NEVER3

We have 45 residents with 2 LPNs, 22 for each with a DON thats always there to help and an RN House Sup, she deals with alot of stuff that we cannot help her with being on the carts. We recently stopped switching sides...so I'm always on my 2 halls its nicer. I'm pt and I'm learning quickly this way and feel very safe. I'm switching to 11p till 7am soon because I want to be home more in the day but I have gone in on my days off for 7p till 11p and also 3-11...Ive learned a few things there, I like it. I like the changes. I'm sorry your facility isn't more like ours, you'd feel alot safer and wouldn't need to stress over the key issue. I'm hoping it gets better and you have more help. I feel the facility should maintain adequate staffing so that every person part of the team could do their jobs effectively without so much stress. Good Luck 2 you :redbeathe

I'm not clear on if you are suggesting that I insinuated that I felt like a babysitter...perhaps you were not replying to my post. I was making a reference to the differences in Nursing duties...to which there are many. I never felt like a babysitter never....I clearly stated that while working on the med surg floor we only had 5 maybe 6 Pt's with alot of common tasks to accomplish, in other words nothing really requiring an RN to assist an LPN....We worked together as a team. Many things that are allowed in the Hospital for a Nurse may not be in a LTC facility..and vice versa. I just recently had my 5th stick in my LTC on a very ill resident and it was a good stick, Ive attempted 5 and got all on 5 different residents. I pass meds, do tx's, alot of charting, alot of pottying when time allows....thus now I have 22 or more residents to care for, and whatever they need and whatever I'm allowed to do which is quite alot..I do and enjoy doing. I take phone orders, fax orders, talk to doctors and families, pass meals, etc etc...Im very fulfilled. Not mentioning new problems that arise...ie skin tears, open areas, changes in LOC, G Tubes, Breathing tx's, suctioining....my day is long and I chose Nursing because...I wanted to be a Nurse, I will continue to do all that is expected of me and learn everyday, and I'm also planning on my RN by 2010...to which I'm doing now, and hope I can continue on for a very longtime. I feel as is every Nurse is a vital importance to our ever growing population, and come to the table bringing their skills and dedication with them, so in closing I'm sure we will all be here for quite sometime.:redbeathe

My encounter with being an LPN on a med surg floor found me & my coworkers answering call bells, giving bed baths, walking pts, feeding some, passing a small amount of meds, making beds...toileting, emptying urinals and bed pans....very sledom was there an acute case that required an RN to assit an LPN, Like I stated above you couldnt tell the difference, they worked as a team. On the note of higher pays I'm sure there are several seasoned RNs that arent paid nearly enough for their skills, If an LPN chooses to do ER Or another type of Nursing in that scope, she or he should go on for their RN...Naturally and most of the younger people that want those positions started as a LPN to decrease their costs of schooling. I'm hardly worried about being phased out as a Nurse, Im more concerned about finishing my RN degree & winding up behind a door and becomming a secretary, until Im needed by floor staff to help, Id much rather be an LPN and keep my hands on with my residents. Im practical in realising that I chose my family before my career and Im quite happy about that decision and will forever be. I can see the light and know its more of a concern to us older Nurses that eventually the Hospitals will have more younger RNs & less middle aged LPNs. Im sure life will go on and we'll be around for a while. In closing of all my years in this field I never did it for the money.:redbeathe

During clinicals at the Hospital, you couldnt tell the RN's from the LPN's on many floors. They worked together, and the RN did any push meds for the LPN & Blood IV's. In this day and age I hope No Nurse is Phased out, lord knows we need every single Nurse we have, alot of Hospitals and LTC Facilities give incentives to LPNS ...To return for their RN.

:mad:we also have to go to the dining room as well, we have 4 wings/halls 2 lpns 1 rn sup...only 1 lpn goes to lunch, and the rn sup does breakfast, its for choking, seizures and i&o accuracy is what i was told, i serve soup and the main course after surviving taking their orders...its home style no trays just plates and silverware and cups, it was difficult @ first but i eventually got used to it, we only have 6 feeders or so and the nurses aides help us with them and we are in eyesight and earshot of their feeding room. if your facility is a no code then most likely this will not be protocol for your facility, i'm not sure though. my pm med pass and all my charting and summaries take me well into 4 ish or even 5 if theres a incident with skin tears or falls on my hall, i have 22 residents most days, but it could possibly only get easier as i get better with my time, i'm so thankful for my rn sup who does breakfast because lord knows the 9am's would be given at noon...lol : winks : most nurses help each other 2 will go and 1 stays...it helps but there are a few who wont come at all...and they are always going home at 330pm, lol and the nurse who does lunch goes home at 4 or 5 because of her unfinished work...!

tips...longterm care follow the mars always count your narc drawer correctly double check dosage ie: 1 0r 2 always have your own tx scissors start with the most difficult resident reorder meds asap when low be prepared always for delays never sit at the nursing station long * the phones *...lol mark the books as you go...saving for later when there never comes a later...lol remember the cpr dnr codes i & o's bm list answer call bells * the cna's keep track of who does * give to recieve monthly summaries... carry your own steth do your bp's ab's temps...ie: parameters always have 2 pens & a black marker know how to take a phone order put new papers in charts ie: nurses notes...when you know its nearing the end. remember to add your shift and date on your note injuries ie: skin tears falls..etc must fill out incident report & call family and or doc..even if the resident is capable make the call. write neatly remember accu checks most are 630am 1130am and 430am never mix lantus with any insulins assess skin issues when doing tx's * theres always something * make sure to document nourishment & med pass liquids into i&o's carry a container of prune juice know your pixis pro's and cons...lol restock med cart and empty garbage clean off top with alcohol or other antimicrobial...lol ....theres so much to do and so much to remember. take your time and always smile...it gets better. oh 1 more thing...dont make plans close to your tour end....because youll likely have to stay every now and then.... a little past 3...lol or 11 or 7. good luck 2 you jill