Someone help:(

[5555555]

Hi everyone I need some feedback please. I'm a very new nurse I just got my license and my first job at a SNF. At this facility I'm in charge of 30-50 patients a shift which is extremely overwhelming but surprising doable. The patient care part I can handle and even charting on my patients but this facility has us also doing Admissions and Discharges and putting new MD orders in on top of an already overwhelming workload. I wind up staying hours after my shift is over barried in paper work. I fell as if I'm not getting the chance to be nurse I wanted to be because I'm so rushed and it's really scaring me. What I'd like to know from you all is...Is all nursing like this where the paperwork keeps 4-5 hrs after your shift is over and you hate your job because of it.

[ccgirl12]

Are you still on the clock when you stay? Here that is typical, I should say staying 3 hours is typical but we're still on the clock. We have no unit managers or receptionist so we wear those hats too.i

[Nibbles1]

This is normal for LTC. It really sucks when you have an admit coming back, taking report, getting doctors return calls, labs faxing in, the darn feeding pump is singing the song of its people. You still got your Accu Checks and a family member wants to know if Mom ate her dinner. Been there done that and almost beat a lazy nurse too. I had 54 residents and 23 of them had feeding tubes. 33 blood sugar checks. And the 6-2always always always left me with the doctors orders.

[JLMG]

I'm in this exact situation right now as well. Brand new nurse, first job...SNF with 19-24 patients per night. 12 hour shifts become 14+ hours long. Six days orientation and I'm thrown to the wolves. The med pass and tx's are doable but you add in the admits, discharges, physicians calls, orders, and paperwork for the paperwork. Ugh. I'm trying to see it as good experience that will make me marketable to hospitals. Good luck, you're not alone!

[Mainergal2000]

Do you have a "brain" that you carry around with you? In other words, a paper, small notebook that you can jot things down what you did for pt's during the day and maybe will help along with charting at the end of the day quicker?

[5555555]

Yes I carry a notepad and clip board around w me. A friend of mine yesterday brought up that we're not suppose to do the admissions assessments and that an RN has to do it

[5555555]

I'm afraid for my license at this place

[iwanna]

I think that you should check with BON to check the scope of LPN in your state. IMHO, I think that nursing homes are grossly understaffed with the nurse/patient ratio. I just don't see how residents can get quality care, when nurses have so many to care for. The med pass without any extra complications thrown in.(falls, medical emergencies, admissions, etc.) Even with aides, they seem understaffed. I have so much respect for an LPN that can handle the large patient load in nursing homes! I worked in a psychiatric hospital, and the most geriatric patients I ever cared for was 15. And, we had two techs on the unit.

[caliotter3]

There is a point where you turn over the admission or the discharge to the oncoming shift. You need to get with your immediate supervisor for guidance in finding that point. Four or five hours after shift is not appropriate.