work frustration

[solobiker]

Hi everyone, hope you are having a great day! I need some adivce. I am pretty frustrated with work right now. It is kind of hard to explain but I will try. I work in the therapy department in a nursing home, I am an Occupational Therapist and the building where I work has not had a Speech Therapist for close to 6 months. I am "allowed" to go to 2 continuing ed. courses a year. Well, I saw one on stroke rehab that I was really interested in so I mentioned it to my boss. Well she turns around and denies me to go to the course and has strongly encouraged me to take on online course on Dysphagia (swalloing disorders) to help out since we currently do not have a speech therapist. This frustrated me because swallowing disorders are very complicated and something one can't really learn the complexities online. Speech Therapists go to school for 6 years to learn this and how to deal with it. If I should make an error it could lead to someone getting pneumonia and dying from it. I think the company should hire a contracted speech therapist, however they don't want to spend the money. why is it healthcare is so "cheap" money is definately not evenly distributed. The corporate office has marbled counters and flooring, the bathrooms are fully stocked and where I work, some lights are not covered, it is very hard to get raised toilet seats for those residents that need them. the list could go on. sorry for the rant, I am just thinking about it and dreading going into work.

[KnottedYet]

This is why I don't work in nursing homes.

I wouldn't do the dysphagia online and then try to treat outside my scope of practice! Whew, can you say "bye bye licensure"! They are not only setting themselves and their patients up for trouble, you would be the one to take the legal fall!

Sounds rotten to me.

[MomOnBike]

You know, there are other care facilities, some probably even within your commuting distance.

Becoming a speech pathologist online? Um, no.

Me, I'd be moving on.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[solobiker]

Thanks for your replies, I have been frustrated all weekend about this situation. I am very much a team player and want to help out as much as I can. But you know what this just does not feel right. I tend to get talked into things and I am sure they will play the "team player" card, but I will hold strong. Thanks for your support.

[Mr. Bloom]

Sorry to chime in late...my perspective is as a consumer of services (my parents are in Assisted Living)...and oh boy, am I frustrated with the facility today...but that's another story...

I encourage you to outline your own thoughts in writing (for your own purposes...to get organized) and speak with the administrator with a constructive attitude

It sounds to me like he/she is taking a "do this or do nothing" approach. If so, it might be best to do nothing for now (but, by this point, I would personally consider documenting your rationale/reservations in writing).

AND, don't focus on the marble countertops, etc...there's nothing you can do about it and it will only make you mad.

Personally, I'm encouraged that you are expressing your reservation about this. My guess is that the administrator is viewing the therapy as a commodity and not a skill...something that they can bill with no consideration for quality of service. But, on a contract basis, I presume that they're not "spending money" since the cost is variable and a pass through to the patient (or their payor)...so I view their reservation as irrational.

[solobiker]

Mr. Silver thanks for your reply, and yes therapy is often thought of as a money maker with no real concern for the skills involoved. ( not trying to be errogant). I have been doing this for close to 14 years and it seems to be getting worse and with poorer quality of care. I get frustrated with myself because in a way I am supporting this industry as I continue to work in it. However, I truely enjoy working with the geriatric population and feel that I can at least do my best to make their stay in a nursing home a little better.

[Mr. Bloom]

I get frustrated with myself because in a way I am supporting this industry as I continue to work in it. However, I truely enjoy working with the geriatric population and feel that I can at least do my best to make their stay in a nursing home a little better.

Don't get frustrated with yourself! You are not the problem...if you enjoy reaching out to geriatric patients AND do your best to make their life better, then YOU are part of the SOLUTION.

Don't let a corporate bureacracy take that away from you. Don't put someone else's shortcomings on your back. You keep doing what you do well!