Is this understaffing (or is it me?)

[Town & Country]

I recently interviewed at a 120-bed, LTC facility. 118 beds are currently occupied; 16 are a locked Alzheimer's unit and the rest are two wings consisting of fifty + residents.

I would be working weekend option on nights.

I asked about the staffing and was told that on my wing (50 + residents), there would be a nurse (me), and 2 nurse aides.

That's it.

I feel that is ridiculous.

They should have a med tech. How in the world do they expect ONE NURSE to pass meds, PROPERLY assess, document, do Medicare charting, handle INCIDENTS (what about treatments??), and all the myriad things that pop up DURING TWELVE HOURS?

Giving meds to fifty + residents and everything else? Not to mention PRNs...

I dunno, but it seems to me they need at least a med tech........what do you all think?

[dcnballmom, ASN, RN]

i work in LTC also - i am responsible for 40 patients on 2 long hallways -we have med techs that pass meds to all of these patients, but that is on 2 units, some days she is required to work also as a GNA in addition to being a med tech on one floor- on those days i do med pass to 25 patients, along with 12 fingersticks and insulins in the morning, and pass all of my AC meds or otherwise they would not be given as scheduled - i also do on the average 150 lab results a month to all of the docs, and do documentation on such - PLUS the 24 hours report - PLUS admissions and discharges -PLUS IV therapy -PLUS listen to my supervisor tell me that i am not doing my job properly because i missed doing a skin assessment - which got me a interdisciplinary action taken right as i was leaving for vacation that day - if you are lucky enough to have 3 GNA on a unit, thats a day to celebrate that 25 people will actually get fed their meals before it gets cold -

[dcnballmom, ASN, RN]

i just re- read your post - and i agree with you there - i know for a fact that my med error rate has at least doubled - (for little things, but my NM feels the need to write up everything ) and my documentation could be much better - but now we are on the "dont use the clock" plan which means no overtime, even if you are not finished with your assigned duties - which my charge nurse likes to tell me " just let the next shift do it" and as for patient safety - we now have an abuse issue because their was only one GNA on the unit during midnite shift ( the nurse was on the other wing she has to cover with an emergency situation) and there were 3 people trying to all get out of bed at the same time - and one resident was put in a wheelchair with a gait belt to keep her in place while the GNA tried to tend to the other 2 - with no assistance because the staffing is so low on 11-7 in my facility - now not only are the GNA and the RN on that shift being investigated, but the state nursing board is examing other issues there - thank goodness that we have an Ombudsman that is on the ball and trying to get staffing issues covered - but i doubt that the corporate offices will see her point of view either

[deleern]

the LTC that i work at we have 1 LPN and 2 CNA 's for 58 residents 6 units are Assisted living, There is only and early morning Med pass that consists of Tylenol Supps Some Neb Tx and eye drops. and an assortment of PRN's Lots of Charting. the CNA 's do Rounds and the LPN Asssists when necessary. I loved the night shift. when i was an LPN