SAD!

Morning shift begins at 7 and breakfast is served at 8, Meds get passed from 7:30 (those that need to be on an empty stomach or before meals) and then from 8. Depending on when you finish med pass, (no stopping) you help feed the patients. Wagons get picked up from 9 or 9:30 depending on the unit. We have btwn 30 to 45 pts on a unit so we need the time to pass the meds.... and do it properly.

Better question,,,WHY ARE YOU SAD?

I know that at my facility the restorative aides and nurse help to feed residents. The charge nurses usually park the med cart near the entrance and get everyone as they go in the dinning area as to not pass meds in the dinning room, and they are in the area if needed.

Heavens no...the med pass is long enough.

Heavens no...the med pass is long enough.

I am frustrated and sad because the DON told me that I have to stop passing meds and feed at least two residents during the first med pass in the morning because the unit has 26 out of 30 residents to feed. I know that and I help with feeding residents at lunch time, but at breakfast it is so difficult because if I feed residents I am going to be late with the med pass. As a charge nurse I have to answer the phone, redirect residents to prevent falls, resolve problems, take MD orders, etc., etc. etc. They have reduced staff because of the economy, eventhough we have the same census. In my days off a seventy years old nurse with 35 years of experience pass meds in 1 1/2 hour or less. My med pass last about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I feel very bad, I over heard a CNA saying that the other day to another CNA and comparing ages because I am younger than her and my med pass last longer. Now, I know why the DON told me that. I do my job the best I can. I think I am going to quit. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

My nurses and TMA's absolutely need to lock down the med carts when the residents are eating. they are responsible for being in the dining room to assist with meal set-up and assist with feeding.

30 residents... In my days off a seventy years old nurse with 35 years of experience pass meds in 1 1/2 hour or less. My med pass last about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

While I haven't ever worked LTC, I have to ask. Passing meds on 30 patients in 90 minutes is 3 mins per patient, including walking time, pulling the meds, checking meds for accuracy, prepping meds (crush/splitting), getting the patient to take them, and charting time. How is this even possible?

It is damn near impossible to pass meds to 30 residents in the time frame. The state expects us to do our med pass in two hours, some meds are set for 8AM, some for 9AM. We can start passing one hour before and one hour after to be compliant. Before I became Unit Manager, I pushed a med cart, I would start at about 7:30 AM and run like a crazy person until 10:00 AM. :smackingf I did find that after the first med pass the day got a bit easier. LTC is definitely not for the faint of heart. Now that I don't pass meds I do whatever I can to help my hall nurses. I will take vitals, call MD, pharmacy, etc.

Being a Unit Manager comes with it's own set of impossible expectations, but I really love it.

Roxann:yeah: