A.M. care in a ltcf

[proud2b1]

I usually try to help out the cna's on my hall when I can.They are usually always in need of help!!!Maybe I should say the res. are in need of help!I took a man today and changed him and shaved him and did mouth care.That is when I could clearly see...........These people are not getting mouth care.Just yesterday I had the same response from a women that I helped and did her mouth care.Both of these res.opened their eyes really big,and looked SHOCKED!I slathered my little guy with aftershave and he said WOW!!It dawned on me ,when I have one cna to the 18 people,just how much can we expect,when they are to be up in an hour for breakfast.They have to give their own showers that are on the list.They have to then feed the ones that cant.Then it is time to get them off their sore little butts,and back up again for lunch.On top of all of this the cna is entittled to 2 breaks and a lunch.My point is, the little things that sometimes mean sooo much ,that take only a second, are sadly getting left out!I have been in ltc for 15 years.Back in the day we had shower girls,and the housekeepers made the beds.It is terrible how now,at least where I am now,the cna's are to magically make all of this happen!

I really think more public needs to be aware of how some facilities run,at times.Family members seem to be catching on because my staff has been telling them.When a family member asks for something and the cna is too busy at the moment,they have said,"I will be with you when I can,we are short".Boy management would kill me if they knew I knew they say this and dont repremand them for it.I used to tell them they shouldnt tell the families this,but now I dont say a word!!!!!!!!!

[proud2b1]

It really burns me up that we are not supposed to tell the families that we are short staffed! It's not like they can't see that with their own eyes anyway. I have a CNA on my floor who has been on the job for more than 20 years. She was telling me last night that when she started out we used to have 1 RN, 1 LPN, and 4 CNAs on evening shift for 40 residents. Now we have 1 LPN and 3 CNAs for the same amount of residents. Also a lot of the medications the residents are on didn't exist 20 years ago and the residents are a lot sicker now.

I think the families need to know what is really going on in LTC. It really burns me up to see all of these commercials about LTC neglect and abuse. The finger is always being pointed at us staff for not doing what we are supposed to do when the finger should be pointed at the money grubbing jerks who own these facilities and refuse to pay for enough staff or supplies.

AMEN SISTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bowingpur

[MrsCaseyRN]

It really burns me up that we are not supposed to tell the families that we are short staffed! It's not like they can't see that with their own eyes anyway. I have a CNA on my floor who has been on the job for more than 20 years. She was telling me last night that when she started out we used to have 1 RN, 1 LPN, and 4 CNAs on evening shift for 40 residents. Now we have 1 LPN and 3 CNAs for the same amount of residents. Also a lot of the medications the residents are on didn't exist 20 years ago and the residents are a lot sicker now.

I think the families need to know what is really going on in LTC. It really burns me up to see all of these commercials about LTC neglect and abuse. The finger is always being pointed at us staff for not doing what we are supposed to do when the finger should be pointed at the money grubbing jerks who own these facilities and refuse to pay for enough staff or supplies.

You are soooo right! I also believe that the unpleasant stigma of LTC nurses comes from inadequate staffing, BUT the public isn't aware of this and thinks were are (forgive me for saying this) "stupid". :madface:May I add that I work in LTC. Of course we are NOT stupid, but the gross lack of staff gives the appearance to outsiders that we are negligent.