New Grad LPN offered a Nurse Supervisor position in Post Acute

Published

Hello!

So I just recently got my license and this is going to be my first time ever working in the field of nursing, other than my clinicals. I accepted a full time position as a LPN Nurse Supervisor for a Post Acute wing in a LTC facility. I have been on the job for almost two weeks. Running the cart for both MAR and TAR is not a problem. I usually have 12 patients and can get it all done within my 8 hour shift...However, all the paperwork, computer work and constantly having to assess and supervise my aides is really taking a toll. I do have previous supervisor experience in hospitality but its nothing like this. I love all the patient care experience I am getting in Post Acute but I have found it extremely difficult to get to all the documenting, calling PO's, ordering labs, assessing new admins, and making sure my aides are doing their job.

I think I can do this but I have no previous experience with doing any of this paperwork, calling docs, labs, etc and as of yet, I have not received any training on how to do so. This place was supposed to give me orientation but my first day of orientation was with a nurse who had not worked in post acute for over a year, the second day was spent passing meds only, and every day since I have just been told to treat and pass meds...

Should I consider looking elsewhere, where I can actually go through an orientation process so I can learn how to do the things that are not being taught to me here or am I being unreasonable?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Maybe I'm cynical, but didn't you get some bells and warnings that as a new grad you were being offered a supervisory position?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow...I think you might be putting your license in jeopardy here. First, LPN's can't "assess". They can gather information, but assessments need to be done by an RN. New admits need to have quite a bit of paperwork done by an RN for Medicare reimbursement.

Second....it sounds like you've had little to no orientation/training. I would be out pounding the pavement looking for another job. I know they're not easy come by, but this doesn't sound safe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
Wow...I think you might be putting your license in jeopardy here. First, LPN's can't "assess". They can gather information, but assessments need to be done by an RN. New admits need to have quite a bit of paperwork done by an RN for Medicare reimbursement.

Second....it sounds like you've had little to no orientation/training. I would be out pounding the pavement looking for another job. I know they're not easy come by, but this doesn't sound safe.

In subacute LPNs cannot do the initial assessment, however we are allowed to complete ongoing assessments. OP sounds like a tough spot to be in. I hope you gain clarity on what you should do.

I wouldn't want to take a supervisory position as a new grad, that is for sure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.
Maybe I'm cynical, but didn't you get some bells and warnings that as a new grad you were being offered a supervisory position?

In LTC/LTAC LPN's are supervisors.. not in the sense that they manage other nurses or are unit managers, but that they are direct supervisors to the CNA staff.

It's just a regular position in a LTC/LTAC as a staff nurse. They just call it 'LPN supervisor' since you're 'supervising' the CNA. You're the 'charge nurse'. It's different from a hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.
Hello!

So I just recently got my license and this is going to be my first time ever working in the field of nursing, other than my clinicals. I accepted a full time position as a LPN Nurse Supervisor for a Post Acute wing in a LTC facility. I have been on the job for almost two weeks. Running the cart for both MAR and TAR is not a problem. I usually have 12 patients and can get it all done within my 8 hour shift...However, all the paperwork, computer work and constantly having to assess and supervise my aides is really taking a toll. I do have previous supervisor experience in hospitality but its nothing like this. I love all the patient care experience I am getting in Post Acute but I have found it extremely difficult to get to all the documenting, calling PO's, ordering labs, assessing new admins, and making sure my aides are doing their job.

I think I can do this but I have no previous experience with doing any of this paperwork, calling docs, labs, etc and as of yet, I have not received any training on how to do so. This place was supposed to give me orientation but my first day of orientation was with a nurse who had not worked in post acute for over a year, the second day was spent passing meds only, and every day since I have just been told to treat and pass meds...

Should I consider looking elsewhere, where I can actually go through an orientation process so I can learn how to do the things that are not being taught to me here or am I being unreasonable?

Speak up!! This is how LTC's tend to roll.. tell them your orientation was greatly insufficient and you are going to quit unless given more time to learn. You have to be quite autonomous sometimes in LTC/LTAC.. there is never much in the way of support and a lot of 'figuring things out' on your own.. scary sometimes, I KNOW!

ps: 12 pt's would be a blessing for me on ANY shift- we never have that few! Days has at least 18- nights 28+! And yes, they are post-acute.. And this is a very typical staff/patient ratio for any SNF around here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.
Wow...I think you might be putting your license in jeopardy here. First, LPN's can't "assess". They can gather information, but assessments need to be done by an RN. New admits need to have quite a bit of paperwork done by an RN for Medicare reimbursement.

Second....it sounds like you've had little to no orientation/training. I would be out pounding the pavement looking for another job. I know they're not easy come by, but this doesn't sound safe.

WHOAAAA!!!! Better do your homework before posting such a claim.

I am not even going to comment any further than this because anything I say from here on in will not be nice.

Fellow LPN's care to comment?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
WHOAAAA!!!! Better do your homework before posting suck a claim.

I am not even going to comment any further than this because anything I say from here on in will not be nice.

Fellow LPN's care to comment?

This may vary from state to state but every state I've worked in LPNs cannot do initial assessments.

I quote from the link below

"While LPNs can do data collection, they cannot do patient assessments."

http://www.nysna.org/images/pdfs/practice/scope/rn_uap_guidelines04.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

I live and work in Canada as a LPN and we most certainly do assessments!!! I work on a very acute hospital unit and have sole responsibly for 4 -5 pt's on a day shift. If I am not responsible for assessments then that means my pt's must not be getting assessed. haha.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I live and work in Canada as a LPN and we most certainly do assessments!!! I work on a very acute hospital unit and have sole responsibly for 4 -5 pt's on a day shift. If I am not responsible for assessments then that means my pt's must not be getting assessed. haha.

I think the key word is initial assessments. Data collection I believe is considered follow up assessments. But the real question here is what is the scope of practice in the state the OP works in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

Copy and pasted directly from the Alberta LPN competency profile :

A Licensed Practical Nurse will:

S-2-2 Demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide full health assessment of the

client including, but not limited to: (See Competency Band B)

 admission of client to clinic

 determine reason for visit

 prioritizing care

 collect assessment data

 prepare client for physician examination

 collect and send specimens

 follow clinic protocol and routines

 document and report findings

If you would like to read the whole profile here it is:

http://www.clpna.com/Portals/0/Files/doc_AB_LPN_Competency_Profile_2nd%20Edition.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

I do initial admitting assessments all the time

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion