ALF_LPN

To make a long story short, I accepted a position managing a Memory Care Unit and I started this week (I have a background in management). I never received any orientation. I got staffing problems, training problems, care problems thrown at me. This memory care is attached to a nursing home and there is a nurse on site 24 hours a day. The entire buiding is severely understaffed, to the extent that they will work 2 CNAs during first shift for over 40 residents (in the nursing home portion). I have absolutely no support from the management of this facility. In fact, most of them haven't even asked how I am doing. I am also to be doing MDS's on my residents and have NEVER been trained on this. All I have received is a job description, and told "You do everything on this description). I have staff callins every day and therefore if I can't find replacement, then I must work. I have had several callins this weekend and I am now going to have to work 2nd and 3rd shift tonight. The callins were very legitimate, however the facility is so short staffed that there is no way to get someone to work open shifts. My boss says to force people to stay over and do a double. I have a real problem with doing that to great CNAs that have been working 50-60 hours per week due to staffing conditions. I was mislead during both of my interviews regarding the staffing. Of course this is something I checked in to before accepting the position. I was even shown a schedule that was full of staff. I don't know what to do. Can I legally resign on Monday? As long as I don't leave the facility without a nurse, I can not be charged with neglect in any way, right? Just a concern. I definately know I need to run for the hills. This is dangerous, and a facility I would never consider putting my loved one in! Luckly we have a need for LPNs in the area and I have already interviewed for a new job yesterday!! Please give me some advice.

I have worked at 2 assisted living facilities in Iowa. One facility only allowed nurses to pass medications, the other facility allows the care attendants to pass the medications. I have read the state laws regarding this, and the aids are legally allowed to pass medications with training from the nurse. At the facility I currently work at, the RN and LPN are only scheduled 8 hours a day, otherwise the care attendants work without a nurse on staff. In the case of a med error, at the facility I work at, the RN is responsible. She chooses who can and cannot pass meds, and she trains them. If a mistake is made by the care attendant, it is the LPN or RN's responcibility to moniter the results of the error and insure the safety of the tenant.

I currently work in an ALF and the ratio is 1:40 and one aid. After morning cares (which we do together and I pass medications, insuling, accuchecks) the aid is away completing whirlpools, and I run the floor. I am busy, but unless something out of the ordinary happens, it is a comfertable busy. We also work as a team, and if we get too busy on the floor, the activity director and receptionist will help out when they can.

Two years ago I lost a close friend to suicide. There were no warning signs that I had seen. It has been the most devastating loss of my life. I think about him daily, although I am again able to live my life. Many people have offered great advice on this site. In my opinion, the one most important thing we can do for survivors of suicide is to be be there for them, listen when they need to vent, be a shoulder to lean on. A reason that suicide is different from most other losses is because there is never closure. "Is there something I missed?" "Could I have stopped this, if only I'd seen the signs?" Regarding the previous post, I went to my paster with the loss of my friend. He eased my pain by telling me that only God can judge him. ALL sins are equal and we will have to explain to GOD after we pass. So, I believe my friend is in heaven, and I'll see him again someday. I know this is not a religious forum, I just wanted to share my story and what helped me, so that we can help others experiencing a similar loss and similar feelings.

So, I thought I would give you all an update on this situation. A meeting was held with the DON and her superior. They stated that as it is an assisted living facility, and the tenant was not hurt, nor did she leave the immediate grounds of the facility, that no incident report needs filed. However, it does need to be documented in full as a late entry in the chart. The family has been notified and currently are trying to find placement for this tenant elsewhere. I have done many tests on the alarms to figure out how the tenant got out without it going off. I have found out that there is something wrong with the sensor on the door, it does not always go off. THis has been brought to the DON's attention and her superior, maintainance for our facility, and head maintainance. They will be trying to solve the problem today, and I am incredibly relieved to find out that there is indeed a problem with the door sensor. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE!! I am so glad that this website is available. It gives nurses an amazing chance to comunicate with other nurses.

When I began the nursing program, I told everyone I was going to get my RN. There was nothing in my plans to stop half way with my LPN. I wanted to be an RN in the Labor and Delivery unit at a local hospital, and at that time, I had not even thought about any other options. However, about two weeks before I had to make the choice to exit the program with my LPN or go on to be an RN, I lost a friend tragically to suicide. Due to this, I temporarily lost my ability to concentrate and I experienced extreme greif and fatigue. I decided to exit LPN, and maybe go back for my RN when things got easier. Little did I know that the decision to exit LPN would probably be one of the best decisions I have ever made. The hospital in my area does not hire LPNs, however the Assisted Living Facility was hiring for an LPN. I have found a new passion, assisting the elderly. I love it!! I would have never known this passion, if my life had not taken this unexpected turn. I love being and LPN, and I love the relationships I have formed with the people that I help take care of. I truly am happy. Don't let anyone ever tell you that your not a nurse unless you have your RN. We are nurses, and people need us! I have never been so proud, and when I am at work, I am in my element. There is nowhere else I would rather be. It is hard training we go through, but well worth it in the end!!

Thank you all so much for your information. I feel a meeting with the DON and her superior is very important for the safety of the tenants and protection of the staff. I appreciate all input.

I agree with all the feedback and I would definately document this situation. I am actually writing about a situation that happend to my co-worker. I didn't want thread to be too complicated, however we share the same DON and this is a problem. She repeatedly gives terrible information, and incorrect instructions. Thank you for your advice. I am a new nurse, and sometimes we just need feedback from people more experienced.

I work at an ALF and was told by DON not to document that one of our dementia tenants snuck out the front door. Tenant was wearing a wanderguard, however it did not make the facility alarms go off. Elopement policy states to document the incident completely, however this policy is for the nursing home attached to the Assisted Living Faciltiy. Are Assited Living policies different, since it is more independent? I do not know what to do. I feel the situation should be documented, as this person is not allowed outside the facility alone, and this is not the first escape. I also fear that sometime the tenant may get out and not be found. There will be nothing to support the fact that she has escaped many times if it goes undocumented. However, there is a risk of upseting the DON, and a loss of a job I love if I do not follow DON orders. I would like to talk to her superior about the situation, but all nurses were told we were not allowed to take issues to the superior??? What should we do??

Good Luck!!

Don't let some of the discussions on this board turn you from becoming a nurse. Look up the many discussions about nurses who love their jobs, amazing experiences, or the discussions about why they became a nurse. Of course there are challenges in the field of nursing. That is why this website is so great, it can be used to vent, ask questions, discuss wonderful things that have happend, or just to find support from people who know what nursing is about. Follow your heart, this is a wonderful profession! I am an LPN, on a waiting list to become an RN, I love my job, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I went to a community college that has an LPN and RN program. All LPN and RN students complete the first year together. Then, all students have to decide if they want to exit as an LPN or stay in another 3 semesters to have an RN. Therefore, the first year was as challenging for RN students and LPN students equally. Nursing school is stressful, it causes you to question your abilities sometimes, however, at the same time, you find out things you never new about yourself. I found out who I was in nursing school. I exited as an LPN, I love my job, I may go back to get my RN sometime in the future, but right now, I am right where I want to be. An LPN works under the guidance of an RN, however where I work, an RN is only at the workplace 40 hours per week. LPNs and RNs do a lot of the same things, however where I live, LPNs can't start IVs (without completing a separate course), and they can't give medication through an IV. Most other things are the same, for example, administering medications, tube feedings, etc. Good luck and congrats on getting accepted into an LPN program!

I passed NCLEX with 85 questions. When I left the test site, I felt confident that I passed. However, when I got home, I started looking up questions from the test, and started to doubt myself. Within a few hours, I just new for sure that I had failed. I used Saunders and Kaplan (which was very helpful with prioritizing questions). The answer I would choose for the question previously asked would be PT A. Pain for all 3 circumstances would be considered normal. I believe what the question is asking is who should be checked on first? The most unstable would be the post op 2 hours patient. That is the answer I would choose if this is the only information given in the question. Is it the right answer? I don't know, but it is what I would choose. With the NCLEX, you just can't read too far into the question. It may be asking a completely different question than what you think.

I live in Iowa. I found out that I passed boards on 11/2 and got 2 jobs offers by 12/10. I accepted a job at an Assisted Living facility. I make $18/hr during the week and $20/hr on the weekend, which is more than some RN's in Iowa, depending on where you work.

I recently took my boards and it stopped at 85. I was forsure I failed. I recieved a few questions twice (or very similar questions). After researching on the state boards webpage, I have found that if you recieve some alike questions, this is most likely just coinsidence. I passed. Stay positive. Congratulations on taking the test!!