Quote from knottygirl
Hey,
I was reading some of the posts, and I remember my days as a CNA and the patient-load I had, yes after a while it did get easier, but I'm wondering how many patients you have at an LTC unit. I was reading another post where the lpn had almost 50 patients in a shift.
I know it takes time but how do you manage so many patients? Do they teach time-management skills in school or is it something you have to learn yourself, kinda like learn-as-you-go type of thing? Probably a dumb question, but what if you don't get everything done? Do you stay, or does it go to the nurse relieving you? How stressful is that? How do you deal with it?
Sorry, lot's of questions, but after reading these posts for a while I've wondered about it.
peacers.
As of last week I had 30: I'll find out later if it'll be my unit max of 32. It takes a little while, but you will create your own routine that will constantly be modified when you get new patients with new behaviors and needs. As far as staying over, these days facility management is watching everybody for overtime. At my facility the administrator and his assistant walk the halls and will look at the clock and ask "when did you get here?; why are you still here? They want the work done in the time allotted and if you can't finish, they want you to "pass it on" because "nursing is 24 hours." As for dealing with it, it just depends on what it is. If it is wound care tx that I'm supposed to do and I can't get to it, I unfortunately pass it on. I've mentioned this to nurse management that some things create an unnecessary hardship on the nurse relieving you; but, nothing has changed and nothing will until nurse management and administration engage their nurses to propose how to fulfill the responsibilities and goals of the shift thus minimizing overtime which should include UTILIZING ALL LICENSED NURSES IN THE BLDG! As long as nurse management continues to burden the floor nurse with additional duties on top of what they already have to do, there will always be "passing on" additional work to the nurse coming behind you which will p*ss her off, cause her to complain, create frustration, burn out, less time spent with "patient care," and initiates employee turn over which COSTS MONEY! With all that said, I provide the best care that I can with the time I have.
Dec 25, '12 by LisaLPN7I honestly don't know how y'all do it in LTC with that many patients! I definitely take my hat off to you LTC LPNs working in insane conditions. I've been an LPN since 1990, and have never worked in a nursing home outside of 4 weeks during nursing school. And that was just basic care stuff, as we hadn't gotten to meds or wound care yet. But it was enough to show me that I didn't want to work in one. I'm looking for a job right now, and ads for LPNs in LTC are abundant around here, but I refuse to apply for any of them. I hope I never have to, and it would definitely be a "have to" case.
Dec 25, '12 by emt2lpn2I have to say, I can't see how you all do it. Since I have been a nurse(3 yr) I have only did OP clinic, and I complain about parents and the way they act.lord my job seems like a piece of cake. Hats off to all of you on LTC. I do understand the pressure you all be under because I volunteer for an EMS agency, I am an EMT also, so I can have a mix of adult and peds so I keep my cert in date. But if I had to pull and lift all day my body will take a toll on me. So,kudos to you all :-)
Dec 27, '12 by sbergmann17I have 30 on one side of my LTC and 22 on the other side. Two nurses first and second one on third. 6 CNAs on first and second and 3 one third.
Jan 5 by brown eyed girlQuote from knottygirlAs of last week I had 30: I'll find out later if it'll be my unit max of 32. It takes a little while, but you will create your own routine that will constantly be modified when you get new patients with new behaviors and needs. As far as staying over, these days facility management is watching everybody for overtime. At my facility the administrator and his assistant walk the halls and will look at the clock and ask "when did you get here?; why are you still here? They want the work done in the time allotted and if you can't finish, they want you to "pass it on" because "nursing is 24 hours." As for dealing with it, it just depends on what it is. If it is wound care tx that I'm supposed to do and I can't get to it, I unfortunately pass it on. I've mentioned this to nurse management that some things create an unnecessary hardship on the nurse relieving you; but, nothing has changed and nothing will until nurse management and administration engage their nurses to propose how to fulfill the responsibilities and goals of the shift thus minimizing overtime which should include UTILIZING ALL LICENSED NURSES IN THE BLDG! As long as nurse management continues to burden the floor nurse with additional duties on top of what they already have to do, there will always be "passing on" additional work to the nurse coming behind you which will p*ss her off, cause her to complain, create frustration, burn out, less time spent with "patient care," and initiates employee turn over which COSTS MONEY! With all that said, I provide the best care that I can with the time I have.Hey,