Hi from NW OK

[deidrasue]

Have just re-discovered this site - and happy to be here. I'm an RN, Nurse Coordinator for ODMHSAS - the Oklahoma Depart. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - how's that for a handle? Soon the name will be longer than the services we provide.

I just wanted to say hi and to see what I could do about my frustration and feelings of being trapped. I've read some of the posts and know what it means to have really poor help - but I'm blessed with very good PCAs and LPNs - I just work for the most selfish, greedy, unethical and ignorant bunch of adults I've ever run into in one place. They've known since July 1 that we had a smaller budget but they've spent money on fuu-fuu - new carpet for lobbys, paint, pretties for lookin' good and now there's a huge - make that HUGE shortfall. Now the client's Work Therapy has to be cut in half - they can only earn $15.00 per two weeks. Yep - that $2295.00 savings is going to bail us out!

I'm so angry I want to bite nails in half. Also - the PCA interviews I did last week were for naught - now they're not going to fill the position - at all. OK, I can make do - but the Acute Care Unit can't run without PCAs - it's not safe now - what's my counterpart going to do? Probably look for a new job. On top of that - then I learn that the pharm reps 'gave' our pharmacy 8 25mg. Risperdal Consta injection set-ups - and so all my clients that are on 50 mg IM q 2 wks will be given the 'free' injections - 2 of them - until they are gone. The 50 mg. Consta, I'm told are $700.00 EACH. Then I learn that we are contacting nursing homes in our area to get on a list to get "destruction" meds - the meds left when someone dies - and we will give these to our clients since someone has already paid for them. I can't decide is this is good utilization of resources - or just creepy. they are already doing this with outpatient clients - and meds.

Anyone else thinking that we need to go to socialized med?
I'm 55 years old - have been at this since 1988 and have 298days and 2 years until I'm eligible for retirement (with 80 points - years of service + age). I HATE counting days. I want to LIVE my days - but I'm in such a funk. I guess I just need to be grateful to have a job that I can do. I have FM - and lots of pain - but can ususally make it. There aren't a lot of jobs in NW OK. I think my biggest problem is that I'm so remote - and I feel like I'm limited in what I can do about my job. I'm a real classroom learner - I tried internet course work - but I'm so relational that I just can't get the feedback I need. AND it's 150 miles to the nearest college.

Maybe I'm tooooooo close to the problem. Anyone have suggestions? In the meantime, I keep praying - and trying to help each person that comes into my life - at least a little. that is my goal - and keep my ulcer in check! LOL
Have initial chiropractic appt with new doc today - maybe she can help me get pain under control so I don't feel old and whipped. 55 feels very old today.

Thanks to all for listening - and for having this forum.
deidrasue

[cougarnurse]

Welcome back, Diedrasue! :waving:

I know what you mean about the Risperdal Consta; my facility could use it, but it is 'unavailable' in the State. Abilify is another drug that is soooo expensive.

I hope you drop by more often and post...we'll have alot to discuss!

'Cat'

[SoldierNurse]

Glad you came back! If, you do a search we had an interesting thread awhile back on socialized medicine. IMHO, some kind of change towards that direction is warranted.