wishinguponastarLPN

So a friend of mine started at a facility at the same time. We both were originally hired in PRN, then on our second day of orientation were both offered Full Time positions. I was hired 7a-7p on one unit and she was hired for 7p-7a on a completely different unit. Originally we were being paid PRN pay because thats what we were hired in as. The ADON is the one that offered us both the full time positions, then quit about 2 weeks later. HR recently approached me and asked if the ADON mentioned anything to me about a difference in pay when she offered me the Full Time position. I told the No (which she did not). HR said well we pay Full Time less so we will have to drop your pay to Full Time pay. So I said ok and signed the paper. Also, I worked in this Full Time position about 3-4 weeks before HR approached me. My friend on the other hand told the Unit Manager, our DON and the HR person that she would not sign and that they will keep her rate of pay or else she will go back to PRN, so they kept her full time and kept her pay rate the same. UGH! I feel like I got screwed! Its not that I don't ever stand up for myself, but I also don't like to make un-necessary waves, especially at my job! Should I have refused for my pay to change? I just can't help wonder if this won't put some type of "target" on her back and they will try to get rid of her!? This happens sometimes when you do something to tick of administration....any thoughts!?

I noticed you have a Louisville Cardinal Avatar, are you from Louisville, KY? Just wondering because that is where I am and have worked in a few of the LTC facilities. With that being said, I personally enjoy LTC. When I was was looking into becoming a nurse I always said "I never want to work in LTC. Having the same residents, passing the same pills, omg how boring!" Well let me tell you that it is not! There is always something going on and you really grow to love these people. Not sure what the place is like where you are going but I have worked in a few place that I personally wouldn't put my worst enemy in. Those places usually pay really well, but you are going to work for that money. Staffing sucks and there are usually multiple falls, skin tears, wounds, ect. Even under those circumstances you come to love the residents. I currently work for a really nice facility. The pay is a little less but it is worth the paycut. I am able to actually spend a little more time with the residents and really make sure we are meeting their needs. The good thing about LTC is you can also get a routine down and it makes for a really nice shift. As an RN are you going to be on a cart or working as charge? Do they use CMT's (medicine tech)? Do you know how many residents you will have and how many nursing are on a unit and how many CNA's? These are all important things to know going into a facility. Good Luck!

Let me clarify that I heard the CNA say "shut up before I smack you with this brief" to the RESIDENT. I did file an incident report with names and times. I also thought there was a 48-72 hour time on reporting the incident. The DON said it was my responsibility according to the state (KY) to remove the employee immediately and report it immediately. She made it sound like she was going to report me for not reporting it immediately. Update: They just called me at home and told me this CNA was terminated.

OK I am in a situation. Sunday night my floor was crazy! It seemed like every room had something wrong going on. To make matters worse we were short 2 aides. My RN supervisor can be a real a$$. He had been riding me for the past hour about some ladies medication who had just been admitted. A heard a CNA come out of one of my residents room and say to hear "Shut up before I smack you with this brief" In the next second my supervisor was in my face yelling at me about something I was wrong about. We got into it, I asked him repeatedly to get out of my face which he did not. I got upset, locked my med car and went outside to settle down. He soon came after me to discuss. The first I said to him was what I heard. We discussed what we argued about and went inside to call the DON. Now the DON has called me at home to say I was in the wrong because I didnt pull her from the floor and report it immediately. I tried to say to her what happened but she doesn't want to hear it. The CNA is denying it of course. This is the first time I've ever experienced something like this and am afraid they are going to try to report me for not reporting immediately. Advice please!!

I was really sick last night but feeling better. The ADON is ****** but says her hands are tied because my drink shouldn't have been at the nurses station in the first place!

So today was a typical day at my LTC facility. Lunch time was crazy so one person wen t and got lunch for several peoplce, me and the RN supervisor at at the nurses desk and workedas we ate. We them got up to leave the unit for a moment then returnced back the des k. We took at drink of our cokes ansomeone had put SOAP in our drinks!! OOMG we were so ******. I have no proof but I do think one certain employee did it to be spiteful! I

VITAL SIGNS FIRST! ALWAYS pick the answer that allows you to do an assessment first. Plus the doctor is going to ask you for them anyway.

Just realized my phone autocorrected my above post. It should say Spalding not Standing .anyway I got my Lpn at Galen and really enjoyed the program. I had planned to get my RN there but I'm about to run out of Fa money as I have a previous degree. Stay away from Spenserian. If you are willing to cross the bridge, Ivy Tech has a great program. Can I ask why you have ruled out JCC ?

This is illegal. Once you have your license in hand they must pay you at an RN rate They are trying to take advantage of you. .

It is sooooo expensive! Like $600 a credit hour! For that much you can go go Standing University and get your BSN. Just saying...

Realize that a lot of new patients that are coming into LTC are younger with a lot of psych issues. Be sure to give them their meds! I can't tell you how many times I've been off the weekend and come back Monday and my psych patients are pacing the halls and agitated because they didn't get their meds. Communicate with your CNA, example: "Hey I need to know if Ms. Soandso has a BM this shift" or " Mr. Soandso was admitted to the hospital so he won't be back this shift." They are not mind readers and just like you don't like any suprises on your shift, they dont' either! Sometimes you have to set ground rules with your residents too. You have the A&O x 3 that wants to come up to your cart when THEY are ready for their medicine. Or I have seen residents who knows the DON will give them whatever they want if they throw a fit. Now adays you have a lot of residents that used to be drug addicts and I have seen them go as far as throw themselves out of bed just to get a trip to the hospital. (he refused to get up unless we called 911) Just always watch your back, CYA, but most importantly LOVE WHAT YOU DO!!! Good Luck!

As a fellow new nurse I want to say DITTO to your post! I also want to say dont let ANYONE crush your enthusiasm or compassion!

This CNA was wrong for falisfying VS records. However you are the professional and the one administering the med with BP parameters. If something was to happen it would come back on your license. With this in mind I would ALWAYS double check a VS no matter who just did them if I am the one giving the medication.

So I am new grad who started in LTC about 6 weeks ago. The place I currently work is O.K....its the typically LTC place (poorly ran, short staffed, high pt ratios, ect) But I have grown to like my residents and the people I work with. I've actually done very well and have adapted pretty easily. Today I got a call for an interview that I submitted a resume to back when I graduated. It is a MR/MDD State ran facility, it is closer to home and more pay. I am interested in this field. I currently have 25 residents and 2 of my residents have a history of MR/MDD and they are my favorite ones!:redbeathe I have asked around to other nurses about this facility and they all say good things about it, but many of them said they were not able to deal with the behaviors and they seizures. Can you tell me more about this? Also, have any of you worked in LTC, how would you compare? I'm not certain of the age of the population just yet, I THINK there may be an adult side and a pediatrics side. It is also 2nd shift. Any thoughts, advice, ect, would be great. Thanks!

So I am new grad who started in LTC about 6 weeks ago. The place I currently work is O.K....its the typically LTC place (poorly ran, short staffed, high pt ratios, ect) But I have grown to like my residents and the people I work with. I've actually done very well and have adapted pretty easily. Today I got a call for an interview that I submitted a resume to back when I graduated. It is a MR/MDD State ran facility, it is closer to home and more pay. I am interested in this field. I currently have 25 residents and 2 of my residents have a history of MR/MDD and they are my favorite ones!:redbeathe I have asked around to other nurses about this facility and they all say good things about it, but many of them said they were not able to deal with the behaviors and they seizures. Can you tell me more about this? Also, have any of you worked in LTC, how would you compare? I'm not certain of the age of the population just yet, I THINK there may be an adult side and a pediatrics side. It is also 2nd shift. Any thoughts, advice, ect, would be great. Thanks!