FROGGYLEGS LPN

I work 7p-7a and the 8p med pass went beyond being ridiculous a long time ago. Amidst the regular falls, elopement attempts, fighting (yes fighting), irate family members, and calling the MD routinely for the multitudes of problems every night, t...

Recently I have been instructed to have my CNAs to get up certain residents for a shower on 3rd shift because of the residents refusal to shower on 2nd shift. I have two excellent CNAs working with me on this dementia unit. We have 30+ residents wh...

I definitely find it offensive. You can't run a 5-star hotel or resort with the skeleton crew that LTC generally provides. While I think that all residents should expect and receive good quality care and assistance, they shouldn't be led to believ...

I have 30+ residents on a locked unit and another 20 ICF/skilled. Unfortunately this isn't the worst ratio I've worked. I really know where you're coming from with the comment about Aricept. The vast majority of all my Alzheimers patients have be...

NAPNES has certifications for LPNs in either long-term care or pharmacology. You can get detailed information on either at the NAPNES website. I looked into certification through both NAPNES and the NFLPN a while back but never persued it. Its so...

I worked at one facility for a very brief time that sounds much like what you're describing. I had an average or even less than average number of residents as compared to the other facilities I've worked at, but the med pass was absolutely horrendou...

Where I work at now I've never seen the MDS nurse work the floor. I do know of the DON and ADON doing it, but never the MDS nurse. Now my last job was an entirely different story. The MDS nurses there seemed to spend the majority of their time work...

Your assignments sound all too familiar and it really is a ridiculous load. God forbid a nurse have intentions of doing things in the appropriate way because it really does seem to be a losing battle and sometimes doesn't seem to win any favor amon...

[quote name=copnlpn2I was on the phone so long yesterday with Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc., The College Network and Excelsior that my portable phone died! [/quote] I locked into a contract with DLSI myself. My total cost was a few grand....

I remember signing these records in LPN school every quarter or so that kept up with how many hours we had spent covering specific topics that were required by the BON for licensing. The instructor revised our schedules at times to make sure our hou...

Sleeping is grounds for immediate termination in LTC as well. Whether that rule is enforced or not is the only thing in question. Sleeping is nearly my #1 pet peeve.

I have been an LPN for six years and I'm currently working toward my RN. Six years ago as a new grad I had my choice of areas in the hospital to pick from. I knew LPNs who had little experience that worked neuro-trauma, ICU, the ER and everywhere in...

I like the Rocker lightweight clogs. These are the only ones I wear anymore. I can't stand Anywear clogs. Wait sometimes I wear mine when I run out to the mailbox and such. Some Nursemates are good, but I've had some I really didn't like.

We have little fish that are applied almost like stickers. They don't have the suction cups on them and once they are put on they seem to be permanent. I think they came from Wal-Mart; they've been there for a long time now.

It can get a bit confusing as some of the terms overlap. ICF- intermediate care--- This would be your average LTC resident. Rehab residents are usually short term for therapy. They can be "skilled" for nursing care or therapy. These have a lower re...

I would definitely pick either the administrator or the DON and speak with them about your concerns. She can most definitely choose to not wear the briefs. I've never known of a facility where it was an acceptable practice for a resident to be ...

On nights the subacute floor I worked had one nurse, one RT most of the time, and were supposed to have two CNAs although usually it seemed like one. The unit held 25, but usually at least a few beds were empty. All shifts had one nurse and one RT...

We can't put any signs up because of the privacy issues. If the family writes the sign up and signs it or puts "per family" or "family's request" etc on it then it stays. I am rather encouraging of them putting the signs up since we can't and I be...

I worked at one LTC that required everyone involved to write out a brief statement in their own words as to what happened or what they discovered. This applied whether it was a witnessed event such as lowering a resident to the floor or if they had ...

I left the hospital setting several years ago for LTC mostly because it is much closer to home. As someone else said, you will get the opportunity to really get to know the residents. This makes it a lot easier to tell when something is going on wit...

This may be a bit off topic, but once I had a resident whose chair alarm was attached incorrectly. The velcro on the holder was positioned around the string which prevented the pin from coming out when it was pulled on. The clip was secured near th...

I have never worked in a LTC facility that had an AED. That includes rehab and subacute units. I do think it would be wise to have one, but I am tickled pink to have a crash cart that hasn't been robbed blind when I come on shift. I think it is a ...

Hi. I don't really have a specific question. I'd like to post a bit of information in hopes that someone might have some input or advice on it. A resident has a tracheostomy. No trach tube just the stoma, but it does function as their airway. No...

If complaints of abuse are reported to this state the person accused of abuse can end up with their name on the state elder abuse registry. The LTCs in this state are required to check the elder abuse registry prior to hiring any staff. What I do t...

Thanks for the input. :) I do try to document as much as possible to show at least that I have made attempts to provide needed care and am monitoring closely. I have never heard of anyone having their trach flushed q shift. This particular order do...