nursecrk

What? Hospice can be laid back? I think I am working for the wrong company! My work life is crazy. I am also expected to be avail from 8:30-5 M-F, work every 4th weekend and pick up Evening/night call shift. We use laptops and I LOVE them, but I hate paperwork. I type much faster than I write plus with the laptops you get internet access and medispan so you have info at your fingertips. Also you can chart and send the info out right away so no running into the office. I am only in the office about once a week which is nice. I haven't ever done homecare, but I have friends who do and it sounds like they are always "putting out fires" so to speak and not getting anything done.

Wow, that doesn't sound good at all! Sounds like a trust issue with the company. I am with everyone else, I'd find another company or just not turn the thing on!

By the way, I wanted to mention that while I have only been an RN in the hospital, I spent many years as an aide in both nursing homes and hospitals and I know it is hard work so I am the first to help out.... but i cannot do it all

I recently started a new position in LTC, after 3 years of working in a hospital setting (critical care float pool)... I was burntout from working nights, wanted a change, closer to home, etc.... so I took a .8 day position on a 64 bed skilled unit in a privately owned nursing home...... okay so now I am responsible for 32 people and not only am I the nurse... I am also the TMA, secretary, housekeeper, babysitter (where are all 6 aides anyways?!), waitress, kitchen supervisor, etc... I am supposed to find time to do everyones job as well as my own, take a lunch break, and leave 8 hours later. I have to deal with NP's who don't give a two cents about the residents, incompetent nursing staff... (no, you don't SHOVE a spoonful of food into someones tightly closed mouth.... it means they don't want it... NO you don't pull people backwards in their wheelchairs... NO you don't leave someone sitting in their own crap for an hour while you take a break) I took a 10 dollar an hour pay cut so I could join the world of the living and enjoy my kids while they are young and that part is great... but how am I supposed to do it all AND provide the quality of care to my residents???? When I come in at 6:00 am to discover that 1. a resident has been rectally bleeding for almost 24 hours and has a Bp of 68/32, lethargic, etc... and no arrangements for either hospice or hospitalization has been started ... and 2. the chest x-ray that I ordered two days before for a resident (ethel) was done, found that resident had right sided pneumonia, and placed in ANOTHER residents (bonnie) chart and the WRONG resident (Bonnie) is started on ABX, while the one with pneumonia gets nothing for 2 days.... and I am left to clear it all up with the docs, family, etc:bugeyes:... even though at the top of the Xray report it clearly states Ethel's name....... UGH!!! frustrating... I feel like this LTC has an abnormally concentrated amount of unprofessional people there........ like housekeepers who empty garbage cans in bathrooms while residents are using them, or secretary's who think I can perform 15 tasks at the same time, recreational aides doling out medical advice, etc...... How do I manage to give the care I want to give to 32 people while performing all of these other tasks????????????

Hi all. I am also a new grad and working straight nights by choice. I was just wondering where all of you work where nights are less busy than days?! On our unit it seems that the problems peak around 2a.m. We also get WAY more patients and no aide, unlike days who gets 4-5 patients and 2 aides. I am thankful that it is busy though, or I don't know if I would be able to stay awake! Can't wait to try the melatonin tip. Thanks for that one! -Corri

Hello, Several of my classmates and myself got jobs at the University of Minnesota, Fairview both the U campus and Riverside campus. One guy (prior EMT) started in cardiac Icu and another girl (EMT) started in ER on the U campus. They are very receptive to new grads and give a pretty thorough 4 week orientation. Many of the other students also started in the float pool. -Corri

Sending positive vibes your way:balloons:

Hi! I also took my NCLEX-RN yesterday on 6/6/06. Shut off at 75 questions. I looked up my last question and I got the answer right, so I am really hoping I passed! Of course I wont know until tomorrow:uhoh3: So until then I am keeping myself busy! Besides I figured that 6/6/06 went along with the whole theme of nursing school- HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!