LTC Nurses... please answer

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hey Guys........ LPN here taking classes for RN...... Have to write a speech about issues in health care..... Can be any issue.. So as a fellow LTC nurse, I would like to take a poll from here and the top 3 answers will be what I cover in my speech. So please respond with your honest opinions & concerns

Thanks so much for your input

Specializes in Long Term Care, Geriatrics,.

Staffing shortages/requirements, overuse of anti-psychotics in dementia patients...

BrandonLPN, LPN

3,358 Posts

Transitioning from the LPN role to the RN role could be an interesting topic.

amoLucia

7,736 Posts

Specializes in retired LTC.

What's an adequate but realistic orientation period from mgt's perspective and newbie's expectations?

Really need to develop BOTH views.

JZ_RN

590 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

Understaffing, violence against nurses, abusive management in LTC.

CapeCodMermaid, RN

6,090 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

New grads who know nothing about taking care of people; nurses who refuse to change with the times; lack of funding.

itsmejuli

2,188 Posts

Specializes in Home Care.

Lack of funding

JZ_RN

590 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

Why so much hate against new grads? I knew how to take care of people as a new grad. And if it was something totally off the wall that I couldn't deal with myself totally I'd seek help.

I am soooooo SICK of the hate towards new grads. Get over it. You were new once too! Why so bitter?

BrandonLPN, LPN

3,358 Posts

Why so much hate against new grads? I knew how to take care of people as a new grad. And if it was something totally off the wall that I couldn't deal with myself totally I'd seek help.I am soooooo SICK of the hate towards new grads. Get over it. You

were new once too! Why so bitter?

*some* new grads do indeed graduate without knowing how to care for people. But that's not the new grad's fault. That's why jobs have orientation periods. I don't think the schools spend enough time on good, old fashioned hands on care. I think employers should have the or new nurses spend a week doing nothing but aide work as part of their orientation. Of course, this may not be economically feasible. But it would be nice.

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

The education needed by families and residents to better understand the reality of end of life expectations.

"Yes I know your Momma is 98 years old. I understand she was the best Momma to ever walk the face of the earth. I completely understand that you love her to death. I completely understand that you can't imagine life without her. But, I need you to understand that she has dementia, diabetes, end stage renal disease, lung cancer on and on and on. I need you to understand that keeping her as a full code is only going to force me to go in there eventually and crack that poor sweet Momma's ribs in the futile attempt to "save" her. Please, pleaase, please, let me call hospice in and allow them to assist with a pain controlled peaceful death with dignity. Allow us and the hospice team to help you with this devestating loss that is sure to come shortly".

Family member: "No. Momma is tough, she can pull thru this. Please send her to the hospital now and let them run a cagillion dollars in test and put her on the most expensive meds known to mankind'.

It wears me out just thinking of how many times a year I have that conversation. (BTW: I actually do have a pretty good success rate with dealing with end of life issues but sometimes....)

CapeCodMermaid, RN

6,090 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Why so much hate against new grads? I knew how to take care of people as a new grad. And if it was something totally off the wall that I couldn't deal with myself totally I'd seek help.

I am soooooo SICK of the hate towards new grads. Get over it. You were new once too! Why so bitter?

I do not hate new grads. I feel bad for them that their school didn't prepare them for the real world of nursing.

The OP asked for my issues and I gave them. I am not bitter and hire more new grads than any facility around. That does not change the fact that for the most part, they are clueless about patient care.

ktwlpn, LPN

3,844 Posts

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Hey Guys........ LPN here taking classes for RN...... Have to write a speech about issues in health care..... Can be any issue.. So as a fellow LTC nurse, I would like to take a poll from here and the top 3 answers will be what I cover in my speech. So please respond with your honest opinions & concerns

Thanks so much for your input

The best topics will be the ones YOU feel strongly about. My top 3 are issues regarding death and end of life care and under utilization of hospice care, dementia care and staffing.

I can go on all day about residents who are flogged with futile and uncomfortable care for months because the kids can't let Momma go and the doctor goes along with them which often results in poor pain control.argh.Educate these pople-use THE WORDS that they need to hear.

More and more of us are living longer with relatively healthy bodies but sick brains.I hate how many LTC's just warehouse the dementia residents in locked units.They need a unit with specially trained staff,an environment tailored to their needs and staff that believe in helping them maintain their dignity.

Staffing-don't get me started.

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