Isn't our workload enough!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I wonder if the politicians of our industry realize the complex dynamics it takes to care for the elderly? If you take into the consideration that the population is at risk for every possible disease and we have to be prepared to understand how to handle that, in the acute sense, as well helping them to rehabilitate. We have an enormous workload, that makes the task at hand seem almost impossible. We are taught the important steps we as healthcare providers are to perform, to help the injured, sick,diseased, or dying. Help, mend, or cope with what medically is their affliction. Whether that be physical rehab, mental rehab, or the realization that death is expected. Yet with all that going on, we most of the time are dealing with a 30 to 40 patient load. Not to mention a staff that isn't in touch with the full spectrum of what is really going on. Then because of state regulations, we are obligated by law, to complete the necessary paperwork to prove we provided the appropriate care for the current need at hand. Do you ever wonder as if you have been set up to fail? As though the elderly truly are the forgotten generation? Why is it, if these people, are the foundation of our current America, as we know it, is it then, that suddenly, when they are in need of what we as healthcare providers have to offer, are they subjected to the common practice in LTC, as doing the kind of nursing of that we have come up, that squeaks by as being sufficient. When a state inspection is in progress we do our best to do everything in the correct order, have our HIPPA regulations followed, and provide the best care, we can, while being watched, but we shouldn't we have the time to meet all state regulations, at all time? Unfortunately, with a patient load as we are expected to care for this becomes an impossible task. As I asked before; Do you ever wonder if we have been set up to fail?

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Specializes in Home Care.

$$$$ rule, not the needs of the people.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

the profits of LTC are not that high. What the market will bear, and what Medicaid will pay, leaves little for the owners to use in salary, equipment and that is what is needed. In some countries the govt owns the LTC's and the staff are paid state salaries. I do not know if that translates to more staff or not.

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Don't get involved with LTCs - nurses are being exploited there and working with so many patients is dangerous and unfair to the patients. You can't change the working conditions (even Obama could't) for the nurses and STNAs. The best strategy is to run away, never work for any company that does not provide an adequate staffing. I can't understand the corporate thinking: why even bother to have a business if can't ensure safe and adequate staffing, forcing 1 nurse to have 20-40 patients, and pretending it is a norm. This is not going to last long. It is a short-term solution that leads to failure.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I am sorry ......pet peeve!!!!

HIPAA not HIPPA...

:hug:

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Specializes in medical.

For that reason I would never step my foot into a nursing home...

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For that reason I would never step my foot into a nursing home...

Sorry, but a pet peeve of mine:

The expression is "set foot," not "step foot."

Those are famous last words, anyway. The way health care is going and with the changes we undergo ourselves over time, we never know where we'll set our feet next.

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Why is it, if these people, are the foundation of our current America, as we know it, is it then, that suddenly, when they are in need of what we as healthcare providers have to offer, are they subjected to the common practice in LTC, as doing the kind of nursing of that we have come up, that squeaks by as being sufficient.

That's an easy one. Good nursing care is labor-intensive and costs a lot of money. How many of us could afford that out-of-pocket for our loved ones and/or ourselves if needed? Government funding isn't free or limitless - it has to be budgeted from our own tax dollars. Yes, I want to pay for quality care for the elderly, and good education for the young, and policing for safety, and national infrastructure (maintained roads/rails, reliable/affordable utilities)... but how to afford it all? I don't have an answer for that one!

As I asked before; Do you ever wonder if we have been set up to fail?

Another easy one... yes! In many settings, and in many LTC's for sure, the nurses do seem to be set up to fail. Unfortunately. : (

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

YES we have been set up to fail!!! They give us an impossible work load. Then they tell us to take care of these residents safely and happily. Oh yea do not forget to keep the family member who thinks that their loved one is the only resident on the hall happy. Oh and do not forget to do ALL of the paperwork to keep state happy. Oh and get out of here on time because if you don't the powers that be will not be happy.

Yet everyone wonders why a lot of nurses will not work in LTC.

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