Skilled Nursing Facility Trends (Current CNA's please reply)

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I just landed a job as a CNA at a Skilled Nursing Facility. After being interviewd by the Director of Nursing, I was shocked to learn that the CNA to resident ration is 1 for every 13 residents. My concert here is; Is this a safe staffing level? In my opinion, there is no way a CNA can safely provide nursing related services to 13 residents at a time.

Reply, and tell me if you believe this to be a safe staffing level. Also, let me know of other SNF trends that I should be made aware of.

Thanks!!

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Specializes in LTC.

What shift? For 1st and 2nd I think that's too much. It's not humanly impossible to get that many people up, fed, bathed, walked, and back to bed... but there won't be much time for regular toileting, turns, etc. With that many people you usually only have time to do their AM or HS care and then not really bother with them for the rest of the night.

It also depends on the type of people you're looking after... if they're total care feeders who are mentally gone, independents, confused or alert, or in between (I think the in-betweens are the worst because they're so needy, picky, constantly on the bell, and try to manipulate you into doing everything for them).

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It's for the PM shift (3pm-11pm). I'm going to care for demented, mentally illed(locked down), and rehab residents. Im going to be doing what's called "float pool" work, where I'm bounced from station to station. Now I'm debating whether to accept the job, or keep my current job as an home health aide (which pays the same amount of money) as keep doing one on one care.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I think that's around same ratio at my new job too. Honestly I do believe that this is unsafe but the older CNA's seem to make do with having that many residents by "cutting corners" :( If I were you, I'd just stay with home health for the time being & look for a job with better ratios.

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Better to stay with the hh job, unless there is a compelling reason why you wanted to change. I don't see one. Experience with one patient that you can devote eight hours of effort to is better than running from one resident to another and not being able to do anything very involved for any of them. JMO

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As you know this is not safe for the cna or the residents. I started out in a Nursing home but left due to the hard work. I often had thirteen when i was at the Nursing home and I survived. You just have to prioritize and manage your time wisely. Also you are only one person so you only can do what you can.

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Better to stay with the hh job, unless there is a compelling reason why you wanted to change. I don't see one. Experience with one patient that you can devote eight hours of effort to is better than running from one resident to another and not being able to do anything very involved for any of them. JMO

I agree. I was jotting down the pros and cons of leaving my current job and accepting the SNF. Since I'm working on becoming an LVN/LPN, I think I'm better off accepting the job offer since I'll have more relevant experience and move up to doing LVN work with the same employeer. Also, I will probably recieve a benefit package with my employment with a SNF, which I'll probably never recieve working in home health care. Lastly, while I enjoy doing one on one care as an HHA, I really dislike the fact that I'm often out of work (idefinately), waiting for a new case to open.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Yea I think your points are very good: being in an SNF will be great experience for you if want to become an LPN. Good luck :)

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In the future, should you care to go back to hh, remember that many hh workers, those who do shift care, are signed on with more than one agency at a time. It is not unusual to meet nurses who are with three, four, and even five agencies. That is the key to remaining steadily employed. Good luck.

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In the future, should you care to go back to hh, remember that many hh workers, those who do shift care, are signed on with more than one agency at a time. It is not unusual to meet nurses who are with three, four, and even five agencies. That is the key to remaining steadily employed. Good luck.

Good point. Wow! five agencies at a time. That's a lot of cases right there!!

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Good point. Wow! five agencies at a time. That's a lot of cases right there!!

Not necessarily a lot of cases, if pickings are slim in a dry spell, like we are having now. But greater opportunity spread out between the multiple employers. If one agency can't keep you gainfully employed, between all of them, you should be able to piece together a full time schedule. Helps to have a well-used daily planner or calendar, so you don't get mixed up or forget a shift!

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I am a CNA at a long term care facility. I generally have a ratio to about 13 but have had as many as 23 to my care. The 23 was a little insane and due to staffing issues. 13 is completely manageable. At times someone may have to wait a little bit for help into bed but a few minutes is not going to hurt anyone. I do NOT cut corners I brush teeth, do peri care, wash faces, and everything I am supposed to do. I do work efficently and have no problems. And yes I do even stop and talk to the residents!

It is not that bad... don't be afraid of hard work.

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