I just resigned my position! Would you?

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Specializes in Geriatric Psych, Physicians office, OB,.

I work in LTC in Arkansas, and lately I have been put in the position of being the only LPN in the building on the night shift for periods of time, due to short staffing. We have 2 nurses stations, with 3 halls each. The nurse at the front station stays until 3am, then another nurse comes in around 5am to pass the morning meds at 6. Here's my problem: we have 88 residents currently on the census, and this leaves me alone with ALL these residents, and 4 or 5 cna's. Meanwhile, as I'm at the back nurses station waiting for the next nurse to come in, I can't see anything that's going on at the front station, I've no idea what the cna's are doing...much less what the residents are up to! I have contacted our state agency on nursing home care reform, as well as the state office of long term care (via anonymous email) and asked about the minimum staffing for nursing homes in Arkansas. Both told me that it's a law that they have to have 1 lpn for every 80 residents in the building. But my administrator keeps telling me different - he says only 1 lpn for up to 120 residents!! I can't believe this!

I put in my notice 2 weeks ago, but agreed to stay on to help until more 11-7 nurses could be hired. Now, last night, I found myself once more in the building by myself. Granted, it was only for an hour, but that's one hour too much for me. I told my administrator this morning that I was resigning and turned in my timecard to the office.

Problem is, now I'm starting to doubt my decision. The new schedule starts tomorrow, and they are so short staffed as it is. Part of me doesn't even want to look back, just run. But a part of me realizes how badly I need the money. The way I see it, if they really wanted me to continue working there, they wouldn't keep putting me in this position - and I've asked them not to do this toooooooo many times. Did I do the right thing?

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:) Yes I think you made the right decision by resigning. Congratulations! :balloons:

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I also think you made the right decision, It's your license on the line, not their's!! Maybe this will be the wake up call they need of admin has to work your shift.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

Do not doubt yourself , you have made the right decision. You feel guilty because you care about the residents and worry for their saftey. I have worked in LTC many years and know that they tell you what you want to hear so you will stay. As long as you put up with it they will continue. What would happen if you lost your nursing license to a mishap ;would your job be there to pay your bills? Would they return the same faithfullness to you that you have shown to them? No, they would not, think of your family and the price you will pay in the end. Find another job, Good luck to you!!!!!!!:)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I think you already know you made the right decision. But doubts are normal in such major life decisions. I just want to chime in with my support. Time to move onto bigger and better things.

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I think you did the right thing too. Something better will come along. Good luck!

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Specializes in Geriatric Psych, Physicians office, OB,.

Thank you all for your support - it means a lot, to hear that I did the right thing. And now that I've "slept on it", I too am feeling better about my decision. And I contacted the Office of Long Term Care again just to be SURE of what they informed me...and I was right. One nurse to 80 residents. Incredible.

Think I'll look for a job in a dialysis center or something unusual from what I do; that would be interesting. Heck...maybe I'll go to work for walmarts, just for a change!!! Of course, it's gonna be a heck of a difference in my paycheck size!

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;) Anndoodle...It's a sign! This is the perfect opportunity to move to Washington State like we talked about! Pack the car!:rotfl:

In all seriousness, I think you know you did the right thing. Good luck with the job hunt!

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Specializes in LTC.

You did the right thing, If something were to have happened while you were on ,you'd be without a career and the nursing home would still be taking in residents. There'a a better life for you out there somewhere. Go find it.

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Both told me that it's a law that they have to have 1 lpn for every 80 residents in the building. But my administrator keeps telling me different - he says only 1 lpn for up to 120 residents!! I can't believe this!

Let's see 1 LPN + 5 NA / 88 residents= approx. 15 residents/per pair of hands. In the event of a fire, how are each of you in the building expected to move 15 residents to safety and that's assuming you each can all handle 15 residents on your own. That's also assuming all 6 of you are in the same place and not on break, at lunch or God forbid, in the bathroom.

IT never ceases to amaze me how states come up with these numbers. I'm not saying the care cannot be provided, yes that is possible but I am thinking outside the box and considering a disaster.

It is a shame however that you are leaving because it only helps one half of the equation. Many times facilities replace the vacancy but never address the reason a vacancy occurred in the first place.

Good luck to you.

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While working for a Temp agency under the same conditions- I walked back and forth to check the CNA's and the residents in all halls- 3 of them. This is also where the trust factor comes in- do you trust your CNA's to do thier job and do it right? Either way sounds like a good decision- that is quite a few for 1 nurse- I have 33 at night with 2 CNA's and I think that is also a no win situation in case of an emergency

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Do not doubt yourself , you have made the right decision. You feel guilty because you care about the residents and worry for their saftey. I have worked in LTC many years and know that they tell you what you want to hear so you will stay. As long as you put up with it they will continue. What would happen if you lost your nursing license to a mishap ;would your job be there to pay your bills? Would they return the same faithfullness to you that you have shown to them? No, they would not, think of your family and the price you will pay in the end. Find another job, Good luck to you!!!!!!!:)

Ha! I was going to quit entirely at this other convy hospital when I got accepted as a med surg LVN, but I stayed on-call for the residents. Man, I'm lame :rolleyes:

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