RevBKPrince

From what I've learned with the NAR and various research sources, as well as my training as a CNA, we were told, and I have found, that there is a legal maximum of 15 patients per aide -- I'm not sure of what the regulations are regarding LPN/RN's in LTC. . . but I think that 15 as an aide is unsafe -- especially during day shift -- let alone 25 -- I'd NOT take liability for more that 15 patients -- because then my licensure ( as little as it may be ) is also on the line . . . and I'm open to civil action. I think 50 patients for an LPN OR RN is just absolutely ridiculous -- I don't know if that statistic is current, but, if it is, you should contact the Ohio based groups for the improvement of nursing care and long term facilities, and persuade them to alter that. I've written everybody I could think of, on the state level regarding this, including civil action groups, state representatives from my birth town, my home town, and my residence town. . . as well as my family and friends, the ONHA. . . . I think 15 is too many, let alone 25 for a CNA, and I think, with the stress that I see an LPN dealing with when having 35 residents, I'd say. . . probably no more than 25 to ensure the best possible care -- but, my field is CNA/STNA, so, with activism, I stick to that, and the general improvements relating to the nursing field.

Thanks so very much. I'm in Ohio -- I've filed the FAFSA for aid. . . but, they're still doing whatever it is that they do. . . . I think, in order to go to the RN Program at the Columbus State I have to have biology, chemistry, and patient care tech skills. . . something like that. I'll have to look into the RN Program at Central Ohio Tech. . . I know I'll have to do biology and chemistry (because it's bee 5, 6 years since I've taken them) but, other than that, I should be ok. Thanks SOOO much for your advice. Brian

I'd like to start LPN training this fall, and then go into RN+ I'm worried about two things. . . . 1. Are there any LPN programs that would begin in the Fall that I could get aid for? 2. What is on the NET? What do I need to study? I'm dyslexic -- although, I read plenty well enough to score 99% on the GED, and I'm great with science / math. . . . Any advice? Thanks SOOO much.

I totally understand how you feel. The ratio is just ridiculous. . . . We can't properly provide care for all of these patients -- it's difficult on night shift -- but it's even harder on days. I've worked ALZ with up to 18 residents on day shift. The state fines don't mean anything -- the laws need changed, people aren't getting the care they deserve!!!

I"m not sure what the legal limit is for nurses, but in an LTC facility, I've seen LPN's with as many as 25+ patients at a time. CNA/STNA's are legally not supposed to have mor than 15 patients. . . which means they try to keep us under 17 on any given shift. . . . I've worked on days, and. . even 15 is too many.

I would LOVE to work with you. I am a meticulous documenter -- as I've been accused of neglect several times. . . but I'm not neglecting my patients, as a matter of fact, I run myself ragged, stay on my lunch break, and stay after my shift to make sure my patients are taken care of. . . when I check or change a resident, bathe one, ANYTHING, I write down the time, and room/bed number. . . I was written up. . . for being meticulous about documentation -- apparently taking 5 seconds to write change 113B is too much wasted time. I think I've probably worked with one nurse who respected nursing assistants. I've worked with several nurses, RN and LPN, and we're often accused of being lazy, lacking knowledge, and. . . just there for the money. Let me tell you, if I wanted to be lazy, I'd most definantly have chosed a different field. If I wanted to be stupid, I would have chosen another field -- as a direct care provider, I see the patient more than anybody -- if there's a status change, or new concerns, chances are I'll be the first to notice. . . and while I don't have the training to completely diagnose or treat patients, I'm somewhat well trained, at least, I think I am, to recognize basic issues that could lead to, or indicate other serious concerns (dehydration, non-elimination, lethargia. .) I thank you for respecting your nursing assistants, and wish that more nurses were like you -- I'm hoping that the nurses I have worked with are just a 'few bad apples. . .'

I've never met an EMT that I didn't like. . . we're ALL in the healthcare field, and we ALL have EXTREMELY stressful jobs. . . when I encounter a Nurse, an EMT, a Physician, whatever. . . I always stop and think -- no matter what is said, no matter what attitude I get, don't respond, because they're JUST as upset and frusturated as I am. . . . We all have those days, nights. . . and, although many of them seem to last weeks, we learn to deal with it. Think of your co-workers, and EMTs as patients, treat them with the same respect. . . would you say to a patient -- "I'm getting so tired of this crap -- you're acting like a three year old, grow up and do your job." I surely hope not. . . treat people the way they would like to be treated. . . with respect, it makes our, not at all easy lives. . . a little less difficult.

I had one heck of a run-in with HIV/AIDS. . . I was in school, medical technology, and I was doing a blood draw on a patient, and somehow managed to poke myself with the needle. . . his HIV test was + so I got the rapid HIV test. . . it was - but my doctor put me on PEP anyway. . . Scared me right out of medical technology. . . now, I'm going for nursing and pre-med. . . hope to eventaully be a physician, with a heart. . . keep the lessons I've learned from nursing. . . and actually care.

Ok, but is anybody going to do anything about STNA/CNA to patient ratios? It's AWFULLY difficult to give the best care to patients when you have 15-18 during a day shift, as an STNA, and are required to bathe each resident daily, dress them, feed them, weigh them weekly, assist with therapy, talk to them. . . and care. It's unsafe, for them, AND for us. We need to focus on lowering MORE that just the RN/LPN:Patient Ratio. . . STNA/CNA may be the very scum of the nursing field, but. . .we're still here.

I'm a CNA in an LTC Facility ( was, until they terminated me. . . I injured myself taking care of a patient, and missed several days of work ) As a CNA in LTC. . . on 7a-7p shift, I have seen it common to have 12-18 residents, and we're required to give each resident a bed bath, help dress them, feed many, do wet checks every two hours, assist with therapy, monitor rehab dining, as well as paperwork, trash, and worrying about the laundry -- or, lack there of. . . I managed, but, my patients NEVER got the care they deserved, OR needed. It's rather difficult on a day shift to change the depends of 10-12 residents every two hours, in between doing vitals, showers, baths, feeding, bedmaking, other houskeeping duties. . . . We need to lower the CNA Ratio. I've seen where they're trying to make it 1CNA:5Patient during days ( until like 3pm?) and then gradually increase the patient number as the shift goes on. I could EASILY handle 20 residents on night shift, but even 12 on day shift is too much. I've seen LPNs and RNs with as many as 20, 25 patients on a day shift, running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to do treatments, and medications, and paperwork, and answer family questions, and handle admission evaluations. . . many times, that has been passed off to me. . . . I feel sorry for the LPN's and RN's, but. . . as a CNA, I much more relate to our plight. Staffing regulations in the healthcare industry, especially the LTC field, are in favor of the business, rather than the patient. As a CNA we're trained that we're not just nursing staff, we're cosmotoligsts, and massage therapists, social workers, friends, ministers, and, although our primary function is the physical well being of our residents, that we are also to tend to their EVERY need, from making their hair look pretty, helping with make-up, and listening, when they want to talk. It hurts me to have 15 patients during the day shift, and have one say. . . Brian, do you have a few minutes so we can just talk? And have to say. . . I'm sorry, right now I don't have the time, but I'll come in and sit with you on my lunch, or after my shift is over. I was injured, transferring a patient. . . I damaged my MCL in my right knee, and had serious trouble walking, let alone doing anything else. I missed four days of work because of this work-related-injury. . . was NOT given a BWC card or anything, so that I could see a physician, and THEN, my employment was terminated. If staffing ratios were reduced, the jobs of the RN, LPN, CNA would be much less stressful, the patients would recieve MUCH better care, and the facilities would recieve fewer call-offs, fewer patient injuries, and fewer staff injuries. My vote: Thumbs down.

I think that the regulations of PCA/PCT/STNA in Hospitals would depend upon each individual facility. The variation on skills performed is as wide as the number of training programs. As an STNA, I have looked into several different PCA programs, some teach phlebotomy, cath placement, ekg's. . . and some just teach STNA skills. . . and it's the same with hospitals. . . from what I've seen. Some will allow PCAs to insert caths/draw blood/terminate iv's ( that sorta freaked me out as a patient, when I heard a nurse say to another staffer, hey, you're an aide, right? Go take out his IV. . . I about had a cow. . . but that's another story. Check with your individual hospital, because skills vary.:imbar