veteranRN

I have done it also but it always depends on my home situation. When I started having kids, I felt I had two full time jobs. Now with 4 kids I just hold two part time jobs and have the best of both worlds.

One thing I always remember is never try to reorient the resident to "My world" or the present. I always try to step into theirs. I'll be their daughter, neighbor, whoever they think I am. I wouldn't trade working with the geriatric population for anything.

I would not be mad at the CNA but I think checking the O2 sat yourself would set you up for liability if you did not report the situation. I know in this case that did not happen. I would prefer you interuppted my care plan meeting, let me evaluate my own residents respiratory distress and act from there. It sounds like you are a very conscientious CNA and one I would love to work with.:)

I had a physician increase my Tenormin from 25 mg to 100mg. This for a 37y/o female with recently diagnosed high blood pressure. Luckily, I realized this was the cause of my crushing chest pain and a pulse of 37.

If the facility you work at is part of a larger corporation, call the compliance hotline. The call is confidential and be sure to mention the abusive behavior. They are required to followup on hot line calls.

This is certainly a behavior that needs to be tracked and care planned. I would plan an interdisciplinary team meeting including the family and resident and make a plan and then stick too it. Maybe offer 3 times then destroy and mark as refused. But be sure to track the behavior too. DOcumentation is your friend in this case.

TracyB, I might have walked over to the phone, dialed 911, and had the police called for violence. See how he likes having that written up in the paper!!!!!

Don't discount the fact that she may in fact have some underlying medical disorder that is causing these "strange" symptoms. I mean, she does in fact have abnormal labs and EKGs. These are kinda hard to fake. I would just caution you to not let your bias or belief that this is all psychological prevent her from getting good care. Much of what was said in the OP sounded judgemental to me.

I think I am quite ambitious. I am 38, BSN, went into the military at 18, got my ADN as a single parent of two kids, later went back to BSN school shortly thereafter, finished my BSN courses 1 week after delivering my 4th child. Now I work 2 jobs with 4 kids ranging from 4-18. Unfortunately, I pay the price for being so ambitious. I have GERD and psoriasis which are both constantly flaring up due to stress.

Lizz, completely off topic I know but I just love your little rock band. What song are they singing? I think it is Jump by Vanhalen

I agree there are no typical days but there are some routines to get used to, like on day shift I know I will have 2 med passes, 2 meals, and treatments. Everything else unpredictable I squeeze in around.

I would expect a position like this to be very mentally challenging but fun. I love the confused elderly and every day I work at the LTC is a day of fun with lots of stories to tell.

Cape Cod Mermaid, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I find time to spend one on one time with my residents. Yes I am always busy with meds and treatments but it is during this time that I spend one on one. I sit next to the resident while administering meds and talk. I spend a couple extra minutes while doing a dressing change talking with a resident. Your right, I don't have time to sit and have coffee with a resident but I make each resident feel like our interaction is one on one.

Work in a skilled unit in LTC. I do think it is important to keep up your nursing skills in LTC. Just don't avoid LTC because your afraid your nursing skills will become stale. Do whatever it takes to keep up on your skills. LTC is such a wonderful experience for the right nurse.

Like anyone I also have many favorites. Let's see........"Lillian" is a lady who calls me "sweetie" (there are very few people I allow to call me a pet name. Personally I don't believe in pet names.....sorry another thread). She is elegant, conversive,pleasant. We share books, gossip about TV shows, snacks. I just love her. There aren't too many residents I develop a personal relationship with, I keep it mostly professional (although the residents coulnd't tell the difference)