struggling in LTC +unintentional weight loss+overwhelming environment

[Gisellee]

I've been losing weight about 7lbs ever since I started working in LTC. I'm a new grad and it's my first job here in LTC. I am still doing my orientation which I am not sure when I am ever going to feel comfortable working w/o another nurse on my floor. There are about 30+ residents and 2CNAs under me. Every day there are one or two episodes of hyper/hypoglycemic events which require to call supervisor&doc. I get extra paperwork which we call "DQI" for those who get skin tears, wounds, or any unusual health problems. DQI happens at least once every three days.

It's been a month since I started to work here. I am kinda getting used to the med pass. But I got no other time for treatment like putting creams/ointment on and changing dressings. When something happens on my floor, it takes so much time to resolve and I can't finish my tasks on time AT ALL.

I'm always trying to do best I can. In result, I get no time to sit down other than 30mins of meal time out of 8.5hours. Sometimes, I don't even have those 30mins. I am way to exhausted that I can't do nothing at my home but sleep. As I mentioned earlier, I lost 7lbs ever since I started working here unintentionally.

I don't want to 'quit' and leave, because I wanted to work in this field. I love geriatric population and I love communication with them.

But now, I am so tired to listen a few residents who have mental problems/difficult personality. I do not want to be mean, but one resident keeps crying when she doesn't get what she wants. She wants to be the priority. She doesn't understand that the staff have to take care of everyone in the facility. She keeps repeating 'because you are a nurse'. I can't ignore the patients who have unstable mental status. She wants PRN meds often as well. I need to explain why those meds can't be given every hour. There's another resident who never follows the diabetic management. I have to call supervisor and doctor every other day for him. But he doesn't want to get those insulin either. So I feel like I put my effort for no good result.

There's one man always get upset for everything I do. I am scared of those who yell at me for no logical reason. There are a few old people who have dementia that I have to persuade to take meds.

I do not know if it is about this facility or all LTCs are like this.

Is LTC care just not a cup of my tea? or Am I struggling just because I am a new nurse?

Am I going to be 'unhappy' to go work everyday like now even months later?

Some says nurses should try at least a half year or one before to make a decision to move, and I don't know if my attitude changes months later.

I need nursing experience to move somewhere else as well.

But I hate what I do now. I hate going to work there.

I did not like the hospital setting when I was a student nurse. Now, I think it is worse here. I need good advice how to deal with those people and how I can enjoy the environment. or what should I do?

[amoLucia]

I may be the first to say this to you, but your pts sound like the absolute TYPICALLY 100% same pts that are in pretty much every other LTC/NH facility around. I 'have been there and seen them' and you describe them all PERFECTLY.

Med passes are becoming worse & worse as pts are receiving more & more meds for every little blip under the sun.

Your 'DQI' episodes happen all the time. We freq call them "incidents" and we all know what that means.

You didn't comment but I bet you feel like you're so drowning-ly overwhelmed by all the routine documentation that occurs in our field.

Conflicts with co-workers, management, docs and other professionals, FAMILY, esp can cause unbelievable stress.

It's the nature of the beast. Just not unique to LTC. That diabetic refusing his insulin with non-compliant behaviors will still be refusing and non-compliant when he's admitted to the hospital. Same with the lady who wants her meds too early.

That's healthcare today. I can't and WILL NOT tell you it'll all get better with time. I used to feel that way and I agreed with other posters who also said to give things time and a 'wait & see' attitude. It just may not happen that way any more. All you can do is try to take care of yourself the best way you can.

Seriously, allow yourself time to eat well & sleep as nec. Spend down time with family & friends in activities you like. Be good to yourself.

If you've given things time and find it's still not working, you may have to make a career decision. Change jobs or change careers. Better to do it earlier than to have waited too long and become more unhappy in a career you do not tolerate.

Good luck to you.

[spiderslap]

Just do your best. Prioritize! Unless theyre cutting serious corners, everyone else pass meds late too.