VENT!!!

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Work was hell last night! I am 6 months pregnant and work at a LTC facility. I went to work and worked my regular 3-11 shift, running between two floors with 40 patients. I ran my butt off the whole shift, as most of us LTC nurses do, and was lucky to sit down for my 30 minute lunch break. The nurse that was supposed to come in to relieve me walked off the job because she didn't like the assignment they gave her. So, they made me stay for the whole next shift (16 hours total), working 3 floors with 60 patients-all after I had run my butt off the shift prior!

I like working with the geriatric population, but how can I like my job when the company I work for subjects their employees to such conditions?!

PS...thank GOD I didn't have to work today, because they would have expected me to come in for my shift!

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

Wow, they MADE you work that entire next shift??? :nailbiting: Glad you made it through!!!

I don't claim to know the law very well, but you said they "MADE" you work---did they threaten that you could be sued for patient abandonment? Does your facility not use agency? OR, could one of the management/ DON/ ADON have covered the shift?

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Wow, they MADE you work that entire next shift??? :nailbiting: Glad you made it through!!!

I don't claim to know the law very well, but you said they "MADE" you work---did they threaten that you could be sued for patient abandonment? Does your facility not use agency? OR, could one of the management/ DON/ ADON have covered the shift?

That's a lovely thought to have management help cover, but in the real world, they don't do that. Ever. Nor is agency used in many of the facilities. So if a nurse calls in, and they can't find a replacement, it is fully expected to make the nurse work at least a 16, possibly 20 hour shift. I have seen a facility make a nurse stay on the floor 21 hours, and while I finished as quickly as I could to help her, the DON and ADON walked past making jokes about, "I'll bet you don't need help sleeping today!"

Yea, it does happen... unfortunately.

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nervousnurse...They utilize what they call "mandatory overtime" at my facility, so like the pp said, this is often their staffing solution and they won't hesitate to mandate a nurse. Needless to say, I got a note from my doctor prohibiting me from being "mandated" for the rest of my pregnancy:yes:

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Specializes in rehab.
OR could one of the management/ DON/ ADON have covered the shift?[/quote']

I would die if my DON or ADON actually got on a med cart and helped out. Instead they just let us work short while they go home early.

But I second the doctors note. Or anything saying you can work a certain amount a week.

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Wow, is that Nurse still employed at your facility? I cant imagine walking out because of an assignment. I feel for you, the last few days have been Hell where I work as well. Each shift has been running over because of new admits,etc and I never get my cart on time so I run over the entire night. Day time Nurse comes in and expects their cart on the clock this morning, I was running like mad to get my med pass done in time, then a tube feed beeped during report (had not been in there in over an hour didnt know it would run out) and she accused me of not doing my med pass and neglecting the patient. She was furious that she had to put a new bag on the pump. I dont know what I could have done differently, except to throw out the last of the feeding when it got low and start a new one regardless. Thats my rant for the day.

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

Yuck / not a good nurse.

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I am a DON and I help my staff all the time, by working the floor, answering call lights, feeding etc. My staff respects me and I don't want them to get burned out.. A burned out nurse is an unproductive nurse. They always know I'm available if needed. DON is a title, it doesn't mean your not able to get your hands dirty. Besides, I run the nursing department, if my employees aren't happy my residents aren't either. The whole disciplinary team needs to step up to the plate!!

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

WldChrry---glad you got a doctor's note!! :)

calliou---thanks for explaining.....whoa! Lovely to make jokes about someone who is BEYOND tired. Not to mention, we've all read the studies that after 12 hours (I think that's correct), our judgement/ clarity/ and all that other "stuff" we need for good/accurate care has declined.

tktjRN---that's awesome! I honestly think that the DON where I'm about to start is very much like you (at least I HOPE she is...!!!) :)

I have a question for you, if you care to answer----this DON where I'm about to start working has been at this facility for many years. She told me the average stay for DON's in LTC is about 18 months----have you found that to be true?

Her long length of time there/ not to mention many nurses being there long-term was yet ANOTHER reason I decided this must be an "okay" (if not *GREAT*) place to work! :)

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Wow in a perfect world that is taught in school LTC is a dream job. It's hard feeling like the managment does not respect you as an employee. I am huge on the communication thing and I would talk with my DON. Not complain or talk at he/she but talk with her. Sometimes things like this happens and the other nurses are left to pick up the pieces, but talking to an empathetic ear helps and you can maybe get a new prespective on the managment. Good luck.

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Nervous nurse,

Unfortunately, DON positions are a dime a dozen. Jobs are always available, because there are few nurses that want to do this long term. Either you love it or hate it. Burn out and staff turnover is insane and a lot of politics. I enjoy my job, because I work with a great team, but I still have my moments. I work long hours, because my expectations are high. I don't plan to do this forever. I miss bed side nursing.

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Unfortunately, that note may cost you your job.

nervousnurse...They utilize what they call "mandatory overtime" at my facility, so like the pp said, this is often their staffing solution and they won't hesitate to mandate a nurse. Needless to say, I got a note from my doctor prohibiting me from being "mandated" for the rest of my pregnancy:yes:
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