I've been an LPN for about a year. Went to nursing school after taking care of my dad, dying of cancer.
My first nursing job I earned a good reputation for clinical judgement and being good with families. I even trained a few new grads after about 6 months on the job. I felt like the man.
I had (another) death in the family, and took a 2 month leave of absence. The stress of taking care 18, fully dependent people with advanced pathologies was starting to get to me. It was officially a resignation on good terms but they told me I could come back whenever I wanted.
I stopped in a couple of weeks ago to visit, according to my boss they pulled in a team of real, experienced STNAs and not just randos off the street, regular staff nurses and not just agency people who just sling meds and don't set the next guy up for success by reodering meds or setting up specialist appointments. Sounded great
My first day back: 2 STNAs had called off. I have 22 pts, almost all of whom are higher acuity than I was use to. The pill rolls are out of order. Meds are missing, narcs havent been ordered, surprise discharges, I had a pt I couldn't be alone with because she accuses everyone of some kind of impropriety. I have family members complaining about their family members still being in bed when I still have pts stewing in piss and shit from the night before.
In the chaos I caught myself almost pulling the wrong narcotics twice. I caught myself starting an IV infusion without priming the tubing (on a gravity bag, because we work in the hood and dont get IV pumps that can catch those mistakes)
I shudder to think about the delays in care that would have happened if I had to deal with a death, a fall, or an admission. Or if I didn't have a coworker with an easier assignment who was willing to help pick up the slack.
I quit this morning: all I said was “that assignment isn't safe, youre gonna get me sued”