Update on LTC job and I am still stressed and annoyed

[namazonian]

Hi all,

A few weeks back I wanted to jump ship on this job as I had posted and yesterday I wanted to do it again even though I decided to stay. The problem for the past 4 weeks besides the load has been my preceptor. The sad part is that I was told that there was no one "good" that they had to train me and that is why they had me training on days for so long but then I told the DON that if I am working 3-11, that is the shift I need to be oriented to because I know it is not the same as 7-3. Ok, got the switch made and since then I feel like I've tasted a bit of hell. For some bening reason when I was switched to different orientation instructors for the shift I got the help I needed for the 9pm pass, was able to get some treatments in, and charted AND left on time. The time is important because at our facility new hires are not allowed to leave early because we don't get overtime AND if something happens to us, then our facility is not going to pay. Well this went out the window with the "main" orientation instructor. When I worked with her at first When that time came she asked me what else would be left and that we "had to finish" so ok I thought I will finish what I have to do even though I tell her that I have to go she still insists. I start thinking if this is some unwritten rule that I didn't know since I made the switch from days to nights orienting that I can't leave until the work is done. Wrong. While I am busting my behind learing a new wing, while she only has the other half mind you, she comes in and out during the passes ask how much I have left and then leaves no matter what I tell her.

This goes on inspite of my telling the DON that 1.) I ended up staying late on certain nights when I needed to leave (to which she replied that the instructor "should know to not keep you" 2.) that I'm having problems with timing and not even taking breaks. God only knows is she ever spoke to the insructor because this kept occuring to the point that I finished one night at 1 am and went right to the supervisor and requested an OT slip because I could not continue to work without compensation knowing that I could be getting in trouble. I brought this up to scheduling to see if she got this slip the next day because they work with the DON to put together my schedule (nothing passes through them until the DON OKs it) and she told me "not to worry". This lets me know that a.)maybe this has happened before and its getting swept under the rug and b.) they know that perhaps the instructor is not worth a nickle but because of favoritism, they keep her there even though she clearly does not want the job.

Ok so more days pass by and I am with someone else but when i finally have to get a new schedule for the week since they have been giving me mine in pieces one week at a time, it seems that all of a sudden the people I need to see (DON and scheduler) are missing. I get bounced around from one to the other and even page to see the DON. The DON finally makes it to my floor while I start the pass and tells me she will be right back. That was the last time I saw her again for the day. I call the scheduler and she doesn't return my calls. Ok, so I'm wondering what I am doing for the weekend since it is probably my Sunday to work and how can I get a new instructor if possible because I've found that the one I had couldn't get her act together and its showing. Finally new weeks comes and I'm told to come in and get a schedule and it was as if nothing happened. I'm given a week straight to work (this is not the job to do this with because it is so hectic even if it is 8 hours a shift) and then my permanent schedule.

I'm on the floor again on Monday when the instructor starts her mess again of not helping me out, leaving the floor, making personal calls and doing whatever mixed in with some work. I've told her that the DON does not want me to stay and that I need to be taking my breaks (yeah right) and communicating this to the instuctor. I even told her once that I may not finish this pass and that I need help. She came over a second time within 2 hours all the while I was still trying to complete the pass alone and this time I told her I haven't finished all the ones I had flagged and that I was leaving. I locked my cart, finished my report sheet and simply handed her the keys. She gave me this look of astonishment and that is when I had to tell her: I told you that I needed help and you came to me not once but twice and nothing happened. I'm going home.

I've left on time since then and now she is "trying to help" but yesterday really frosted me. She asked me at the beginning of the shift (as she likes to do although it almost never works) what side I'm doing and to tell her where I am by a certain time and we agree. I tell her after this though that I can't and will not stay and get in trouble again and she actually tried to not admit that she didn't "mean to" keep me there late although there was proof. Needless to say I told her otherwise and she finally backed down. I'm so tired of the foolishness and with all the extra needy patients and 3 falls alone on yesterday's shift I am exhaused on my fifth day straight this week. I always feel like I forget things, I feel like I made a mistake yesterday and I don't know what it is and I feel that she has started idle gossip. When I ask others who had been there earlier on who are friends of mine, they tell me that they had good orientations but it was when I got off that all hell broke loose.

I am trying so hard to keep my sanity and my license while I look for other work but so many times I feel like throwing in the towel. I've never felt this bothered and sickened of a workplace in my life and it scares me. I feel like I've worked so hard and come this far for nonsense and I feel stuck. My heart is telling me to leave but my head is telling me to stick with this job even without another. Help!

[INLPN93]

This is the ugly side of LTC, I've been there and personally I think hell would be easier to handle.

The missing DON & scheduler are not going to suddenly appear and be great to work for, the unwilling to work with you co-worker isn't going to suddenly be a team player either.

This is why LTC is chasing nurses and aides away faster than they can be replaced. It also why it has such a bad view in the nursing profession.

Too many ineffective leaders are being allowed to lead, too many burnt out nurses are being given this job and their bitter attitudes are ruining a job that isn't that bad.

You say your heart is telling you to leave? What about your gut??

It sucks looking for a job, I have done the search in a good economy and our now bad economy. Is this particular facility in good standing with state and the comminity? If not, leave. Quickly, but on good terms.

After 18 long years, when in this situation I ask myself which is easier; not having this job or not having my license??

[namazonian]

Now that you've mentioned it INLPN, I just looked up the ratings of my facility and overall it is 2/5. No wonder. *sigh*

[etaoinshrdluRN]

What INLPN93 said!

The work culture in your place sounds awful.

Where I live, LTC jobs are plentiful, though I stayed for 19 months in a situation similar to yours, with passive/aggressive "preceptors" and bumbling management. Time management and lack of support continued to be problems, and I wound up being fired for the time management bit. The onus was not all on them, but they WERE a terrible place to work for. The DON was fired and the replacement is even more hopeless. Their nasty work culture remains the same, and their rating was 2/5. I had worked at other, better, LTC establishments, but they were also very difficult compared to the hospital environment I now work in. You want a good preceptor and more support? Get thee to a hospital (or anywhere but LTC).

[Leelee2]

In times like these it pays to remember that you can (eventually) get another job. Your license is not as easy to replace if suspended. This place sounds like an absolute nightmare in LTC.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

namazonian,

To get through just go day by day. Don't spend any of your salary except for vital stuff. Remember you have already kicked around the idea of quitting that job. If you feel you have to then do. Take some solice in that. Know that is always an option.

Don't let the overtime thing be your only focus. I have friends that work SNF and started with tons of overtime at first. Do what you need to in order to do things right, pass meds correctly and give good care - forget the rest of the chatter. If your doing things right is not what they want, then they can let you go. Have you checked how long you must work in order to receive unemployment insurance?

[namazonian]

Hi onaclearday,

Funny you ask about the unemployment compensation because I had been mulling this over in my mind as of late. I'm not sure how long you have to work but I believe it is an accumulation of moneys that needs to happen to get it. Still trying to get an answer on that. Ive been concentrating on catching up on bills (rent, loans, etc.) since I began this job while being fruggal with my spending (I don't eat out, I don't own a tv, don't go out to movies, clubs etc. and have fairly cheap rent for where I live) so now whatever spending that I do I will be putting the kabosh on that to have as part of my exit plan.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Brush up the CV and look for another job. You need to get out.

BTW I don't spend money on any luxuries at all - except at Xmas and my birthday.

[namazonian]

onaclearday - I just looked up the specs and I believe its 6 mos. working history and at least 8k gross (at least in ny but I am close)