Question of my ability to make right choice

What are you seeing at your most recent job that makes you fear for your professional life?

Dear RNBearColumbus, I fear that I cannot read into the interviewers words so I make a wrong choice from job offers. I want to find a place that I can work and grow in a long run but so far, I haven't found one. Current job has the potential of long term stability but there are questionable practices that I cannot go along with because I believe it can potentially harm the residents. such as overly medicated and cover up for skin tears and injuries.

What are you seeing at your most recent job that makes you fear for your professional life?

Your situation sounds similar to my own when I was first looking for work. I understand your apprehensiveness about working for a LTC facility in which you would be responsible for many patients. I think its crazy that some facilities will put one nurse in charge of 30 or more patients. One its not to pass meds (in my opinion) to that many people because you cant really have any time to spend time with them, do a proper assessment. Two its so little time to pass the meds in the time allowed that nurses resort to taking unsafe shortcuts like giving the meds to soon, or opening the meds ahead of time and putting them in cups for later. This is not really allowed but nurses do it, because they do not see another way. I know some nurses can thrive under this kind of pressure and handle all these patients, but I was not one of them. It really sounds like this is just not the right fit for you, it was not for me and that is okay there a multiple options out there.

I would look into other options as this may not be you best fit. Doctors offices, clinics, jails, and hospice all hire LPN's. OR if you feel LTC facility may be right for you I would look at one with less patients per nurse. I understand you have limited experience, but some one will hire you. I got inot home health care with no previous HH experience. I really love it! What I like is you have a flexible shchedule, and they pay you for a full hour even if your visit is only 15 minutes. Your your own boss and you have no one looking over your shoulders. If you have any questions you can alway ask the DON at the agency, or call the doctor. It may take a while to find a job, and to find you best fit but you will. The key is to be patient, and do not get discouraged. Best of luck!

I think its crazy that some facilities will put one nurse in charge of 30 or more patients. One its not to pass meds (in my opinion) to that many people because you cant really have any time to spend time with them, do a proper assessment. Two its so little time to pass the meds in the time allowed that nurses resort to taking unsafe shortcuts like giving the meds to soon, or opening the meds ahead of time and putting them in cups for later. This is not really allowed but nurses do it, because they do not see another way.

!

Actually, it IS possible to care for that number of patients in a long term setting, and still do everything the right way. What you need to realize is that in a long term setting, you don't NEED to do a complete assessment on every patient every day. Most will only need their meds, and maybe a dressing change. There will always been a few that need more in depth assessment, but they will be the minority of your patients. I pass meds to 33 long term patients every day, and never pre-pour meds or give meds outside of the allowed window (one hour before, one hour after scheduled time)

OP, as a new nurse in a LTC facility you've not had time to develop a routine. If you stick it out, you will develop your own way of doing things, and can resolve to not be one of the nurses that cuts corners.

Thank you for your encouragement LPN954. You make me good about questioning my current situation and not afraid to look for a new one. Yes, I think I am going to take time and look around patiently this time. Maybe after a year of experiences, I can go into home health. I love hospice nursing but I don't have enough experiences yet. :)

Your situation sounds similar to my own when I was first looking for work. I understand your apprehensiveness about working for a LTC facility in which you would be responsible for many patients. I think its crazy that some facilities will put one nurse in charge of 30 or more patients. One its not to pass meds (in my opinion) to that many people because you cant really have any time to spend time with them, do a proper assessment. Two its so little time to pass the meds in the time allowed that nurses resort to taking unsafe shortcuts like giving the meds to soon, or opening the meds ahead of time and putting them in cups for later. This is not really allowed but nurses do it, because they do not see another way. I know some nurses can thrive under this kind of pressure and handle all these patients, but I was not one of them. It really sounds like this is just not the right fit for you, it was not for me and that is okay there a multiple options out there.

I would look into other options as this may not be you best fit. Doctors offices, clinics, jails, and hospice all hire LPN's. OR if you feel LTC facility may be right for you I would look at one with less patients per nurse. I understand you have limited experience, but some one will hire you. I got inot home health care with no previous HH experience. I really love it! What I like is you have a flexible shchedule, and they pay you for a full hour even if your visit is only 15 minutes. Your your own boss and you have no one looking over your shoulders. If you have any questions you can alway ask the DON at the agency, or call the doctor. It may take a while to find a job, and to find you best fit but you will. The key is to be patient, and do not get discouraged. Best of luck!

Best of luck! Let me know if you have any questions about home health.

Thanks :) I will.

Best of luck! Let me know if you have any questions about home health.