Our govt./health authorities in British Columbia are "busy" dimantling our hospitals (i.e.: closing down ICUs, ERs, med and surg. floors) and converting them into "sub-acute" (less RNs, more LPNs and more NAs). To date, the above have not given any clear definition of the term, "sub-acute" - nor have they given any nurse-to-patient ratio that goes with the type of care expected.
One worries that these areas will run as acute and the odd nurse that happens to be standing there will take the brunt. :imbar
If anyone happens to know anything about this...I would sincerely appreciate hearing/learning more about it! Thanks! :)
I never had 25 patients. 16 was the maximum and I had extremely good LPN's and aides. To answer your question nursegoodlove Yes I had days that were extremely busy, but I was blessed with a medical Director(MD-Rehab Specialist)who trusted my judgement in many situations and our working relationship was one that I will never find again. Your assessment skills must be up to par. Recognizing early that someone is going bad is imperative. This was easier that you think since I had contact with all my patients daily and knew them inside and out. It also helped that my unit was within an acute hospital so I had all the resources available with a phone call.
After righting all this, I miss that job!!!(had it for two years on a long term assignment while the regular nurse was on a leave)
I work in a nursing home with rehab. My unit has 33 clients. I work with one LPN and 4 cna's. When a cna calls out from another unit, a CNA is taken out of my unit and placed in the unit that was short-staffed (which infuriates me). I have 15 sub-acute clients on my side and the LPN takes care of 18, mostly LTC clients. I just started in nursing last october. When I first came to the facility i did not get help, i.e. i gave meds, gave treatments: wound treatments, mininebs, took care of tube feedings, hung iv's and charting, not to mention some housekeeping. this is my first job as a nurse. during the first few months, I was reading to give up my nursing carrer. I am not a quitter, so I continued. My reward for doing this is the appreciation from the clients and their family. There's also nursing shortage in the facility where I work. Some days I work long hours.
Thanks for the info. And again, I am "very" glad you enjoyed the experience & had such terrific LPN & nurse aide back up, as well as the support of your medical director. I'm afraid these things are not in place here so, I worry about the ramifications of that. I can wholly understand and relate to how you would enjoy the job considering the turn over of pts. is much less frequent than it would be in acute & you had the opportunity to get to actually know these people - as well as help them.
Maybe we could recruit you to beautiful British Columbia to help organize our crumbling health care system?
ooooooooooooooooooh............."why" does the ditty "lady bug, lady bug, fly away home" stick to my craw when I read your entry?
Your first job or nightmare? I am so sorry for you. This is abusive.
I appreciate your passion to help the patients & their families - but this facility needs to get a serious reality check or there may be no nurses :imbar - never mind a "shortage".
Are you unionized? If so, PLEASE have the nurses fill out professional responsibility forms or protest of assignment forms (or their equivalent). If you are not unionized....maybe someone can help you get unionized
Look after yourself LadyBug & say this chinese saying over and over to yourself: "remember what is important to you" (and I would say...that should be your mental & physical well-being) :kiss
You don't have to be a "quitter" - either get someone to help you in there or find some place else that will safeguard your - and your patients safety.
"Maybe we could recruit you to beautiful British Columbia to help organize our crumbling health care system?"
How sweet of you to say that!!! My whole attitude towards nursing is when I don't love it or have fun anymore thats when I stop. 20 years and still going strong!!!
I am so sorry for you. This is abusive.
lsyorke, RN
710 Posts
I never had 25 patients. 16 was the maximum and I had extremely good LPN's and aides. To answer your question nursegoodlove Yes I had days that were extremely busy, but I was blessed with a medical Director(MD-Rehab Specialist)who trusted my judgement in many situations and our working relationship was one that I will never find again. Your assessment skills must be up to par. Recognizing early that someone is going bad is imperative. This was easier that you think since I had contact with all my patients daily and knew them inside and out. It also helped that my unit was within an acute hospital so I had all the resources available with a phone call.
After righting all this, I miss that job!!!(had it for two years on a long term assignment while the regular nurse was on a leave)
Good luck with whatever your decision is!
Laurie