CapeCodMermaid RN

Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health

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All Content by CapeCodMermaid

  1. CapeCodMermaid

    Director of Nursing position

    CapeCodMermaid replied to nurseyasmin88's topic in Nurse Management

    Two months in management? I wouldn't think that'd be enough to run a large building. Don't worry...there are always openings for DONs in LTC. I get on average 5 calls a month from
  2. CapeCodMermaid

    Most effective way to apply for LTC as new grad?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Cynnie24's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Send a cover letter and resume' to every place you'd like to work. Then follow it up with a phone call to HR or whoever does the hiring at the facility. You can also stop by to fill out an...
  3. CapeCodMermaid

    Taking off for illness

    CapeCodMermaid replied to tracyRNBSN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I was out of nursing for 10 years bringing up my kids. It didn't hurt my
  4. CapeCodMermaid

    LTC med pass from PYXIS?

    CapeCodMermaid replied to BrandonLPN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    It's close to impossible now staying within the hour before and hour after the scheduled time for meds in LTC where most residents take upwards of 15 meds every morning....and that's with one card of...
  5. CapeCodMermaid

    worked for one month after graduating

    CapeCodMermaid replied to kath7880's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I tell all the new nurses (and not so new ones, too) that it is more important to give the right meds to the right person than it is to give them out quickly. We have made such a huge issue about med...
  6. CapeCodMermaid

    Just Rude!

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    It's been a while since I've vented but...... I applied for a regional job with Kindred. THEY contacted me about the position. Off I went for an interview. I had a group interview with 6 people..which...
  7. CapeCodMermaid

    Fecal transplants for CDiff

    CapeCodMermaid posted a topic in Gastroenterology

    I work in long term care. I have a resident who has had Cdiff for close to 19 months. She's had Vanco, Flagyl, and Dificid. Now the family wants her to have a fecal transplant and the doctor is going...
  8. CapeCodMermaid

    Lacking Skills After a Year

    CapeCodMermaid replied to florence2012's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    As one of those nurses who went to school way before anyone had ever thought of the internet and youtube...we weren't allowed to graduate until we had done all the basic skills. I was 2 months away...
  9. CapeCodMermaid

    Lacking Skills After a Year

    CapeCodMermaid replied to florence2012's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    This might not help much but most nurses don't do blood draws in long term care....we call the lab. I second what amolucia said..speak to the SDC about extra training. You can find all sorts of videos...
  10. CapeCodMermaid

    How do I handle state survey

    CapeCodMermaid replied to itsdebraanne's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Don't change your daily routine simply because surveyors are there. The calmer you are, the better off you'll be. I tell my staff it's onl 4 or 5 days out of the year. We do the right thing every day...
  11. CapeCodMermaid

    Why are there no nursing jobs available for new grads? What is going on??

    CapeCodMermaid replied to vab229's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Two things from a 'seasoned nurse': 1. If you take that attitude with you to a job interview, it's no wonder you can't get hired. 2. My experience with new grads has been, or at least many of the ones...
  12. CapeCodMermaid

    Flexible med times

    CapeCodMermaid replied to laderalis's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Mn nurse...thanks for that post! I think we'll try the change for the 2x's daily meds next
  13. CapeCodMermaid

    Getting eaten alive at an LTACH...

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Gamecock73's topic in Long Term Acute Care

    I'm pretty sure the regulation states staff must speak the language of the resident in any patient care area. If they are not speaking English, they need to be told. Secondly, to talk about your...
  14. CapeCodMermaid

    Flexible med times

    CapeCodMermaid replied to laderalis's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    With the blessing of both medical directors, we have recently started this. Our once a day meds are scheduled for anytime between 6am and 1145 am. Unfortunately, that's as far as we've gotten. Still...
  15. CapeCodMermaid

    Nursing Salary Survey 2014

    CapeCodMermaid replied to TheCommuter's topic in General Nursing

    Geographic location: Northeast Pay rate: $61/hr salaried In which area / specialty do you work? Long Term Care What type of license do you have (RN or LPN)?RN What type of degree and/or certification...
  16. CapeCodMermaid

    Medical Specialty Unit in Long Term Care

    CapeCodMermaid replied to americanTrain's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    With the rare exception of a short respite stay, ALL my residents are admitted as skilled residents. We currently don't take anyone who isn't skilled since we have no long term beds
  17. CapeCodMermaid

    Polypharmacy reduction strategy implementation

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Milehighnurse's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    There is plenty of evidence that shows more meds are NOT better. Start slowly....try getting rid of the unused PRNs. Then maybe the vitamins...it can be done but it's not easy.We've started ordering...
  18. CapeCodMermaid

    thinking about quitting night shift in LTC

    CapeCodMermaid replied to The Bell Jar's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    What stuck out inmy mind was your statement about being successfully off anti depressants. Why is that a success? Depression is an illness like hypertension or diabetes or asthma. If medications make...
  19. CapeCodMermaid

    Medical Specialty Unit in Long Term Care

    CapeCodMermaid replied to americanTrain's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    There are facilities with niches but I've not seen any MSUs. Interesting
  20. CapeCodMermaid

    Medical marijuana in the nursing home

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Enthused RN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    My residents are not allowed to go out to smoke alone---ever. And staff members are not allowed to go with the resident. If they don't have a family member or friend who can take them out, they don't...
  21. CapeCodMermaid

    Medical marijuana in the nursing home

    CapeCodMermaid replied to Enthused RN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Wedon't allow smoking so medical marijuana wouldn't be allowed unless it was baked in a brownie and then there would be the question of how to write the order. I can just picture the DPH tagging us...
  22. CapeCodMermaid

    Time Budgeting.

    CapeCodMermaid replied to chavezm1109's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    PS. I do NOT like this new format at all. Just
  23. CapeCodMermaid

    Time Budgeting.

    CapeCodMermaid replied to chavezm1109's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Never sign a narcotic out until right before you give it. You are still new...sooner or later you'll be able to pick up the pace when you get to know the residents...where they are during med pass, if...
  24. CapeCodMermaid

    Long Term Care Policies and Procedures

    CapeCodMermaid replied to lovesduckdynasty's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    If you're looking for specific assessment tools try Briggs' forms. They have almost every form you would ever need in long term care. Check your state regs and the CMS guidelines for appropriate uses...
  25. CapeCodMermaid

    Census

    CapeCodMermaid replied to quicksoapy's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    I've been through the same thing. It takes a while to revive a good reputation. The best way is to keep giving excellent care. Do you have some success stories with your residents? Send a letter to...