RN or busperson?

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Apr 10, 2004

The old notion that LTC is a vacation is certainly gone. Today's nursing homes are small sub-acute centers that are riddled with a maze of regulation, understaffing as well as so much paperwork that is generally impossible to give good care. And, if the facility is lucky enough to have an RN on staff (aside from the Director of Nursing), that RN is so consumed with trying to fill the loose ends so the residents get care, that there is really no time for anything else. And, yes, if filling the loose ends means bussing tables, then that is what he/she does. It is a tough industry to work in any more and that is a real shame for the residents. They deserve to be around people (staff members) that have time to spend with them and the development of relationships.

Hang in there ... they really need you. :)

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 10, 2004

:Thought LTC would be a "vacation" from the stress of acute care--it's more stress than acute care ever was....
Looking seriously for work in a doctor's office. Don't care anymore about the lower pay, inferior benefits, etc.....

Lots of acute care nurses make that same mistake.....By the way-I would not work in most doctor's offices that I visit-my pcp has 4 docs and 2 pa's..I have not yet met a real licensed nurse.... only cna's and medical assistants.....MY ob/gyn is an even bigger practice=7 docs-and staff running around like crazy...It's nuts-looks highly stressful to me...

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2004

We have NO feeding assistants at my facility. Feeding patients is one thing (not my favorite thing, but understand it's part of the job - there just aren't enough CNA's and the LPN is passing meds)---but lately I've been busing the tables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone else have to do this? I don't feel it's part of an RN's job to be cleaning up the dining area.
Thought LTC would be a "vacation" from the stress of acute care--it's more stress than acute care ever was....
Looking seriously for work in a doctor's office. Don't care anymore about the lower pay, inferior benefits, etc.....

Yes. I have seen one of the unit managers/RNs doing it everyday at the facility where I work. It is part of her job because she has the "feeding room", where the total feeds are, on her unit. As you say, the LPNs are doing the med pass or maning the dining rooms, and the CNAs are helping in the dining rooms, bringing trays to rooms, and helping patients with other things.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Apr 11, 2004

Can the kitchen staff be used to bus tables, just so the RN gets to go do jobs that require her license? No wonder they are short cash!

jkaee · Apr 11, 2004

The facility where am I am now is the only place that I have worked where the kitchen staff clear the main dining room and the restorative feeding dining room. Every other place I worked at the nursing staff did it. At my first job, we all had to take turns waitressing in the MDR....yeah, that was fun!

Maybe it's time to stand up and take a stand.....tell whoever is in charge that as an RN you have too many responsibilities and residents to care for and you just can't clean up anymore because it's compromising patient care. They will just have to figure out who else can do it, because YOU aren't going to be the one doing it anymore. (I know, I know, easier said than done)

I had to chuckle.....so many acute care nurses think LTC is a vacation.....until they try to do it!

Good luck!

stressednurse · Apr 11, 2004

Wonders if anyone would like to work in a nice LTC facility?

Sounds like what the people that come here to work complain about.

LTC is where the jobs will be for the next 20 to 30 years.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 11, 2004

It's not just in LTC, guys..........sometimes I think the main difference between your average waitress and me is about 20 bucks an hour (even though I don't get tips), I spend so much time shuttling between the patients' rooms and the clean utility fetching soda, crackers, snacks, ice water, etc. I don't mind it most of the time, but some patients get the idea that waiting on people is ALL I do. :rolleyes:

jkaee · Apr 11, 2004

It's not just in LTC, guys..........sometimes I think the main difference between your average waitress and me is about 20 bucks an hour (even though I don't get tips), I spend so much time shuttling between the patients' rooms and the clean utility fetching soda, crackers, snacks, ice water, etc. I don't mind it most of the time, but some patients get the idea that waiting on people is ALL I do.

Very true....I remember my hospital days.....running around waitressing, plus having to check my IV's, hang blood, draw labs, etc etc. I'd go back to hospital nursing, but I absolutely hate Med/Surg (always have, always will) But for now, LTC is where I'm at. We all work hard, in every setting! I just wish admin would get it thru their heads that we're not here to "serve", and start hiring extra people that could do all that stuff for the patients. Not budget friendly, I guess.

:rolleyes:

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Apr 11, 2004

When I was running a subacute floor in a LTC building here, I passed trays with the CNA's every morning. Sure, it wasn't in the job description, but it gave me a chance to make rounds, meet the new residents,put it on my resume when I change careers..... :rotfl:

lisasmom · Apr 12, 2004

To me it is all part of team work. I don't think a nurse should be busing tables if a patient needs her, but to help things run smoothly>>>>>>> I have bused many a table. I was a DON in a LTC and had the concept that I would not ask my staff to do anything I wasn't willing to do myself.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2004

I don't know. It's not that a RN can't bus tables or feed residents/clients, but is it making good use of the nurses time? However, I think most facilities want a nurse present to further ensure safety in case of choking. I don't mind feeding patients. It is not currently in my daily routine.