In the complex landscape of healthcare, a quiet crisis is unraveling – the staffing challenges that loom over Long-Term Care (LTC) and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF). Recent data from Research.com sends ripples through the industry, exposing that 39% of nurses intend to leave their positions by 2024. This signals an imminent catastrophe that requires our immediate attention. Let’s hear from our LTC/SNF leaders and employees about the pressing staffing issues.
The Administrator’s Dilemma
Venturing into the heart of the issue, LaKisha Adams, LTC/SNF Nurse Leader and Founder of Top Tier Medical Staffing, engaged in candid conversations with Directors of Nursing (DONs) and Administrators who, under the cloak of anonymity, bravely shared their pain points. Three overarching concerns reverberated through the corridors of healthcare administration: the type of candidates, budget constraints, and the labyrinth of recruiting challenges.
The Candidate Conundrum
DONs and Administrators found themselves ensnared in a web of recruiting challenges. Candidates lacking resilience, fixated on compensation, and burdened with inexperience emerged as common denominators, leading to a dishearteningly high turnover rate. One DON poignantly remarked, “when the going gets tough, nurses and CNAs are quick to exit the stage!”
The Administrators expressed frustration over nursing staff picking and choosing patient acuity, leading to refusals of assignments and units. This cherry-picking mentality, they noted, exacerbated staffing retention battles and posed a significant obstacle in maintaining a cohesive healthcare team.
Another pressing concern surfaced regarding the recruitment of inexperienced staff. Administrators shared the repercussions: extended orientation and training periods, an inability to think critically, and a resultant challenge in adapting to new or evolving patient conditions. The consequences of these staffing issues ripple through the fabric of patient care.
Complicating matters further, all Administrators and DONs voiced their collective concern about the astronomical focus on wages and salaries during interviews. The emphasis on compensation, they argued, made them wary of hiring nursing professionals solely motivated by financial gain.
Budget Woes: A Barrier to Support
Leaders, driven by a sincere desire to offer staff development and support programs, faced a formidable adversary – budget constraints. The aftermath of the pandemic had left a financial scar, making it difficult for LTC/SNF facilities to invest in crucial training that could elevate the skills and resilience of their nursing staff.
While they acknowledged the necessity of mentorship programs, staff development trainings, and mental health support, the financial constraints dictated a somber reality. The leaders, bound by fiscal limitations, sought strategies to maximize their current training policies while yearning for the ability to provide the comprehensive support their staff deserved.
The Recruiting Quagmire
Recruiting emerged as a Herculean task for LTC/SNF facilities. Human resource departments found themselves in fierce competition for nursing staff, and DONs expressed the time-consuming challenge of sifting through stacks of resumes from job boards. The difficulty in finding the right fit amidst the overwhelming array of candidates compounded the recruiting ordeal.
The Frontline Chronicles
Shifting the spotlight to the unsung heroes, we amplified the voices of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) working tirelessly on the frontlines of LTC/SNF facilities.
Corporate Neglect
A seasoned CNA with 21 years of experience illuminated a corporate blind spot that often goes unnoticed. She directed attention to the conditions of the LTC/SNF working environment, asserting that the responsibility lies with corporate owners. While the Administrator and DON prioritized the well-being of their staff and patients, the lack of support from corporate owners hindered crucial changes needed to create a safe and sustainable work environment.
Her account laid bare the harsh realities of high workloads, inadequate staffing, and the mental stress endured by those committed to providing quality care. She challenged corporate owners to take accountability for facility reviews, patient care standards, and the alarming rate of CNAs quitting due to being overworked and underpaid. The culture of LTC/SNF, she emphasized, has undergone a transformation since she began her career in 2003.
The Journey of a RN
A dedicated RN shared her journey from a CNA in 2014 to an LPN in 2017, finally achieving RN status in 2022. Starting her LTC/SNF career at the age of 22, she confronted a persistent challenge – inadequate staffing and a pervasive sense of feeling unappreciated. Despite ascending the professional ladder, the core issues of burnout and staffing shortages persisted.
Frustrated with the continuous battle against inadequate staffing and the toll it took on her well-being, she expressed a desire to transition away from the bedside and venture into starting a business outside of healthcare. Her story encapsulated the struggles faced by nursing professionals within LTC/SNF facilities and highlighted the need for fundamental changes.
In conclusion, the narrative echoes a resounding call for evolution within LTC/SNF communities. Corporate leaders must not merely acknowledge but actively address the systemic issues that plague their facilities. The nursing staff, the backbone of these establishments, is not just a workforce; they are invaluable assets deserving of investment and support.
This blog serves as a clarion call to action. Share this information, engage in discussions, and become advocates for positive changes in the LTC/SNF industry. The challenges are monumental, but acknowledging and addressing them is the first step toward building a resilient and compassionate LTC/SNF community.
In the end, the LTC/SNF community stands at a crossroads – a critical juncture where acknowledgment, empathy, and investment in the nursing workforce can pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
