nrsstephanie

Quite a common reaction unfortunately! What does your nursing program do to combat ageism?

It is very sad that there still seem to be so many facilities NOT putting resident rights first! This is their HOME! Let them get up, shower, and eat when and what they want! Lord I hope more homes get on board soon.

Dr. Jones, I think our hospital is going to the dogs!

My advice is to get out of LTC and into a hospital setting as soon as possible.

i feel so fortunate because i can say "check" by a lot of these statements because that portion is already present in our community. my ideal facility: carpeting on all of the floors with padding underneath so people don't slip on the shiny tile in their slippery socks and break hips. got it! and it is great! also cuts down on noise! all of the low beds we need. delicious, high-tech hospital beds. beds that can automatically inflate and deflate for wounds. all of our beds are hi/lo beds. we don't have fancy mattresses that do the inflation, but then again a lot of residents are frightened by these types of mattresses, so i don't know that i would want them. the facility is built around a huge, self-contained courtyard with a flower garden, bird feeders, and smooth paths that anyone can use, from those in geri-chairs to the independent ambulators. we have a courtyard where many of our residents also plant their own vegetables. and we don't ever use geri-chairs! if someone doesn't wnt to get up they don't have to. old, exhausted people don't need to be gotten into geri-chairs (beds on wheels) just so we can report that they're not bed-bound. our residents are allowed to wake on their own unless they ask to be awakened. we have enough activities people that we can have dances and games and fun. i can get my people in geri-chairs moving, for crying out loud. we have tons of activities and the whole community is involved. the nursing management team is coordinating happy hour today: tail gate theme! pt will let that old woman who is 92 and just broke her hip the heck alone. our therapy company honors the desires of our residents very well. if someone wants a salt-shaker so what. she's 112. she doesn't have to live as long as methuselah. we have liberalized diets including salt, pepper and other condiments on the tables. people can get baths as often as they want them. our residents choose when, where and how often to bathe. the hairdresser is there everyday. we have three different stylists and have three days a week covered. we have enough personnel that everyone gets a back rub every day. they are so starved for tuch, and the more demented esp. are very tactile. we have ample staff to do lots of "little things" such as manicures for the ladies. some of our cnas have even learned how to do beautiful nail art work! i feel so fortunate to be in a long-term care community where we honor choices and life! it can be done!

Omnicare . . . . AKA Omnivore because they ate up all the little mom and pop pharmacies that truly knew what customer service meant!!! They have by far the WORST customer service of any company I have ever worked with!

Wise Woman RN, Do you keep the leg bags attached to their legs? Do you have skin issues because of this? What size leg bags do you use?

I am looking for "best practice" protocols for changing from a bedside drainage bag to a leg bag on a daily basis. For instance, what do you wipe the ends with? How do you store the bag not being used? Do you rinse it with anything and if so, what? Thanks in advance for any information.

Unfortunately, I have "been there, done that". I was the DON of a facility where a resident died. Two years later I get pulled into a lawsuit. The plaintiff's lawyers did the old pizza number . . . . throw it against the wall and see what sticks! I had no malpractice insurance (because I listened to others who said "they only go after those with deep pockets")! When I got served I attempted to contact my former employer . . . they are no longer in business and I also learned that they had let their insurance lapse prior to the incident for which I was being sued. I ended up getting dismissed from the case because their attorneys realized I have no money to offer, but it was an expensive dismissal. You have to have an attorney for these matters and my bill added up to around $2500 just to get dismissed. Lesson learned the hard way! Spend the $99 a year, it is worth it!

I have an interview there next week. Has anyone worked there or is currently working there? What is the good and the bad? How is their pay rates for RNs with 10 years? Oops, should have specified . . . Kindred in KC MO.

Hi all, I have been a nurse now for almost 11 years. I have done a little bit of several types of nursing: small community hospital (where we did it ALL), mother/baby, med/surg, LPN instructor and LTC. I have been in the longterm care arena for the last 4 1/2 years now and although the money is great for my part of the country(I am a consultant making 70K) I am worn out with LTC. I have always wanted to work in the ED, but never went down that road. What is the best way for me to make myself marketable so that I can land a job in an ED? All I ever see is opportunities for new grads and I am way past that now . . . . Thanks for your input. Steph

Are you a state surveyor?

I have never assigned 2200 pages of reading nor have any of my colleagues. And you are right, an average text is right around 1000 pages. Where this figure came from is beyond me?!?!?!? I also have a hard time believing that a student would "read ahead" so far in advance on their "summer break". It sounds pretty far fetched, but hey that is just me. Most nursing students are doing good to read in advance for the next class period. But Roland does sound like a superstar nursing student! Stephanie

"Virtually"????? If the school in question is similar to ours, and I am sure it is, they are not "saying" anything other than "nursing school is hard, we won't allow 'anyone who is not qualified' to pass and if that is not ok with you then go somewhere else." I refuse to "pass" a student just because they try very hard and they were an "A" student before the nursing classes. That student may someday be taking care of me and I don't want a nurse who isn't qualified taking care of me!