caringone30506

I am (kinda) new to LTC, others in my facility complain, I just wondered how our staffing compared. And a big Thank you for this advice, nice way of putting it. I think I will share this with my co-workers.

working in a 120 bed skilled nursing/ltc facility, 11-7 shift with 2 lpns, shift supervisor (either lpn or rn depending upon availability) and 5 cnas (6 if you're lucky!) how does this staffing ratio compare to others??

Wow! So many things to say... First of all, you are absolutely correct that the letters behind a name mean absolutely nothing. You have some RNs that are newer nurses and still only know "text-book", while an LPN who has been a nurse for many years has an advantage due to clinical experience. But, as an RN they do have college degrees while most LPNs (myself included) completed a less than 2-year training program, with little or no official college education. Does that make me an incompetent nurse? Most definitely not. Second of all, you have stated in one post your concern regarding those nurses who are "STUCK" on the letters, yet you seem to be the one who is stuck here. ('I said what do you think RN'). Enough said. And last, but not least - I know that my grammar is not always perfect, but it makes my skin crawl to read some of your posts. I know that if I heard a nurse speaking the way that you write, I would doubt their intelligence... and competency. Just some food for thought - Each individual in the medical field should know their own role and acknowledge the importancy of all others. MDs should recognize the importance of their nursing staff, nursing staff beginning with the RN should then give that same courtesy to the LPN and the LPN should do the same with the CNA. Realizing that you and your co-workers are a TEAM will definitely help. Not one of us could care completely for a patient/resident ALONE!