Assisted Living

I work in an enormous ALF that has LPNs for morning and afternoon shifts. It is a bit like a LTC. Lots of charting, orders, meds, ordering meds from the pharmacy, assessments (called an LPN summary) that are due monthly, care plans, etc. Same for our SCALF only it has a LPN all three shifts. I am the RN in charge. I oversee about 100 residents and staff of 30. I love the residents and my immediate boss. Overall, it is probably one of the nicer Retirement communities to work for (LTC, SNF, ALF, SCALF, Independent Living).

But do you have a LPN there all the time? If not how late?

Our SCALF (on third floor above our ALF) LPN is in charge. There is also a CNA at night of ALF. Two CNAs on SCALF. It's a little inadequate but we manage fairly well.

Most AL's do not have nurses 24/7. I have worked at one that did but difficulty keeping nurses who had to do aide & housekeeping duties as well. As a former D.O.N. of an AL, I know 24/7 nurses usually not necessary.

Where I live, nurses are not required. However, because of the sheer size of our facility and how it is run it is necessary for us to have LPN 24/7.

What is a SCALF?

I'm going to guess it's a skilled care ALF. (I never heard of it either)

I am the LPN at an ALF. I am overseen by an RN who has to sign off on all meds I add/discontinue to the MAR and is responsible for the initial and 6 month assessments. The CNAs/aides are trained to assist in passing medications after I have checked them in from the pharmacy or set them up in med sets per MD orders. Our facility is fairly small (16 resident capacity.) I am always "on-call," meaning I can be called for med questions, falls, changes in order from MDs, etc. In my 11+ years in AL, it has been my experience that the residence runs fairly well with the aides; really no need for 24/7 nursing. :)

Thank you for the replies. I am coming from a home health case manager job to a ADON in a ALF. It is going well so far. Alot less stress and no hours of homework. The pay is much less but with school aged kids having a mon-fri set schedule and not having to work every weekend is great.

SCALF= Specialty Care Assisted Living Facility

these are residents requiring a higher level of care due to dementia or other mental health issues. It is a locked facility. Many of our ALF patients are transitioned here. Our unit is a 32 bed unit. Nurses are not required by law to be staffed but we have an LPN. There has to be an RN at least parttime to do assessments and other things. At my facility we tend to have sicker residents. Since I have about 75 residents total to make sure meet regulation and are cared for properly. I am on call 24/7 (no call pay) and I must take the place of anyone who doesn't show up. It can be stressful. I've been in other places that had true ALF residents--very independent. However, where I am now that just is not the case! I often go without lunch or any break, I have reports and other items that must be done on schedule as I am audited continuously by my boss. I love my boss as she works as hard as I do.

Thank you for the replies. I am coming from a home health case manager job to a ADON in a ALF. It is going well so far. Alot less stress and no hours of homework. The pay is much less but with school aged kids having a mon-fri set schedule and not having to work every weekend is great.

Adamsmom: ADON? I am the "DON" where I am now. No assistant. I wish I did. How is your ALF set up? Thanks. Donna

We have under 100 apts. many do have Services that we give meds to. I did take a pay cut from a home health job but now have more of a life. No hours of homework no working every weekend.