StarNurse2006

Yes, we receive a month's worth of meds at a time, except for Medicare meds, which come in 14 day supplies and have to be reordered as needed. At any given time, only about 10% of my patients are on th 14 day cards. I cannot imagine having to reorder as needed for everyone...to much room for error, since there seems to be weeks where the pharmacy is SO SLOW in delivering!

I have done something similar...if the patient is their own responsible party, their request to go 911 trumps MD's refusal to give an order!

The facility I work in is currently on a "the resident has the right to fall" kick. State surveyors were very restraint-focused this year, so we are implementing a new fall-risk program. The staff as a whole is VERY resistant to it. However, I am pleasantly surprised to find that it is actually working out OK. I have only had one my residents fall, but better that she fell off the bed (trying to get up) as opposed to off the bed from another 12 inches up, going over the siderail. LOL The hardest part is getting used to seeing my residents in bed with both siderails down and stopping myself from running frantically into the room and pulling rails up!

Loves: My residents, of course. They are who keep me coming to work every day. The autonomy, as someone else mentioned. The busy pace. Hate: The people I work with who feel that you can walk into LTC, be lazy, and then pretend to know everything. Dealing with difficult families. Lack of communication between departments. Overall, I know this is where I belong, as an LVN. When I complete my RN, I'll run screaming! (And probably be back the next day to say hi to everyone! LOL)

Our facility has a pharmcy rep come in on the first of the month with all of the meds in large cardboard filing-type boxes. The rep checks against the MARs to make sure all the meds are there, and then the boxes get locked up in the med room... Until the third of the month, when each charge nurse changes out all the cycle cards for whatever med pass they are responsible for. (For example, I do all the 9AM and 2PM cards because I work 7-3. That way, the nurse who is responsible for those meds puts them away, in room order. PRNs/Narcs (even routine ones) are ordered/come in as we run out, and we receive 3 deliveries a day. It's not a perfect system, but it sounds a bit easier than some others have it!

I would also love to hear more from those who have taken the exam! I have been looking into this myself and bought the text recommended by NAPNES. The website stated that the exam was based off of this particular text. I bought the older addition for 88 cents on half.com! The name escapes me at the moment! At any rate, please share if you have taken the exam for the curious!

Sorry I wasn't more specific! I was referring to registry in a hospital setting. 33 patients in LTC is MUCH more hectic! I was rather bored with 6-8 patients. It made for a long day! :)

Every morning I have a quick meeting with the CNAs assigned to my residents. I give them any report pertinent to their assignments, confirm what showers they have assigned, let them know if a (combative, agitated, etc) resident has or will be medicated, tell them my expectations (vital signs in by 10 AM, let me know when you are leaving the floor, etc) and ask them if they have any issues they need assistance with. It takes less than 3 minutes, and it makes for a fantastic day. I believe it makes them feel that we are a team and they can come to me with issues, and it also makes them aware that I DO watch to make sure things are done correctly and that I appreciate them. If a CNA does not meet my expectations I set out, I counsel them, in person or with a written warning. That is usually sufficient to prevent a second occurance. We call these the morning "Come to Jesus meetings." LOL :rotfl:

I work in a LTC in Southern CA. We have a 99 bed facility, with 3 charge nurses each taking 33 beds (regardless of census, but it usually evens out) I work 7-3, so I have 3 CNAs, the other 2 nurses have 4 CNAs. Honestly, on a typical day it is not at all unmanagable. Yes, I'm busy, but I have the DON/ADON on weekdays as well as other department managers who are nurses, when the need for advice/assistance arises. We have a TX nurse 7 days a week as well. On the weekends, we have an RN supervisor. I started at this facility as a new grad, and after working some registry shifts with myself and an RN for 6-8 patients, I find I thrive on my busy LTC day!

I just want to clarify, I did not access any records. This incident occured on my day off, and now, with the suspension, I do not return to work until next week. When I told her I would look into it, it was my intention to ask the discharging nurse if she had any information, and follow up with my NM if necessary. I would not have access to her chart because she was discharged. Thank you everyone for all of your comments and advice. I appreciate it more than you could imagine. I have no intention of signing this write-up, and right now i am just trying to get myself together to go about refusing professionally and without jeopardizing my job.

She found about her visit because the daughter in law called the facility to ask what was going on with the labs. Apparently they either never notified her of a problem or gave her the run-around about it on discharge. I believe this was the reason for the harsh reaction towards me...my boss got caught letting the ball drop, or possibly in an outright lie.

I didn't give out any info such as lab results, I just told her I would look into it if she called me and reminded me. I felt that what I shared was general info, i.e., I don't know if it was completed, vs. specific info, such as actual results.

I really hope that you all can help me with your opinions/professional knowledge on this topic: I am a nurse in a LTC. I have been caring for a particular patient for the past year. During this time her family has been very involved and has had a hand in all of her care, decisions, finances, etc. She is her own responsible party, but I believe her son has POA. She has never had any problem with her son and daughter in law having a hand in her care, and has in fact, encouraged them to advocate for her. She was recently discharged to home. She is now living with her family down the street from me. As you can imagine, we have all developed a good relationship and so I thought nothing of her daughter stopping by yesterday to say hi and update me on how she is doing at home. She asked me about some labwork we had been waiting for, stating that the home health agency needed it and no one at the facility had updated her when she called. I told her that to the best of my knowledge there had been a snafu (an error on the part of the nurse/facility) and that she should perhaps either ask it to be repeated by home health or she could call me on my next day on and I would look into it. She thanked me, we chatted some more, and she left. I completely forgot about the encounter. I got a call from my boss last night, and she very rudely informed me that I had violated HIPAA. She told me not to come to work for the next 3 scheduled days and to come sign my write-up when I returned. I didn't say much on the phone because I was baffled. Here was a patient who was no longer our patient, and I gave information to the very same person that we gave all information to every day for the past year. I believe that she was upset because she got called out by the family for letting the ball drop on the labwork. Her tone and the way she spoke to me said "retaliation" rather than actual concern for the situation. I am not trying to give too much info here, but from this can someone please tell me if I was in the wrong? At this point, I have no intention of signing the write-up, but I fear for my job. All opinions are welcomed! Thanks!

Called the board again yesterday...they were on October 2! :)

YES! Because I also took mine October 4! I called the board today...they are still processing Sept. 29 results! Good luck to you...I no longer feel so alone! Keep us updated!

I took the NCLEX-PN in California on October 4, and I'm still waiting! I was being patient, figuring my results would come sometime last week, but I got a call from the classmate I took the test with, and someone from our class had contacted the boards last week and was told they are still processing results from September 29! I called this morning and was again told they are still on September 29! I'm losing my mind here! I've been on orientation at my new job since the week after I took boards, and every day when I walk in 30 people ask me "So, did you hear?" Even the patients are asking me! Now I'm afraid if I have to wait much longer I'll be temporarily taken off the schedule until I can prove I passed. And I need to be working right now. I think I might lose it. Anyone else in the same boat?

Hi all... Wow, I finally made it to the "First Year in Nursing" forum...I thought I might never get here! I just took my NCLEX yesterday...it shut off at 85, and now I'm awaiting my results! I have been hired at a LTC and begin a 5 week orientation on Tuesday. I was able to hand-pick my preceptor and will shadow her on the floor for the first 4 weeks, and after I receive my results I will be able to pass meds, do treatments, etc. The fifth week will be spent with a treatment nurse. My question is...what can I do to prepare to get the most out of this orientation time? Take notes? Ask certain questions? I just am afraid of finishing the 5 weeks and still feeling like I am lost. But I'm anxious to be out on my own after being a student for so long! Any tips and advice is appreciated! Jennifer

I took the NCLEX-PN yesterday, October 4, but I didn't find this thread until today! I shut off at 85, as did my classmate that went with me! Now I think I need to go read the thread with suggestions for things to do while I wait for results...I'm known for my patience! Good luck to everyone!

Hi all, I just graduated from an LVN program on August 29, and I am impatiently (is there any other way?) waiting for my ATT. I was told to expect to receive it in 4 weeks and then depending on the testing location, to wait from 1 day to 2 weeks for my testing appointment, and then, of course, the additional 4 weeks to receive my results. My school sends in the applications, fees, etc in for us, and we were told that our board packets were mailed overnight on or around September 10. I will love you forever if you could tell me that my ATT will be in my mailbox tomorrow. :) OK, really, if everyone would just be willing to share their experience, I would grateful! If nothing else, it will give me something to read while I wait. :)

Hi Jackie, I worked at DRMC for a year as a CNA on 4 East, Skilled Nursing/Rehab. I now work at Eisenhower in Rancho Mirage, but hope to return to DRMC as soon as I pass boards (LVN). I worked there in 2004, and I liked it. I don't know what may have changed since, but it is a busy place, being the only trauma center in the area and serving many surrounding areas. Palm Springs is generally a safe area. I recall there being cars broken into in the lots during night shift, but I guess that is an opportunistic thing. Avoid North Palm Springs as far housing. There are several nice apartment complexes within walking distance. I love the Coachella Valley. There is so much to do and the weather is fantastic this time of year. Be sure to check out the street fair on Thursday nights, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, all the casinos and their entertainment, as well as the shopping and restaurants. It really is just a beautiful area. The NICU has an excellent reputation and is a pretty busy place as DRMC is the most popular hospital to give birth at locally (I personally had both my kids there.) I hope you enjoy your stay, and good luck!

Hi all, My husband and I are seriously (as in, we've pretty much made up our minds) thinking about moving from Southern California to Las Vegas in Summer 2008. I am getting ready to graduate from an LVN program here, and I will get my license and work as a CA LVN until the time comes to move. I have already enrolled in the College Network's LPN(VN)-BSN program through Indiana State University and hope to finish in 2009. I have been unable to find any information about whether or not the Nevada State Board of Nursing accepts ISU graduates or will allow an ISU graduate to move from out of state. Does anyone know the answer to this? We would love to move now but it's too late to get out there before school starts and we don't want to move mid-year, but I don't want to give up my dream of having my RN/BSN either. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

To all getting ready to start nursing school with a family... I'm right there with you! I am in a 12 month LVN program, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, and an hour and half drive each way, every day. I have 2 children of my own and 3 stepsons, and my husband works 2 jobs. I work on-call as a CNA at a hospital an hour away. We have no support system...our respective exes don't pay child support, mine sees the kids 4 days a month, and his is out of the picture. We have no family nearby. We've had some truly huge obstacles along the way...I lost my job 3 days before school started, we got married when I was in first semester, followed by an ugly, drawn-out court battle for custody of my husband's sons (which we won, thankfully). I've gone through 4 babysitters, we've moved, and my stepson was hit by a truck while riding his bike 2 months ago. Nurse2BStacey hit it right on the head...yes, sometimes my house is messy, we eat pizza three nights in a row, or I cry in the car on the way home...but...oh well! You know what? It's worth it! I'll be done in 2.5 months...I have tons of job prospects, and I've proven to myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to. Through all of this, I've become a different, more confident person. I know what I want out of my life and I'm getting it. I'll be going on to the ISU LVN-BSN program this Fall, and working will seem like vacation after the last year. I get 4 hours of sleep a night, I've perfected studying while driving on the freeway (it's complicated!) my husband and I use 5,000 mobile-to-mobile minutes a month talking to each other on the phone because we never see each other, and my kids have forgotten what I look like, but I've managed to maintain an 'A' average throughout the program. I really, truly believe that if you want something, you should go out and get it! Good luck to everyone!

Congratulations! My tips for you are... -Don't put anything off until tomorrow! Study now, do the homework now, etc. Procrastination is NOT helpful in nursing school! -Find a study buddy or group. -Get organized...it's hard to learn when you're not prepared for your day -Don't let yourself get distracted. There will still be fun things to do when you graduate! -Read ahead, be prepared for lecture. -Take the advice and suggestions of your instructors. You will find what works best for you as far as taking notes, studying, etc. Personally, studying in a group, especially the morning of a test, has helped me the most. We manage to fill in the blanks or clarify things for each other. Good luck to you!

Long story, but... I am in a vocational nursing program, with 6 months left. Due to illness and strict attendance policies, I have been "given" a 2 month break, moving my graduation date from June 2007 to August 2007. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but I only had enough money to get me through to June (I don't work.) So, what I'd like to do is get a full-time job until March when I return to school. I have a business degree and could easily get an office job, but I wouldn't want to give the impression that I would be staying on for a long period of time. I have my CNA, and would like to take a job at a local hospital where I worked a couple years ago. They have 12 hour shifts and I want to work there after graduation anyway. But I am obviously anxious to start asap and the hiring process can be lengthy when you simply apply. I really want to put myself out there, so I plan to go in to HR tomorrow, but I am at a complete loss of how to approach the situation. The hospital has programs for RN student seeking employment, but nothing for LVNs. Should I try to see if they can offer me something similar? Should I apply online and then go in and just ask to talk to anyone? Would I be out of line to just go in and ask to speak to a nurse recruiter since ideally I would like to work full time until March, then maybe 1-2 days a week until graduation, and then full time as an LVN after August? My CNA cert was just renewed, I have excellent grades, and I am enthusiastic...they'll want me, right? :chuckle I am just desperate to start QUICKLY and I don't know how to approach this! Hopefully some of the experienced nurses here can offer some of their great advice! Thanks!

Not exactly "nursing" related, but it happened at clinicals... One of my classmates comes and finds me in a patient's room and tells me that several nurses/CNAs from the facility have been asking around about our students, saying someone from our class is parked in a no-parking zone and needs to move their car. My classmate says she checked and it's my car. I was completely stumped. I was parked in the same, clearly marked spot I usually parked in. She starts walking with me towards the back of the building to the door that leads out of the parking lot. The whole time I'm asking her "Are you sure it's MY car?" "I know where I parked." She assured me it was my car - it's distinctive and has personalized license plates. I peek out the back door, certain I'll see my car right where I left it, legally parked...BUT IT'S NOT THERE! I run outside in a panic...and finally see that it had rolled out of the parking spot, downhill, and (VERY LUCKILY) hit the curb and run up onto the lawn. If it had been parked in any other space it would have hit another car or the building. It was blocking the WHOLE driveway! I was SO embarrased! I forgot to put the parking brake on and it's a stick. I just couldn't believe that all the employees thought that I would be so rude to park blocking the whole entrance/exit! Now I park on a nice, level lot next to the facility! :uhoh21: