[noc4senuf]

Not sure if it just different states or not but, it is illegal to borrow from another resident's medication supply. If we are in need of a medication that is out of stock, we have to call the pharmacy and have it sent "stat" and not wait for one of the two daily deliveries.

Orientation of any nurse in my facility involves two days in the classroom and then orientation on the floor with a seasoned nurse. The floor orientation can take from two weeks up to a month depending on how quick the nurse catches on.

To become an IHC (in-house charge), the nurse has to have been in our building for 6 months first. That ensures they know the workings of the building itself before taking on the responsibilities of other staff and the residents.

I also agree with some of the others that you need to leave that facility and find one that will be more responsive to their staff.

[txspadequeen921]

Yes , I understand ...I too work double weekends. I don't know who thought up the regulation that if the med is not there then lets write up the nurse. Especially, when I can walk into my job Saturday morning and have numerous meds missing ( not really a problem at this job, but previous jobs yes) ,so I have automatically created med errors. A Lot of times it's the pharms fault too. I spent half of Last Sunday fighting over lactulose , which I had ordered already 3 times.
APS only delivers to us once a day

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

However, I only work doubles on the weekend, so I've gotta do what I've gotta do to ensure that the meds are given. I hate arriving on Saturday morning to find only 1 pill of a certain medication remaining in the blister pack, and the reorder sticker was never removed and faxed. 1 pill of a certain med is not going to get me through 32 hours on the weekend, especially if it is something like Reglan, which is to be given 3 to 4 times per day.

[Hospice Nurse LPN]

Our pharmacy only delivers twice a week. I don't "borrow" meds. I chart that the med is not available. It's not always the nurse who is at fault when a med is missing, sometimes the pharmacy doesn't fill it for whatever reason. Sometimes it is on order. If I "borrow" from Peter for Paul, then Peter will run out too soon. I've asked why we use the pharmacy we do and found out she is a good friend of our facility owners. Go figure.

[pepperann35]

Originally Posted by LesMonsterSN

I agree with the other folks - get out quickly. And yes, I'd have to agree with CapeCodMermaid - you need more of an experience base in LTC to be an effective supervisor. The fact that they hired you as a new grad makes me think that they're desperate; you don't need to work in a facility that thinks they have to grab a nurse just for her title and not her experience base. You worked too hard and too long for that precious license to have it devalued in that way by an employer. Good luck!

I agree you are too new to work as a supervisor. You have to be able to handle anything that comes up and that can only be learned through experience. I am a supervisor in LTC. I have been a LPN for almost 19 years and took this job 2 yrs. ago. Good luck to you!

[PsychNurseWannaBe]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

It's perfectly legal to borrow meds from 1 patient and give them to another in LTCFs.

The poster also asked about borrowing narcs. Isn't that against federal law?

[PsychNurseWannaBe]

To the original poster: Do you not have contigency boxes? If you do, then the nurses are being plain lazy. Of course they wouldn't have to use the boxes as much if they actually ordered their meds in advance. I agree with the other posters....get out now. Part of being a nurse is to only accept assignments that you are compentent in and right now I think that this role is a little too big for you. Best wishes and good luck!

[CapeCodMermaid]

Originally Posted by PsychNurseWannaBe

The poster also asked about borrowing narcs. Isn't that against federal law?

I believe it is against the federal law to borrow narcs. That is why we all should have Ekits. That said, if I really needed a medication and had none in the Ekit, I would first ask the doc to change the order to something I did have until the other medication could be delivered and then would have the pharmacy send it stat. If that failed then I would probably take the chance and borrow from another patient so the resident wouldn't suffer.
One of the issues with borrowing other medications is insurance. They will only send a 30 day supply and we can't re-order early. So if I borrow from patient X to give to patient Y, then patient X will run out too soon.
The answer is for the med nurse to reorder on a timely basis and for the pharmacy to deliver on time (yes ...I can see the eye rolling now...easier said than done.)

[Praise,RN]

Hi ellexias,

Curious as to what the starting pay was as RN supervisor?

[Praise,RN]

Hello DON's and RN supervisors,

Inquiring what is a decent salary or pay rate for takng these positions? Please be honest with your job responses?

I really appreciate it,

Praise.

[pepperann35]

I am a night shift supervisor in LTC. I only make $1 per hr. over the rest of the nursing staff.