please help: is 1 nurse: 50 patients

Published

I interviewed at a dementia care facility. There are medtechs who pass oral meds but I would do the injections ( insulin) and dressing changes etc. But I would care for 50 patients! That seems that is too much or am i just over reacting?

Please help.

linda

What shift would this be on? I have had that many on 3rd shift without a med tech.

Yep-I agree thats the norm for nights here-without a med tech.It also depends on how many CNAs you have working the floor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My first question would be....Whose license are these med techs working under? Secondly, there's probably a good reason that this job is open. I wouldn't want it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would you want your loved one cared for by a nurse who has 49 other patients? Does this particular employer tell potential customers that one nurse will be on hand for 50 patients at a time?

Didn't think so. Lots of things are "doable." Doesn't mean they're safe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal Medicine,Surgery, Wound Care.

That is terrible! So sorry. I actually quit a job where I had to take care of 40 patients. It's NOT SAFE! and I will not be part of it. I now work in a Dr's office for a great group!... Keep looking for the perfect job for you! Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

It realy depends. I worked at a SNF where there were 55 patients and two Med techs. I was responsible for charting, Dressing changes, insulin injections etc. It was manageable. I actually liked the nursing aspect and not being bogged down with a bunch of pills. I think if you got good medtechs and the facility is organized and well respected, it could work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections.
I interviewed at a dementia care facility. There are medtechs who pass oral meds but I would do the injections ( insulin) and dressing changes etc. But I would care for 50 patients! That seems that is too much or am i just over reacting?

Please help.

linda

I would get out of there! i wouldn't want my loved one under that type of care because people will be cutting corners to get done. As an LVN myself refuse to work under those types of conditions and why do people boast about how many patients they have, I guarantee those patients aren't getting the best care possible.

And regarding med techs who's license are they under yours or ? So if they make a med error on the patient your charting on and the patient dies your up a creek without a paddle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I would get out of there! i wouldn't want my loved one under that type of care because people will be cutting corners to get done. As an LVN myself refuse to work under those types of conditions and why do people boast about how many patients they have, I guarantee those patients aren't getting the best care possible.

And regarding med techs who's license are they under yours or ? So if they make a med error on the patient your charting on and the patient dies your up a creek without a paddle.

This is not true. They are working under your license but if they make a mistake, tell you about it and you do NOTHING about it, then your up the creek without the paddle. You cannot be held responsible for a mistake that they make and you were unaware of at least its that way in the state of NC.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
And regarding med techs who's license are they under yours or ? So if they make a med error on the patient your charting on and the patient dies your up a creek without a paddle.
In the state where I work (Texas), the medication aide is solely responsible for any med errors that he/she makes, but the nurse is responsible for assessing the resident after the med error. I have been working with medication aides for the past 4 years, and they seldom occur.

Sorry, but I do not like having a large chunk of my time being consumed by passing pills to 20 to 50 residents, which is why I love working with good medication aides.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
I would get out of there! i wouldn't want my loved one under that type of care because people will be cutting corners to get done. As an LVN myself refuse to work under those types of conditions and why do people boast about how many patients they have, I guarantee those patients aren't getting the best care possible.

And regarding med techs who's license are they under yours or ? So if they make a med error on the patient your charting on and the patient dies your up a creek without a paddle.

Here in OR we have med aides who are CNAs with an additional endorsement to pass meds. It's their own butts if they make an error. And most of the ones with whom I have worked are fantastic. Their programs actually give them more clinical time to pass meds than my LPN program did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, MR/DD, Clinic.

A lot of places around here employ TMA's to pass meds and you guys are correct. They go through a lot of training and normally only the best of the best aides are chosen to move forward.

I do understand the hesitation when you first start working with TMA's. I remember it myself, it's very difficult coming around to that train of thought. I struggled with it when I transferred to a facility where I actually passed no meds at all. It was a joy and gave me SO much time to spend with my clients.

I will say, it's very nice to not feel like all your ever doing is passing meds. You actually have a lot more time to do quality assessments, more time to interact with patients, and honestly I feel patient care may even be better.

These clients are not critical care and do not need to be hovered over all day long. I think this is the key concept to remember when your working in a situation as such.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've also worked with med techs. I had to pass "licensed" meds; they passed everything else.

Still couldn't find time to provide good care as the only RN for 42 patients, though. Minus the time I spent in report on a 12-hour shift -- and presuming I was unable to take any break, since I usually could not -- that worked out to, oh, a whopping 16 minutes per patient per shift. (For the OP, even less.) Does every patient need care on every shift? No. But it only takes one emergent situation or two -- or the gazillion fingersticks you've got to do on a long-term floor -- to take over what time you do have, and the result is that the majority aren't seen at all. And yes, I had my routine down to a science. I was well-organized.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My first job when I graduated in 1982 was for an LTC-100 patients, 2 nurses and no med techs.

After a 13 year disability break, in an AL I had 64 patients with no med techs on 7p-7a shift, where there were to be 2 nurses but it didn't happen too often.

You know what's expected of you and you get it done. Management saw I could do it so didn't sweat it when they were short handed elsewhere in the facility. It sucked but I needed the job. You do what you have to do to get the job done and pray that no incidents happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion