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Split Assignment?



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Jul 16, 2009 11:43 PM

Split Assignment?


I work LTC in a facility with 92 residents. Tonight there were 3 LPNS for those 92 residents and no RN in house. Our faclity has 2 wings, North and South. Tonite I had the privilege of working the "split" assignment. Which meant I had 15 residents on North and 14 residents on South to pass meds to, to do txs, skilled notes, q day charting, weekly skin assesments and top of all that a resident on North fell while I was passing meds on south. So in the middle of my south med pass and to stop go to other side of the buliding, assess her, get her off the floor and start neuro checks plus call her family and the MD. Both of my med passes were completly out of compliance. And to add to the chaos there were only 4 CNAs in the whole building! I felt totally unsafe tonite. I was nothing but frazzeled from the beginning of my shift to the end. I don't feel like this is a safe way to work. We are so undestaffed at this point in time that the other night they had nurses working as CNAs. I personally have worked 60+ hrs this week alone. myself and other nurses are tired, the cnas are worked to death and it seems like administration really does not care. They think that offering you a 25$ gas card in incentive enough to put you license on the line. It doesn't matter if you say yes to them 10 xs in a row to work extra the first time you tell them no, you are treated like garbage and sadly I'm not over exagerrating. Has anyone else ever worked in conditions like these. I really do not feel safe and feel that my license might be in jeporady. Trying to take care of ppl on both sides of a building is crazy in my opinion.


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4 Comments
No. 1
Old Jul 17, 2009, 07:49 AM

Default Re: Split Assignment?
ugh...I quit a place like that. I like to be able to at least see my assigned rooms.
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No. 2
from GOMER42
Old Jul 17, 2009, 07:56 AM

Default Re: Split Assignment?
I feel sorry for the residents in places like this because there is NO WAY they are getting the care they need. As hard as you may try, it is impossible to fulfill all your duties as they should be done.

Group up with other nurses and talk to administration together. If nothing changes, get out.
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No. 3
from systoly
Old Jul 17, 2009, 10:59 AM

Default Re: Split Assignment?
It sounds like tough times. I'm not certain if you're talking about 3-11 or 11-7 shift, but since you've worked so many hours, you're probably working both shifts. Are the other nurses flexible? Can you experiment with the assignments?
You could have one Tx and assesment nurse for both wings, while the other two nurses do medpass for each wing respectively, for instance. There are many ways to rearrange responsibilities. Right now you're tired and you probably don't have the time or the energy to look for a new job, so unless jobs are plentyful in your area, discuss the situation with your coworkers and, or management. I know the feeling of being patronized when asked to work extra shifts, only to be treated with indifference after the shift or worse when declinig the extra shift. Only you know what you can safely handle. Only you know any strain this might put on significant others. Don't we as nurses get treated disrespectfully by family members, even other healthcare workers? So nothing new here, right? Don't let a little tantrum by management deter you from saying no.
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No. 4
from calliou
Old Jul 17, 2009, 03:37 PM

Default Re: Split Assignment?
I currently work at a place just like that. Can't wait till December and graduation.
Worst part is... the company is great! But the "new" management has run our company and what it stands for into the ground.....
Good luck!
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