Unbelievable LTC eyewitness stories

jkaee · Jun 30, 2004

To the OP, all of what happened years ago when you worked LTC is exactly why it's so regulated today, as it should be.

I've been fortunate never to have witnessed elder abuse, and any unethical situations that have been found always ended with the employees termination.

I get so discouraged when I hear new and old nurses alike state that they could never work LTC because you can't give good care there. If you find the right facility, you can. It's not perfect care, but we all do the best we can and love our residents deeply.

I now work in a place that's adequately staffed, where the DON and ADON will pitch in and pass meds when they need to, and where the residents are truly loved by many of the staff (you will always have a few that are just there for a paycheck). Any problems are addressed quickly, and you will always see the manager on call on your weekends.

We have nurses that will bring a resident's wife in on their weekend off so that they can have a visit with their spouse, and will come in at anytime when a resident is dying so that they can sit at their bedside and hold their hand. We also try to attend every memorial service and send cards to family members when their loved one has passed.

Sure, there are horrible LTC facilities, just as there are horrible hospital stories. We have one area hospital that many family member refuse to have their loved one go to.

Don't forgo LTC nursing just because of what you may percieve it to be, or what you have heard. It is so rewarding and fulfilling to see a resident's face light up when you walk into their room, and the hugs you get are unbeatable!

CHATSDALE · Jun 30, 2004

I too left a hospital setting and went to work in a ltc and there are +/- in both sides

hospital settings pts get better (most often) or you can give the comfort to those who do not....ltc you get to know the res as people, friends even, maybe not a good thing in some cases. but the caregivers are good and bad both places, we have had

residents come back from the hospital with decubitus ulcers you would not b elieve from lack of turning poor nutrition some res. can not feed themselves very well and the hosp people would put a tray out and if it was not eaten it was put down as refused... makes you sick to share profession with nurses like that

Destinystar · Jul 1, 2004

I used to work at a place and an LVN would let this unhygenic patient rub her back at the nurses station. Then I worked for a family owned LTC and the lonlely female DON/owner would have the staff rub her feet (BARF). I am gland to hear that someone suffered consequences for what happend at your LTC.:)

I have another unbelievable story....a cna on break had a resident give her a foot rub (yuk) needles to say..I got a good ethics paper out of this one...and she got a suspension!

donmomofnine · Jul 1, 2004

To the OP, all of what happened years ago when you worked LTC is exactly why it's so regulated today, as it should be.
I've been fortunate never to have witnessed elder abuse, and any unethical situations that have been found always ended with the employees termination.
I get so discouraged when I hear new and old nurses alike state that they could never work LTC because you can't give good care there. If you find the right facility, you can. It's not perfect care, but we all do the best we can and love our residents deeply.
I now work in a place that's adequately staffed, where the DON and ADON will pitch in and pass meds when they need to, and where the residents are truly loved by many of the staff (you will always have a few that are just there for a paycheck). Any problems are addressed quickly, and you will always see the manager on call on your weekends.
We have nurses that will bring a resident's wife in on their weekend off so that they can have a visit with their spouse, and will come in at anytime when a resident is dying so that they can sit at their bedside and hold their hand. We also try to attend every memorial service and send cards to family members when their loved one has passed.
Sure, there are horrible LTC facilities, just as there are horrible hospital stories. We have one area hospital that many family member refuse to have their loved one go to.
Don't forgo LTC nursing just because of what you may percieve it to be, or what you have heard. It is so rewarding and fulfilling to see a resident's face light up when you walk into their room, and the hugs you get are unbeatable!

I am so glad to hear you say those things! That is exactly the kind of place that I work for! I am new to this site and when I read the long term care posts, I want to keep saying "they are NOT all like that!" I have worked in several different places in LTC, but some really shine! :coollook:

leslie :-D · Jul 2, 2004

i too, am one of those vigorous patient advocates. where i worked for 7 years, i saw things i didn't like. inevitably when dph came out to investigate an incident and i was being interviewed, i spoke the truth, and was terminated a little over a month later. of course they didn't say that was why. but what i am saying is there are plenty of nurses that end up losing their jobs because of advocating and making a stink. i wouldn't have done anything differently. i just need to find a facility that aspires to the standards of nursing that i proudly possess, especially mgmt.

leslie

leslie :-D · Jul 2, 2004

i too, am one of those vigorous patient advocates. where i worked for 7 years, i saw things i didn't like. inevitably when dph came out to investigate an incident and i was being interviewed, i spoke the truth, and was terminated a little over a month later. of course they didn't say that was why. but what i am saying is there are plenty of nurses that end up losing their jobs because of advocating and making a stink. i wouldn't have done anything differently. i just need to find a facility that aspires to the standards of nursing that i proudly possess, especially mgmt.

leslie

Destinystar · Jul 2, 2004

i admire your ability to do what was right and tell the truth. if more nurses were like you then the elderly helpless people would get the care that they deserve. if i or someone i knew was in a ltc facility i would feel confident knowing someone like you worked there. nurses need to take off the rose colored glasses and quit sugar coating things. i hope it all works out for you. let us know.

shelly[quote=earle58]i too, am one of those vigorous patient advocates. where i worked for 7 years, i saw things i didn't like. inevitably when dph came out to investigate an incident and i was being interviewed, i spoke the truth, and was terminated a little over a month later. of course they didn't say that was why. but what i am saying is there are plenty of nurses that end up losing their jobs because of advocating and making a stink. i wouldn't have done anything differently. i just need to find a facility that aspires to the standards of nursing that i proudly possess, especially mgmt.

leslie

Destinystar · Jul 2, 2004

i admire your ability to do what was right and tell the truth. if more nurses were like you then the elderly helpless people would get the care that they deserve. if i or someone i knew was in a ltc facility i would feel confident knowing someone like you worked there. nurses need to take off the rose colored glasses and quit sugar coating things. i hope it all works out for you. let us know.

shelly[quote=earle58]i too, am one of those vigorous patient advocates. where i worked for 7 years, i saw things i didn't like. inevitably when dph came out to investigate an incident and i was being interviewed, i spoke the truth, and was terminated a little over a month later. of course they didn't say that was why. but what i am saying is there are plenty of nurses that end up losing their jobs because of advocating and making a stink. i wouldn't have done anything differently. i just need to find a facility that aspires to the standards of nursing that i proudly possess, especially mgmt.

leslie