carlanocnurse

carlanocnurse has 30 years experience and specializes in geri, psych, med surg.

Latest Activity

1. Really disappointed with the reality of nursing.

   carlanocnurse replied to NurseFrustrated's topic in Relations

   The working atmosphere you describe is why most of my nursing class (BSN) left hospital work for anything else ASAP! I work in LTC, on the night shift, and absolutely love it. I have more independence, no one breathing down my neck, and I get to do a...

2. LTC Nurses Bottom of the Barrel

   carlanocnurse replied to jjnmrsmom's topic in Geriatric

   This post has really touched a nerve with a lot of us. I think LTC nurses have to have great skills of many kinds; assessment; judgment; interpersonal; and patience, to name a few. We have every right to be proud of what we do and how well we do it.

3. LTC Nurses Bottom of the Barrel

   carlanocnurse replied to jjnmrsmom's topic in Geriatric

   We're missing an opportunity. LTC nurses need to actually spread the word, not only in support of each other, but also to educate the public about the terrific work we do. The population is aging, and the trend is for only the most frail and seriousl...

4. LTC Nurses Bottom of the Barrel

   carlanocnurse replied to jjnmrsmom's topic in Geriatric

   Unfortunately the negative reputation of LTC nursing sticks like tar on a hot summer day. When doing research for a novel, I was unable to find anything positive written about LTC. That negative reputation is detrimental to older people, their famil...

5. Common LTC no-no's (part vent, part question)

   carlanocnurse replied to Zergasaurus's topic in Geriatric

   This has been an issue everywhere I've ever worked. I've been a nurse long enough that I've grown a back bone. I refuse to borrow. None of the responses I've read mention the pharmacy's responsibility in this. When we don't have a medication we need,...

6. State surveyors here again...and being super picky...

   carlanocnurse replied to IowaLPN's topic in Geriatric

   We work in a crazy system. CMS knows exactly what is needed to provide good care in LTC. If facilities HAD to follow the staffing recommendations for CNA's, a lot of our problems would be solved. What do they recommend? 4.1 staff ratios, and getting ...

7. Is there a clearinghouse or forum where LTC facilities can share survey issues?

   carlanocnurse replied to ChesterCountyMSN's topic in LTC Directors

   Does your nursing home belong to state LTC organizations? At meetings, people often talk informally about survey-what's being cited, the emphasis of the survey, etc. A good resource about surveys and nursing home characteristics was done by KU in co...

8. Terminated without warning

   carlanocnurse replied to Lonestarrn02's topic in LTC Directors

   I'm sorry you got terminated, especially so unfairly. You're certainly not alone, if that's any consolation. Being a DON is very tough. In my state, the average tenure of a DON is 18 months. How well you do isn't entirely under your control, as you'v...

9. Did I pick the wrong career?

   carlanocnurse replied to blackpants22's topic in General Nursing

   There's an old saying that 'nurse's eat their young.' I heard it as a new grad 30 years ago, and unfortunately it's still often true. Do try to find another job, but in the meantime, a few suggestions: living well is the best revenge, find something ...

10. Why do many nurses look down on LTC?

    carlanocnurse replied to Kitty Hawk's topic in Geriatric

    Anyone who thinks LTC is somehow 'less,' is mistaken. We have less technology, more hands on, less patient turnover, more connection, less backup, more opportunity to really know our residents and make a difference in their lives. Long ago in nursing...

11. More Things Your Nurse Won't Tell You: Spring Fever in LTC Edition

    carlanocnurse replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you for your funny and very honest description of what we'd all like to say sometimes. I'm glad to see there are some geriatric nurses in the crowd. One of our nurses told me the following: A resident in one of our dining rooms started to choke...