I have been accepted back at the Hospital I previously worked in, but on the Casual Pool only. It has been a test of my faith, as my budget is falling short each week, if I do not get any work. I need at least three days a week and have no plans to retire for many years yet. I pray daily and trust God to look after my needs. If I didn't, I would stress out and that would not be healthy. So far He has met my needs, as I have been called in for some shifts, in a different ward every time.
My experience of being back at the hospital has been very enjoyable. I have been warmly welcomed by past and new colleagues and have rediscovered just how much I love inpatient care. It has been great to reconnect with my vocation that began when I left school at sixteen years old. Working on 'Pool' has been great reconnecting with an overview of how the different wards run in the Hospital.
I can call in and visit Mother either before or after work, as the Residential Home she lives in is near the Hospital. Mother is very proud I am back at work. She has settled into her placement and is adjusting, sadly resigned that this is her lot now. She still remembers to ask for me if she is upset about something, and this has happened a few times. My fears for Residential Care have not been relieved though...it triggers the past.
As I look back on the days I was training as a RN, (late 1960's), I remember there being a Hospital scandal that exposed abuse of the elderly that were cared for in the geriatric wards in Public Hospitals. In those days untrained 'Aids' were used. As a result of the abuse found, the Government brought in Registered Community Nurse' training, as they decided the ignorance of the Aids lead to the abuse. After some years, the two year course was shortened and the name changed to 'Enrolled Nurse' training, which can now be bridged through more training to become a RN.
I fear history is repeating itself, as 'Aids' (now called 'Carers') working in the Aged Care Residential Homes, show the same lack of knowledge and common sense as a result of ignorance. They 'don't know what they don't know' which shows in decision making that leads to deterioration or neglect of a medical aspect that the Registered Nurse hasn't been informed about. To me, if a person has complex medical issues, as the elderly often do, very basic nursing training should be provided to staff just to the stage of 'awareness' the problem is not always what it seems.
Example 1: A client with a medical history of heart failure and the carer dressing her discovers that the client's bras suddenly don't fit. The carer's answer was to avoid putting her bra on, and not inform the Registered Nurse, as it wasn't identified as an issue. The Registered Nurse was unaware until the poor client was suddenly in a panic because she couldn't breath, literally drowning with heart failure. With some basic understanding, the carer would have recognized the bra was not the issue, but the underlying cause needed assessing. Swelling from fluid retention from the heart failure was more likely as people do not gain weight (fat) overnight! If informed, the Registered Nurse could have avoided the distress to the client by assessing her and having her water tablet increased among other things.
Example 2: It is not normal to accept and ignore a semi-conscious wet naked client after bathing her! The warm water dilated the client's blood vessels and her circulating perfusion was compromised as a result of an underlying condition. I found this event happening as the Carers happily chatted while they emptied the bath etc. The client was last on their list of priorities and tasks at that moment. The Carer needs to protect the vulnerable client by informing the RN on duty. How is she to know if not informed.
The Carer's don't seem to understand enough about basics to communicate and be safe. Basic principles of hygiene and positioning for a bed-bath, dignity and empathy training for example. I believe lack of training is costing the health System with Hospital admissions and extra expense in dealing with conditions that could be avoided. The sort that hit the newspapers now. I have found that if the abnormal is repeated enough, it is 'normalized' even though it is out of ignorance, It is Abuse, the vulnerable are not protected and standards are lowered! No wonder child abuse and neglect is rampant, as the elderly are devalued. Where are we to learn empathy, if not identifying and caring for the more vulnerable in society.
History repeats itself as new managers, with no memory or experience of the past keep reinventing the wheel, but chucking the baby out with the bath water as they don't recognize the difference when deciding what to cut back. So much money can be wasted long-term in the process!
I guess every generation of experienced workers go through these stages of observation. It would be great if the wisdom and experience of elders were included in planning, and not discounted via 'ageism' and the ignorance of those in power! Treat others how you would want to be treated. Honor our vulnerable elderly.
I guess every generation of experienced workers go through these stages of observation. It would be great if the wisdom and experience of elders were included in planning, and not discounted via 'ageism' and the ignorance of those in power! Treat others how you would want to be treated. Honor our vulnerable elderly.
