fuzzball

Alot of times its all about scapegoating. Sometimes a facility may want to get even with a employee. It is happening to me. I am a lpn. I did not like a facility in West Bend, Wisconsin. I told management it was the worst place I have ever worked. I also told them I would not be deceitful as they are. I gave my notice on Thur 31, 07 and the next day they turned me into the state for an allegation of misconduct. I was blamed for forcing a med to a patient. She took the meds from me in a cup. She spoke german and was depressed. The complaint was for the past two days. How convienent. Plus I told them in my email resignation that I knew what they were up to(not the best thing to do). I knew they were covering up numerous things. LTC is notorious in this region. This left a foul taste in my mouth for nursing. So back to your question. Yes there are alot of people on this registry. Remember tho, some may be quilty but some may be innocent as well. Are you a nurse or CNA?

Thanks for your replys. BTW the nurses where I work at are driving me insane. The nurse on days (the one who started the ice packs) got the hint from me. I went through this same situation before with her about ice packs. SAme patient, same situation. Pt has refused surgery. Measurement of popliteal anerurysm is huge. Also he had poped a vein and was bleeding internaly. Still this nurse thinks she super nurse. I don't understand her. I think she needs to hang up her hat. Everyday I find errors. I do like her as a person. As a nurse, no way. I cover myself from her mistakes on an every day basis. I only stay for my residents but now I realize management is not going to do a darn thing about all her mishaps. I have to get out of this ltc facility and fast. THis nurse is trying to sabatoge me now. She makes med errors, but covers her tracks. No matter where I work I will protect my residents from stupidity and careless mistakes from others. People do tell me that their are smart nurses out there? I know there alot of smart nurses on this board. This is my first job as an LPN. I think I have a bad illusion from this facility. I don't know what to compare it to. So I am getting out before these nurses kill someone. Thanks for listening....Sorry about the rambling and typos.

I guess I should have reworded my questions. Any sites where I can find more information on nursing tx of popliteal anerurysms? Thanks

Hi Everyone! As usual I need your advice. I came into work yesterday. I was off the 4th. Anyhow I had a resident who was dx previously with a popliteal aneurysm. I came into work at 1100. This pt was in severe pain and was not assessed by the RN. They had a GN working. I was told the nurses have been applying ice to the knee. I told the Rn-no way. No order-no ice. I am not causing a blood clot. I told her to do an assessment stat. No pulses could be palpated in the RLE, swelling and bruising with a pain rating of 11/10. She started to understand my point of no ice. I called the doctor stat to report my findings and had him sent to ER and he was admitted last night. Please tell me I did the right thing on refusing to listen to the RN manager R/T the ice application. Thanks guys!

Greetings Update on this medicare situation. Guess what? It is a billing situation. I was told tonight on pms that the pt is back on medicare. They cannot bill medicare for the one day she was out. Strange indeed. Anyhow the dtr still was not informed of this. I discussed the situation with her and she trotted off to billing. She had to investigate on her on-of course I told her to. It is her right to know. I do not know why this nursing home does this sort of thing. It disturbs me deeply. Also it was mentioned they lost hundreds of dollars-hinting to me. Of course I was told it was nobodys fault. I think it was management for not letting patients daughter know. The daughter stated she would have never taken her out. THe daughter by the way called me a 1800 and management was long gone. She was out of building within 10 minutes for a unexpected funeral and to see long ago relatives. That was the scenerio. I thank all of you for your great knowledge as usual. Thanks for reponding!

Greetings I have a question. I am a LPN in LTC environment. I'm still fairly new.(about 1 year) I never knew that a patient who was on medicare could not go out of facility overnight. Out of 39 patients I had one pt. I never saw a policy or procedure on this account. Never worked anywhere else. Here is the situation: The other night pt dtr came and picked her up. I gathered her meds,etc. Did the documentation. Done deal. Yesterday, management didn't have the guts to tell me, but dayshift nurse told me that pt is off medicare because she went home overnight. So when the dtr returned last night, I told her what happened. I took responsability for not knowing the policy.(even through the policy is not on the unit or anywhere else for that matter) The daughter told me that she did not even know that her mother was on medicare. She thought she was on title 19. Who's job is it to tell family members what status there payment, etc. in this type of situation. Is it the lpn or billing? Maybe the social worker? I know they will try to blame me, but I am just one nurse from many. Any input would be greatly appreciated! LTC stressed out overworked nurse

I think I am working in hell. My latest thread was R/T a nurse diverting drugs. Management will not do anything. Tuesday night we had a problem with a CNA. The supervisor and I was reprimending her on taking a break while leaving a hoyer lift patient on the toliet. The patient is a double amputee also. The CNA thought her behavior was fine. Anywho she started going off verbally to the supervisor. She threatened to hurt her and for some strange reason started slamming her body towards the supervisor. I intercepted and put myself between the two. In the meantime the supervisor called 911. We were unable to escort CNA out of building but she may have been lurking about. This was @1930. Alot of my residents heard this scene. It was very disurbing. We do not have any security in our facility. This is not the first time a situation like this happened. This was a very violent situation. We have no protection at all. Only our phones. I was interviewed yesterday and they told me they were upset that supervisor called 911. I told them she had every right to do so with the assult with battery she was subjected to. I know I need to get the heck out of this place. Jobs in this area are not so easy to find. I make good money and love my patients. I am not to fond of management. What do you guys think about workplace violence in LTC. Let me know what you think. I personaly think it is a scary situation for us nurses. BTW I work a few miles out in north burb of milwaukee wisconsin.

Thanks for the FYI thus far. I will update on what happened so far. Pt with ativan: med was DC'd. The rational I was told: maybe (the nurse)they just gives meds to shut them up or to calm them down. UMMMM makes me wonder. The ambien patient- he stated last month that he needed it. I have discussed my concerns with the other 2 nurses who work on the same unit. They are also concerned. They have noticed some strange things too!(Like extra pain pills given on weekends) I don't like the rationale thus far. I am happy for resident who has her ativan dc'd. Does state look at the med usage at all. Do you guys think this would be a red flag? I have done my job on reporting this. I still feel the residents will continue to be cheated. I will continue to voice my concerns. Thanks for all the input.

Greetings to all. I have a desperate need to find out if I did the right thing! I have been struggling in LTC as a nurse for 1 year. MY unit consists of 39 patients so it is quite busy. I know the patients meds like the back of my hand. The question is this.. I work m-f only 2nd shift and on the weekends certain patients who never ask or do not need a medication will receive that med on the weekend. Example Pt z does not have a sleep issue during the week but only on the weekend. Pt B shows no anxiety but receive ativan on weekend. Nortriptline doses come up missing-5 over the weekend. Does this sound normal? I think something is not right. This started 2 months ago with the hire of new baylor. Until then no problems. Tonight I slipped the NM a note and asked her if she could DC these meds. I am concerned for my patients either way. 1-they are not getting the medication 2. they are without proper cause and no documentation of sleep isssue or increased anxiety. Would you guys be concerned. I work after this person and I am tired of cleaning up after her. This person has a habit of not responding to patients needs. Please let me know what you think. Would you say something to management or just slipping a note would do. They will know its me anyway. I am the only one there that will express how they feel. BTW-I did bring issue up with DON concerning the nortriptline loss? Thanks for listening....

Thanks everyone for the replys. LTC is tough. Right now I have no choice but to do ltc. No one will hire a lpn with 3 months of exp. I feel so low. I am starting my prereqs for RN. It may take me 3-4 years but at least I will have the opportunity to work elsewhere ie. hosp, clinic, and so forth. I feel so trapped in LTC. I cannot quit because my husband has been downsized from a company he worked for 12 years. He is going to school now. I do not have alot of choices. Most places seem the same. I have placed applications out there, only to be rejected. I feel like I went to school just to push pills and do very little assessment. I feel like I am already losing my skills I have just obtained. I will keep applying and someday I know I will find a job I should like..anyhow thanks again for advice.

had to edit..thanks guys for the advice LTC nurse who's going crazy:crying2:

2banurse I live near Milwaukee. Yes, you can work with a temp. permit. To find out more information check out Wisconsin department of regulation and licensing. Web page- http://drl.wi.gov/index.htm Hope this helps. Me and my friends just graduated dec. 17 and most of them obtained temp. permits. I chose not to. My rationale was that I didn't want a lower wage. Things worked out for me. In your program near the end is more information regarding the board of nursing and related stuff. Good luck. BTW What school are you going to?

I value your tips and knowledge. Already I am starting to feel better about this new job. I feel I can handle it. I know I should have more time orientating but oh well. I will be with a LPN always. I was told I would never be alone until I feel comfortable. I also know how promises can be broken. Thanks for your honest opinions. It really helps!

HI I am starting my first job in LTC and I was wondering if you guys have some pointers about LTC nursing. I am a fresh newbie LPN and I will be doing med pass by myself but will always have another nurse for awhile with me(she will do doc calls, charting, etc.) I will be passing meds for 36-40 residents. I have worked with these residents for the past 4 years as a CNA. Do you guys think this is okay. MY DON wants me only to work or sign up when another nurse is on the unit. I am getting 3 days orientation. I know the unit and we do work with 2 nurses most of the time. Does this sound alright. Another question? Certain nurses think they are super nurses and feel they can talk to the CNA's about others. Any tips on dealing with these super nurses. We have a few. As a CNA I just patronized them and they left me alone. I just didn't feel like listening. Now they know I am starting as an LPN so they are giving me the low down on everything and its scary. Example: Nurse tells me "can you believe that nurse gave a bolus tube feeding and used the syringe". Then the same nurse who talked about that nurse sucks up to her when she see's her. Dosn't make sense to me...I want to be a safe compentent nurse and be my patient's advocate but scared to death with nurses attitudes. I am sure this nurse could be at everyone's facility. Any ideas how to stay out the crap in nursing? Thanks in advance...:)

I am 10-15 miles north of milwaukee. I just passed nclex and will be receiving my license within two days. First-are you a lpn or rn. I know that lindengrove nsg homes have a good reputation. I have worked as a cna in a few places in milwaukee that are bad. I have been working out of city and have had greater exp. Now I have the challenge of finding a job as LPN. Anyhow go to onwisconsin.com they have a job listing- then select your title and see what pops up. Hope this helps.