So, like I said, I am still here. Still a Geriatric Nurse Chick. Still ADON, trying so hard to make a difference, but definitely not as hard as I did 3 years ago when I took this job, with my dreams of making a difference. Making Geriatric Nursing a better place to work in. 3 years and I can feel my "give a shit" being chipped away. I started out wanting to make it better. Wanting to make a good work environment and to be a good role model. To give everyone off the time that they needed, because if their home life is happier, they will be happier to work. To show them through my actions that I will never ask them to do something that I am not willing to do myself, because if I show them I am willing then I am no better. To be a supportive supervisor that is understanding and willing to listen, because I have been there. We all make mistakes, we all go through rough times and struggles and with honesty I can help. So after 3 years what has this gotten me?
Well...... A lot of entitlement (not everyone but most). I don't know if it is human nature or just today's generation of the working class, but it seems if I give someone something, then they want more. I give them days off that they ask for and soon they ask off for more days than they actually work. I tell everyone that "I try really hard to give everyone every other weekend" and they start demanding they have off every other weekend. They are a single mom or weekend sitters cost too much. I don't leave them hanging when I am on call and they take that as an invitation to call in. I try really hard to give people holidays off if they want it and end up having to work it myself, then when next year rolls around and I say "well I will try, but you had ALL the holidays off last year" the reply is.... Well, I have to have it off.
Well, like I said.... my "give a shit" is hanging on by a thread.
This is Geriatric Nursing!!! A NURSING HOME!!!!! The job is 24/7/365!!! There are no time outs for Christmas, or Easter. We have it worse that the dang mail man. He has no idea what through rain, sleet, snow and ice means. If it floods, go around, get a boat, but get to work. If it snows, we will come get you. If there is ice, follow the salt truck. If there is a tornado, Grab your damn broom and fly your ass to work because there is sweet old people depending on you.
Walmart, Casey's, Dollar General....They won't give you every other weekend off. They won't care if you are a single mom or your husband only has weekends off, or if your kids have sports games. You might get off Christmas day, but you will probably work Thanksgiving, and Black Friday will take on new meaning for you. You won't work just "day" or "evening" shift, you will work whatever you are scheduled.
You think you will get better at another nursing home? Yeah Right!!!! That is why I wanted to try this job. I had goals of making it a better place to work than all the other nursing homes. The stupid thing is.....It is better than most nursing homes. For the most part, you get the days you ask for. You get the holidays you ask for. Even when we are short staffed our staffing ratio is better than most. If you come to me and say "hey can you help me". I stop what I am doing and help. If you go in the administrator's office and say "will you transfer this patient" he gets up and does it. Your administrator is in the dining room assisting with meals all the meals he is here for. I bet you can't say that about your other administrators.
I just want you all to realize that you chose it. It's not so bad. It could definitely be worse, but the heart of the matter is your patients depend on you to show up each day. They deserve a smile on your face even if you don't feel like smiling. Life aint fair. If it was, you wouldn't have a job, because none of these people would need you.
