BentHalo

I TOTALLY AGREE!! Speaking as a LTC RN, I truly realize and appreciate the Staffing/Ratio concerns expressed by Acute/Critical Care, ER/Trauma and other Specialty Care Nurses for optimal Patient Care Outcomes. In the LTC-Sub Acute (Rehab) Setting, it's 2 Nurses and 3,MAYBE 4 CNA's to 40 Residents on a generous day or evening shift. On the overnight it is 1 Nurse and 1MAYBE 2 CNA's to those same 40 Residents on the overnight. Now granted we don't have the same levels of medical acuity/urgency as you do, but we do have a heavy med pass/treatment rounds,meals to distribute,total ADLs- incl.showers, and Residents requiring direct supervision d/t incr. Fall Risks, Dementia related Behaviors and wanderers. ....Not to gripe,but we LTC Nurses and especially the CNAs are AMONGST the hardest working Direct Care Providers and yet comparatively UNDERRATED,UNDER PAID.

The staffing situation at the SNF/Rehab that I work has become so desperate, they're asking if any of us nurses (LPNs & RNs) would consider working as CNAs..The legal ramifications of that are VERY RISKY on MORE than 1 level!!! Should an emergency arise,at what level of professionalism, responsibility are you going to be held accountable?!!

Try working a shift in a SNF. 40 elderly Residents with Dementia with Sundowning and/or other health issues. The Staffing Ratio on Days/Eves is 2 Nurses and 3 CNAs (last night it was 2 Nurses and 2CNAs after 7pm),on the overnight shift it's ONE Nurse,1(maybe 2)CNA for 40 Residents. We are also being threatened with punishment for not taking our breaks, Time Management.

Im an AAS-RN 25+ yrs and of the Baby Boomer generation. I work in a SNF ,40 bed Unit with (typically) 3 CNAs,plus one other Nurse. More & more is being expected along with going live w/EMR next week.... Today, stomach hurts just knowing that I'm going in. This is NOT the Nursing I was trained for and LOVED....What now??!!!

Being a Nurse with 30+ years varied experience, I love LTC Nursing,but admitting,I HATE the working conditions that CONSTANTLY seems to prevail!!! 1 Nurse /20 Residents ,3 CNA's (millennials) Some how,you're to complete a 20 bed med pass, treatments, supervision of the CNAs (their assignment is split among 40 Residents), monitor those Residents that are High Fall Risks,p/u orders(God forbid there's a fall,Transfer to the ER or incoming Admission) Documentation and report...and yet,you're EXPECTED to do all and leave on time.... I'm 57,is this it?!! It's the RESIDENTS who ultimately end up with the "**** end" of the stick,and that's NOT FAIR!!! And that's why there's such a HUGE STAFFING TURN-OVER, MANDATORY OVER TIME in LTC. I'm mad,frustrated and at this point,IF I could retire I would...but not po$$ible.