Med cart malady

[RoDee]

I work at an assisted living facility in Florida. There are 46 current residents, and 38 need some type of medication administration. Each person could range from 5-25 pills, lotions, inhalers, eye drops, etc. As the only Nurse in the facility, we also have to address any falls, altered mental status, or change in condition, along with accuchecks and LNS. There are usually two RA's (sometimes three) in the two story building, and most days there is a med tech working one of the two med carts. I recently had to work both carts by myself, along with all our other duties. Before I left that day. I called the boss and told him I would not be in for my next scheduled shift.

My back was tore up from the constant bending and reaching, and back and forth between both carts. The ED called 30 minutes before the start of shift saying they got a med tech and he expected me to be in that day. I did not go in. Has anyone else had this experience? There is no way to accomplish that type of workload....38 people in a two hour timeframe by one person is impossible. Other nurses have quit because they consistently worked both those carts by themselves, and I don't blame them one bit. I really want to stay because the residents need advocates. Management is just trying to keep labor costs down, but they appear to be out of touch with the reality of the situation. Staff is beyond frustrated. Any advice?

[Kallie3006, ADN]

Start putting in applications to other facilities. I have never worked ALF so I dont have any advice on that, although from your recount of the situation it does not seem safe to me, but again I have no experience in this type of facility so i am unsure what the "normal" workload is.

Florida is an at will state. They could fire you for this without recourse on your part. I would write a detailed remembrance of that day up to and including the last correspondents with the ED, and keep any documentation you have in relation to this as well. You may need it if you did get terminated and they tried to fight unemployment.

Best wishes.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

I work at an assisted living facility in Florida. There are 46 current residents, and 38 need some type of medication administration. Each person could range from 5-25 pills, lotions, inhalers, eye drops, etc. As the only Nurse in the facility, we also have to address any falls, altered mental status, or change in condition, along with accuchecks and LNS. There are usually two RA's (sometimes three) in the two story building, and most days there is a med tech working one of the two med carts. I recently had to work both carts by myself, along with all our other duties. Before I left that day. I called the boss and told him I would not be in for my next scheduled shift.

My back was tore up from the constant bending and reaching, and back and forth between both carts. The ED called 30 minutes before the start of shift saying they got a med tech and he expected me to be in that day. I did not go in. Has anyone else had this experience? There is no way to accomplish that type of workload....38 people in a two hour timeframe by one person is impossible. Other nurses have quit because they consistently worked both those carts by themselves, and I don't blame them one bit. I really want to stay because the residents need advocates. Management is just trying to keep labor costs down, but they appear to be out of touch with the reality of the situation. Staff is beyond frustrated. Any advice?

Well, first I'd see a physician and file a Workman's Comp Claim for a work related back injury. You need to protect both your job and yourself. Make sure you also fill out an Incident Report for Employee Injury and be complete. State only the facts.

A physician should decide whether or not you can work or if your duties need to be modified. Take care of your back!!! Staffing is not your problem, it's theirs.