Nurse aide call offs

The fact that we're shortstaffed here is getting old. The other aides are tired of it and so are the nurses. The residents here are most assuredly tired of it.

The problem is the existing aides are feeling the pinch somewhat. Some like to work extra hours for overtime and more money. While others may like the money, but don't like the pressure and fatigue of filling in.

It is unfortunate that an aide who works dayshift part-time called off for today. I don't know who took the call off, but someone did. I would have thought that person might've encouraged her to come in. Her absence left us us with two aides.

One night shift aide stayed over until after breakfast, which was a big help. Then, when the activity aide came in at 10 AM, she was pulled to the floor. However, she seemed like a reluctant floor aide today.

Lunch was kind of confusing, as was breakfast. We usually have more hands to help feed residents, and Mondays are particularly challenging. But there weren't that many hands to go around. I don't think any nurse could have felt comfortable working in the office today without assisting at mealtimes. I could not have done that knowing the other aides would be struggling.

We did get the administrative assistant/activity director to help in the dining room. She was needed because one aide had to do weigh a few residents, and another resident had a visitor. However, I think teamwork should happen all the time no matter what.

A second shift aide called off today also. She knew there would be two other aides without her and that the activity aide would be required to assist. So, the aides are figuring out how their empty spot can be filled. I doubt any aides will lose their jobs, since there aren't enough of them anyway.

A bit ago I heard a night shift aide called off. If she does not show up, an afternoon shift aide will have to stay over until 3 AM, at least. Only two aides were scheduled, and with the call off there would be only one. We definitely need a fill-in. Nurses were filling in on night shift, until a nurse went on maternity leave yesterday. Now they will need to fill in for her. A night shift aide on maternity leave still has four weeks before she returns.

It was a bumpy morning, and a somewhat bumpy afternoon.

And, it looks like, "it's going to be a bumpy night".