So, how do we do it???

[ProudMom511]

Hello my fellow nurses,

I am a new RN who recently started working in LTC/rehab facility. I have 30 pts, a mix of residents who are LTC and those who are there for rehab. I never get my meds passed within the 2 hrs range. Once I finish the first round, I immediately start the second round and at times the next shift nurse gets there before I am ready to hand the cart to her. I feel very very overwhelmed and so ready to let go of this job. I don't know my residents, and at the end of the day, I'm not satisfied with the care I provide (I really do my best, but it bothers me that I only see my residents when I hand them their meds). I want to spend quality time with them, ask them how their night went without me been worried about finishing my meds/charting for the day. I never get to even take my lunch break, use a bathroom, or even take few sips of water...

So, my question to you is: what can we do to change this horrible ratio? I really believe that 15 residents to 1 nurse would make a great difference in the lives of our residents as well as our lives as the persons caring for them...I read threads about the issue all the time, but are we doing anything to change it????????

[kiszi, RN]

Too many chiefs making the bucks in administrative and managerial roles hounding the floor staff on why things are not getting done while remaining blind to the reality of unrealistic expectations. It's a merry go round that no one wants to ride on. Nurses need jobs and administration is more than happy to fill the spots with warm bodies with a license who are willing to attempt the impossible. We continue to do it out of some sense of obligation to our patients and due to a desperate need for income and experience.

[kiszi, RN]

P.s please take care of yourself. Take time to eat something and just sit for a few minutes in the breakroom. You may find you are more productive if you allow yourself to take those brief moments to recharge.

[ProudMom511]

Thank you!!

[fawnmarie, ASN]

I only lasted 18 months as a LTC nurse. Please take care of yourself, be sure to eat well and stay hydrated. I always wished I had more time to talk to the patients. Like you, I was always concerned about the enormous amount of charting and other responsibilities (such as logging in new narcotics from the pharmacy) that awaited me when the meds had been passed. I left that job before I completely burned out. I wish I could be more positive, but LTC was not a positive place for me.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

If you can change the reimbursement we get then maybe we could hire more nurses. I have 152 beds. 112 of those beds are filled with people whose care is paid for by Medicaid. We lose $38/day/ patient. Do the math. There is no more money to hire anyone else.