Agency nurses in LTC settings

Specialties Geriatric

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Brownms46

1 Article; 2,394 Posts

Specializes in Everything except surgery.
Originally posted by canoehead

As an agency nurse in LTC where residents do not wear armbands, and may not be in their rooms, how do you pick out who is who for med passes? How do you confirm you have the right person getting the right drug?

Now that canoehead, is one of the reasons I don't do LTC as agency!!! I have run into the thing were you almost have to take a CNA along with you to indentify the residents! Even the ones who provide pictures are useless many times, as the pics aren't updated! You have residents who sit on other peoples beds, and who answer to what ever name you call them!!!:eek:! And as for it being the way of the world to not get orientation....to me that is just about the most scary thing I have ever heard...:eek:

Even the position I'm taking now. I had a choice of starting an orientation class on the 9th, or going there, and just getting a one or two day orientation on the unit, starting on the 15th ,and then waiting a week, and getting the facility orientation on the 21st! I took starting a week earlier,and getting the orientation first! I just think you do better if you get a feel for the place you're at...rather than just jumping in, and trying to fly by the step of your pants. I have been at this a long time... but everyone is different..:cool: Maybe I'm just a little gun shy, after some of the situations I have run into.:cool:

jevans

224 Posts

On our unit we would not roster an agency to work unless with qualified staff for support. If for some reason they would be on their own we ask another unit staff to swop. So at least they have some understanding of what happens in the building even if they don't know the patients.

CapeCodMermaid, RN

6,090 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I am responsible for "orienting" agency nurses to my facility. It consists of a tour of the unit, a look at the med and treatment sheets, a quick review of patients' rights, and an introduction to the other staff on the floor....and since when is not checking a name band before giving a med a minor infraction?

When I worked agency, I was simply sent to the unit and never received any kind of orientation. After a year or so, they asked me to sign off on all the paperwork showing that I had been "oriented."

Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

I have never rec'd any kind of orientation at an LTC facility other than "here's the phone, press x to call, here's the charting schedule, here's the med keys, have a nice night" sort of thing.

graysonret

155 Posts

In all the places I've ever worked, I have never received an orientation...at least none I can remember. I suppose one gets used to it though. As for patients, I check wristbands or ask the nurses/cnas. My first shift is usually a lot of questions.

I can't even imagine how it must be to work as an agency nurse..

here in Canada there is no such thing.. each hospital, facility etc has their own casual pool to draw on for relief staff. Since the nurses in Canada are , for the most part, unionized, to bring in "non-contract" staff is a definite no-no.

Of course, with our current shortages, that may change, but no doubt the wages will be less for them as well.

azgirl

152 Posts

I've never gotten orientation. Just here it is go for it.

One agency nurse had the meds in her hand and called out "John" and half the room held up their hands and most were women.

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