SuzyC2012 0 Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 I am kind of new to being an Activities Director. I went to school for Recreational Therapy and did my internship at a long term care facility. At my internship, we as an activities department, were treated as almost equals amongst the other staff. They had a dementia unit and we seemed to have efficient staff. I have now worked as an Activities Director at a different long term facility (100 beds) for over a year now. I just feel like I am being treated like shit here. They (administration and D.O.N.) are constantly going over my head and taking my limited staff (2 people) away from me to go on appointments when the doctors are asking for STNAS (None of my activities aids are). It's almost daily. I don't mind doing the activities alone but then they complain that there aren't enough activities going on. In fact, the past 2 weeks they have been throwing me under the bus in morning meeting about our shortcomings in our department and even today in resident council they asked what they did before I was there. Surprisingly, I had to go drive 3 people to appointments due to our unreliable bus driver so I wasn't there . Anyway, they asked what we did in the past, why we don't do it now, etc. etc. I just feel about 1 inch tall. I am trying my best but when I can't count on my own staff being here, how am I suppose to add anything special? And my staff alone aren't that independent in doing activities on their own. They can't even think of exercises to do without a CD telling them what to do. I'm afraid to get rid of any because my last person I let go I was never allowed to rehire anyone. I guess I'm just wondering if this is normal or am I a special case? Because right now, I'm ready to quit the profession all together. This place has seriously turned me away from all of it. I try and stand up for myself but they brush me off and get into their cliques and gang up on us. Please, just tell me it's just this place! I need some advice. Thank you all in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryGillespieRamsey 0 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 I think that it is mainly just that place, but as a former teacher and now activity director, we are definitely on the low rung of the ladder. I have a master's degree and I am paid less than some of the aides. The aides work really hard and they deserve a living wage, but it sure does feel rather disrespectful that I have 6 years of college and it really doesn't amount to much. If you have the opportunity, I would start looking for another position, or if it is a chain nursing home talk to your consultants. Sorry you are having such a bad experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzyC2012 0 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I think that it is mainly just that place, but as a former teacher and now activity director, we are definitely on the low rung of the ladder. I have a master's degree and I am paid less than some of the aides. The aides work really hard and they deserve a living wage, but it sure does feel rather disrespectful that I have 6 years of college and it really doesn't amount to much. If you have the opportunity, I would start looking for another position, or if it is a chain nursing home talk to your consultants. Sorry you are having such a bad experience. Thank you for your reply, MaryGillespie Ramsey! If it wasn't for my earned vacation so far I would have split awhile ago. I refuse to suck up to the boss and be in her clique so she seems to talk down to me. She talks to other people about what is wrong with my department but never utters a word to me. I'm afraid to really confront her about it and get fired but at this point I'm sure I'll get unemployment for awhile! Maybe it will be worth my sanity. I was trying to get in 2 year experience but maybe it isn't worth it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlm8977 1 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Well... im lucky that i have been at this facility for 6 years, other wise it may have been a rough adjustment. Alot of people think we sit back and make crafts all day. My assistants and i really have to hold our own when it comes to people and their negativity. Staff come to activities for everything. We have our plate full at all times. But we are also the happiest department in the facility. And the funest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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