36:1 ratio?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi, I have a question for you all. I just received a job offer at an assisted living facility. It is a 72 bed facility and they are full right now. There are two floors and there will be one CNA to each floor. That means I will have 36 patients to care for. There is only 1 nurse on staff and I have my nursing delegation, so I will be passing meds, doing blood sugar checks and insulin injections. This is along with all of the regular duties. She said that although they are an assisted living facility there are quite a few patients that do need full care.

Does this seem like it is reasonable? I am very nervous. The last place I worked was an adult family home and I was responsible for 6 residents, did all the cooking, cleaning and meds there as well.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Ummmm noooo. This sounds like an accident waiting to happen. That's just my opinion though! I have no idea what the norm for a CNA is.

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Specializes in hospice.

I wouldn't take that job at RN wages.

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Keep looking. You have experience, so your options are greater. I am on a 31 bed unit in a hospital. Sometimes I have the whole floor and 5-6 nurses who all pitch in, and that's STILL hard and draining on a CNA. You'll never be able to adequately "assist" 36. Nope. Not happening.

The fact that you were told quite a few are total care: that really means, "A lot (if not most) are total care."

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Two CNA's and one nurse...this place certainly does not have patient safety in mind! I'd kindly decline this offer.

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Two CNA's and one nurse...this place certainly does not have patient safety in mind! I'd kindly decline this offer.

Just realized I feel even worse for the nurse with 72 patients! That is the perfect combo to make a huge med error. Smh :no:

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She isn't doing the meds. The CNA 's are delegated so we do all the meds. Apparently there is a float CNA that goes between the floors to help and a bath aide.

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Doing ALL CNA duties and passing meds!! Hmm doing CNA and Nursing jobs for that many people? MOVE ON! RUN! DON"T LOOK BACK!

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She isn't doing the meds. The CNA 's are delegated so we do all the meds. Apparently there is a float CNA that goes between the floors to help and a bath aide.

There are more mistakes other than passing meds a nurse can make. Also, not all med errors are from "passing." Many meds aren't taken orally either.

The CNA's do all the meds? That's great. :no: So now the overloaded CNA has meds to do on top of caring for a huge census of patients.

It seems like you've already made up your mind and you want the job. So try it. Best of luck :)

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Specializes in CNA, HHA, RNA,.

I don't know if that's reasonable, you need to stop asking others and ask yourself.

Hell, you might not even know until after the first week. I don't know about every single state but this is why there is a 90-day probation period which means stuff can happen or you might find out you don't like this job. No harm done.

Don't stick around unless its something YOU feel YOU can handle. Ask to shadow another CNA before you start. Places like these LOVE having YOU on the floor because you hold a cert and it makes them look pretty and can charge the residents more while they offer to pay you a dollar less.

Essentially the only work you'll be doing different is that you don't give baths but you take a 1$ pay cut because of it.

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It doesn't sound reasonable or safe even to me. I remember working as a CNA myself and one other person would be responsible for one hallway (long term care) and that was about 12 people, some who could care for themselves. I guess it really just depends on each individuals needs.

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