RN responsibilities in LTC

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I'm a new RN considering to apply for a position in LTC. However, I admit that I'm not very clear about the responsibilities on an RN in LTC, since it seems that most is done by aids and LVNs/LPNs and RNs hold mainly office jobs. I have seen nursing homes advertis positions for RNs without specifying that it would be a management position, so I'm a bit confused.

Also, what exactly would a LTC weekend supervisor do, and would a new grad be qualified for this position?

Specializes in LTC/ rehab/ dialysis.
The RN/LPN status will never go away and RN's will always be looked at in society as a "real nurse." This is the way it is. I have had bad experiences with LPN's and nurses aides and until I meet one who is not a trouble maker and one who does not wish to be deceitful, gossip, and cause emotional and mental anguish to an RN, then I will possibly change my mind, until then my opinion of the LPN and the nurses aide is very poor.

Wow, such attitude and such generalization.

I'm simply blown away.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

WOW!! I am very surprised by some postings on this thread!!! I'm amazed that people can fail to realize that we are a team and should work together. I was a CNA for 12 yrs and I never would have thought nurses looked at me as a bottom feeder. I would never think that of someone who was helping me be a good team leader (RN to LPN to CNA- hello team!) The nurses that are mean rarely get the help they should have from us bottom feeders and I bet at least one poster here gets the cold shoulder from most of her 'team'. I hope as a RN if a patient needs the bed pan we can all not only put a pt on it, but also clean them up when they're done and not call the CNA for that!

Most of the CNA's and LPN's I've worked with have always been willing to help out others and rarely did we gossip about anyone else. Even as a student, I help out on the floor and guess what? When I need help, the favor is always returned. It helps to remember to treat others the way you want to be treated.

In LTC, the RN's are usually running to each floor and still manage to jump in to help feed or whatever we need. What a shame that some should value their title more than the reason why we come together. Sounds bitter to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
my opinion of the LPN and the nurses aide is very poor.

LadyJRN1,

Please stop while you are behind. This is ALLNURSES.COM, which include CNA's and LPN's. I really cant believe the things you are saying here. It's like promoting deforestation at a global warming rally. You should definitely apologize to these people that you are deeply offending, and go home and work on improving yourself. If a bald-headed man once mugged you, would you then hate all bald men for the rest of your life? No you wouldnt. There are bad CNA's, LPN's, and RN's out there. I have witnessed all three but as a CNA, LPN and RN myself, i know there are many good ones as well. I am one of them and so are the others you are angering in this thread. Please apologize and stop this, both here and at your job. I was supporting you in two other threads just last night. Now i am supporting you one more time. This is the real root of your problems.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am entitled to an opinion regardless of how it offends anyone. I have had nothing but bad experiences with LPN's and CNA's, bottom line. They have caused me nothing but grief and mental anguish. Do I look down upon them? Who knows, but this is what has happened to me. I will not apologize for offending anyone if my entries have offended anyone and I will not at any time believe being an RN is on any level equal to an LPN or an CNA, that is not how I was trained to believe or will I think differently. End of story - I was simply voicing my experience and what happened to me. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am an RN Supervisor at a LTC facility. Right now we have 114 residents, All supervisors were I work have a floor assignment with about 30 residents ( feeding tubes, numerous blood sugars, dressings, and many hospice) and are responsible for the other 114 residents in the building the other LPN's and CNA's. Going on rounds with the MD three days a week, calling the MD for new orders, admitting and discharging residents, sending to hospital. Finding coverage for all call offs, mounds of paperwork, charting, dealing with family members, and basically everything and anything that can and will happen. I would love to work in a LTC facility where the Supervisor did just that supervise. I once heard one of the MD who does rounds here make the comment that we are like a miniature hospital and not LTC because of the accute residents we have been getting. In accordance with the law at my facility there has to be an RN in the building at all times.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
I am an RN Supervisor at a LTC facility. Right now we have 114 residents, All supervisors were I work have a floor assignment with about 30 residents ( feeding tubes, numerous blood sugars, dressings, and many hospice) and are responsible for the other 114 residents in the building the other LPN's and CNA's. Going on rounds with the MD three days a week, calling the MD for new orders, admitting and discharging residents, sending to hospital. Finding coverage for all call offs, mounds of paperwork, charting, dealing with family members, and basically everything and anything that can and will happen. I would love to work in a LTC facility where the Supervisor did just that supervise. I once heard one of the MD who does rounds here make the comment that we are like a miniature hospital and not LTC because of the accute residents we have been getting. In accordance with the law at my facility there has to be an RN in the building at all times.

Sunfire,

Thank you for ANSWERING THE O.P.!!

(I needed to know this too!)

Chloe

RN-BSN, BA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Med-Surg, ICU.
I am entitled to an opinion regardless of how it offends anyone. I have had nothing but bad experiences with LPN's and CNA's, bottom line. They have caused me nothing but grief and mental anguish. Do I look down upon them? Who knows, but this is what has happened to me. I will not apologize for offending anyone if my entries have offended anyone and I will not at any time believe being an RN is on any level equal to an LPN or an CNA, that is not how I was trained to believe or will I think differently. End of story - I was simply voicing my experience and what happened to me. :D

My apologies to the original poster, but I have to address this.

IF you have offended anyone? Isn't it more than obvious that you have offended many people? It seems that being offensive is exactly what you set out to do by coming to this forum, as you must well know that the majority of people working in LTC are LPNs and CNAs. Let me tell you something, I also used to be an LPN. I'm an RN now, working in ICU, but I have a huge amount of respect for anyone who chooses to work in LTC. It's a whole different world and is a difficult job with very little respect. And for your information, I have seen a LOT more squabbling and backbiting in my current place of work between supposed professional RNs than I have ever in my whole career as a nurse. Have I ever been disrespected when I was an LPN? You bet. But I just chalk that up to ignorance. Have I ever worked with CNAs who wouldn't take direction and were lazy? Of course. But, I've also had plenty of opportunity to work with LPNs and CNAs who were absolutely phenomenal. And by the way, I rarely had respect issues with physicians and NPs when I was an LPN, or for that matter, other RNs I worked with. If you know what you are doing and they trust you, it just isn't an issue.

The bottom line here is, the title does not make the person or the professional. It is one's individual experience, work ethic, values, and personality that count. I can only surmise that your defensiveness, suspiciousness, and superiority complex cause you to be a problem coworker, because nobody likes someone who isn't a team player.

By the way, ending your post with a big grin doesn't make it funny, it's only more insulting. But I am sure that was intentional.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My apologies to the original poster, but I have to address this.

IF you have offended anyone? Isn't it more than obvious that you have offended many people? It seems that being offensive is exactly what you set out to do by coming to this forum, as you must well know that the majority of people working in LTC are LPNs and CNAs. Let me tell you something, I also used to be an LPN. I'm an RN now, working in ICU, but I have a huge amount of respect for anyone who chooses to work in LTC. It's a whole different world and is a difficult job with very little respect. And for your information, I have seen a LOT more squabbling and backbiting in my current place of work between supposed professional RNs than I have ever in my whole career as a nurse. Have I ever been disrespected when I was an LPN? You bet. But I just chalk that up to ignorance. Have I ever worked with CNAs who wouldn't take direction and were lazy? Of course. But, I've also had plenty of opportunity to work with LPNs and CNAs who were absolutely phenomenal. And by the way, I rarely had respect issues with physicians and NPs when I was an LPN, or for that matter, other RNs I worked with. If you know what you are doing and they trust you, it just isn't an issue.

The bottom line here is, the title does not make the person or the professional. It is one's individual experience, work ethic, values, and personality that count. I can only surmise that your defensiveness, suspiciousness, and superiority complex cause you to be a problem coworker, because nobody likes someone who isn't a team player.

By the way, ending your post with a big grin doesn't make it funny, it's only more insulting. But I am sure that was intentional.

I beg to differ that TITLE does make the person and the profession. How many times as an LPN were you asked if you were going to be an RN and you know that you were asked. I am very much a team player; however, LPN's and CNA's were I have worked are always jealous of RN's because this is what they want to be and can't. This arguement could go on forever, but I will end it here and now. LPN's and CNA's have caused me grief and agony in the workplace and they will continue to do so to others in the future. By the way, here's another smile for you.......:loveya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

Sorry about the grief we've caused you. I for one can honestly tell you that I am not jealous. Many CNA's and LPN's don't want the responsibility that comes with the RN title. If you've had difficulties with fellow workers, perhaps you need to pull everyone together when giving report and come up with an approach that works for everyone. Thank us often and help us when we ask for a transfer and maybe we'll have your back. I'm sure you don't mean to offend us lowlies, but you have. Always look at yourself before you look to others to place blame. We all carry some and by dealing with making ourselves the best possible team player, everyone wins. I can only wish you better luck playing in the sandbox with others.:loveya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sorry about the grief we've caused you. I for one can honestly tell you that I am not jealous. Many CNA's and LPN's don't want the responsibility that comes with the RN title. If you've had difficulties with fellow workers, perhaps you need to pull everyone together when giving report and come up with an approach that works for everyone. Thank us often and help us when we ask for a transfer and maybe we'll have your back. I'm sure you don't mean to offend us lowlies, but you have. Always look at yourself before you look to others to place blame. We all carry some and by dealing with making ourselves the best possible team player, everyone wins. I can only wish you better luck playing in the sandbox with others.:loveya:

I can speak for the LPN's and CNA's I have dealt with and yes they have caused me much grief and personal mental anguish at the workplace. However, if more LPN's and CNA's knew their position and listen and did what the RN's needed and wanted, it would go much smoother. The RN's are the above the lpn's and cna's and will and should stay that way.:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

To the OP, I would hesitate recommending a new grad for a supervisory position. My advice would be to work in the floor, perhaps as a charge nurse, perhaps, not, but learn the facility's p&p and the ropes of LTC before taking a position with that much responsibility. Good luck in your decision!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in here and there.

As a fellow RN, i am ashamed of the things you are posting LadyJRN. Just because you had bad experiences with lpns and cnas at your job doesnt mean all lvns and cnas are bad. im truly disgusted at your postings. I understand that you are bitter..and thats okay but you shouldnt say things like that. I have worked with a lot of lpns and cnas that i respect a lot. The reason i am an RN now is because as a cna i learned so much from the lpns at my old job , and they encouraged me to go back to school. I work in the ED , and as a new grad.. the techs were the ones who taught me how to insert an IV and draw blood..a lot of nurses dont know how to. I learned that from them and i am not ashamed to say that i did..and now..im doing so well with it. Its okay to be proud to be an RN but i believe you are taking it too far..Be careful what you say ..because you never know what the future holds..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment