RN in ltc

[obizyanka]

Can someone please give a brief rundown of the duties of an RN in LTC. I always see want ads in the paper for supervisors. I've only ever worked in a hospital as an RN. It's pulling my interest, but I also have no clue what I'd be getting into. Any thought please?

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Each facility has a different idea. Most are going to the idea of RNs in all positions thanks to the 5 star rating which gives more 'points' for staffing with RNs. RN's in my building are staff nurses, charge nurses, nurse managers and supervisors....oh and the MDS coordinator is an RN.

[obizyanka]

Thanks mermaid. From my experiences (I'm in pa) I hear that aids and lpns work their butts off passing meds, treatments, and adls. Rns are there to supervise/ take the fall if smth bad happens/ admission assessments/ other paperwork ...

[DanaMSN, MSN]

I think it depends on the facility. The RN staff where I work perform the same tasks as the LPN staff with a few extras like admission assessments, running TPN, managing PICC lines etc

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Our facility seems similar to danabsn, there are RN floor nurses- responsible for med passes and treatments on a regular floor shift, RNs are also the only ones that can do admissions, pronounce, and send patients out and a few other things I can't remember. There are RN supervisors, with no set floor assignments, but on hand during peak hours to assist where needed. Sometimes you're a supervisor with a floor assignment, so you'll be called off your assignment to take care of things that require RNs elsewhere. All RNs are trained as supervisors once they're competent in the floor nurse role. Good luck.

[NurseGuyBri]

Positions in my facility are like this: CNA's fill these spots: Patient Care Tech, Scheduler, Unit Secretary, Activity assistant, Restorative Nurse Aide. LPN's fill (or can fill) these spots: Supervisor, Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse, Treatment Nurse, Unit Manager, MDS Assistant, Admissions Nurse. RN's ONLY fill these positions: DON, ADON, MDS Coordinator, RN Supervisors.

Positions follow scope, however we take experience into account.

The supervisors generally coordinate care on the floor during the evenings/nights/weekends. They assist with admissions, labs, reporting, and handling family concerns. Different facilities do it different ways, though, so you have to be careful.

[AngelRN27]

I am a staff RN at a LTC facility here in FL and there is no difference between my job and the LPNs that I work with. The LPNs can handle PICCs if they are IV certified just like I can, and they can also do admissions, including the admission assessment. The only difference at my facility is that supervisors must be RNs, but not all RNs are supervisors...