Put TLC back in LTC

kwagner_51 · Nov 26, 2005

What a night! Everything was a blurr. There were CNAs flying by, I had PRNs up to my eyeballs (actually gave one right before I clocked out) and there was very little time for one on one with the residents. There were a few who really needed it.:stone

I WORK LTC [since the 18th of October]. I ALWAYS take the time to talk to my pts. I had a lady tell me last night that she loves me!! :) A Male patient told me that I treat the people there like HUMAN BEINGS and not like 'inmates'. He is a cantankterous [sp?] old man who just found out that his kidneys are functioning at 25% and has told his wife that he WILL NOT go on dialysis!!

I look at these people as my parents. Would I want my Mom or Dad treated like they are a PIA to the staff? The answer of course is no. I try to give each of my pts the time they need to relax, explain their day, or just hold my hand.

Yes it takes longer to do my med passes, but I have preserved the dignity of the patients I care for. You might consider working nights. I have more time to treat them like the people they are, and I LOVE it!!

_______________________________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Nov 26, 2005

Some of these people need a little more than a couple of minutes chit-chat. I try to give them time but it's not enough. Unfortunately Medpass is something mandated by law to be given within a certain amount of time. Some things have to be done right then and there. But if you can do all your med pass and have unlimited amount of time to comfort your residents, and still stay within the legal limits of med pass then they need to clone you.:)

I WORK LTC [since the 18th of October]. I ALWAYS take the time to talk to my pts. I had a lady tell me last night that she loves me!! :) A Male patient told me that I treat the people there like HUMAN BEINGS and not like 'inmates'. He is a cantankterous [sp?] old man who just found out that his kidneys are functioning at 25% and has told his wife that he WILL NOT go on dialysis!!
I look at these people as my parents. Would I want my Mom or Dad treated like they are a PIA to the staff? The answer of course is no. I try to give each of my pts the time they need to relax, explain their day, or just hold my hand.
Yes it takes longer to do my med passes, but I have preserved the dignity of the patients I care for. You might consider working nights. I have more time to treat them like the people they are, and I LOVE it!!
_______________________________________________________
In His Grace,
Karen
Failure is NOT an option!!

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2005

I believe that things will only get worse as the government cuts 10 Billion from Medicaid. I am just a student, but did an entire quarter in LTC. It was my observation that the staff is stretched entirely too thin, such as one LPN and 2 aides for 33 residents. We were at a good LTC facility and our nurse actually had the lightest load.

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Nov 26, 2005

It is the Siberia of healthcare.

I believe that things will only get worse as the government cuts 10 Billion from Medicaid. I am just a student, but did an entire quarter in LTC. It was my observation that the staff is stretched entirely too thin, such as one LPN and 2 aides for 33 residents. We were at a good LTC facility and our nurse actually had the lightest load.

Harleygirl · Nov 26, 2005

Been there, done that.

I have worked in LTC for 10 years, as a CNA, LPN, RN, and DON. I still get upset at staff who hurry through cares so they can go take a break. I have worked every shift, and would have to say that nights were my favorite. Even then, some rough nights you just don't have time to do TLC like you want to. I staff a nurse and 4-5 aides a shift for 38 residents. Even though the work gets done you question sometimes how that care was delivered.

Harleygirl

Chicklet2 · Nov 26, 2005

Hey, I just graduated from nursing school and started working at LTC Oct 18, just been there over a month and love it. I hate how if someone is asking for help the NA's will just walk by them. Or last night some people that should have been put to bed at 8pm were still left up at 10 and the NA's excuse was like oh I didn't have time.... it's like well the last 30min u were complaining how bored u were. I also get asked how I get certain residents to take their meds. I'm like I ask them if this is a good time for them or if I could come back in 30min. And i have no problem b/c i respect them. and i dont just shove the pills down their throat. I actually spend a few minutes talking to them............

Harleygirl · Nov 26, 2005

Chicklet

Keep that respect. Don't let the frustration get to you. Continue to lead by example, no matter how hard it gets. Show respect for your residents, your aides, and your fellow nurses. Teamwork goes a long way.

suebird3 · Nov 26, 2005

this group sounds like they really give a dang. please keep up the good work! we try to do the best, and give that "little bit extra", no matter what. i wish more were like you all.

i have worked at the same facility for over 6 years, and would not trade it for the world. i have worked many other facilities, and at least this place works with ya.

suebird

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Nov 26, 2005

I enjoy "small-talking" with my residents and families A LOT MORE THAN I LIKE PASSING MEDS. Maybe it was I who felt cheated.

The lady I am talking about is very old and still very sharp. She misses her family and wants someone to stay with her and keep her company and she does not mean a few minutes. Her family comes to see her but can't be there all the time, just like we can't be there all the time. Any attempts to appease he just irritates her the more. Like I said, she is very sharp and perceptive.

Hey, I just graduated from nursing school and started working at LTC Oct 18, just been there over a month and love it. I hate how if someone is asking for help the NA's will just walk by them. Or last night some people that should have been put to bed at 8pm were still left up at 10 and the NA's excuse was like oh I didn't have time.... it's like well the last 30min u were complaining how bored u were. I also get asked how I get certain residents to take their meds. I'm like I ask them if this is a good time for them or if I could come back in 30min. And i have no problem b/c i respect them. and i dont just shove the pills down their throat. I actually spend a few minutes talking to them............

kwagner_51 · Nov 26, 2005

Some of these people need a little more than a couple of minutes chit-chat. I try to give them time but it's not enough. Unfortunately Medpass is something mandated by law to be given within a certain amount of time. Some things have to be done right then and there. But if you can do all your med pass and have unlimited amount of time to comfort your residents, and still stay within the legal limits of med pass then they need to clone you.:)

I have not made MEDPASS yet. I start when I hit the floor, usually at 7:15 PM, and with 25 pts, I don't get done until 10.PM Then, there are the treatments that night shift has to do. That gives me time also to talk to the patients. After charting, i set up my meds for the 6AM run and give PRN's through out the night.

I am a newly licensed RN and am not very fast. However, every nurse I talked to there said that 99.9% do NOT get the meds passed within the law. One LPN has worked LTC for 30 years, told another nurse that I am as fast as she is at passing meds. When she trained me, we didn't get done until 1PM with our 11AM pass.

I also work with a nurse who is completely able to get the medpass done early, but comes across as totally unfriendly. I personally think that when we put the law above the pt, we all lose, but not as much as the patients do.

I have seen her go into the room and give the meds without so much as a good morning and how are you doing. If I am required to do that then I will QUIT nursing. I came into this career to HELP people not pass MEDS!!

_____________________________________________________

In his Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!