punkdmm

We are using multiple agencies to fill holes in staffing. The few aides we have left of our own staff are slowly trickling out for higher pay. When the bulk of our aides left we did have some LPN’s willing to work as aides but it wasn’t required. But we lost some nurses who were tired of being short aides and having to pitch in with meals, etc.

Yes. The interview wasn’t too bad. Pretty easy to answer questions. I was nervous but it was a pretty smooth conversation. It only lasted 15 minutes or less, I think, so it was over quick!

CONGRATS! I had considered going that route since I intend to continue to work in geriatrics, but opted for FNP just to keep my options open.

Fingers crossed! ? Let me know!

Any advice on program? Haven't really been able to find any old threads of those in the program to get any idea what it's like. Have been accepted and am excited to get started! Wondering how difficult it has been to find preceptors and how much more difficult/time consuming the courses are.

What type of assessment are you all using to qualify residents to get meds crushed and cocktailed? I'm being told the IDT has to eval and make recommendations in addition to the Dr order.

I took the NIPP infection preventionist course. It was some old info with a few new pieces sprinkled in :) Not sure our line list satisfies the regs...fingers crossed!

How do you go about doing skills competencies? I do not have an education room or a "dummy" to use. I used a stuffed animal the last time. I basically put the stuffed animal on the conference room table and had nurses review catheter insertion and aides review cath care. Also, I have a hard time getting through all the staff in a reasonable amount of time. I am doing them all myself and have to drag some of them in to do it. Just looking for an easier way that is efficient and professional and provides them with the practice they need! Also, I'm trying to do them quarterly and do different skills each time.

We have not allowed trash/linen carts in the hallways for years. They must be kept in the soiled utility room. I think partly infection control and part so that they wouldn't be considered "stored" in the hallway.

That is our practice as well. They're used as more of an indicator that it needs to be sent to the lab for analysis.

Does your facility require daily control testing of open bottles of UA strips? Our old manufacturer recommended them but we are having trouble finding control solution through our new provider although the product insert states it should be done. Our old ADON had a policy for it but if I can't get the supplies to do it...just not sure how important this is.

I am working on a new policy for indwelling catheters because the one we have in place is from 1998...what are the most important points to have in place? Any certain verbage to add/avoid? Of course it has to be placed only for the appropriate, documented clinical reasons, and removed asap. Any other major details?

We are having the same problem and have tried most of the ideas here...but I don't believe we have done a direct mailing. What types of information did you include in this? And did you just gather names/addresses from the nurse aide registry?

I work in LTC and we, like most other facilities, are experiencing a shortage of nurse aides. I am looking for suggestions for how to get them in the door and how to keep the ones we have. We have ads in the paper, and job offers on web sites; going to be trying out a job fair at a community college. We have undergone a great deal of changes...expansion of our assisted living, a new DON and our building has been under major construction, so we have lost a few good people the last few years. What are some things any of you have see actually work?

http://www.nnpnetwork.org/Uploads/EBP%20aspiration%20poster%209%2025%2012%20for%20iowa%20.pdf The saga continues...I was taught only to aspirate for IM, but it never made any sense to me. Seemed like I would be damaging tissue or vessels by doing this. We are now debating this at the facility I work at...so I found this EBP above and will go with it.

I am dealing with this now...shingles near/in the eye & debating whether staff need to wear masks d/t virus spread through the air? We have always used contact isolation but now this is coming into question.

Wow, that would be nice! Our STNA's are currently spraying them down in the shower house on a regular schedule. I want to do away with the book they are signing though....one less piece of appear to chase!

How often does you facility require cleaning of wheelchairs and lifts? Are your aides documenting this consistently and honestly? Any repercussions for not documenting?

Thank you all! I will look at updating our form/policy to relate to items of value...and enforce staff completion of these forms

At our LTC facility, we have a form to be completed by the STNA's upon admission accounting for personal belongings brought into the building. We are considering doing away with the former as it rarely gets completed nor has it been referred back to in the 15 years I've been there. Some nurses are saying we are required to keep this record,but we do not add to the form when new items are brought in and so I don't see the point in keeping the inaccurate account of their belongings. Anyone know of a mandate that says we must keep this record?

Has anyone used Mometrix study guide for the ACE tests? Wondering if they're any good before blowing $50 on it.