What's It All About, ALFie?--Help and Support for Assisted Living Nurses

Hello everyone. I just took a position as Director of Nursing or whatever they call it at an assisted living facility. It's owned by a small company outside of Pittsburg called IntegraCare. Anybody ever heard of them? I had to interview with 8 different people before the job was offered to me.

This month marks one year in an ALF. I came from SNF's and Med/Surg. I must say I love my job and my schedule. Just wanted to put my 2 cents in.
Hi, everyone!

Hi everyone!
HAve not been onsite for quite a while but thats because I took a job as a clinical health services coordinator in a ALF!!! As you know, it can be very busy in these types of positions but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I manage 2 facilities, one is 16 beds and the other is >120. I would love to be able to talk with nurses in my situation. Most of my friends who are nurses just don't understand what I go thru. Regulation for ALF is SOOOOO murky. Well, hope to talk to some more of ya soon!

Hi there all. First of all, I am new to this website and thankful to have "come into your world!" I am a new nurse, graduated LPN school last June and took a position a month ago in a retirement community in the ALF. (Just now do I realize the "alf-ie" acronym!) Anyway, I am new in a lot of areas involving all of this and will be on this site frequently for as much advice I can find.

As far as I can see, I am going to love my position -- Charge LPN - evening shift - I absolutely enjoy taking care of people and those at my facility seem to "embrace my caring nature" saying I remind them of the nurses from days back. I will take that as a compliment. The "charge" part will be the challenge for me but, I will do my best -- the residents deserve that.

I just want to let you all know I am so thankful for this website and always get caught up in an hour or two when I am here. Thanks to whomever got this started! Education and communication are key to survival!

All take care...Terry

I left LTC about one year ago, after many years in every nursing role from staff nurse to DON to regional nursing consultant. AL is not stress free, but it is definitely less stressful than any nursing job I ever held in LTC. There is a certain amount of loneliness for me on the job because I am the only licensed person for a 70 unit ALF/Retirement community and I miss having other nurses to talk with about nursing. Here, we "assist" with medications and "assist" with ADLs. I have unlicensed medication assistants and resident assistants to provide care.
I would agree with earlier posters that a brand new nurse might get themselves into trouble in AL because of inexperience with assessing signs and symptoms of illness in elderly persons. These residents all look very healthy compared to what you see in the nursing homes. There are still many with complex medical issues and many have a fear of going to a nursing home if they reveal the extent of their health problems. I also find that since AL is generally private pay, many families and residents don't want to pay for higher service levels to receive the care and services they need. Census is an issue here, just like in LTC. There is pressure to admit residents who may not be appropriate for AL, not just from the corporate level but also from families who prefer to see their loved one in this setting rather than a nursing home.
Overall, I think AL is a good industry for a seasoned LTC nurse who is tired of dealing with tons of paperwork and unreasonable surveyors every three months.

I have been a LPN for 18 years and I have a interview tomorrow morning at a new retirement community opening in my town in December. They have assisted living along with other styles. I am currently working in ltc and really want out! Another nurse where i currently work had an interview monday and she said they didn't discuss salary as they said they were not sure what the pay would be, they also told her that they expected the LPN's and CNA's to clean the apartments top to bottom once a month. I don't have a problem with that but she said it was not for her. My question is, right now I make 20.35/hr, anyone have any idea what ALF's pay?

I Quit a Assisted living postion, simply I was so stressed I forgot what year I was born and could not rememeber my age. I walked into a real mess the care givers off the street and passing MEDS. One error after another. The
Charts were not audited and 4 years behind. New move in assesments and reassesments had to be done. Being on call 24/7 and being told I had to work as a caregiver 15 hours a week, plus my job. Staffing and scheduling .All the inservices, then Dementia Nurse quit and I had her JOB on top of that. I just could not do it. too much. I was the 11th Nurse in 1 year. They wined and dined me to get me I relocated. To start there. Never again It left a bad image for me. So forget assisted living or is it this company?? Are they all like this????
Any one work for Merrill Gardens????

I am currently working at a alf that has been open about 1 month. Brand new beautiful facility! My question is what kind of activities do you do with the residents? What meds are in lock up? Everything seems so murky compared to waht I was used to in nursing home setting. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. We do have medication assistants, we have an LPN and a CNA on the shift right now, we have about 16 independant and 6 assisted in the facility. What jobs are you responsible for? Do you have dietary and housekeeping on 2nd shift? All kinds of questions!! Thanks everyone!