ICF/ID

What state do you work in? Is it a large facility? I work for the State of Tennessee. We did have large facilities, but they were shut down in favor of group homes operated by state agencies. The state builds the homes and operates them. I was skeptical about it at first but I really like it now. What kind of model do you use?

It’s in Idaho. It’s supposed to be a crisis model get them stable with medication, therapy, health issues,etc, then help teach them skills to transition back to the community. It was opened in the 1900s and it was a “school and hospital”. It was completely self-sufficient. It had several acres of land that the patients worked at and had a purpose. There were over 2000 men women children and even babies. Then the state closed most of it down and turned the land into gold courses and we still utilize 3 residents buildings. They changed the model in the early 2000s to what it is now. They closed down the pool ( of which the patients loved and utilized), and the building that has the basketball court and the other sensory rooms etc. I didn’t start until 2015 and there where a lot more patients in the 3 buildings. We had 1 RN manager, 2 day shift nurses, 1 swing shift nurse ( which was insane since it is the most “active” shift, I ran 3 buildings alone with about 40 patients with varying levels of functional DD), and 1 noc nurse all of us LPNS. It is a behavioral facility. Nursing is highly disrespected and we have a ton of non medical staff controlling what the nurses do or don’t do, as well as our MD. It’s a very long complicated issue. Which is off point. We have had some patients for years that we can’t seem to be able to get to the transition level and quite a few returns frequently after going out in the community, some within days, some within months. I just want to do what’s best for them and trying to find new ideas. Sorry it was a long response. I am very passionate about my job and my patients. They are amazing to get to know and I want them to be successful.