overworked dumped on

[spacey1]

hi, this is my first time posting, don't know if this is right place, anyways, here goes, I'am an lpn in ohio, a nursing home. I have aywhere between 20 to 28 pt. depending on census. Pass meds, document, etc, etc. LOL Anyways, now, we also have to do labs, [take orders from drs on labs] do rounds with drs. take to's and write new orders, take care of everything on calendar for the day and do TX when TX nurse off, plus, they now pull us from floor to do dining room [ 1 nurse has to be there in case of choking]. The RN's used to do these extras, but they r are now. I feel dumped on????? TY

[softstorms]

YEP, you are dumped on! But then I have to tell you that most of us in that position....are dumped on in the same way....! LTC used to be little old ladies and gentlemen in a home to be given gentle care to.........till they went to thier heavenly home. NOT SO MUCH NOW LOL! And this is not with any disrepect to all residents in nursing homes. It is with the way our different states decide to use our staff and our regulations. They give us staff to do the essential care, but no extras, so the extra stuff is divided up between what staff is there. Do what you can, and know that what you do counts.

[systoly]

It really shows how administration feels about their staff. More work, but no plan or tools to accomplish this. The next thing they're gonna tell you is "manage your time better". However, as mentioned above, it's like this everywhere. Actually, Ohio is one of the better states for LTC, I believe. The inspections are stricter and reimbursement is better (when I worked in Ohio 15 years ago). Can you take turns staffing the dining room? If you're there for observation, can you chart while you're there?

[spacey1]

I am very bitter, why the LPN is busting their as- others, just sit on theres. I am truley thinking about getting out. Oh yea, maybe the ones that sit all day can do dining room.

[kythe, LPN]

I haven't worked in a facility that requires nurses to do their own labs, I've always seen contracted phlebotomists come in. I have worked in facilities that expect you to be able to (within an 8 hour period) do two med passes for 30+ patients, new admits, treatments, take dr's orders, talk to families as if you have nothing else you need to do, and charting. Management blames you for falls and other incidents because you are also supposed to be watching everyone carefully enough to prevent problems.

My first job was at a facility that required a nurse in the dining room while residents were eating, but didn't allow med pass at that time because it "interrupted the dining experience". Problem is, that is when med pass is easiest because they are all together. Everyone did med passes during meals anyway, except during state inspections.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. I'd say you are in exactly the right place.

[systoly]

Hey spacey1, I really feel your frustration and anger (in my experience the sitters are the ones who wanna pile even more on you), but as long as you worry about the others you'll be just that - bitter - when in fact you're so much better. I agree with sofstorms "do what you can, and know what you do counts" and don't beat yourself up over what more could have been done, but think about everything you did. At one time I started literally writing down everything I did in one shift. I never completed this for a whole shift, because I ran out of paper or was already doing two other things at the same time, but it did make me feel good about myself.