Assisted Living

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 9, 2009

I never worked in assisted living and am curious myself. I did hear that most of the patients are pretty independent, so, most should not be bedridden. I say to bite the bullet and give it a try. And, share with us what the experience was, because, again, I have been curious about trying that path myself. Good luck!

tammy07 · Mar 9, 2009

well, I will let you know march 10th will be my first day (orientation) I decided that I was very unhappy with ltc at this point so I am going for it I can always go back if its not any better....I will let you know

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 10, 2009

Please share what your experience is; inquiring minds want to know!!

mrstonyaLPN · Mar 10, 2009

Hi Everyone!

My name is Tonya. I just took my boards for LPN and passed on 12/16/2008.This is my first time on site.I just wanted to respond to this thread, before becoming a LPN I was a certified medication aide for 10 years. Medication aides usually only work in assisted living facilities.I think you will enjoy working in the assisted living environment. It is totally different from the LTC environment. Most patients are independent, the regulations are different, the environment is far less stressful. So good luck I'm sure you will like it!!!! :nurse: :yeah:

tammy07 · Mar 11, 2009

congrats on passing the boards that in itself is enough stress:eek:

tammy07 · Mar 11, 2009

Well, I went today and they gave me a quick walk thru I will be orienting on thursday and friday (pulling 2 sixteens so I will talk to you again Sat.) I am sure I will have a good idea whats going on by the end of these two shifts....

Lexxie, LPN · Mar 11, 2009

I worked night shift as an Assisted Living Attendant many years ago. The residents are supposed to be pretty self sufficient to be there. I would wake everyone up (only 20 beds) for breakfast, help put on TEDs-if needed, assist with a shower-if needed, administer 0630 meds and any PRNs during the night, set up for breakfast and serve those who were unable to carry a plate of food. The ALA's were responsible for activites. Our residents particularly loved Bingo.

Bottom line, it's not nearly as stressful as a SNF. There was a nurse on duty for dayshift, but only ALA's the other shifts. I really enjoyed actually having time to talk to the residents. Good luck to you!

amjowens · Mar 12, 2009

I'm a new grad LPN, and working in an assisted living facility. There are about 60 residents.

There are 3 floors, and each has a different level of care. There's one floor where 7 residents are bed/wheelchair-bound, and then on the 3rd floor there is a more intensive level of care, with catheters, complete assist, etc. In the middle, there's the more traditional (as I see it) assisted living, with residents who are relatively independent.

There are fewer regulations with AL facilities, and sometimes I think that ours is truly a nursing home, but without the strict regulations. It's pretty busy, and with only one nurse per shift (not everyone needs to be given meds or other interventions, but most do), there's a lot of work to do. Not to mention the traditional issues with management of nurse aides, and that's a real issue in the facility.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 12, 2009

I'm a new grad LPN, and working in an assisted living facility. There are about 60 residents.
There are 3 floors, and each has a different level of care. There's one floor where 7 residents are bed/wheelchair-bound, and then on the 3rd floor there is a more intensive level of care, with catheters, complete assist, etc. In the middle, there's the more traditional (as I see it) assisted living, with residents who are relatively independent.
There are fewer regulations with AL facilities, and sometimes I think that ours is truly a nursing home, but without the strict regulations. It's pretty busy, and with only one nurse per shift (not everyone needs to be given meds or other interventions, but most do), there's a lot of work to do. Not to mention the traditional issues with management of nurse aides, and that's a real issue in the facility.

How do you manage your day being the only nurse available? Is there an RN available by telephone? What about emergencies? Do you give all of the medications? Most importantly, do you like it? I am really thinking about this route, so forgive me for asking so many questions.

Bettie P · Mar 12, 2009

AL is definitely less stressful than LTC/NH. The main factor is whether the assisted living facility admits appropriately. I enjoyed working AL, but we had a few residents who were more NH material, in terms of amount of physical care needed. The facility I was working in was new and for-profit, so the management folks were hot to fill up the place. If the facility you are considering is well established, this might not be as much of an issue.

I think the nicest differences were the individuality expressed in the decor of the residents' apartments, the freedom that residents had (some were still driving!) and the presence of resident's pets in the facility. It was truly homelike.

amjowens · Mar 12, 2009

It's my first nursing job, so it's all I know. The owner/administrator is an RN, and she's available by phone 24 hours a day. I'm also in school to be an RN. One thing that (ironically) has been extremely helpful is that I worked as a nurse aide at the facility for a little bit right after I graduated (in December '08). It's really important to learn the uniquenesses of the residents, and without this information you can get really bogged down. I do find that the residents are more demanding (in a different kind of way) than what I've found in hospitals (precepting, clinicals). They live there, and are more aware of their rights, plus are often lonely, so this is where it can be consuming.

I recommend keeping a little notebook, and write whatever helps you to remember the residents. The "little things" can be extremely important, and if you've got those down, the residents will likely be grateful and open up to you. Also, show respect for the aides. It does help that I was one even for a little while, getting to know how tough it is. They are an extension of us, in a way. It's so important that they realize how valuable they are (I happen to believe people live up to their "labels" and what we expect of them!).

There have been new nurses hired who are just overwhelmed, and a few who have been okay. We are currently short-staffed, as most new nurses quit. The ones I've seen who don't make it tend to think assisted living is to be more relaxing, and so get behind. Every single one of these same people acted horribly to the aides, with that power trip of being the only nurse, head-of-the-herd mentality. One I'm thinking of stood there near a resident who had a fall alarm going off-the resident had gotten up herself and was walking! My alarm (I was working as the aide at the time) was going off, and as I ran in, I couldn't believe my eyes as the nurse stood there watching tv!!! She was new, and had no idea that I was a new grad (I was a little amused how she treated me like ****, as she did all the aides). Anyway, go in with a professional presence and work ethic as you would if you were starting a new job on a med-surg floor or something. The difference, it's more about human needs being met, basic common sense, and self respect so you'll be able and comfortable with respecting others, and not as much about nursing tasks. ORGANIZE your time and don't think assisted living is easier.

Yes, one nurse passes all the meds. Again, it's all I know, and I get it done. I am very organized with my time. I would think it depends on how many meds are given, the ease of administering the meds (residents with alzheimer's disease tend to be more time consuming), and how the meds are organized through the day as to whether it's tolerable at a particular facility.

What I like best is that I'm able to interact with residents and be a part of their lives. Many are with the mentality that they want quality (I don't find this as much in nursing homes-more about getting by), and I enjoy being a part of trying to create that quality. Also, there's so much autonomy. Like I said, I'm in NS, so I have plenty nurse-nurse drama already!