BrendaLeeRN

I work in a state that requires 3.0 nursing hours per resident. That would be great if we had meters and once we hit 3.0 hours were done with that resident for the day, but real life doesn't work that way. I too am a new nurse (NCLEX Aug 2005). I oriented for about a month on every shift except 11-7, then started working 11-7. I was responsible for 55 residents, some in a subacute condition. Many just off med surge. That was too much, with treatments, medicare charting, early am med pass, trach care, and multiple g-tubes. Never mind all the other paper work they thought I could do while the residents slept (ha! ha!). So, I explained that as a new nurse I was not comfortable, and then floated 7-3 and 3-11. I had responsiblity for half the patients then, and other nurses to ask advice when in doubt. Much better for me, the facility survived, and I'm now on 7-3 only as charge nurse (55 residents, 6-8 aides, and 2 - 3 other nurses also). Much, much better.

I was 43 years old when I decided to start a second career. I was an executive director of a non-profit arts organization, and decided to quit and pursue a career in nursing. I took a Licensed Nursing Assistant course at a local subacute/LTC facility, while attending nursing school. I have to say, being a LNA (CNA) is a really physically demanding job, but a lot of times its the LNA's that are the last human contact a resident has. It is the LNA that is able to tell nursing when there are rashes and sores, bruises, change in behavior. It is the LNA that is the forefront of the nursing team. It is probably the most underappreciated, yet the most important, job one can have. Being a LNA helped me tremendously while in school, and as a RN I have a real apppreciation for what goes on behind the closed doors.

I too am a new grad. I graduated last May from a RN-ADN program. I worked at a subacute/LTC facility as an aide for a couple of years while in school, and work there now as an RN. I too heard the push for med-surge, but after doing clinicals in a variety of settings I decided that I was interested in psychiatric nursing or geriatric nursing. Hospitals push people out so fast, that you don't have time to know your patients. LTC offers that. You will use a broad range of skills - assessment, psychiatric, pharmacology, wound care, catheters, iv's, gtubes, etc. I love it and if I decide to leave I'd probably pursue psychiatric, not med-surge. The work is hard, long, but the most rewarding I've ever done.

I am a fairly new nurse, but chose and prefer sub-acute/LTC over working in a hospital. I did a research paper in school on a comparison study between ICU and LTC nurses. ICU's may be where the hi-tech skills are needed, but in LTC / Subacute you use your skills in psychiatric, pharmacology, documentation, extreme assessment and trouble shooting skills, pt. advocate, and IVs, blood draws, catheters, tube feeders, chest tubes, drains, CPMs, physical therapy, etc. In LTC, the doctors seem to be more willing to entertain the nurses suggestions. Most of the time when I call them, they say "What do you suggest?" I love my job, except the short staffing we all suffer!

I work in a subacute facility - 11-7. Last night it was myself with 3 LNA's, not the usual two. I had meds at midnight, 2am, 4am, and 6am. I had 55 residents, 3 of them tube feeders, a chest tube, and the wandering sleepless sufferers of dementia thrown in. We answered 155 lights, and corporate thinks that people sleep at night? I had to insist on another nurse coming in at 5am to help. Luckily, I work per diem so I can or cannot work, my choice. I still manage to work full-time there. That is a typical 11-7 shift.

I'd be interested in hearing what you think of correctional nursing. I think there is a certain amount of give and take in any corporation owned healthcare setting.

I am very interested in hearing from some Vermont Correctional nurses and what they think of PHS? I'm considering employment with them, am a new nursing grad, and have BS in Human Services with some teaching and internship experience with DOC. I'd be interested in hearing your experiences and advice!!! Please!!!!

I am a recent nursing grad with my RN. Currently, I am working in a corporate-owned skilled nursing facility and am considering employment with PHS. I have a background that includes teaching in a correctional facility, as well as a brief internship with Probationa and Parole. From what I have read on this board, PHS sounds like the corporation I work for now. The bottom line is most important, therefore safe nursing staffing is ignored. That is why I'm seeking employment elsewhere. PHS does have a high turnover here also, as does the nursing facility where I work. Is there any great place to work out there in specialty nursing???

Even nursing schools treat LTC like it's the easy way out! I did a paper while in nursing school that compared LTC to nursing in the ICU. ICU nurses have to have more techno skills, but LTC requires a broader sense of skills - assessment, psych, pharmacology. LTC is as difficult as ICU, just a different type of nursing. It is real nursing!!!

I work in a LTC/subacute facility on the 11-7 shift. I am a new RN - graduated May, '05. On my shift, I am responsible for the Rehab and LTC wing. There are 12 diabetics, 4 g-tubes, and 1 trach - a total of about 52 residents. I was feeling a little overwhelmed, but I see it's not just my facility that expects nurses to wear roller skates! :chuckle