SmallTownLPN

I have been through a few state surveys. They will ask you questions about certain residents such as, "Does Jane Doe have any contractures? Any pressure ulcers? Does she use siderails? Do the siderails prevent her from freely exiting the bed? Is she on any nutritional supplements?" Remember, you ARE allowed to use your MARs/TARs/charts, etc. When they follow you on medpass, they want to see that you are observing your med rights, cleaning your hands and devices, administering with their right to privacy. ETC. I believe there are YouTube videos to show you how to prep for state. I watch it every year LOL. Good luck, it will go quick! The feel of the nursing home changes while state is there, haha. Mysteriously you have more staff around to help. Lastly, remember, you can also tell them YOUR concerns also. Management wants you to fear the state surveyors. Don't buy into that.

Hello all! I am sure this has been asked time and time again, but here it goes. I am a LPN and have worked in LTC for 6 years. From the unsafe staffing levels, high patient to nurse ratios, and constant back to back mandating, I am exhausted. (Of course there is more issues, but at the present time I want to focus on these above). I have recently left LTC for private duty. But my heart still isn't settled because I just cannot shake that something needs to be done! Nurses - great nurses - are leaving because of these reasons. I know this is a long shot, but I am really wanting to know who can be contacted in regards to the staffing levels? Even if I do not make a difference, I want to at least know I tried. I am ashamed to admit it, but I do not know much about local lawmakers so if someone could point me in the right direction of the title of who to contact, I would appreciate it! I could then search who is it in that position in my local areas and contact them. I will make phone calls, write letters, e-mails, or even go in person. The states I work in are PA and WV. Thank you very much!

I have been a LPN for 6 years. I knew that I wanted to "help people" but that was all I knew. I was even working on getting accepted into the LPN-RN bridge because that was of course the next step. However, I had so much anxiety related to it. I dreaded going to work. I always knew what I wanted to do in my heart but did not have the courage to go for it. I am the only one in my immediate family to graduate high school, let alone a technical degree. Stepping out further than that scared me. But at 27 years old, I finally decided to pursuit a career in what my interests are and I am so relieved. I am excelling in all my classes because I love what I am doing. I quit my job at a LTC facility that I have been at for five years and work part time as a private duty LPN while I pursuit my degree in biology with a concentration of nanotechnology with a minor in statistics. I feel so RELIEVED! Please, follow your heart and not a paycheck! You do not have to stick with a career that you do not love! But if you do love it, great, because God knows that we need great nurses in this world! :)