I have to get opinions, i cannot find much about the GA law against LTC facilities and nurse to resident ratios. So, my situation was basically an employee called out for the unit that is on the same floor as my unit. I get to work and they tell me that I have to take on both units all night! Both units contain 49 residents and one of the residents is very violent and has attacked many nurses. Management even threatened that if I did not take the keys to other hall that they would report me to state for abandonment, yet I was NOT scheduled to work that unit, and there and the day Nurse was still there. Also, I work 12 hr shifts, I had gotten called in on my day off just the day before this mess happened. This happened on a Thurs. I had already worked Mon, Tues, off wed, Supposed to work Thurs, Friday, Sat, and Sun. and they wanted me to take on 2 units by myself. Is this NOT crazy!!!
I don't get why some people act like this patient load is okay, because it's to be expected in LTC. I think it's incredibly wrong. Patients are suffering because of these ridiculous staffing numbers, and so is the staff! It needs to change.
I don't get why some people act like this patient load is okay, because it's to be expected in LTC. I think it's incredibly wrong. Patients are suffering because of these ridiculous staffing numbers, and so is the staff! It needs to change.
Most nurses are trying to make for safer staffing in LTC; the roadblock is most of these companies have their hands into a legislators back pocket, at the state and federal level.
Believe me, most nurses in LTC would LOVE to have a lower ratio; unfortunately, we have to contend with the challenges; and we can't abandon our pts; most of us who love LTC want to make sure that they have the highest quality of care, and I do believe, despite the challenges the are places that do provide the care and are five star places, then the fours, then a big percentage of the three and below that do struggle and could be better ran.
I'm not mad at nurses or anyone else, just the comments saying "oh I wish I only had 50 residents...." I don't know, it just really irritates me. And it was the biggest reason I left the LTC facility I worked at. I thought maybe it was just that I was a new nurse, but even the seasoned nurses struggled with the residents we had.
Why am I not surprised it's a money thing? It always is.
I'm not mad at nurses or anyone else, just the comments saying "oh I wish I only had 50 residents...." I don't know, it just really irritates me. And it was the biggest reason I left the LTC facility I worked at. I thought maybe it was just that I was a new nurse, but even the seasoned nurses struggled with the residents we had.
Why am I not surprised it's a money thing? It always is.
The thing is that most of us DO wish because on night shift 60 is the norm on night shift; it is many nurses reality, and we are going to do what's best for the pt, despite the conditions; we still remain prudent and having 50 would be like a vacation to most that work night shift.
I'm not mad at nurses or anyone else, just the comments saying "oh I wish I only had 50 residents...." I don't know, it just really irritates me. And it was the biggest reason I left the LTC facility I worked at. I thought maybe it was just that I was a new nurse, but even the seasoned nurses struggled with the residents we had.
Why am I not surprised it's a money thing? It always is.
You don't need 3 or 4 nurses on the floor when almost everyone is sleeping.
Actually, yes I did. And like everything in nursing the manageability of the assignment is based on acuity. I had 54 residents on an ICF floor and it was fine. I've had 30 (on night shift) on a skilled wing and it was doable but it sucked.
Regardless, I know of what I speak, whether you agree or not.
TrickieTam
208 Posts
Never got that comment after being here for years, but hey if I do get Google searched its no problem. Hope no one uses it for a catfish episode.