Shift Work and ??

[kwagner_51]

Hi all,

I fell into a plum job for the summer. I work 3 12's day shift,. During the week it's 7A-7P. Friday, Sat, and Sunday it's 9A-9P. The problem is, we don't have enough nurses to make sure the pt has 84 hrs a week. I offered to work 4-10's but the sister didn't like that because she is afraid medicaid will see that she doesn't need 12 hrs of care a day. I thought it was based on hrs per week.

Anyway, she needs another nurse. The one that worked the Saturday before I started on Monday said it was too much like CNA work!

This is what I do:

She has a bed check q 1/2 hr, med pass qh except at 2PM, 7Pm et 8Pm. At 9Am I do CBB, nasal care, oral care , wash her hair qod, HHN, g-tube care, residual check and ROM.

That is my busiest time. The rest of the day we play picture games, get her out of bed with a hoyer lift, take her outside, visit and just stay busy with all the med passes.

Is this normal for shift work? I'm asking because they can't seem to hire enough help for this sweet lady. The work is EASY!! Yes I am tired but it feels like REAL nursing to me!!

Thanks!!

_____________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen RN

Failure is NOT an option!!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

No offense, but it doesn't sound like 'real' nursing to me..sounds like something a home health aide could do.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

It sounds like you are either doing private duty or LPN shift work under a state medicaid program? Is that correct? Uh to post a note, that is real nursing but matched to what could be either programs.

renerian

[kwagner_51]

It is HH Private duty medicaid funded. I am having problems with the hoyer and the brief changes. I went straight into ADN program and have no CNA experience. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! BTW I am an RN.

Thanks!

IN His Grace,

Karen RN

Failure is NOT an option!!

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Karen,

Does your employer have a hoyer you can practice on? Is the home your working have carpeting? Do you have a standard or electric hoyer?

renerian

[kwagner_51]

Karen,

Does your employer have a hoyer you can practice on? Is the home your working have carpeting? Do you have a standard or electric hoyer?

renerian

Hi Renerian,

I don't know if the employer has a lift, I'm going to find out tomorrow. There is no carpet in her room. The lift is standard. However, the "boom" [the bar across the top] is very small. I am afraid that when I lower it down to put her in the w/c or her bed, I am going to hit her in the head. Also, it has chains and hooks. There is no leg straps and the bars in the sling are going to hurt her.

Thanks!!

In His Grace,

Karen RN

Failure is NOT an option!!

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Karen,

The lift should have the sling with 4 hooks, two chains with 4 S hooks on it/one for the legs. Do you have 2 chains?

renerian

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

This is what I do:

She has a bed check q 1/2 hr, med pass qh except at 2PM, 7Pm et 8Pm. At 9Am I do CBB, nasal care, oral care , wash her hair qod, HHN, g-tube care, residual check and ROM.

That is my busiest time. The rest of the day we play picture games, get her out of bed with a hoyer lift, take her outside, visit and just stay busy with all the med passes.

Is this normal for shift work? I'm asking because they can't seem to hire enough help for this sweet lady. The work is EASY!! Yes I am tired but it feels like REAL nursing to me!!

Perhaps it's the pay??? I worked a similar job as an LPN and it was wonderful because it afforded me the chance to do all of my studying. Once a got my RN I left private duty. $14.50 was ok as an LPN but as an RN, no way!

Thanks!!

_____________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen RN

Failure is NOT an option!!

[kwagner_51]

Perhaps it's the pay??? I worked a similar job as an LPN and it was wonderful because it afforded me the chance to do all of my studying. Once a got my RN I left private duty. $14.50 was ok as an LPN but as an RN, no way! /Quote

I make $19.00 hr which is more than I could make in the hospital here.

In His Grace,

Karen RN

Failure is NOT an option!!

[kwagner_51]

Karen,

The lift should have the sling with 4 hooks, two chains with 4 S hooks on it/one for the legs. Do you have 2 chains?

renerian

Renerian,

It has four chains. The shorter chains are for the front/head and the longer chains are for her legs. I fold the sling and put it on the bed but it keeps slipping off the bed. I can't roll it like I saw the CNAs at the NH where I used to work. I don't think the sling is big enough for my patient.

Thanks!!

In His Grace,

Karen RN

Failure is NOT an option!!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

your agency is responsible for inservicing you in equipment unfamilar with...please ask for an inservice by staff member.

manual: how to use a patient lifter

manuals for several companies lifts:

http://www.apria.com/resources/1,,539,00.htm

video: transfer a patient from bed to wheelchair using a hoyer lift

[caliotter3]

Please don't feel guilty because you have such an easy assignment. The next patient you may be assigned to may have a situation that more than makes up for it. You also will probably find if you stay in shift work, that through the years, there is a lot of tediousness. That is just the way it is. If you have any free time during your shifts, you can keep yourself busy by looking for ways to improve any aspects of care, or studying for a course. Many patients will allow you some time during the shift as long as you meet your responsibilities. What they don't like, is when caregivers put off their needs while spending lots of time conversing with friends on the phone or eating five course meals!