Frustrated in Florida: A Lack of Work Ethics

[irishjem44]

I have only been a nurse (LPN) for 4 years. BUT, If I knew then, what I know now...I would never have fulfilled my life long dream to be a nurse ( I was 46 when I went to nursing school). I work in a SNF, not by choice, but because the 5 hospitals in my area are monopolized by a company that doesn't want to hire LPN's in THEIR hospitals! Consequently, I'm working with CNA's who are the laziest people I have ever met. I have lived all over the US (being an ex-Navy wife) and I have met people from all over the world! But I have never met people like this in my life, or in my travels. I am new to this facility, I've been here almost three months, and I work 11-7. I have observed night after night, CNA's sitting in the dining areas in all 4 units watching TV, reading magazines, books, newspapers, taking their sweet old time walking down a hallway when a patients bed alarm goes off, arguing over whose turn it is to answer a call light, maybe making rounds every two hours but not on every patient, only a handful, and I have't seen patients turned regularly. My facility is a Veteran's Nursing Home comprised of mostly men. These men served our country with honor and dignity. But, honor and dignity is not being reciprocated!

I have seen backlash (attitudes, gossip, being called a racist, greivances filed, etc.) by CNA's toward nurses who attempt to direct them in patient care. I have seen nurses cry due to frustration, because their patients aren't getting the care they deserve, and the nurse's license is at stake. The worst part is that no one seems to have any positive suggestions or ideas in resolving these issues. I've been told, "This has been this way for years." But WHY???, I ask myself this everyday. I rack my brain and try to force myself to have an epipheny that will change the status quo. Unfortunately, I have been unable to discover a David to beat this Goliath.

I am an optomist, I'm caring, and I look at these men as if they were my grandfather, or uncle, or brother. Many years ago I was a CNA, but we never sat around doing nothing...we worked, and we worked hard. We helped the nurses, we helped our patients! This culture of "do as little as possible" is driving me crazy! The only up side to this, is I'm working on getting my RN, and I will then have other choices of where I want to work.

I'm sorry that my very first blog (EVER) is a gripe letter, however, I'm anxious to hear all feed back, good or bad.

[scotttyna]

I am So sorry for you irish. I know that in your situation frustration is obvious. But I want to know that if this area don't have any vacancies then why don't you try somewhere else.

[amygarside]

I feel bad about what you have experienced. I hope that you will find a way to change what is happening in your workplace. I have been reading some articles about this kind of situations and this is the first time I have really heard a first hand experience. It can really be frustrating at times but I hope you can find the will to overcome all of this.