chitchatkat

I never have had 10 or 20 patients! That is insanity. I have a hard time with 7. I hope things are getting better. The LTACH I work at would never give nurses that many patients. How are things going?

I have been offered $100.00 to complete a SOC visit. 2 years ago with another agency it was $75.00.

I work at an LTACH and have been a slow med passer since I started. I try different ways to set up my day and sometimes I can get the meds passed quickly but it is hard to do. I do my assessment during AM med pass. Then I will do the cares like drsg changes, wound cares, ostomy cares, trach cares after meds are passed. It is very easy for me to 'get stuck" in a pt. room longer than I would like to. Also having to grab PRN meds can become so time consuming. It is challenging to be a nurse in any type of care setting. At my current position, I just can't leave a pt. Who is uncomfortable. For example, recieving tfing and is not at a 30°HOB angle or a pt w a trach whose mask is dirty or may needs suctioning. Even oral cares can really slow me down sometimes. Other nurses suggest I delegate but I know the CNAs are busy so a lot of times I try to lead by example and pray the CNAs will recognize my effort to give great pt. Care. Fortunately, I am still employed there despite my lack of speed. I thk it all depends on what type of nurse you are. You will get faster as you become more comfortable. Try to not beat yourself up as this does nothing but block your ability to provide best pt. Care. Keep a positive attitude. Ensure you are eating well and stay hydrated throughout your shift. Nothing throws off a day like having an episode of hypoglycemia. Also, arrive a lil early if you can to make sure the day is semi planned well. Try writing out a simple template. I usually will make my own and put down what needs to be done then chk it off or cross it out when is done. Keep it simple and to the point w info r/t diet, med times, BS, I&O. I keep an extra highlighter on me to color code my sheet for extra info such as supplies, ?s, family, and new info to update MD and RNs. .

I hate ageism. I hope this changes w time. I am so afraid to apply for positions bcs I have not been in hospital nursing in for10 yrs per my resume.There are no refresher courses near me. I couldn't afford one & I am a unique person. I have difficulty expressing self and projecting confidence at all times. 3 yrs ago took a position at a LTAC hospital. Was let go bcs I was late for 4th time in 6 or 7 wk period. 3 times were during 1st wk of orientation and my difficulty with traffic, parking, and myself. 4th time was not late. Was early(scheduled to started at 8 instead of 7). But it was obvious I was on my way out. I did good work and pts liked me. I felt so hurt and angry at myself. I had been open to having a newer nurse precept me along w a few others. This was how I showed flexibility and also offered to help whenever I could. I didn't take breaks. But was cast out. I tried to be professional at all times. During down times, I,would review pt charts to become familiar w charting and where info was located or practiced w IT software. Kept quiet and only spoke when I was asked a question or had a question. The nurses said I was too nervous or seemed too tired. I believe this was true and agreed when they stated this. I was adjusting to full time 12 hour shifts after being a stay at home momma for a few yrs w/ an on call if RN position. I was staying late and was flexible w my schedule. So, how does one make a consistent good impression when nurses just don't want to like you? I could go I to more detail but it is embarrassing. I just want to be a nurse w active skills! I have precepted nursez before and always encouraged them. I feel to precept is an incredible role and stated my gratitude to each RN who helped me.Has the culture btwn RN s changed terribly in last decade? I feel like applying to another hospital similar bcs I want an in and need the money. I am,so God now so I don't have support income and drive an old car. My current role is good but need to make more money and want to gain,additional exp. Maybe this should have been a separate topic. Any replies would be appreciated.

Congratulations on getting where you are right now. Life is short. If you can allow nursing school to consume your life-do it! I have been out of school for 14 years, but what is odd is how much I rmbr from school. So often theoretical information or certain topics pop in my head. My best advice is to let nursing be your art. You are a student of a an amazing science working to not just save a life but to improve many lives. So, take your knowledge and share w others. Teach others. I used to pretend to teach the pathophysiology to my fake audience. Also listening to recorded classes is so helpful. I needed to do note cards(reluctantly) bcs they were effective for my learning style. I was a gr8 reader but my mind would travel. I have actually referred and read to my books post college graduation. Keep In contact with your professors. Ask them some stupid question that you have. This is because you may need their Reference someday in the future. They will remember you(linkedIn Connection)- and Nurse educators are happy to share info reregarding how much time to to studying specific topics. Pm me if you want to have an audience to teach some of your study material. I am running behind but have more suggestions. Keep Up the Good work!

Thank you! I am so enviois of your critical care. Good job. This work I do is important but not as excitjng as your type. I tried to explain btr in a new post. Thanks for commenting!!!

So I have been a contract/1099 RN for a personal care, non medical home care agency. My title is RN supervisor. Basically equates to what a DON would be for Home Health. The care we provide is to help w people who have difficulty w ADLs. My concern is the state legistlature doesnt give precise info as to my role. Can other nurses working in this feild help me by tellng me how their experience is in this special feild? I only get paid per visit. I want to be in the office more and do more of the training but the owner is not respectful or knowledgable of a RNs role. It leaves me xurious if my license could be used illegally. I love the cts but have no benefits and pay is less than adequate. I habe been searching other jobs, but because there is no skilled nursing care and I'm just doing assessments and some leadership roles such as training, I don't know what to go into next. I just hope that someone out there can provide insight. Thanks for reading. Have a great day fellow nurses!!

I am in the process of getting accepted into Bradley university as well. I am just so nervous about whether or not I can do well. I also wonder if the recruiters who call you get paid if they sign you up for classes. Hopong to start in the Fall!

I am still working in personal care services. Really I'm surprised no nurses have commented on my post. There are tons of agencies especially in Wisconsin and I would like to start a group of RN supervisors to discuss our Rule and details about our job in order to get some evidence based practice going and just the groundwork of how to B able to utilize the nursing process to the best of the ability for the clients served. These services are going to cut costs tremendously. I believe that many people are going to continue to need benefit and utilize personal care. Please share your experiences and information. Thanks nurses!

I believe Bradley University is starting a DNA online program! Way to go work getting yourself up to participate w the Education! I plan to start Bradley University in the fall, but I feel bad doing an online Masters program and wonder if I should do the PHD like you. Either way good luck and God bless you!

I often wonder how many places actually check refrences. It can be so frustrating to have to list so micj infoation for a job. I feel like it takes forever to complete an application and I end up not always completing the application for some places because I tell myself its not going to work out for one way or another. I have had some short term employme.t, have been fired from some jobs just because I didnt fit in w the staff. It is frustrating. Now, I want to get back into a hospital but am so scared they won't hire me because I habe done home care and clinic work. Also had a child and took on giardianship of my mother which was a daunting task to say the least. When you give your references out, how far back you go with the people that you put down for references. I know many advice website state to make sure to contact the reference before hand but I usually don't. And I never have had anyone contacted recently at least... But I don't apply to a lot of positons so thats on me...

Hi Nurses, I am working for 2 Personal care agencies, one does home health as well, but I just do the pcw side. I take vitals signs at the intial visit and super isory visit for one, the other says we are not to do that due to the ct being non medical. How does your agency work? I also have nurses notes for one agency and not the other. Any thoughts??? An RN is required to do the screening for ADL assistance at the home and f/u every 50-60 days there after for supervisory visits. Can any nurses working within this role share their responsibilities?

Contact your states nursing association, ask for help. You may really want this job, but there are other jobs out there. Ask yourself? Am I able to provide safe care for my patient? And ask yourself if you are safe or have been provided the tools to stay safe physically, legally, emotionally...? Don't be shy w agency, demand orientation. Of they balk, show proof. The last thinv they want is to have their license questioned by the division of quality assurance. I was too timid in my last position and I regret it now... I was not meeting my patients needs. I can disrespect myself but will not disrespect my patients care. Just a thought. I still don't know a lot about home health care. Much respect and admiration to all home health nurses. You rock.

, a DON needs to be at the office at all times. I work in Wisconsin and it is imperative for the nurse to be in the office especially if state wereturn to do a visit.A DON has multiple responsibilities and I would be cautious. I was in quite a strestful situation before and after consulting w nurses here and contacting the Wisconsin Nurses Association, I learned just how much I was risking my license. E

I am in the process pf applying at a hospice company the DON referred me to. My resume is being reviewed by a pain mgmt clinic.Also, I have my resume posted on careerbuilder and it has generated daily inquiries from different agencies. State did come to the agency. It was on Monday and I was there to train a new Personal Care worker. They were brief and took copies of our 2 skillled nursing charts. "A" was telling them we had 3 other cts on the verge of admission. It is a joke and right now the consultant the administrator hired has stated that she is going to try to use a cultural language barrier problem to work at getting us out of the problem w state. The admin. Lied to all of us by stating he was going to wait to send in the paperwork.issue not being as the reason for us to be able to get a temporary license. Yesterday I was asked to be the assistant administrator. I'm not going to do this because I know that he lies and I am not ready for that amtvof responsibility.The admin asked me to change my resume to state I worked in homecare for a yr. in the past. The former DON has become a friend and I trust her more than I trust "A". I feel bad for him because he's worked very hard attempting to make this agency work but I do realize he doesn't want to follow the laws and legalities also I catch him in lies constantly. Maybe there is some language barrier/cultural comcern that state didnt try to ensure they understood him. His native language is Arabic. Either way I know he lies and I have wasted time has wasted time trying to get him to understand my concerns w state. On Friday, we should hear back from state. I think they will give us ten days to chang.but realistically it can't get fixed. Will update. Can anyone tell me what or why he would ask me to be assistant administrator and what the difference is between that role and the role of the DON? Kust curious and eager to learn whatever I cma from this experience. In response to the nurse w the documentation , "DON'T YOU CHECk b4 entering POST", Thank you for your concern and example regarding checking documentation. It is a great reminder for all. Thankfully, nurses dont chart from smartphones yet. I can only see 1 inch of the text I write & accidently erase mult. Sentences when editing w the format the android browser uses. When my PC is fixed, I will not write msgs via cell. I spent an extra 35 minutes to try to ensure there weren`t too many errors. I assuming you weigh 120 and the nurse entered an extra 0. Hopefully, IT/ software for documentation will not allow such unbelievable errors to be entered. I bet the nurse felt very dumb when you brought it to her attn. With the way you worded your post, I also felt dumb. I hope other nurses will write or post questions even if they make mistakes. I know that I debating writing something. The time it took to read what I typed was delayed by up to 30 seconds at times and w the app I notice that a msg I posted a few days ago was never to never was posted. Either way, this website is for all nurses to come together to ask for or recieve support, to learn, and to grow with every single nurse out there. I am so grateful for the responses I recieved r/t my concern. All of you made a difference in my confidence to make the right decison and helped ease my anxiety.