LPN in assisted living: Is it time to look for a new place?

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Help! Need advice... New nurse

So I've been a nurse for about 6 months. I was so excited when I got hired on the spot at the ALF/Memory Care facility that I'm at but I've been put in uncomfortable situations. I work 7p-7a. I've had a couple issues and I'm not sure how to go about it so I'm asking for advice please! :yes:

So first I was shocked to find that we have a get up list? I don't agree with that ... About 7 residents are being forced to get up at 4:45am- 5am (sometimes have to get showers) it's obvious the residents do not want to get up they will either state it or become combative... I thought in an ALF they have to right to what care they want? When I asked my boss about this she just went around the bush and ignored what I asked her...

Second... We currently have a census of 38 (small facility) we are supposed to have 3 resident aids at night but we have been short staffed and at least three times I have been here at night with 1 aid and I've had to hop on the floor and do patient care which isn't a problem I don't mind getting my hands dirty. But this has happened way too many times... I'm concerned if some emergency were to happen I would be put in a sticky situation. I asked my boss about this and I told her that if we weren't fully staffed then I refuse to work with one aid on my shift. She got very upset at me and yelled saying it's my job to do so... I'm not sure how to go about this? What would you do if you had to come in with one aid?

We've also have multiple issues like not having enough staff, short on supplies, narc count errors, no one to count narcotics with me, no nurse to hand report off to me...Is it time to look for a new place?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Is it time to look for a new place?
Yes. It is time to look for another position because I do not foresee any improvements at your current place of employment.
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I am just starting my prereqs for LPN and it is disheartening to hear horrible stories regarding LTC establishments. Yes, I personally would find another job, you do not have your license to be in jeopardy.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I personally would find another job, you do not have your license to be in jeopardy.
Please...no one's license is at risk. The "my license is at risk" chant is overexposed.

Nurses rarely, if ever, lose licenses due to sloppy patient care. Per disciplinary actions initiated by most state boards of nursing, most nurses who have had their licensure censured were involved in theft, narcotic diversion, intemperate use of alcohol and/or drugs, impaired nursing practice, and other issues related to addiction.

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I am just starting my prereqs for LPN and it is disheartening to hear horrible stories regarding LTC establishments. Yes, I personally would find another job, you do not have your license to be in jeopardy.

Thank you for your reply... and it is terrible. I want to be able to help out and change things for the better but I'm only one person and it seems like the other nurses settle and dont bother with any issues :(

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ALFs are notorious for crappy staffing and high turn over. Management is all about the bottom line-MONEY. Find a new job because things will only get worse with this situation. In my experience, jobs that are offered on the spot are because the employer is desperate. Think about it-there's no line of applicants beating down their door for an interview.

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