When do you say enough is enough?

[halinurse]

Hi everyone!

Just got a job in a LTC facility after 5 years off raising my wee ones. My first days were awful. Place smells like urine, residents in old dirty clothes, not enough staff(2/3 CNA's to 58 patients), ants crawling around the nurses staion,not enough supplies, Agency nurses coming and going....total Chaos!!!! I just dont know what to do? Be the new Nurse who complains all the time, try to fix all these problems, or just say enough is enough...make a little phone call to the State and call it a day. Any sincere advice is appreciated.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I'd have another job before you make that call to the state, and then pack it in.

[NurseAngie]

My goodness, I am probably NOT the person to offer advice. I worked LTC for a total of 6 weeks, it just wasn't for me. I currently work at a county jail and I LOVE it in comparison. If you do not feel that your new job is the one for you, then maybe look into something else. You didn't mention where you live, but there must be something out there, so don't give up yet!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I'm with Sue...secure yourself first, pack it in and move on with no attachments before you call the state. Also, make sure that you, personally don't have loose ends that the state can cite you for.

[caliotter3]

And when you make that call to the state, be prepared for the possibility, that adverse circumstances could follow you without necessarily bringing aboutg positive outcomes at your former place of employment. Have worked at LTC fac where the whistleblower was allegedly the departing DON upon her departure. Even with her background it took around two yrs before she secured local employment. The repercussions from the state complaints were suffered upon the remaining employees and residents alike. Nothing positive ensued. It only just looked like she made her complaints (if she was indeed the person initiating the complaints) out of spite.