Originally Posted by Gerinurse05 I understand your situation. I have been a nurse in LTC for 12 yrs. It is a tough job. I too have mostly worked the skilled. If you feel that you can't handle it take the home health until you feel you are able to deal with the care load. I have 56-58 pt. on my hall....9 g tubes & 1 trach. But I work 2-10 & have a tx nurse & a g tube nurse (most of the time) but I have alot of very sick pt. & more demanding family members to deal with.
What is a g tube nurse? Is that all she does?
On 11-7 I have 48 residents...5 or 6 tubes and at least 12 diabetics. This is with 2 Cnas.
On 3-11 I have 4 tubes, 7 diabetics, 3-4 cnas. 26 residents (LPN has 22) Meds, tx, orders, etc...charge.
LTC is never easy...you learn every day.
New Nurse being thrown to the wolves IN LTC HELP!
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Hi, I am a new nurse too (LPN), graduated in Dec. I can relate to your post. I took a job in LTC also. I have 20 residents under my care. You did not say how many residents are on each 'side' you are working? We have two wings with 20 residents each. They try to keep 3 nurses on a shift but if one calls in sick, they do not replace her. So that leaves 2 nurses for 40 residents. We do not have a HUC or a unit clerk. I was asked to work on my own because one nurse called in, said I could handle it, and it was a reaaalllllllllllllly long night. I personally would take the home care job, I do not see LTC getting any better, I think they are all about the same for staffing, that is what I have heard. Good luck, let us know how you are doing. 
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