both RNs which can make a pretty stressful relationship to begin with. To add to the stress we have 2 children (4 and 2) and a bun in the oven. Ive worked anywhere from med surg to nursing home to home health. Home health is my calling. But enough about me. My husband was fired from his job today for "not reporting a bruise". The bruise had already been documented on to bilateral arms. The facility says it was a bruise to the hip but the wound care team did weekly body audits and did not even see a dang bruise! The last few weeks have been hell because we've been arguing constantly. The firing did not just present to the table. My husband said he knew it was coming when they on 3 consecutive days to write him up for things he didn't even do. They told him he had to sign the write I or he would be fired 0.0. What choice did he have? Seriously sign it or get fired? Who does that???? A nursing home, that's who. With all these commercials with lawyers throwing out this whole "your relative HAS been abused" call us and well sue the pants off the individual. What kind of career is nursing now? It's not a profession anymore. But back to my rant: they targeted him IMO because of an incident that happened with annusol and the pt refusing it and the suppository some got d/c from the pharm delivery. Family member becomes irate and says "why hasn't momma gotten her supp? Pt was refusing it. She didn't want the dang doodoo stick!!!! Needless to say, my husband gets the fall even though pharmacy is to blame. I am just so frustrated because my husband is a great nurse and I feel like they were trying find reasons to fire him. Like they were watching for the least Lil mistake to "protect the facility" for their plan of correction. I'm starting to hate this career choice ...

That sounds like a crummy situation. However, I'm not clear on one thing: what is YOUR dilemma? Do you want to quit nursing because your husband was treated badly? Is your own job in peril? Do you work in a similar environment?

Mphillipsrn · May 25, 2012

I think my dilemma is that I feel like nurses are crapped on so much that people forget that nurses are humans trying to make a living. I'm almost 3 months pregnant and these things that we needed to do like getting a bigger vehicle are not going to happen. I've worked in LTC before and hated every minute of it because there are SOOOO many residents to take care of in various states of decline. They fall in the floor it's you fault, not the cna who decided they were going to take a 1 hour lunch break. I described my experience as nursing home hell because there were several residents who belonged in the lock down unit. Then you had your manipulative residents and family. My husband and I survived off both our incomes. And now our bills outweigh our income. I just started my home health job 3 months ago when I would've first gotten pregnant which makes me sol cause I have no family medical leave. I was told I would have to reapply for my position. So I told my employer that I would try to let my md release me a week after I have the baby. This baby was not planned but I consider every child a blessing and I explained to my employer that I was not aware that I was pregnant when I was hired. It's just a bad situation no matter how you like it. I'm going to be in so much pain when I have to go back but I'm so determined to tough it out and do what I have to do. So you could say I have a rather bad taste in mouth about nursing.