IowaKaren

IowaKaren

Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing

Member

  • Content

    180

  • Visitors

    10,149

  • Followers

    0

  • Likes

    3

All Content by IowaKaren

  1. Weekly weights

    IowaKaren replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I here ya. New admit x 3 days in a row, then twice weekly, some daily, whatever. It's enough to drive you bonkers with human/scale error almost continuously and reweighing daily. We are like a...

  2. Cellphones

    IowaKaren replied to pumpkin92356's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Huh?!?!

  3. Artificial Fingernails and Direct Care Staff

    IowaKaren replied to pumpkin92356's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I feel the same way about fake fingernails, germ breeding ground and possibly scratching someone, especially the thin skinned geriatric population. I won't wear my wedding rings b/c I am so afraid of...

  4. Help! Problems At Work Re: Diabetic Pt, Rights

    IowaKaren replied to debow261's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    We also have a form they must sign if not wanting to stay in compliance with Dr.'s orders and of course with ESRF, we keep track of Input/Output

  5. What do you LOVE about LTC/N.H.?

    IowaKaren replied to Chloe'sinNYNow's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Thank-you all for listing your good reasons. Sure is reminding me of why I got into mainly geriatric/LTC/Skilled nursing. It's the smiles, the "thank-you honey for all you do", the "thanks for...

  6. stress symptoms at the end of shift

    IowaKaren replied to MelodyRNurse's topic in Health, Stress Management

    And I thought it was just me,

  7. pt rights & staffing

    IowaKaren replied to caroline205's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    3rd shift fills out the daily census/staffing paper posted on a bulletin board for that day since 3rd shift starts the day. It is not changed for call-ins or no shows that were not replaced but it...

  8. Code Blue in LTC

    IowaKaren replied to SaraO'Hara's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I guess during CPR class, no breath means no pulse. We don't check for pulses anymore when initiating CPR and someone has called 911 along with retrieving the AED. Anyway, if they're going south...

  9. Code Blue in LTC

    IowaKaren replied to SaraO'Hara's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Unless we saw that last breath, we do not start CPR on our full codes. I just discussed this with my DON and NM during CPR recertification (we were all in the same class). We only have a few of them...

  10. AM care?

    IowaKaren replied to Schmoo1022's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    It would be nice to have a bath aide but they can't keep a good bath aide. Everytime you think you have one, they quit or get an excuse to not do it so everyone does their own showers/baths now...

  11. AM care?

    IowaKaren replied to Schmoo1022's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Yes, I think that stinks also that days are too busy for whirlpool baths also. I guess one lady says she is offered at 1:30 PM a whirlpool but she doesn't want one at that time of day. Why have that...

  12. AM care?

    IowaKaren replied to Schmoo1022's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    3rd shift doing baths and getting people up? I guess that depends on the 3rd shift hours. We are 10p-6:30a and no-one has to be gotten up before 6 AM unless they want to, same with a bath or shower....

  13. Do you think there will be a nursing "draft" someday?

    IowaKaren replied to marie-francoise's topic in General Nursing

    And the nursing homes

  14. Having the "Right to Fall"

    IowaKaren replied to TheCommuter's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    As far as restraints go, we wear seatbelts for safety but occasionally the seatbelt is responsible for loss of life or injury. Why is the norm saying that some injuries come from restraints but is it...

  15. baylor shifts?

    IowaKaren replied to Schmoo1022's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    My NH offers: work Sat/Sun 12 hr shifts and be like you worked 32 hrs. The rate is higher to make it pay as 32 hrs. You can pick up another 8 hr shift during the week to make 40 hrs and be eligible...

  16. Bowel Routine/Protocol

    IowaKaren replied to Scrabbler's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    When I worked in the hospital, a CNA claimed the sure cure of 1/2 glass prune juice, 1/2 glass of orange juice put together and warmed was the way to go. I've taken that idea to the NH and it does...

  17. Aaaaarrrrrrggggggh!!

    IowaKaren replied to lil' girl's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    We used to have incentive for Holiday pay but that is now gone since my facility has gone to PTO pay. The RN's have had PTO for quite some time but LPN's and CMA/CNA's were unionized and got the 1.5...

  18. what metal should my wedding ring be?

    IowaKaren replied to SBK1013's topic in General Nursing

    I was always afraid of giving someone a skin tear with my engagement/wedding ring so for a birthday, my husband gave me a nice, simple wedding band to wear to work. With the band, I don't worry about...

  19. Culture Change In LTC?

    IowaKaren replied to RN 4 Life's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Oh so very true! This norm is only getting worse and with gas prices, low cost of living pay wages, so very difficult to get 1/2 shifts covered which really should be a full time positions, heaven...

  20. RE: How to do admissions

    IowaKaren replied to Zar's topic in General Nursing

    You are lucky. With a skilled unit tied into ICF, we have a revolving door of admits on a moments notice. Life would be so nice if the supervisor would do the admitting since there's rarely enough...

  21. Getting out on time?

    IowaKaren replied to njbikernurse's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I apologize if I sounded like I was bashing management. My particular manager has shaped us up to an astounding level but the nurses are so stressed that it's hard to get the work done on time. The...

  22. Getting out on time?

    IowaKaren replied to njbikernurse's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Where I work, we are chastised if running into overtime. Management makes us take a longer lunch break if we ran over one day to make up for overtime (hmph, just makes more work that can't be done...

  23. LTC nurse wage more?

    IowaKaren replied to RNDreamer's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    From what I see, LTC pays less in Iowa. Where I work, the LPN's working as Charge get $1.00/hr. extra but if your an RN, no extra pay but still more

  24. Hourly rate for RN/Charge

    IowaKaren replied to Evangeline2000's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    The LTC I work in gives the LPN $1.00/hr more if she is charge but if your an RN, you don't get anything extra. Charge nurse is over 120 bed skilled and ICF/DCF, also takes calls from the Assisted...

  25. Medication aides taking nursing jobs?

    IowaKaren replied to infoseeker's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Paperwork? Yes, you get all the paperwork and a full load of med passes and the Med. aides paperwork if you are informed about anything and hopefully not at the end of the shift (eg: "oh, his/her...