Brand new lvn- memory care facility

amoLucia · Oct 15, 2015

I'm not familiar with your type of facility specifically, but I will alert you to the fact that in the initial opening phase of any new facility, your responsibilities will include the wearing of many hats. So just know that you'll need to be flexible.

But always follow on the side of good practice.

There will also be quite a bit of growing pains with other staff, particularly dept heads (Social Service, Activity, etc). Takes a while for all of them to mesh.

But when you say MEMORY CARE to me, I think safety, first and foremost, for your residents.

And please, please consider malpractice insurance. Not to scare you - I am the biggest supporter of insurance for ALL practicing nurses. It's your safety net if ever needed (and a gazillion bazillion nurses NEVER EVER need it).

Congrats on your new career and new job.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Oct 15, 2015

Not saying you can't handle it but being a brand new nurse and doing all the caregiving and nurse duties for the time being will be very difficult. Think about it, there will be no caregivers who know the residents (I heavily rely on my CNA's, esp since I work PRN, to give me the low down on my patients) and there will be no other nurses who know the facility rules and guidelines if you have questions. Is this attached to an existing nursing home or is brand spanking new?? If it's attached to a existing nursing home I think you will be fine but if it's stand alone, I would perhaps give this more thought....

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Oct 16, 2015

Have they given you a resident census number where they will be adding more help. That would be something to ask about. You don't say what shift you will be working either and that would make a difference. You will get to know your residents very well. It sounds interesting. Let us know how it goes.

619nurse, LVN · Oct 16, 2015

Its a brand new memory care facility. I am confident in my knowledge, just first job nurse jitters. Thank you for your response.

619nurse, LVN · Oct 16, 2015

In the interview she stated that at about 8 patients they would start hiring on caregivers. My shift will be the 2pm-1030. Thank you

CNAAJ · Oct 28, 2015

In the interview she stated that at about 8 patients they would start hiring on caregivers. My shift will be the 2pm-1030. Thank you

Good luck there will be a memory care facility opeining around the time i graduate in March in my state. I plan on doing the same thing but my only fear for you is the fact that these are memory care patients which means they need a constant eye and redirecting however i wish you the best of luck and i confidence is key!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Oct 28, 2015

I worked in a memory care unit as my first LVN job. I enjoyed the residents. The aides were also alright.

When I was new, the hardest part was speed. I had 2 med passes to over 40 pts. Many if not most were not oriented, therefore, it took quite a bit of time to convince them to take their meds, crush their meds in the food that worked for them, watch some of them insist on taking meds one by one. But I enjoy working with the elderly, so I learned how to do it!

Sometimes, often, there was a fall. This meant lots of paperwork and phone calls, but I learned to manage my time wisely.

My facility was not well organized and that was very challenging for me as a new grad. I wanted to do things by the "book", but the company had different policies because they were a non medical ALF.

I hope you enjoy you work!

Sirena922 · Jan 4, 2016

What is the starting salary at Memory Care if you don't mind me asking?

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jan 5, 2016

What is the starting salary at Memory Care if you don't mind me asking?

Early 2014: $17/hr. $5 less than my subsequent job.

Sbrokman · Dec 8, 2017

I've started at a memory care facility today. I have 45 residents. You have to be very good with you're time management skills, and as always, good cnas on the floor helps tremendously.