I HAVE BEEN IN LONG TERM AND SKILLED NURSING CARE FOR MANY YEARS. PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER AND THEIR NEEDS ARE CHANGING. BUT THOSE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN ANY WAY NEED US NURSES TO GIVE THEM CARE WITH COMPASSION,LOVE AND CARING. DEMENTIA DISEASES ARE SOMETIMES POSING QUESTIONS AS TO HOW TO CARE FOR THESE PEOPLE AND PROVIDE THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES QUALITY OF LIFE. THE PROBLEM OF HEALTH CARE BEING SO EXPENSIVE FOR LTC AND SNF MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TOFIND DECENT PLACES TO PUT THIER FAMILY MEMBER IN. THEY END UP TAKING ALL YOUR MONEY AND ASSESTS AND LEAVE YOU WITH NOTHING.OUR COUNYTRY HAS TO DO SOME REAL SOUL SEARCHING TO FIND WAYS OF TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE WITHOUT THE BURDEN OF TAKING EVERYTHING. 
What problems do we face in long term care nursing today?
nluczak
#1
nluczak
#2
I AM GOING TO REPLY TO MY OWN STATEMENT AND QUESTION BECAUSE I HAVE TO. RECENTLY, I TOOK A JOB AT A LTC FACILITY AS A RN SUPERVISOR. THIS PLACE WHICH SHALL BE NAMELESS, IS DISGUSTING. THE RESIDENTS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE LOSING OUT ON QUALITY CARE. THE NURSES AIDES ARE FOUL MOUTHED AND SARCASTIC; THEY ARE ON THEIR PHONES ALL NIGHT LONG AND RESIDENTS ARE LYING IN WET AND DIRTY BEDS WITH NO ONEE CLEANING THEM UP PROPERLY, LIGHTS GO UNANSWERED AND THEY SIT AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE WORK THEY DO. THIS IS SO SHAMEFUL!!! I JUST TOOK THIS JOB TO GET BACK INTO NURSING, BUT THIS IS A MESS THAT HAS TO BE FIXED FIRST. MAYBE I CAN DO IT, IF, NURSING ADMINISTRATION WILL ACCEPT THE FACT THIS IS HAPPENING AND WE NEED TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET THE " UNWILLING TO WORK, BUT, WANT A PAYCHECK ANYWAY" OUT TO THE CURB AND GET THE RIGHT STUFF IN THERE. YES, I AM MAD!!! EVEN THE POOR DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS!!! 
DaraLPN
#3
I have been in LTC and Rehab nursing since I became a nurse back in the mid 80’s, I took a break in the 90’s to raise my sons due to my husband’s Naval career, and I have seen many changes come through. The advent of the computer was supposed to be the “savior” of all, and as we all know we are not paperless, nor are we more efficient. I think the biggest detriment to LTC is the big corporations owning them. The upper management has no idea what is being done in the “trenches” of nursing. It’s all about dollars and the bottom line of the company. They continually ask us to more with less, staff as well as supplies etc. Shortages don’t allow for good patient care, and create burn out, This was one reason why I took a long break and even got my BS degree in Management vs Nursing ( I currently have my AS in Vocational Nursing) I think the best way to combat this is to move away from institutionalized type care and go to home care with all PT. OT etc done on an outpatient basis. The facility I currently work for (on call) has been experiencing these shortages I have mentioned and morale is going down. I am going to write their corporate office to let them know what I’m seeing.
Dara you make a lot of sense. I think you’re totally right when it comes to the big corps owning facilities and not knowing what’s going on ro what’s needed - or not caring because all they care about is profits. The nursing shortage is already making us work ridiculous hours and dealing with an unhealthy amount of pressure that’s affecting our patient care as well, when the big companies then try to squeeze out maximum profit it gets worse still. Good on you to get a degree in management and for speaking out too, maybe you can help start making a difference!
survivalist
#5
With the mass usage of machines in our daily routines, i have to say it with heavy heart people consider nurses as machines or component of one of their machines. The harsh reality is they only care about profits and not employee benefits.
Starr1966
#6
I currently work in a LTC SNF and agree 100% with what you said. Short on staff but the admissions keep coming in. It’s very hard to provide the best care when you have these situations but we do the best we can. It isn’t about resident care anymore, it’s about the almighty dollar. That is very sad. It definitely leads to major burnout and decreased moral.
mschmaeh
#8
It’s corporates who need to care. It’s corporate that needs to see the real issue of short staffing. Nurses and CNAs/LNAs can not keep up the pace of 14- to 18 residents per one CNA and 40 residents per one nurse. The ratios need to be much lower. Then you can begin to see quality care. In order for this to happen we need laws set in place for nursing homes stating better ratios.