JohnBearPA

about the order for KCL not being d/c'd, and kaexalate given at the same time,,,,, doesn't anyone do chart checks in this facility? There's more than one nurse at fault here. it's still terrible that it wasn't caught sooner.

I really think you need to go and speak with your instructor. Also do some reading on HIV and AIDS. I am doubtful that the "AIDS pt." has full blown AIDS and is sharing a room with someone who is much more a risk to him than he is to this old man that isn't imuno-compromised. And for an instructor to say that this is an "AIDS pt" if he is in fact only infected with HIV is outrageous. Do a google search on AIDS and HIV, I'm sure you'll see what exactly I mean.

I wear my seatbelt in my truck or in someone elses car all of the time, but I'll ride a motorcycle w/o a helmet as long as I'm driving the bike. If i'm a passenger, i wear a helmet. I do enjoy the feeling of the wind on my face and thru what's left of my hair. I condone this to myself because i really can't see me having any quality of life after a bad m/c accident, so I doubt i'd want to live thru it. a motor vehicle accident on the other hand, i could live thru w a seatbelt and continue to be productive.

Hmmmm, tonight I'm already at work since 7p, until 7a. we had an LPN call off, so I'm in an unfamiliar hall until 11p. Just got done my meds, and charting is already done. Now at 11p, I go to my hall, and do my 30 pts, and the other hall's 30 pts because the other nurse scheduled has a family emergency and called off. that makes 60 pts. We do have 3 CNA's scheduled, but all noc meds and tx's will be on me, besides the chart checks, ordering meds, g/t's, charting, and appt's for morning. Not to mention I do my own v/s, because I'd rather have my CNA's answering call lights and t&p'ing people. Oh, I also answer call lights when my girls are busy. This is LTC, get used to it. I think I'd give my private parts for your job tonight darlin', but hey, only my opinion. Do what feels right to you, and good luck at whatever that may be.

I'm not sure anymore, and I've lost touch with one of them. I believe she was started in L&D but moved to postpartum later. I know LPN's at that particular hosp aren't able to work in the nursery, but they're employed in NICU, so some of this may be that particular hosp's policy. The other LPN works postpartum. I'm certainly not challenging anyone, just trying to share the info I remember. Again, I'm also assuming this varies not only from state to state, but facility to facility.

I think this depends on the state and the hospital. I know several nurses that I went to school with that work OB/Gyn as LPN's. Obviosuly RN's are preferred, but at least in PA, I know several LPN OB/Gyn nurses. Probably not the same everywhere tho.

I agree, because most of the CNA's here understand the reasoning behind telling their superior, the Nurse or Charge Nurse, that you're taking a break. If you're playing fast and loose with your staff, I'm just happy you're not at my facility. Believe me, you wouldn't even make it as a CNA. I'm sure sooner or later you'll ends up either understanding, or you'll lose your license for neglect or abandonment. Have a great day!

The pee break is getting blown out of proportion here. The OP said "stepping off the floor" which can be for anything from a pee break to lunch. From your responses, you seem to be just getting a laugh from serious responses explaining why nurses expect to know where their CNA's are, and I'm not going to keep on trying to justify my responses. When you're a nurse long enough, maybe you'll understand. Until then, have a great day.

Most units that I've worked on have staff b/r's on the floor, so no one is leaving the floor to go pee. As for the "MY LICENSE" thing, when you lose yours because of something a subordinate has done or failed to do, you'll understand why most of us feel as we do regarding our licensure.

No, it's NOT kindergarten, it's WORK, and as a supervisor of the CNA's at work, I too expect to be notified of when they leave the floor. I also have the courtesy to let my CNA's and the other nurse know when I leave the floor for break, or whatever else I may have to do in another section. I've been a CNA for years before I was a nurse, and I'm very aware of what their jobs are. That being said, I'M the one directly responsible for everything they do while at work, and I'M the one signing off on the fact that they did, in fact, do everything for their pt's that was expected of them. It's MY license on the line, and I let my CNA's know that, and that they can ask for help with whatever task they require help with, no matter how messy, or gross. I'm just asking the same respect from them that I give them, as I think the OP is also. As for the CNA in question, sounds like insubordination to me, write her or him up, and stick to your guns. CNA's like that don't need to litter the floor, as there are plenty of hard working CNA's that actually like doing their jobs to take their places!

The facility tried to get her to retract her statement to police the next day, but it was too late. The resident had been exhibiting this behavior for several MONTHS, and admin was VERY aware. In fact there were several other assaults, such as resident throwing feces, menstrual blood, and urine, as well as resident literally running over a staff nurse with her motorized w/c. Thankfully resident figured out that charges might be pressed against her, and checked out AMA with family the next day. Now she's someone elses problem, unfortunately. As for advocating, I'm a pt advocate AND a staff advocate. How can I expect my staff to give proper care when they're afraid to enter a room to answer a call light?

I was charge in my LTC when 3 CNA's came to me reporting an assault by a known combative, A&Ox3 resident. I called my DON and administrator, which were both unavailable, then police upon CNA request. Police responded, resident was made aware of consequences if CNA wanted to press charges, and resident checked out AMA the next day. Admin was furious, but I firmly held my stance that CNA was within her rights, and the powers that be were unavailable, after several calls and voicemails left. They eventually got over it. We have the right to press charges at work just as if we were at home, or on the street. Don't EVER take an assault from a resident and let it go, because Admin will NOT help staff, they're all about pt satisfaction!

I think you'll learn what's expected and your texts will become clearer when they're covered in class. We learned alot of this stuff in school, and had no idea how it would effect our nursing care until we got out and actually worked as nurses. As nurses, we care for the "whole" person, psych, physical, and spiritual needs. You'll realize the relevance when you get out on the floor. I was one of the few Catholics working at a Jewish run facility, and believe me, I learned alot about the Jewish faith. It certainly helped me better address my pt's needs, and I'm certain that it helped me grow as a nurse. No one asked me to convert, but I learned ALOT and it broadened my personal horizons. Just don't get upset yet, until you cover it in class and see how your instructors explain how it will relate to your career. Also, I agree, your spirituality has nothing to do with how good a nurse you are, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Best of luck, you'll make a fine nurse soon!

lol, while in the room administering meds, two CNA's gave the woman in the next bed a boost, and apparently came very close to banging her head on the headboard. They both apologized profusely, and the elderly pt told them "Don't worry honey, my husband used to bang my head off the headboard every Friday night for years, it wasn't the first time." I about died laughing!

you know, I'm reflecting on my past employer, and wondering why the heck I didn't quit before this. The shortages of both supplies and staffing was there, and they seemed to promote sloppy nursing. I always try to do my best, and there's one other nurse there that is a fantastic nurse too. The rest of them I wouldn't care to have look after my enemies, yet alone my family or friends. I know I'll miss my residents, but that kinda' goes with the territory, I guess. Also found out that the staffing error that caused all my grief was the DON's error, because he gave another nurse emergency leave to go to PR AFTER he already approved mine, and needed to cover his ass. Unbelievable! I'm really thinking I made a good choice, and I highly doubt I'll regret it. I'll be driving a little further, but what the heck, I'll be a happy camper! The new job was one I loved before, and just left to have a shorter commute. Also, the new job is all about promoting education and experience, so I'll get to be the best nurse I can be! As for Dad, no change in condition, still fairly stable and free of pain. Thanks again to you all, you're all angels!