I am in the UK.
I just walked out of my job. I had three nights shifts to do from tonight and I have never felt so depressed at the thought of it. So I decided I wasn't going to.
I work in a 56 bed nursing home split over three floors. First floor is nursing (basically bed bound residents, those who who need nursing care. The work is heavy and physically tiring but the mental strain in minimal), second floor is EMI (those with mental illnesses and challenging behaviours, mostly they are a danger to themselves. Less physical work but you'd better be able to keep your patience and know when to duck) and third floor is residential (those who can attend to themselves but may need assistance with some things such as showering. In my opinion the easiest floor to work on).
I was usually working on the EMI floor which has 20 beds. Two staff were allocated to the floor per night shift which is in line with what is technically considered the appropriate number of staff for the amount of residents. The legal bare minimum. What it doesn't consider is the needs of individuals. There were at least four residents on my floor who required one to one care either to keep themselves or others safe. If two of those residents were presenting with behaviours that concern and needed that one to one attention, who is there for someone else who may have a fall, need taking to the toilet, be unwell, be upset or agitated or are about to pass away and need somone to sit with them? That is why relatives get angry at us. They think we are neglecting their parents/grandparents, but what am I supposed to do when I've got to follow someone else around making sure they don't go into other bedrooms threatening the occupants of them? Your relative not getting the care they deserve and pay for is not my fault.
This is why nursing homes are shocking. I've enjoyed the ones I've worked at as I've got to know some great colleagues and residents I will remember forever but the entire system is set up for the staff to fail. I am tired, stressed, physically and mentally unwell and I don't even have decent wages to show for it because apparently I am classed as 'unskilled'.
What is most insulting is that the home will pay for a 'Hostess' (basically someone to just show around prospective residents, set the table for lunches and not do a lot else considering it is not apprently in their job description to do hands-on care, help in the laundry or the kitchen or actually do anything useful) but not for enough people to keep everyone safe.
It's a shame because I am very good at my job but after near enough ten years of this bullshit I am done.
I still don't have a start date for my new job so I guess I'm winging it for now.
I am also dreading getting old if this is the future that awaits me.
Please support nursing and care staff, especially in the NHS or in private homes. We are not okay.