rdb1947

I have been a Nurse for 35 years and when NDs and care plans came into "fashion", I was scared to death to do them. A Nurse Educator once told me that it was just writing down what I planned to do for my patient as related to each diagnosis. After that, it became simple. For a new graduate they can be an invaluable tool to promote better care for your patient. Also if you are a PRN or Float nurse, they can save your butt when you know nothing about the patient.

In my years as a RN in LTC, I have found out that family anger is mostly based on guilt of placing a family member in a LTC facility. I strongly agree that it is the "little" things done for a resident that counts the most. Basic care is about all the families ask of the staff,( mouth care, nail care, etc.) I remember working in an ICU at a local hospital, early in my career, and had to defibrillate my patient--he survived. It was not the fact that I had "saved" the patients life, but that on the previous night, I had put a blanket on my patient as it was too cool in the unit. The family told my nurse manager how caring I was. Please remember a kind word to your resident AND keeping families informed goes a long way.

I know in Georgia, where I practice, we must provide psychiatric services. I would go to the DON and explain the problem and then if no results, call your Omnbudsman. The Administrator should try to contact the psychiatrist and find out why he has not responded.Perhaps her Primary Care Physician would prescribe medication for the depression and OCD.