gem4monge

Erika I'm in a sub acute skilled nursing facility

Hello All, I just recently got hired as a wound care nurse in a nursing facility in California. I got 2 days orientation and was sent out on my own. I'm in charge of changing the dressings of GT tubes,care for any wounds, ulcers, and catheters of 32 patients on my own. I'm a little overwhelmed to say the least. Is this normal for one nurse to be in charge of so many patients? I thought there was a limit in California but does it just apply to hospital settings? I'm concerned about all the paperwork that needs to get done on daily basis. I'm working 8 hours shift and they do not pay overtime so most of the time I have to clock out and stay to be able to finish my paperwork or it will just accumulate for the next day. If the patient census goes down they send a CNA home and I'm also assigned patient care to 2 patients aside from my own work. I know they are going to be on me because if a patient gets an "in house" ulcer then I will be held responsible because Medicare wont pay for it. Its been really hard to find a job and only 4 or 5 out of my 50 classmates have a paying RN job. I don't know what to do. I'm scared I've taken on more than any one nurse should handle. Is this normal practice in home health? I don't want to jeopardize the safety of my patients or my own license. Please help on what I should do. I was also recommended by someone that has worked there for 15 years and I don't want to let him down if I quit

Hello All, I just recently got hired as a wound care nurse in a nursing facility in California. I got 2 days orientation and was sent out on my own. I'm in charge of changing the dressings of GT tubes,care for any wounds, ulcers, and catheters of 32 patients on my own. I'm a little overwhelmed to say the least. Is this normal for one nurse to be in charge of so many patients? I thought there was a limit in California but does it just apply to hospital settings? I'm concerned about all the paperwork that needs to get done on daily basis. I'm working 8 hours shift and they do not pay overtime so most of the time I have to clock out and stay to be able to finish my paperwork or it will just accumulate for the next day. If the patient census goes down they send a CNA home and I'm also assigned patient care to 2 patients aside from my own work. I know they are going to be on me because if a patient gets an "in house" ulcer then I will be held responsible because Medicare wont pay for it. Its been really hard to find a job and only 4 or 5 out of my 50 classmates have a paying RN job. I don't know what to do. I'm scared I've taken on more than any one nurse should handle. Is this normal practice in home health? I don't want to jeopardize the safety of my patients or my own license. Please help on what I should do. I was also recommended by someone that has worked there for 15 years and I don't want to let him down if I quit