ethical dilema

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I am a new LPN in a LTC facility. I work 12 hour shifts. When am finished my med passes and charting I have "nothing" to do. I notice the other LPN's just sit around and talk, or read magazines or smoke. To me this makes for a long day, so I like to see if |I can help the care-aids or anyone!!! I even ask them if I can watch them so I can learn what they have to do. Being a "new" employee, I do not intend to make the other LPNs look bad, I just really believe in teamwork. It makes my shift go faster and I am learning from the care-aids as well. What I am asking from veterans is, am I doing the right thing? Or should I be like the other LPN's and keep to our own. It just seems wrong, but I will probably get the cold shoulder from my LPN peers.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Specializes in Care Coordination, Care Management.

You have "nothing" to do? Do you not have Tx? Lab prep? How many residents? Are they all low acuity?! I started in LTC and my fellow nurses and I barely had time to sit for charting. On THIRD shift, well...night shift.

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Help out and observe, but don't go overboard. By going overboard, I mean make a big production over it. I can assure you that the nursing assistants (the good ones at least) will respect you for what you do and for showing interest in the well-being of the residents, but don't counter that by possibly being ostentatious. I think you can see the reasons for this.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Where I work you would be shot if you sat down and the cares werent done! Personal care is a nursing responsibility.

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I wanna know what LTC you all work at that you actually have time to help the STNAs out and take breaks.

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I've never worked in LTC, but, working in inpatient psych for years on night shift, I have always done my share of the rounds, toileting, etc. after finishing my required chart reviews and other RN-specific duties. The CNAs will love and respect you for it. But I agree with the recommendation of not making a big deal about it and, especially, don't draw any kind of comparison between yourself and the nurses who don't help out, or join in if the CNAs are talking trash about the nurses who don't help. That can only turn out badly for you when (as it inevitably will) it gets back to the other night shift nurses. Also, don't "help out" so much that you're doing all the work and the CNAs are sitting at the desk, looking at magazines and surfing the 'net. :)

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The care-aids do all the treatments, there are 15 residents in my wing. Quite short med pass, only 0800 is a little heavy. This is why I wanted to pitch in and help them.

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Ok I feel I am pissing people off here, so I will stop posting. I am a new nurse, and I was only asking for advice. I didn't mean to offend.

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You have "nothing" to do? Do you not have Tx? Lab prep? How many residents? Are they all low acuity?! I started in LTC and my fellow nurses and I barely had time to sit for charting. On THIRD shift, well...night shift.

I was seriously wondering the same thing. I have worked in LTC or SNF's for most of my career and almost never get lunch and barely have time to use the restroom. Where do you get all this extra time? How many patients do you have? Where the heck is this wonderous place?

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Ok I feel I am pissing people off here, so I will stop posting. I am a new nurse, and I was only asking for advice. I didn't mean to offend.

Hm, sorry that you feel that way. I did not get that from the posts. I do not believe that you offended but were being given advice/asked questions as you asked. Please, stay and keep active. It is always good to have a new perspective!

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I don't have many evenings where I can help out. Most of the time I stay past about 45 minutes to complete charting. It is those rare evenings that I have the extra time.

I think it is great that there are places that are so well staffed that this new nurse does have some time to help out.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

There is NEVER "nothing to do" in LTC. Stock med carts. Go through stock meds on the shelves and toss expired stuff. Empty, wipe out and organize the treatment carts. Help CNA's pass waters/linens/snacks. Make copies of documents that are running low. Straighten up the drawers at the nurses station. Restock pens/highlighters/sharpies. Hell, empty the tray on the hole punch! I will NEVER believe a nurse who tells me she can't find something to do

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To the original OP, I applaud you for helping out not only your coworkers but also helping to ensure that the patient's needs are being met. I am also a new nurse but I have been a CNA for many years. It is a hard and often thankless job. I still did it with all my heart and to the best of my abilities. My nursing instuctor always said, "the kind of person you are will determine the kind of nurse you will become." Helping others when you can shows good character. When the team helps each other the workload is less stressful for everyone involved. Do what makes you happy but know your limitations so that you aren't overworked. Cheers to you!

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