micheleg1

Mindset only goes so far in the face of abject negativity and butting up against brick walls and backstabbers. All of which are far too abundant in this world, and seems at times to be more concentrated in nursing. There are many fine and good nurses out there but I have seen so many become apathetic over the years because of such a barrage of these things that it is just mind boggling.

I remember my fourth year, fifth year, etc., as an LPN, and now, 24 years later, I have to agree with your opinion. I have never felt any loyalty to any company, only to those I can help, even the ones that seem no one can help them, that feel there is no hope of help at all. Sometimes I cannot give them the rosy answers they are looking for but I try to give them the cold hard facts in a caring and understanding, tactful way, and remind them that I am there for them whenever they have questions or just need to talk. Most times thwe seem to just want to truth and to not be kept in the dark. A blanket statement like "We will take care of that', or "We know what is best, just do as I say" is not how to make a patient feel better. It only tends to worry them more because they know they are not getting the whole story and become frustrated, disillusioned and distrustful with medical staff in general. Along with medications and so forth, too many seem to think that all there is to nursing is their own opinions and POVs. To me, being honest and frothright is doing them much more good than keeping them in the dark with vague answers and outright unanswered questions and "little white lies". And administration - don't even want to get started on that one!

It's not JUST women! Just happens that most nurses ARE women. No prejudice here, just facts :)

Oh yeah I know exactly what you mean. I have been an LPN for 24 years and have seen so many lazy good for nothing people keep their jobs while management turns a blind eye, while hassling the hell out of some of the really good aides on the floor. I am so burnt out from it all I don't even want to be a nurse any more. I so often think I want my RN license, but then I remember how it is in "the real world". This is just one more of the multitude of reasons there are not enough RNs, or LPNs for that matter.

I have been considering the exact same thing you have, a residential home for the aged. I know a nurse who runs one. She charges $1200 per month per resident for shared room, and I think about $1900-2000 for a private room. This rent includes meals, med supervision, bathing assistance, laundry, and light housekeeping. ------------------------------- Where is this nurse located? The services sound about the same, but I am also willing to take total care clients as well. ------------------------------- I am still in the planning stages (I have a husband who doesn't think this will be a good idea--I think he realizes you are really chained to the business and he wants to be a "free spirit"...whatever) but I have determined that in order to make a fair living this means operating with as little debt as possible, which means either owning your business or being able to pay it off rather quickly. ------------------------------- Anyone that wants their own business will get a lot of negative feedback, especially from family members. Don't let that stop you! If you feel confident that you can do the job then don't let anyone else hold you back. ------------------------------- The nurse I know who runs her business has 15 residents and is about bankrupt, and she doesn't even hire licensed personell. Paying employees will eat up a lot of the income. Food is another big expense. Preparing the food takes a lot of time, three meals a day plus snacks. The electric and water bills will probably be pretty hefty. ------------------------------- That's too many I think. I want to keep it small and private pay. That alone will save a lot. I am looking for three max, hopefully all the beds stay full! I plan on a nice home-type of place with a good size common living room and dining room, etc., 2-3 baths, and about 4 bedrooms. I plan to start at $1,295 monthly for a semi-private room, $1,500 for a private room - for assisted living and basic supervision clients. For total care I plan to charge $1,500 and $1,750 respectively, all with a first and last month's payment required on or before moving in. Provide games, movies, Bingo, etc., provide for special occasions, easy gardening projects for those that can participate, etc. I plan to have two PRN employees since I will do the job myself most of the time. When you start hiring regular employees you then have all the taxes, and they can kill a business fast. Also worker's compensation, insurance, and all the rest that goes along with it. A potential problem is if someone stops paying - and will not move the client somewhere else. I would check with the Ombudsman in your area. If they don't have the answers they can direct you to someone that will be able to help you. I certainly wouldn't throw them out on the street alone! I imagined they would be assigned a guardian and they would move them or arrange for payment. I hate to think about caring for my people and the money aspect at the same time. As a business person you must, or you will not have a business for long. ------------------------------- I'm sure I'm not thinking of a lot of things. Keep us posted with your progress. ------------------------------- Hopefully I have given you some helpful information. Better to know right away than finding out the hard way. When you open your own business you have to be informed as much as possible. No one can know everything until it happens, but being prepared goes a long way in being successful. The Small Business Administration has a lot of good information, forms, sample business plans, and a lot more. Their URL is http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/ I hope you look into it. I think it's one of the best ways to work and be at home. I am a hermit/homebody so I know it is perfect for me. Keep me posted on your progress also. Michele

Hello all. I am so glad I found this forum. I am looking into opening my own Residential Care home. I have worked as an LPN in various positions in Geriatrics (Skilled and LTC), MRDD and Home Care for about 19 years now. I have had experience in many other areas of nursing including QA&I, IC, Staffing Coordinator and Assistant DON. I am 44 years old and been burned out for longer than I have the time to care. I am a good nurse, but a terrible employee, and have always wanted my own business. I am not a 9-5 kind of person, punching the clock and all that. I am very good to my clients and their families, and can perform all my duties efficiently. Also have had a good amount of Business education through a year in college, though no degree. What I am proposing to do is rent or buy a nice, roomy 3-4 bedroom house, make it "patient friendly", and advertise for clients. I can have up to 3 without being government inspected, approved, fees-out-the-wazoo and all that mess. It will be private pay, and I plan on hiring 1-2 part time employees. All meals, toiletries, etc. will be provided. I have really thought it out and have started working on promotional materials; plan to advertise locally (and it's very cheap in a lot of the local "weekly" or "trade" papers.) I want to file as a LLC, secure insurance, and have the home ready soon after advertising starts. I have worked in so many nursing homes over the years that it disgusts me to even think about it now. Places where the aides do not do their jobs, administration turns a blind eye to it all, and expects their nurses to do the same. Borderline or sometimes outright abuse, severe insubordination, severe neglect of their assigned clients, and on and on. I love the work, but I can't stand to work in any more of those kinds of places. I decided the best way to do the work I love to do and create the home environment the elderly deserve that I would do a lot of good for all concerned. But - I am hoping that my plan will actually work. I have thought it out for some time. Now I would like opinions, ideas, etc., that any of you may have. Something I missed maybe? Something I could do better? Etc. Thak you all for reading and I look forward to your replies. Michele

I have never heard of this program. How exactly does it work?