I applied at a LTC facility in my area. I have never worked in a LTC before and my only experience with them was when I was a student and did a clinical rotation in one. I am interested in changing into this field from hospital nursing because I enjoy the elderly and I think the job is far more interesting.
When I went into the facility they took me on a tour and showed me around. The place smelled like urine and tube feeding formula. The patients appeared clean and I could not find anything on the internet regarding state write ups at this facility. My question is: do LTC's just smell this way or should this be a sign to me?
Also, the workload is as follows: 117 patients, 3 LPNs and I charge per shift. Is that the norm?
If you walk into a LTC for an interview and it is odoriforous turn around and walk out. Ltc are not supposed to smell..... Some one is falling down on the job... It's an indication that there are too many patients and not enough staff...Old facilities are also not supposed to smell. I have been in many older facilities and it was like walking into any other clean facility. I'll bet if you were to walk into their shower rooms you would find open containers with soiled pads etc. I went into a nursing home where an incontinent patient had wet the bed. The bed was so wet that it went through the mattress and was dripping on the floor. The facility would have made your eyes water. It was obvious to me that they were horribly short staffed. Unfortunately the patient was my father. Needless to say He was out of there inside of 2 hours...I was out of town when the family placed him..I asked the family if they had any indication that this place had a problem. Their answere was it looked pretty good.It was brand new and expensive but it did have a urine odor...They thought all nursing homes smelled like that....
aloha551
43 Posts
If you walk into a LTC for an interview and it is odoriforous turn around and walk out. Ltc are not supposed to smell..... Some one is falling down on the job... It's an indication that there are too many patients and not enough staff...Old facilities are also not supposed to smell. I have been in many older facilities and it was like walking into any other clean facility. I'll bet if you were to walk into their shower rooms you would find open containers with soiled pads etc. I went into a nursing home where an incontinent patient had wet the bed. The bed was so wet that it went through the mattress and was dripping on the floor. The facility would have made your eyes water. It was obvious to me that they were horribly short staffed. Unfortunately the patient was my father. Needless to say He was out of there inside of 2 hours...I was out of town when the family placed him..I asked the family if they had any indication that this place had a problem. Their answere was it looked pretty good.It was brand new and expensive but it did have a urine odor...They thought all nursing homes smelled like that....
