I hate to be an ass, but stop "thanking me for my service on Memorial Day"

[rainbow4321]

30. Sad thing is when it comes down to really taking care of them

the system drops the ball.
Found out from a co worker how horribly short staffed the local VA hospital is this weekend...yeah, that is any EVERYday occurance--but to be in the middle of the weekend where "thank a vet for their service" is all over the media, when it comes down to it, the management system that has a chance to really show their appreciation by taking care of the vets in their time of illness and need, is shrugging off calls by frontline workers that things are imploding on the wards and they need help trying to provide basic healthcare to the vets. As I said, this is an everyday situation so it's not like everything goes well the other 360-some days of the year...all we hear about is budget cuts, etc...
The powers that be could easily tell middle management to get their asses into work and provide the needed relief. But they are too busy sending out rah-rah-rah emails to overwhelmed bedside staff about how our environment/people love our vets and appreciate them.
Tell that to the vet and his/her family when they have to wait forever to have their call light answered or to get someone in their room for assistance. It's to a point where a family member will not use the call light, instead they come find us and stand there and stare at us in hopes of escorting us back to their room.

Unfortunately, coming and finding me/us doesn't mean we can or will drop the care that is being given to the patient/vet who we are doing a task for at that very moment. It just means you get to stand in the hallway outside that vet's room or stare at me as I am getting medications ready for the person down the hall, or as I am on the non ending phone calls with the doctor's trying to get orders for another vet's care.

Meanwhile the powers that be who could solve this chronic problem will enjoy their three day week and stroll back into their collective offices on Tuesday and send off more rah-rah emails or send one of their minions around to the wards to lecture us on how to use minimal supplies when providing care because some bean counter up in the management penthou$e is trying to pinch pennnies where they shouldn't be.