Hello, I have been reading this forum for some time & decided to make an account & post something.
I am a LPN doing orientation at a LTC / rehab facility & this is day three (3). I tried to switch careers & now two (2) years later I am back to being an LPN.
The facility I am training in has a nurse/patient ratio of 1:40 unless it’s the sub acute floor(s) with a ratio of 1:20 because there’s two LPN’s for 40 patients. I have 5-6 months nursing home experience & 1 year 1/2 home care experience.
I feel overwhelmed & don’t know if I’ll be able to work on the floor alone as the only nurse for 40 patients (Day Shift). The whole atmosphere is exhausting & it appears that the only way to get by is by taking short cuts.
I am thinking about trying to last 6 months to refresh my resume & just go back to home care or should I try to keep going? I don’t know, I am working as an LPN again out of necessity if not desperation but I want to make it work.
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.
That’s what I understand now but the whole environment (especially in this facility in Brooklyn) just stresses me out, not to mention the constant noise / chatting of the staff. I find it extremely daunting trying to pass all of these meds to 40 residents. I can barely even do it to be honest. The documentation as well, the whole thing just paralyzes me with dread.
Hello, im confused right now. I already signed up in one agency in new york and have upcoming interview. Its for rehab/LTC. They have relocation package since im from canada. Yesterday i have a call from hospital just in the border. If i accept in new york, theres a better transportation since i don't drive right now. If i will get a hospital job in the border. It will be hard to move around. There is pros and cos in my situation. And also in new york. Any thoughts?
Hello, im confused right now. I already signed up in one agency in new york and have upcoming interview. Its for rehab/LTC. They have relocation package since im from canada. Yesterday i have a call from hospital just in the border. If i accept in new york, theres a better transportation since i don't drive right now. If i will get a hospital job in the border. It will be hard to move around. There is pros and cos in my situation. And also in new york. Any thoughts?
If you really want to relocate & try something new a relocation package in NY can work. It depends on where you are moving to though, it is easy to move around in NYC with trains/buses. It really depends on you & whether or not you want to stay in Canada & travel to the hospital or make a big move to NYC. Think about what you can really handle. I know I could not relocate easily.
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.
I opened owned and operated a vape shop for almost 4 years, sold it and now I’m back in school. I’m currently doing the lpn-Rn, then I will do Rn-BSN then BSN-DNP
I have almost 2 years experience in LTC. I never really was able to pass meds, do treatments, document and finish "on time" during 1st or 2nd shift. I would always finish meds at least 1 hr or 1.5 hrs into the next shift, so many interruptions. Even after months and getting to know the residents. I knew the only way I could continue as an LPN at a LTC facility was to do 3rd shift. Working 3rd shift was a game changer for me. I get everything done and usually clock out at 7:30am, sometimes 7:45am, but that's usually because I'm waiting for my relief. I will ONLY work 3rd shift at a LTC facility. I pick up extra hours, but ONLY 3rd shift. I'm per deim at another LTC facility, ONLY 3rd shift.
I'm also per deim at a medical group home for intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals, which is so totally different than LTC. There are only 8 residents with either nebs, oscillating chest vest, O2 via nasal canulla, trach tube, feeding tube, seizure. Group home a LOT less stressful although I'm giving meds and doing treatments nearly the whole shift, but it's at a casual pace and EVERYTHING is done ON TIME, including charting. I pick up on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift. I love the group home environment, but the downside is pay is $5/hr less, which is why I'll stay fulltime at the LTC facility on 3rd shift, and pick up at group home other shifts. Stress level at LTC on 3rd shift facility is maybe one notch above group home.
I'm going for my RN so that I can eventually go into case management working at home for an insurance company. By the time I finish my RN I'll have at least 4 years in LTC and 3 years group home.
Home care agencies are a dime a dozen and.basically do the work.of supplying cases via government agencies like IHHS and regional centers.They carry the liability too.So the acuity can vary with each place.Im considering a job at a 'Active living/Memory" But Ill be the only nurse for 30 patients other than 3-4 caregivers.Should I ask to meet my team before I start?Lol!The total in the facility 167 they say I wont be in charge of the others..hmmm
Hello, I have been reading this forum for some time & decided to make an account & post something.
I am a LPN doing orientation at a LTC / rehab facility & this is day three (3). I tried to switch careers & now two (2) years later I am back to being an LPN.
The facility I am training in has a nurse/patient ratio of 1:40 unless it’s the sub acute floor(s) with a ratio of 1:20 because there’s two LPN’s for 40 patients. I have 5-6 months nursing home experience & 1 year 1/2 home care experience.
I feel overwhelmed & don’t know if I’ll be able to work on the floor alone as the only nurse for 40 patients (Day Shift). The whole atmosphere is exhausting & it appears that the only way to get by is by taking short cuts.
I am thinking about trying to last 6 months to refresh my resume & just go back to home care or should I try to keep going? I don’t know, I am working as an LPN again out of necessity if not desperation but I want to make it work.
Any advice? Any comments?
Anything would be appreciated!
Ugh...I'm sorry. I'm on the other side working home care considering going back to LTC. But that was when I had 15-25 patients depending on if it was mostly post acute (average 15) or mostly long term (25.) I simply will not do 40 patients. I mean, I CAN'T. I've tried. I don't know what the other nurses are doing to make it work, but it simply was not feasible for me. I'd still be doing my night time med pass after midnight when shift ends at 11. Sigh....I don't know WHAT to do. I'm burned out in private duty, but BARELY get by with 25 patients, let alone 40. And I can't afford the financial hit a clinic or office job would give me. Good luck with whatever you do!
The trend Im noticing is in the Outpatient clinical setting they are hiring M.A.'s Sooo thats leaving the L.V.N.s for LTC or Home Health or Psych. There are still options but very few its all so frustrating...
LPNagain7
8 Posts
That’s what I understand now but the whole environment (especially in this facility in Brooklyn) just stresses me out, not to mention the constant noise / chatting of the staff. I find it extremely daunting trying to pass all of these meds to 40 residents. I can barely even do it to be honest. The documentation as well, the whole thing just paralyzes me with dread.