jenmlee

The biggest med passes on the 3-11 shift are typically at 1600, 1700, 1800, 2000. With the two of you there, it shouldn't be a problem. In my LTC, the dressing changes seem to be mostly on the 7-3 shift. I should say I work the 7-3 shift now and it seems a lot heavier. I have 26 residents I have to pass meds on (0730, 0800, 0900, 1000, 1200, 1400), 2 have tube feedings and one of those is a bolus feed, and these 2 have trachs. I also have 5 daily dressing changes, done on my shift. Once you get to know the residents and how they take their meds it shouldn't be too difficult. As far as charting goes, I don't know about where you live and charting guidelines, but here we only chart qshift on those residents that are medicare. As far as the other residents go, they are charted on an as need basis, i.e., status changes. Hope this helps :)

Ours is the same as yours ajaxgirl.

Thank you for your input Talino. I will probably only get a week with the current MDS coordinator due to the fact that I have to train another nurse who has accepted my position; actually 3 different nurses/nurse managers. I was the wound care/restorative/infection control nurse manager. The restorative and infection control is being split with the other 2 unit managers and a floor nurse will be doing wound care. I also worked on the floor 2 days/wk. They are hoping to have nurse hired to work the floor instead of using agency nurses. So, when the current MDS coordinator is gone nurse consultant and director of clinical services will come to assist with PPS/MDS scheduling.

Hi..I haven't been here in a while, but I have a question. I recently started working in a LTC facility (7/2006) after working the last 5yrs in the hospital as a float nurse. Our MDS coordinator has put in her notice and I have accepted her job. I have attended an MDS seminar at our corporate office back in August. The DON, Nurse Consultant, and the Director of Clinical Services (from corporate) would like me to have more training/seminars. Any suggestions? Looking for something here in Michigan. Thanks in advance for any help.

I got my ADN first, then went on to get my BSN. Hopefully, I will start my MSN fall 2007.

I work in float and each area has different nurse:patient ratios. In the ICU's it's 1:2 with no aides except the SICU/burn unit which has 2 for 20pts but only take 5 each (those most critical); ortho/neuro 1:6 RN and aide; gen surg 1:5 RN 1:6 aide, tele 1:4 RN 1:5 aide; gen med 1:4 RN 1:7-8 aide; geriatrics 1:5 RN 1:6 aide and 1-2 LPN with 12 pts each. That's day shift (7a-7p). The night shift (7p-7a) has one extra pt. The ratios have much improved since I first started 5 years ago. The day shift had as many as 8-9 pts and the night shift had as many as 10-12 pts. The largest unit is gen surg with 47 beds. I'm am very satisfied with the ratios as they are today. I don't really know how much time is spent with my patients but I know it's quite a bit of time when they know who I am without looking at their board.

The best way is to call the schools and speak to someone in the nursing department and put in your inquries. I know @ KVCC they just started their part-time program (as someone previously mentioned) in Allegan. So, just get out there and make those calls. There is a program out there for you.

What a lot of people who are in similar situations do is work as CNA's while going through nursing school. You can work on prereqs a couple of classes at a time toward your ultimate nursing goal. That way you get a chance to get out and start working. As far as wages go, it depends upon the facility. I know in my area, the nursing homes train their employees as CNAs (for those who want to be CNAs) and they work in their facility. Whatever you choose to do, good luck and don't give up.

At my facility, all we have to do is say we are ill and won't be in now questions asked. If we are really sick and will need/call in several days in a row the policy states we need a Dr.'s note.