tracyRNBSN

Where I worked previously, we didn't take " new admits" in the evening or night hours but we do take " readmits" and it is almost always on evenings when they show up!! I have worked days/eve/NOC and I will always believe evening shift is the toughest. There are fewer staff, the residents usually decide to go bananas and/or fall, become more combative, etc and there is med pass/txs/charting on top of admission paperwork....just TOO much!!

Thanks for your feedback! I appreciate it

I would like some feedback from seasoned LTC nurses please!! I just started my job on 3-11 at a LTC facility that is 250 beds and completely full. There is one RN and one CMTor LPN per unit and each unit has 50 residents. Yesterday was my first day of orientation One of my residents, an 80 yr old male is being treated for a UTI and is on ATB but he had a temp of 99.1 at the start of the shift. My preceptor said not to give him any Tylenol because he had too many blankets on....well the resident refused the tyl anyway because he said he felt sick from taking his liquid morphine. I documented this and told him I would monitor his temp. At the end of the shift, literally the last 15 mins, I rechecked him again and this time his temp was elevated to 102.3....he agreed to take Tylenol and he did have about 5 blankets on him and I removed all but one. I gave him the tyl and a cool compress and told the oncoming nurse what was going on. Should I have called the the doctor myself? This facility has a strict policy on overtime so I needed to clock out. I felt since I discovered the elevated temp it was me who needed to take care of the problem. I DID intervene, but worried that I will be in trouble if the oncoming nurse didn't follow up.... Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I have been in your shoes before and it is so frustrating!!! All we want to do is take care of our residents/patients and we seem to get more and more added to a collapsing wagon!! I have been a charge nurse in LTC and acute care at the hospital and was a Director of Nursing at a horrible facility. I resigned when I felt unsafe and basically just to the point of not being able to show up for work another day. Sad, because nursing shouldn't be this way.

Thank you all for your replies and advice. I am actually doing much better now and I feel that I can perform my duties without any issues. I have been to 2 interviews and have been asked why I quit my last job. I told them that management was not a good fit for me and didn't mention that I got sick......however when they called for a reference I am wondering if my former employer mentioned anything about it because I never heard back from either interview. I wonder if I should leave the last job off my resume?

I inform family members of every new or changed medication. It only takes a few minutes and if I had a family member in a facility I would want to be aware. It is also a requirement at our facility, even a simple order such as Tylenol or eye drops. I have to put a note in anyway so I make a quick call to inform the family members, who are always very appreciative that I called.

Hi everyone I have about 3 yrs experience working as a RN, BSN. I have spent some of that time in acute care but the majority is in long term care, with Director of Nursing included. I stepped down from my position of DON recently due to health issues. I have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and already have some kidney problems as a result. I became very ill and needed to be off work so often that it was impossible to keep up with my responsibilities. I have been at home recovering very well since the end of October but still have some issues with my kidneys and my doctor feels it would be unwise to return to work full time right now. I agree but also feel my career will suffer if I stay out of nursing for too long. Any ideas? I have been thinking maybe I could work as weekend RN coverage at a nursing home or part time home health. Of course I would disclose that I have health issues if asked, but should I bring it up otherwise? I am worried that if I work too much I will not get better and if I don't work at all my career will suffer. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a BSN and I do feel that having it helps me with the management side of nursing.....with that said, I also believe that years of experience under one's belt is more important. I am learning more everyday and plan to keep on learning but I can say without a doubt that my BSN does not hold a candle to a nurse with an Associate's degree who has years of experience.