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 Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
i bet you make a lot of friends at work ...
let's see. . .imaginary friends? ;)
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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
Let's see. . .imaginary friends? ;)

Someone forgot to take their meds....opps...need water with my pill...BRB.. Oh, you weren't talking about me. Continue.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

your not here to shut us down are you? we are having the very same argument different thread....we need a life..maybe i should just stop being so proud of being a lvn

let's see. . .imaginary friends? ;)
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Specializes in Geriatric/Psych.

My fellow posters: It seems most of us agree on the matter of the 'BITTER RN', the comments are horrid and disrespectful to our profession as a whole. As bad as we want to address her insults it seems we are encouraging her wrath. We really need to stop replying to her awful messages. We are beating our fingers in vain when it comes to her.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

you have more sense than anyone else here...lol

my fellow posters: it seems most of us agree on the matter of the 'bitter rn', the comments are horrid and disrespectful to our profession as a whole. as bad as we want to address her insults it seems we are encouraging her wrath. we really need to stop replying to her awful messages. we are beating our fingers in vain when it comes to her.
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you have more sense than anyone else here...lol

sense??? was i supposed to sign up for that as a prereq??? i didn't see it in the catalog... :chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

I have really good assessment skills, with a critical care background, so I guided the LPN's in the decision to transfer pts. out. Some LPN's wanted me to assess and make the decision, others did it on their own (which I don't approve of), and the one's who did the transfer with my input, were the ones I loved!!!

2006RN, many of us LPNs with experience can tell by lookinhg at a patient whether or not someone needs to be sent out. Typically I like bouncing off "what do you think?" to my superviser, but I don't always need to. Afterall, it is my license on the line too. If I'm uncomfortable, out they go! (And usually end up on telemetry, etc.) The only time they usually don't get admitted is when we are pacifying a family who is insisting on sending them, or they have a head injury that should be evaluated...)

I function as superviser alot, but I don't pronounce, do TPN, or bolus IV meds.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Oh alright. I'll be good.

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

LadyJRN, perhaps you need to take an honest look at yourself as to why you are having so many problems with such a wide variety of people? I mean, if most of us here agree that there are good and bad CNA's, LPN's, RN's and that it has nothing to do with their title and everything to do with who they are as a person, shouldn't that make the person question their perspectives a little? There was an RN I worked with who repeatedly voiced how inferior she thought LPNs were. So none of the LPNs liked her. This attitude of hers bled into crticizing others as well, RNs and so on. So NOBODY liked her not even her peers. Those of us who cared, tried to help her approach people in a more healthy, less negative way. (She came from a horrible family background, and it was almost understandable why she was the way she was.) She was very difficult to work with. When she quit, then wanted to come back, she found she was on the do not rehire list. Frankly, our unit was a much nicer place without her.

Please, for your sake, and those who work with you, try and examine your motives and beliefs closer. I suspect you are a very unhappy person.

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Specializes in LTC.

One of the greatest freedoms we have in this country is our right to voice our opinion. The other side of the coin is that others may be saying something with which we don't agree. But they still have the right to say it. REMEMBER TO VOTE Let your voice be heard on something that matters. Yes I worked long term care for years and I never met a better bunch of CNAs or LPNs My first job was as a CNA in the intensive care unit of a large hospital and I was treated very well. Give long term care a try Its a great way to pass through this life. Its happy and sad ,Exausting and exilirating all at the same time It even comes with a glass of juice and a free cookie on 3-11.....Blessings Aloha nue

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiology, Mother/Baby, LTC.
I have really good assessment skills, with a critical care background, so I guided the LPN's in the decision to transfer pts. out. Some LPN's wanted me to assess and make the decision, others did it on their own (which I don't approve of), and the one's who did the transfer with my input, were the ones I loved!!!

2006RN, many of us LPNs with experience can tell by lookinhg at a patient whether or not someone needs to be sent out. Typically I like bouncing off "what do you think?" to my superviser, but I don't always need to. Afterall, it is my license on the line too. If I'm uncomfortable, out they go! (And usually end up on telemetry, etc.) The only time they usually don't get admitted is when we are pacifying a family who is insisting on sending them, or they have a head injury that should be evaluated...)

I function as superviser alot, but I don't pronounce, do TPN, or bolus IV meds.

When an RN or LPN supervisor is responsible for all patients and all staffing who are riding on his/her license, then yes, always all personnel operating under his/her license should ask their RN or LPN supervisor's opinion, and let them assess the patient before transfer out of the facility. In my former facility, it was in the policy and procedure manual to do so, and yes, I follow policy and procedure. I was not trying to start an argument, I was only stating what had to be followed in my former facility. Also, under my state board of nursing, I am responsible for all employees working under my license, so yes, I need to be aware of the situation. I have utmost respect for everyone that I work with. I know I can learn a lot from some LPN's, as well as RN's. But, out of respect for supervisors, LPN's, RN's, aides, etc... should consult with their supervisors and let them be aware of patient status. That is what is most important. :heartbeat

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Specializes in Cardiac/Step-Down, MedSurg, LTC.

Well, I'm a new grad in LTC and here are my general responsibilities on night shift:

- Supervise, when assigned (strange feeling after only working 1 month)

- Assessments (mostly skin checks)

- Meds

- Treatments

- 24 hour order checks

- Toileting and assisting pt's

- Paperwork up the wazoo

- Communication with MDs when necessary

In my workplace, an LPN could do the exact same job as I do. The only difference so far that I can tell is that a RN is permitted to pronounce a death while an LPN cannot. I'm still learning the ropes, but overall it seems that LPNs and RNs have VERY similar responsibilities.

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