Is this too much?? Or am I just new??

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2009

Both.

newtress, LPN · Jul 25, 2009

Thaaat's pretty pitiful. A med cup full. We talkin' 30cc /2 tbs? You have a lot on the plate, and I bet you are an awsome nurse.. new or not. Something like rationing soap and and a DON that advises you to watch more closely sounds like something from a bad novel. You deserve a decent nursing job, and patients deserve a decent nurse like you. I wish for a better facility for you to be in. Hard to believe that some places operate like it's still WWII.

vivacious1healer · Jul 25, 2009

RUN!!!!

Trishalishus, PhD, CNS · Jul 25, 2009

Good for you looking for a new job Beachbum - get out ASAP - before they a) kill your love of nursing or b) kill you.

ps - and once you've left, is there any way you can file an anonymous report with some accreditation agency or government regulator and/or at the very least, set the local paper on them?

Good luck

egglady, LPN · Jul 25, 2009

I wish I only had 20 residents. I take care of up to 38. We are one of the nicest NH in the area, and I love it there. Once you get your "time management" skills, and can organize your day, it gets done. Of course I have been there for 19 years, the first 4 or 5 as a nursing aid. Not all nursing homes are bad, the ones that are sure do give all of them a bad reputation though. Good luck in whatever you decide!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 25, 2009

I have heard of worse for nursing homes, but never worked one myself as an LPN. When I worked at one, I would see two LPNs on day tour, but one was charge nurse (she did the treatments), the other was the medication nurse, who had to administer to close to 60 patients. I hear of similar things throughout my conversations with other LPNs. We had supplies rationed out also, but we would get them once per shift. Each CNA had to take 6 large briefs, 6 small, 10 sheets, a pack of disposable wipes. There was enough soap, but no deodarent or lotion. Many of the more caring CNAs used to purchase their own lotions and other toiletries from a cheap store to use for their patients.

Now that I am an LPN, I try to avoid nursing homes because of that memory. But, I do often wonder how I can handle such an assignment, especially being in charge. I may even consider taking a per diem on weekends just to see if I can handle it, because you never know.

I do think that it is both...you are new, which can increase anxiety because this is not what they taught you in school, and yes, it can be too much, but believe me, I have heard worse. My temporary suggestion is to think about whether you and the patients are being treated decently or not. If you are, and you have cooperative nursing supervisors who are not out to throw you under the bus and support you with the CNAs and hard work, then, try and find a way around it, at least for awhile. If not, then, search for other alternatives sooner than later.

Sparrowhawk · Jul 25, 2009

Both..and like the others have said...strangeness. One thing I have learned...never believe what they promise you..*shakes head slowly* Currently I do treatment nurse for 44 residents..but..not the craziness like that.

Look for another job...something is large and fishy there.

MedSurgeMess · Jul 25, 2009

If they treat the staff that badly, imagine how the patients feel. That's scary. I'd find another job, and put the local newspaper on their trail, as well as report them to the state. I feel sorry for everyone on the receiving end.

beachbutterfly · Jul 25, 2009

Cant you switch to a hospital????To be honest with you I think nursing home is not a good choice to start for a new grad,maybe later down the road but you definitely want to get exposed to as much experience as you can...good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 25, 2009

Cant you switch to a hospital????To be honest with you I think nursing home is not a good choice to start for a new grad,maybe later down the road but you definitely want to get exposed to as much experience as you can...good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Depending on where you live, I am understanding that it is more difficult for LPNs to find positions in hospitals because they are pushing for BSN nurses. I agree that nursing homes are not great, but that may be the only options that a geographical location can offer Practical Nurses. My area still hires them, but the pickings are slimmer than what they once were.

On a more positive note, if one can be said for nursing homes; the care is more routine. If a nurse were able to have better patient ratios, it can be a good place to get basic skills down pact before advancing to the faster pace of the hospital.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 25, 2009

I have never worked in a nursing home so can't speak from experience, but wow! Just because other people are posting that they have seen worse nursing homes does not discount that yours sounds pretty screwed up; there is always going to be some one that has a worse story...but that does not justify all the "less worse" (but still BAD) nursing homes in this country.

I am a quite observer, I have been my whole life. I learned at a young age that one has to go to college and get a good degree to somewhat make it in the world; especially as a woman, and this economy is not getting any better. At 20 I was already fully aware that I needed to put the max allowed into my 401k because it costs a lot "be old". This was only confirmed when I had my geriatric rotation and a stent in a state run nursing home...urine smell everywhere, patients strapped into their wheel chairs, patients that never get any social or physical interaction beyond getting their butts wiped...a nurse that told me "she just lays in bed anyways we just change her in the morning instead of having to change her all day long" when I questioned why Lasix was being given at bedtime....