RN:patient ratio in SNF in Ca

I am a new RN just starting my first job at a SNF in Sacramento. The patient load is about 22-27 patients. There's a desk nurse - sometimes - to help w/admissions or new orders but, for the most part, I am on my own w/all of this. The residents are all sub-acute on my wing. It is a MADHOUSE!!!! Is this patient load normal? I was on my own for the first time last week and didnt finish my 21:00 meds til 23:15 at night!!! (my shift is 2pm-11pm) Then I had to chart on 15 of the patients. I left very, very late.
Does anyone have any tips/suggestions as to how to manage my time better? The nurses tell me they double up the meds - giving 1700 and 2100 meds at the same time - but I thought this wasn't kosher. I also don't seem to have time to actually ASSESS my patients! I don't know what' going on w/them or why they are there.
Are there other facilities out there that may be better for a new grad? This seems impossible to do!