I'm new here, hope it's okay that I started a thread....really looking for some advice. I work full time in an assisted living facility. Level 2 care ( this is in Canada, which means minimal assist....although the lines get blurred!).
It's a new facility, and we only have 19 residents so far. We have 60 beds, and have been told there will still only be one LPN per shift at that time. I do not see how this is realistic....if meds are done properly, you need more than two minutes per client...because things always come up.
On top of that, we carry two phones. We take dr's orders, do treatments, call pharmacy, deal with family, supervise the CNA's....everything. There is no RN in our building.
The other phone is, get this, the receptionists phone for when she is not available...she works 8-4. So, during the am med pass, and supper time, we get phone calls such as "can you put me through to"...we are interupted, and have to go look up a number. We also have to let people in the building, as it rings to our phone to unlock the door.
There is an independent living apartment building which is full and attached to us...if one the residents falls, needs a nurse, or calls 911, you got it....we have to go over.
Yesterday, because of call ins, I had to work alone. Morning med pass for 19 ppl, get them up and dressed, and did I mention answer the calls until the receptionist came in, and oh look, there's a family waiting for me because their father is under adult protection and they want to argue. I also had to send two ppl out to hospital, one with pneumonia, one with undiagnosed CHF.....so those things come into play as well.
I was completely overwhelmed with 19 ( although, normally, there would be a cna, and we will be adding more on as the client list goes up).
Is it realistic to expect 1 LPN do meds for 60, treatments, answer the LPN phone, the receptionist phone after hours, be available for emergencies for another residence, and oh wait, I forgot to mention, we serve meals in the dining and clean the tables afterwards......and still be aware and assessing, charting and everything else an LPN does....has anyone ever worked in assisted living? if this is the norm, then I would like to know, and will start looking elsewhere, as much as I love my job most days. I fear for my license as the place fills up....and am wondering if my concerns are valid enough to go to management.
