State~!

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jan 5, 2008

Congratulations on your good survey. I went through my first one this year as the DNS and it wasn't chaotic at all. We had everything as organized as we could...most of the management team had been in the building for less than 6 months.

I can't believe they would offer you a job during your survey. That just doesn't seem right.

Aren't they an odd breed the surveyors? I had one in my building to follow up on a reportable. She was very helpful with some things (I told her I was a new DNS) and she told me that when they go to surveyor school they are told "You are NOT there to teach." I was dumbfounded and said, "But aren't we all in this to make sure the patients get the best possible care?" She agreed....first honestly nice surveyor I've met in the 20+ years I've been in the business.

noc4senuf · Jan 6, 2008

I hate to say it but, yes, it always seems everyone is frazzled when the surveyors come in. Most of the time, the staff are on their best behavior and all turns out well. Then there are the times that soem staff feel this is the time to voice their complaints, that is when the surveyors start to dig. Or, the yhave all been trained well to do their jobs and then when the surveyor watches them, they completely lose what it is they know and make a mistake. Many years of going to surveys and it still is a task I dread.

c.oconnor · Jul 9, 2011

I FELT frazzled, but in the end, I think the team SEEMED pretty calm. I am an administrator, so the work load does not fall on me during survey time. My DON was burned out and out of the building for most of the survey. Thank goodness I have a fabulous nurse consultant that was there to help me through the process. It was my first survey, so I was definitely on pins and needles.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 9, 2011

I might suggest that if someone had helped/supported the DNS all along, she might not have been burned out.,

c.oconnor · Jul 11, 2011

I might suggest that if someone had helped/supported the DNS all along, she might not have been burned out.

She had support and help.....lots of it! Truthfully, she wasn't a great DON. She has moved on by her own choice, and I wish her the best.

noc4senuf · Jul 11, 2011

After over ten years as a DON, and having worked with many NHA's, some people are just not cut out to be a DON, NHA, or in long-term care at all.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 11, 2011

i was just wondering about state inspections.... i went through one recently and it sucked!!... well.. we did fine and i was even offered a job by them... which was flattering.. but i was new there and the only RN that worked the floor... they were watching me like a hawk!! they were nice and all...but intimidating to the extreme.. i only work @ that LTC part time nights... and i just happened to be there when they showed up..
i was just wondering.... is it always total chaos and havoc when state shows up??

It would be illegal in this state, highly unprofessional, and suspect if a DON was offered a job by a state surveyor during survey.

debRN0417 · Jul 12, 2011

It would be very unprofessional and unethical to offer a job on a survey. I have had staff inquire as to how to apply. I have given them the website. I would not solicit anyone while on site.

I think people freak out on survey because they so want to do the right thing. It is so hard to have someone standing over you watching every move. When you watch someone, you can tell if they are consistently doing the right thing and not just what they think you want to see...I try to reassure them to just do what they do every day, and that it will be fine, and 99% of the time it is. One little mistake does not mean the end of the world, I mean if a mistake is made and the person says right then and there, "Oh I didn't mean to do that, or I should have done this first" I can live with that because I know they know the right thing to do and nerves just took over. I will often have them just tell me what they should have done, or give me a step by step, and take their time. I try to talk to them a little beforehand and at least try to make them feel a little more at ease. It is often helpful if the resident joins in the conversation because you sometimes never know what they're going to say and it usually really breaks alot of the tension. I also try to tell them beforehand that I want to watch something so they have time to review their policy, or smoke a cigarette, or take a valium (hehe).... so they have time to mentally prepare...it is hard to be watched. We all know that it is very intimidating no matter who is watching.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Deb, I fear you are the exception, not the rule in surveyors.

noc4senuf · Jul 13, 2011

Deb i have dealt with surveyors like you and then also with the ones who are so nasty they even had my management team in tears. What i have done in the past is follow our staff and get them used to being watched so they are more at ease with it.

debRN0417 · Jul 14, 2011

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and courtesy...its not hard to do. You just have to think "How would I feel if that were me?" Thanks for your kind words.