sls0703

Has anyone ever used something along the lines of a "points system" for disciplinary action on call-offs. This would also be used for tardiness. I am just curious if anyone has heard of it and how it works. Thanks.

Thanks for your response. Quick question- any thoughts on how to get the policy to hold up against unemployment. It seems that the last couple staff we let go due to excessive absenteeism we had to pay them unemployement, despite having written documentation that they called off and that we had a progressive policy in place. We did follow the policy and it is documented. The judge just said "well they were sick"(some had MD excuses some didn't). Now in the scheme of things it would not have mattered cause I would rather have left them go for the staff morale then to deal with all the call ins, but just curious how others handled that or if that is normally what happens. Not alot of experience here. I am a former RNAC so this policy stuff is just a little different :)

I am a new DON at a LTC facility. Would someone be willing to give some guidance on their current disciplnary policy for absenses and tardiness? Also, do you give special consideration to call-in's do to weather? What do you classify as being tardy(5 minutes)? I have heard some facilities are more stricter on thier absence policy vs their tardiness. We currently start our progressive policy at 5 occurences with termination being at occurence 12. This is based on a 12 month period with it starting over at thier anniversary date. Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

We do use a computerized med pass system, so we dont have much in change-over...when an order is put in or d/c'd in the computer it is pretty much done. We do have 24 hour chart checks though to make sure everything is put into the computer as an order is received. We print out our Recap sheets monthly the week they are to see the doctor and double check for errors on stop dates and such then also. I will admit though we dont have a rehab unit.

We are getting ready starting the implementation of caretracker and use totally a paper system now of trackers and such. One major concern is that currently our Nurses do the ADL tracking and Moods/Behaviors and with system the aides will now be responsible. Any ideas/comments/or suggestions with this process with those of you who are currently doing it. It could be even those "if I would have known stories". I am just trying to troubleshoot things I need to be doing now instead of waiting for "d" day which is March 5th. Any problems with the start up? What buttons did you start with? What forms were you able to get rid of? There are some forms like our daily skin checks, turn and repositioning forms, and frequent montioring forms that I am not sure if I can get rid of. I realize I have some training to do with the staff and plan on starting that right away..... Thanks....

We are a 59 bed facility and do about on average 8-10 medicare per month. I am the sole RNAC and with that I also am the QA Coordinator(I head the fall meetings and Quality Assurance/Improvement Committiee) and Infection Control Nurse. Oh and yes...I take my turn working the floor as needed, but thankfully it isn't that much. There is a seperate Restorative Nurse so I at least dont have that headache. I do complete my sections on the MDS and write the raps. I over see careplanning and write those as needed. Social Services handles inviting families and giving the 48 hour cut letters. I am responsible for getting the RUG/HIPPS codes to billing and work on the CMI. In my spare time, I teach CPR and the computerized pharmacy system that we use for med pass. I do inservices as needed. We dont utilize care tracker yet. Yes my positions keep me busy but at least I can never say I am bored. As far as pay goes, I get paid the going rate in the area. For me being at this facility for going on 9 years though, it is the atmosphere in which I work. We are like a family and I wouldn't change that, so I am willing to put up with a little more(although it does have its days).

My Director of Nursing covers me when I am on vacation. Have the RAI manual(Bible) readily available to you when you complete the MDS. That way you can refer to it when you have a question. It amazes me how many people have no idea what the RAI manual is and they complete sections of the MDS. I know in these days it is hard, but try to just think through the items and take your time. I just had UMR in for our documentation review and some of our errors were stupid mistakes, not lack of understanding.

I just wanted to let you know that I work in PA and use the MPAF for all my medicare mds' except for the admission and any significant changes. Good luck...it does make things a little more bearable!

The Restorative Nurse and PT are disagreeing on how to do the functional ROM testing for the MDS. THe PT person believes you look soley at the residents function not just their limitations in scoring; ie- they have some ROM in left arm but are still able to comb hair and brush teeth---she would code as a 0/0 because their limitations does not affect their functional ability. My restorative nurse disagrees and states that this wouldn't matter. I just took over doing the 672/802 and have read the instructions. We would have about 1/2 our residents triggering for the contractures because of ROM loss due to pain or other reasons does this sound right?? We only truly have about 6 diagnosed with contractures by an MD so the two are varing greatly. Any suggesstions. I thought having the therapy department taking a peaker woud help but it is making things worse...now my restorative nurse is upset. Any suggesstions?

for your reference: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol37/37-17/743.html

I am not sure what state you live in but most send you a letter if you didn't pass(normally it is information on retaking your NCLEX). I know in PA the board posts almost daily so not receiving results since December would either way would mean something was wrong internally. I would keep trying to get ahold of the board of nursing. Do they have an email address that you can posts questions(I know PA lists one on their site) sometimes they respond quicker. Good Luck

i know i went to the state board of nursing site last year on my nclex exam and used the link [email protected]. i know when i posted an email to this address they responded relatively quickly. i just posted a question on a different matter today on scope of practice and they responded with in a 1/2 hour. try this if you can't get through on the phone. good luck,

Thanks to all for your replies. It is helping me make my decision. I am know between two schools. YCP and PSU's online program and I am leaning towards YCP.

Has anyone attended YCP? I am specifically looking at the distance learning courses for my RN to BSN and then eventually Masters program. I am interested in knowing what there support is like and what the clinicals intel. I know they say you set them up...but I also have to work full time(have a family) so I am trying to figure out if it is doable on a part time schedule. I know when I did my associates it was a part time program but it was a killer with the clinicals and such. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks, Stacy

Hi! I took my NCLEX in PA Feb 10th. It took me a week to the day to find the results on the PA BON website...so don't give up easily. I took about 120 questions and thought I had too bomb the test. GOOD LUCK! Stacy