Work rant

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

:eek:

Here is a little update on my end. I got the job with CMS in Grants, we moved out to NM and the wife saw the drive and put the big KYEBOSCH on that idea of an 80 mile drive each way. So I found a position with the same company in Santa Fe. Everything was going along swimmingly and then today the deputy warden of the super max facility I work in decides that we need to see patients in the satellite offices deeper in the facility. Further away from the main clinic citing security reasons.

When I took the job they told me the satellite offices were rarely used. Our medical director had already put in his papers to resign (richer than God) and when they told him this is where he had to practice he told them, in a diplomatic fashion of course, to jam it. He told me and the PA I work with he would NEVER go to those offices. THat security is way to iffy to trust that deep in the facility. He has been doing this for 10+ years, I've been doing this for 6 months. He told both the PA and me, if he were in our shoes, those shoes would walk. GUess who is rich.

The PA who has been doing this for 20+ years, is livid for the same reasons.

We had a meeting with security and and our health services administrator and the DON and the charge nurse from that facility who used to be a guard, who also complained bitterly to me. They all were four square for it at the meeting. The meeting wasn't to get our input, it was a " this is the way it is going to be, tough if you don't like it so go ahead and whine a bit then shut up." We got no back up from our administrative boss or our new clinical boss.

Our new clinical boss tells us to not write narcs, but writes it like it candy. Tells us to avoid writing special diets, but writes them all day long. Needless to say not inspiring. He does like to teach, some, so that good. The med. dir. he replaced, not so much. THis is NOT a learning environment at all. It's not that I feel particularly unsafe. It is just a pain in the keister. But the judgment of the former Med. dir. is weighing heavy on my mind.

In the best of situations this is a very basic (we are lucky to have pcn) and stressful situation in the clinic. It's worse in the satellite offices (we call them the units). I almost quit in a fit of pique, but called my wife instead who told me that I have the right to remain silent. I told yes, but I don't have the ability. I got practice today.

Am I being a petulant child? Should I just suck it up and drive on and plot against them in my mind only. I have been missing NC pretty badly but the NP laws here are really good. SOrry, I just had to get this off my chest and there is no one at work I can trust except the PA and she just agrees with me a lot.

Oh yeah, my mother in law and niece are now living with us as well. Thanks for letting me vent.

I hope thing are going better for you than I feel like they are going for me.

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No, you're not being a petulant child. You are being thrown into something that you weren't expecting. Any reasonable adult would protest! A child would have thrown a hissy fit right there on the spot. If I were you, I'd test the waters out in these 'satellite' clinics and then, if you're not happy, begin plotting your move elsewhere. Maybe there will be a silver lining? Maybe you'll be farther removed from your do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do director? You haven't been there long enough (at least that is the feeling I get from your post) to know where the lines are in the sand. I think your best bet is to feel things out for a while before throwing in the towel.

Good luck!

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I've found that about 90% of the time when I've been handed a certain set of circumstances that seem awful and been told it's done deal that I get worked up for nothing. Either it isn't as bad as it sounds, it never actually happens, or it lasts for a little while before someone realizes how stupid it is and things go back to normal or even get better. Getting upset and worried ahead of time is usually a waste of time and energy. I admit it took me 10 or 20 years to figure that out and I still forget from time to time, but the wait-and-see-what-really-happens attitude has saved me a lot of grief. The people I know who have worked in corrections--granted it wasn't super-max--have told me that the inmates are usually extremely respectful to health care workers, especially when they are treated like human beings. I hope everything works out for you and turns out better than you expect. Good luck.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

It always stinks when things change, and your opinion isn't solicited, especially when the change will impact you so directly. I really hope that things work out when the dust settles. It may turn out to be a good learning experience. Just make sure your safety is not an issue. That's the one thing that would be non-negotiable for me.

And you have my sympathy regarding the in-laws........

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

Thanks everybody for the replies. THe mother-in-law is not a problem really. THe niece, well we'll see. I am cooling down and practicing my right to remain silent. I'll update if things get better or turn pear shaped. Thanks again folks.:chair:

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Specializes in psych.

Bring this thread to the top 'cause I'm looking for real life APRN info about working in corrections. I'll be done w/my PMHNP soon and the local facilities are advertising for psycNP,talking about being in the student loan repayment program etc I would appreciate info from the experts.

Thx

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

Well a lot has happened since my rant. We have a new medical director that actually wants to work and make things better. And get this, she is willing to teach and mentor. It only took a year to get there. THe other mid-level has frozen me out, I think because she realized that I love my wife desperately, I could be wrong.

We are trying assigned levels and I got the one with a great dep. warden. If I refer a patient, I have to present the patient to the MD. I think it is a great idea as it is how I learn best. THe other mid-level is, shall we say recalcitrant. She , in my opinion, needs to either get on board or get the he!! out.

I just had lap cholycystectomy on the 15th and I still feel like 250 lbs of chewed bubble gum. My wife need hers out as well but she is hanging in there until I get on my feet because we do not have much of a support system here. She , words fail me. The neighbors drove me back from the hospital the day of surgery. THe md has been great and checked on me, and offered to take me where ever I need to go. I really appreciate her offer buuuutttttt. As kind and supportive as she is, she can not keep a secret to save her life. I keep where I live very close to my vest as my wife is my only vulnerability. I will NOT put her in danger, I will quit first.

A recruiter called about a position in WI where they will train me as a surgical first assistant. 50/50 OR/clinic. It sounds tempting. They want to run a credit check on me. Background I am cool with. Credit? unless I am handling money, no. If I lose out on the position so be it. I do not know her from adams house cat.

Saprn, Our head Psychiatrist for the STATE does not have a psych RN, much less a psych NP. It is , if you'll pardon the expression, CRAZY! We need, IMHO, 3 psych RN's and 3 psych NP's at the very least. THe pathology is staggering. At least that is the case for NM. THere are a metric TON of psych NP positions all over the US. You will do very well financially. I considered getting my psych cert but I do not want to travel down to Las Cruses to do it. Good luck.

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Just read your udate and was wondering from your first post...what about the practice laws in NC are so bad that you wouldn't want to go back?

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Be VERY careful what you post here about whom. Small town has no such luxury as HIPAA....word gets around and you never know who is online as you are......JMHO

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

As I have gotten older I have gotten bolder as well. Thank you for you wise words of advice. I generally do not put thing on the net that I would not say in person.

Compared to NM, AZ, WA, Yes they are archaic. I will hope for significant changes to the NP laws in NC, but well, things change all the time so who knows.

Tencat, you in SF?

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Specializes in psych.

nursetim,

thanks for the info. How does the facility you are at manage your mental health population? Do you segregate or gen pop unless unable to function? What is the attitude of the medical RNs toward psy?the CO's? Do you think a psyAPRN would be seen as an asset or a pain in the hoohoo. thx,Saprn

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.
nursetim,

thanks for the info. How does the facility you are at manage your mental health population? Do you segregate or gen pop unless unable to function? What is the attitude of the medical RNs toward psy?the CO's? Do you think a psyAPRN would be seen as an asset or a pain in the hoohoo. thx,Saprn

Generally they are in gen pop unless they have a melt down, then they go to a central facility for psych. Our psych MD's are golden and I, personally, believe psychnp's would be a huge asset. The RN's are ok with psych. I do not care to comment on MH in a public forum. I think your role would be like mine. I see the everyday routine stuff and act a screen for the MD. just like the RN's act a screen for me. Unfortunately we have a huge budget crunch and dinero just isn't there for the position.

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