shiningstarinpa

Latest Activity

1. Tips for new nurse manager at SNF?

   shiningstarinpa replied to brendacg's topic in Geriatric

   If you want to be successful as a manager, I suggest you "catch" your staff doing things right. Let them know you appreciate their hard work. And be willing to help someone everyday--even if it is just for 5 minutes. Too many managers walk around loo...

2. Can an LPN work 11-7 without RN in building? Pennsylvania!

   shiningstarinpa replied to nowdistracted's topic in LPN/LVN

   I work in PA in ltc. At one point the census in our building was getting pretty low. The DON was talking about the possibility of having an lpn in charge of the building during the night shift if our census fell below a certain level. I don't rememb...

3. Cognitive stable and cognitive impaired residents' living arrangements

   shiningstarinpa replied to Norubit15's topic in Geriatric

   You will find out that when a resident is admitted they will go to wherever there is an empty bed. If roommates don't get along for whatever reason they can change rooms later. I have seen roommates of different cognitive abilities get along very wel...

4. med pass

   shiningstarinpa replied to fairyluv's topic in Geriatric

   I have about 25 residents also and it takes me between 2-3 hours to pass meds. It is closer to 2 hours when everything goes smoothly--residents in their rooms(not the dining room or therapy), residents ready to take meds(not needing to be toileted, n...

5. LPN scope of pratice!!!

   shiningstarinpa replied to NikkiL.Rutherford's topic in LPN/LVN

   I have been in ltc for a long time and the lpn on the hall has always done the admission assesment. All our assesments are done on the computer so I go in to the assesment print out a blank copy and take it to the room. This way I know what to look ...

6. Different types of residents

   shiningstarinpa replied to KRSLPN's topic in Geriatric

   When I started in long term care over 20 years ago the average age of the residents on my unit was probably in the neighborhood of 75. Now on the unit I'm working the average age is probably around 65. I have several "grandmas and grandpas" but more ...

7. Discouraged with LTC. Advice?

   shiningstarinpa replied to RoxieRN0511's topic in Geriatric

   I doubt they switched you to the acute side because they didn't think you could handle the long term side. Sorry to say, but I don't think they care if you can handle it or not. Face it, you are the "newbie" and will be moved to wherever they need y...

8. Omnicare (new thread)

   shiningstarinpa replied to CoffeeRTC's topic in Geriatric

   You are lucky. My facility is 4 hours away from our Omnicare pharmacy. We receive 2 deliveries Mon.-Sat. one around 8-9 in the evening, the other 3-5am. "Stat" orders---forget it, we are told to ask for a "drop ship" from local pharmacy (through Omni...

9. Someone please help me, new to LTC!!!

   shiningstarinpa replied to JLL41183RN's topic in Geriatric

   Yes, this is the reality of ltc. Short staffed, call-offs every shift. My advice to you would be---don't try to change things---you are the new one in town, and the staff there really do know what they are doing. They will resent you if you walk in w...

10. Blood Pressure Medications

    shiningstarinpa replied to Steve123's topic in Medications

    I agree completely, but it is not only a problem with patients at home. Had a resident in ltc facility on 4 bp meds. Wonder of wonders bp would by 80's over 40's. MD would stop all bp meds., and not order any bps be monitered. Checked bps weekly anyw...

11. How do experienced nurses do it to memorize everything?

    shiningstarinpa replied to NursingBro's topic in LPN/LVN

    I have been a nurse for many years, and no I don't memorize anything. I carry my report sheet with me at all times and write one word reminders with times. I call this my brain, and if I misplace it, forget it, you're not getting a very good report....

12. Nursing home- State coming in

    shiningstarinpa replied to WildWillows's topic in Geriatric

    Answer only the question that was asked. Do not volunteer any information. If you don't kow the answer to a question be honest---tell then you don't know but you will find out---then do it---find out and report back to them.

13. Burning out after almost 25 years

    shiningstarinpa posted a topic in Geriatric

    I've been in ltc for almost 25years and I hate to say it but I'm tired. I'm an LPN on a 20-25 bed unit working with 2 nursing assistants. I know this sounds like a small unit to some of you, but it is the behavior of the residents that make it so har...

14. Staffing

    shiningstarinpa replied to Jessmed0324's topic in Geriatric

    If state said you need 3, then you need 3. You can call the state anonymously and report low staffing. They have to investigate. That should get the admin attention. If not, I would look for another job......don't lose your license for this place.

15. Should I drop out of nursing school?

    shiningstarinpa replied to southerngal2108's topic in LPN/LVN Students

    Please don't quit just because you don't like med-surg. There are many different ways to be an LPN. I work in a nursing home. No I don't give the baths and change beds. The nursing assistant do that. But I do get to know and love my residents. You wi...