change of working conditions at LTC...

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

:o Okay, here's the sitation at my work at a LTC facility. Recently the DON has decided that the LPN's will now pass meds to 55 people for each pass instead of the usual 33 at the breakfast, luch and dinner med passes. The other change is that LPN's will now be floated to differing floors, even those that they have never worked on. There are 156 residents in total so about 50 per floor. THis is all so that more RN's can be hired for 12 hour shifts. I am very worried about the safety of passing meds to people that I don't know. I have only been there four days and have had three days orientation on one floor. They told us to come in on our own time to figure out who the residents are. How many of you guys would work in this environment or are my expectations to high?

Dear Linzz, Re:Change of working conditions at LTC, I worked in LTC for over 21 years. I've had some hair raising experiences!

Passing meds to 55 residents, plus all the treatments, monitoring the dining room, manditory feeding assistance (which I loved, but it would always, be challenging to complete meds also in a timely manner!) Not to mention the emergencies! Was extremely stressful! I would encourage you to go with your gut feeling. If it feels overwhelming, protect yourself, and look for another option. I wish you success!

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I don't know how it would be to handle that many residents cause I am a new grad. But I currently have about 40 residents/3 nurses. Our med passes are so bad they overlap each other. You might have a sliver of time for a break and a small ounce of time to get all of your labs and orders. I work 12-hour shifts and sometimes wonder if what they are paying me is truly enough. In my case I am thinking seriously of leaving.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Postpartum.

Run for your life honey, your license is in jeopardy. If you make a med error on one of these residents its YOUR &*% on the line, not the facilities. I would not agree to more than 32 residents on the day or pm shift, nites 55 is ok.

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The first job I got was at a LTC facility. I had just received my LPN and had no previous LTC experience, besides my clinicals (which most of my clinicals were at the hospital). My job assignment was on 2 different halls, alternating weekly, with a total of 65 residents. After 1 1/2 days of training on one hall (35 residents, many of which were total care), I was going to be left alone, on a weekend, first shift. Now, if I had experience in LTC or at this facility, and already knew all the residents, this would not have been an impossible job. It most likely would have been a great job.

I was sooo anxious about the job, that I could not sleep, and I could not really even be excited about my first job. I just though, one mistake and my lisence could be on the line. Thankfully, God heard my prayers and concerns, because the day before I started training, I recieved a job offer from the Assisted Living Facility where I live. After thinking the offer over and discussing the options with my husband, we decided that the only choice I had was to accept the offer at the Assisted Living Facility, and quit at the LTC facility, which was very hard for me to do. I am a very dependable person, and I don't like to quit. I have not regreted this decision, I love my new job. I love the residents, and this is the best decision I have ever made.

I am not trying to sway your decision in either direction, I just wanted to share my experience. Go with your gut feeling, it is usually right.

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Dear Trickie Tam, I'm sure the aren't paying you what you're worth. I've looked into travel nursing, and found out that, my experience in LTC, didn't make me very marketable. Most of the positions, seemed to want recent hospital experience, for travel nurses. Have you found that to be true? Wishing you much success, and know that, you are not alone by any means!

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Dear Iluvnursing_2006, It's good to know, that there are still good choices, available. Thank you for sharing!

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I worked at an LTC were I had to pass meds on a floor of 44 pts., and had not been oriented to them, and I was a new LPN. Half of these residents were diabetics, and they all got FSBS and night time coverage. On top of that most of these residents were recieving on average about 7-10 pills each, and since this was the alzheimer's unit, most of those pills were crushed. ( take into account that I had tolook up the meds I was unfamilair with before I crushed them!) I had only been at this LTC for four shifts, and an LPN for a week. So got out of there! any place that would willingly put a new nurse in a situation likethat was asking for errors. So my shift of 3-11 actually turned into 3-2a, and I was still passing 8 o'clock meds. I thought that if this is what nursing is, then I am in the wrong field. Lucky for me I found a great LTC that I pass only to only 22 residents and there is great support from the staff. I think if you are new, and you don't have time management down, then I would definetly think about finding another place to work. You willjust get flustered and maybe overlook something,or learn to do things inncorrectly to save time. I think knowing what you are capable of and what your comfort level is should be a key in what work load you should accept. Most importantly, what is safe for your residents, and can you honestly give them the care they need?

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Specializes in Hospice.

Get out and find a better and safer work environment. For them to even suggest that you come in on your own time and FIGURE OUT who the residents are says enough. The residents safety comes first, not mention your license as well. Good luck.

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Specializes in SNF/LTC, H.H.
I worked at an LTC were I had to pass meds on a floor of 44 pts., and had not been oriented to them, and I was a new LPN. Half of these residents were diabetics, and they all got FSBS and night time coverage. On top of that most of these residents were recieving on average about 7-10 pills each, and since this was the alzheimer's unit, most of those pills were crushed. ( take into account that I had tolook up the meds I was unfamilair with before I crushed them!) I had only been at this LTC for four shifts, and an LPN for a week. So got out of there! any place that would willingly put a new nurse in a situation likethat was asking for errors. So my shift of 3-11 actually turned into 3-2a, and I was still passing 8 o'clock meds. I thought that if this is what nursing is, then I am in the wrong field. Lucky for me I found a great LTC that I pass only to only 22 residents and there is great support from the staff. I think if you are new, and you don't have time management down, then I would definetly think about finding another place to work. You willjust get flustered and maybe overlook something,or learn to do things inncorrectly to save time. I think knowing what you are capable of and what your comfort level is should be a key in what work load you should accept. Most importantly, what is safe for your residents, and can you honestly give them the care they need?

Wow, its a shame as a new nurse we have to go through this. I worked in a LTC facility for 2 weeks and I finally decided to quit yesterday. The workload was too much for me. There was no team work at all. I wasn't even oriented to these patients and alot of their medications, especially the narcotics were MISSING. I dont like to quit jobs myself, as it makes me feel like i can't do the work. I dont want to 2nd guess myself as to if i can make it as a Nurse, I know i can i just need to find a place for me and obviously LTC isn't it. So now im going to try out private duty as an in home nurse. Hopefully i wont come back with any horror stories. Wish me luck!

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