(Inexperienced) LPN working (in LTC) again.

Lovethisworld · Mar 19, 2019

I’m sorry about your situation, it must be so overwhelming but that seems to be normal for LTC nursing although the ratio where I am is 1:30. hope things get better for you and that you’ll be able to find a better job in the near future. What state do you live in?

LPNagain7 · Mar 19, 2019

I’m in New York. Thanks for replying. I appreciate it.

Golden_RN, MSN · Mar 19, 2019

When I worked on the floor in LTC each licensed nurse had about 40 residents in the long term units. The nurses on the short term units had 20 residents. Definitely give yourself some time to get more efficient (you're only on day 3). Is there any way to transfer to the subacute?

I floated to a unit with 40 residents (years ago!), and I could not finish the work in 8 hours. I suspect that I could do it after some time getting to know the residents and their needs. However, if anything unexpected were to happen, a fall for example, that would throw a wrench into everything.

I hope you have a good team of CNAs and other staff to support you.

LPNagain7 · Mar 19, 2019

I am new to the facility so transferring to the subacute floor isn't an option unless I "prove myself." I did my first two days of training on the subacute floors & they were intense. A lot going on but a 1:20 nurse/patient ratio is much easier to deal with.

Day four of orientation is over, the CNA's do their work. I am training on a floor now where one nurse deals with 39 patients. After not working as a nurse for two years I am just baffled with figuring out how to do give out all these medications, do all these vitals, finger sticks, & treatments for dozens of patients - the facility says I have to take a lunch break too - when? I think I am in way over my head.

Kristi Garner Blakely · Mar 24, 2019

I feel your pain. I worked almost 5 years in LTC. I had 25 Alzheimers patients with 2 sometimes 1 CNA to help me. I have not worked in the last 1 1/2 years and am fixing to go back to LTC next week. I am scared to death. So afraid I have forgotten everything and afraid I will not get finished with med pass because it has been so long. I get 3 days of orientation with someone and then on my own. I hope things are going well for you. You will fall in love with the residents once you get to know them. Good luck!

19Kristin · Apr 1, 2019

Have you tried to get out of the LTC environment? A lot of clinics also will hire LPNs. I refused to do LTC out of college because of the horror stories I heard of ridiculous patient loads, little to no training, etc. Honestly, it sounded unsafe and a quick way to burn myself out. My first job was on an inpatient psychiatric unit as the medication nurse and I loved it. Max was 24 patients, no day was the same, it was overwhelming at first but I was given 3 weeks orientation and I fully adjusted within a few months and I ended up working there for a couple of years. Then I moved and I now work at an addiction treatment clinic, I've been there for over 5 yrs and I love it. I briefly tried home health when I first moved here and I was done after 8 months. They paid me nothing, it was like pulling teeth to have them reimburse my gas mileage and if I was assigned an unskilled shift they would try to pay me an aide's wage and not tell me, I'd just see the drop on my check. They also stuck me in an environment with a patient that was way too high acuity for me to take care of in-home but that is another story. At any rate, I saw that I was being taken advantage of and thankfully had experienced what a decent employer was like so I could see this agency for what it was. It may take some time but look for something you can handle, don't work for a place that is just taking advantage of you and doesn't care about you or your license.

ComeTogether, LPN · Apr 14, 2019

One thing to know is that no one does things exactly by the book and also finishes anywhere close to on time. Each facility has its quirks but once you start to learn the residents it gets a lot easier.

DavidASmithRN2B · Apr 25, 2019

When I came back to nursing after taking a few years off to start up my own business I decided to do something different than LTC. I tried correctional nursing and absolutely loved it. Maybe something worth looking into. I’m back in LTC now as they work better with my schedule for RN school.

tosca rose · Apr 25, 2019

On 3/19/2019 at 1:13 PM, LPNagain7 said:
I’m in New York. Thanks for replying. I appreciate it.

hello, where in new york? i have upcoming interview for a rehab/LTC.

LPNagain7 · Apr 26, 2019

14 hours ago, tosca rose said:
hello, where in new york? i have upcoming interview for a rehab/LTC.

I didn’t stay with the nursing home I mentioned in my first post. Since then I finished orientation at a nursing home in Brooklyn & will finish orientation at another facility on the West Side. Good luck with your interview.

LPNagain7 · Apr 26, 2019

On 4/25/2019 at 4:28 AM, DavidASmithRN2B said:
When I came back to nursing after taking a few years off to start up my own business I decided to do something different than LTC. I tried correctional nursing and absolutely loved it. Maybe something worth looking into. I’m back in LTC now as they work better with my schedule for RN school.

Okay I gotcha. What kind of business did you start? I am trying LTC but I don’t think it’s for me. My other option is Homecare other than that I’m not sure what else I can do where I am in Manhattan because of my experience.

I am starting to think about doing an LPN-RN program. I don’t like the limits of being an LPN.