I am oreintating as a new grad for the 3-11pm shift. I have found out that I will be doing all the meds, charting and treatments for all 47 of them. Is this even legal?
The unit manager doesn't help with anything on this unit, and the last two people hired on the station both quit after 2 weeks!!! How in the world can a new grad ( me) that doesn't know any of these patients, or have any prior LTC experience get all this done? Meds I could do. But add treatments, charting, and doing the new admits..NO way! I am starting to think I went into something that I won't be at very long.
After a couple days of orientation I am learning a little about the paperwork but it seems like such an uphill battle. Any advice from TLC works?
That is alot of patients for the 3-11 shift. We have floors at my facility that have that many patients but there is always 2 nurses until 11pm. Then at 11pm it is pretty manageable because the majority of people are asleep et there are not many pills to pass at midnight. It can get hectic at HS when people are sick et a virus is passing its way through the unit. I could not imagine trying to do a 8pm med pass for that many people.
I have 26 patients and 2 CNAs. Its the acuity that totally makes the difference. Even though we are LTC, if the rehab/subacute unit is full and ours isn't we get them. Alot of the time they come on 3-11, then get transferred downstairs when a bed is available(where the staffing is higher.)
One week we got one to two every night- a virtual revolving door! Our LTC patients have a lot of behavior problems - try to throw themselves on the floor every second they are awake 'trying to walk' when they of course can't. We have 4 hard core patients on are unit that are within someones sight at all times. How easy do you think it is to get anything done while you are telling them to sit down, catch them etc. One lady seriously I replace the battery on her chair alarm every week, I catch myself humming the sound when I don't even hear it! One of my poor patients takes 25 meds po crush or whole in applesauce, including narcs, sqs, peg tube prosource/ flush. I have central lines, CPM, nebs, 2 other peg tubes,MRSA precautions, Significant time consuming treatments, plus I'm supposed to be in the DR for each meal 7a-7p. I despair at times getting it all done and giving appropriate attention to my people, who I love dearly. I've been doing this 10 years and then before that as a CNA fo 6 , I know I could not/would not do your 47 patients for all the money in the world!
Never learned it..never heard it in ENGLISH..I believe it's French or Latin...just another nail in the coffin of proper spelling and grammar!
Capecod - since when has ANY medical terminalogy been considered 'proper spelling and grammer'?! We used 'et' frequently where I worked. And I use a lot of medical abreviations at home.
I AM glad to see a lot of places doing away with the 'eye' abbreviations, tho.
But in any event, I never considered nursing or doctors notes as fine literature!
Hi everyone, I'm a new LPN starting in the LTC facility where I was a full-time nsging assistant for 3 years. OMG, 47 patients!! I have 19-25 and am overwhelmed right now learning the new job. I didn't receive the orientation I should've received. I got 3 days orientation and then thrown to the wolves. If you feel your not ready to take the floor on your own, ask your DON to give you more orientation. If she doesn't I would start looking elsewhere because it's your license, not theirs. You want to work for someone that is going to help you succeed as a new grad, not for someone that could care less about your license. You are on your own out there and what you decide for your patient at that moment is on you not the managers!! Good luck in your new position. Wish me luck!
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Just a couple of thoughts:
1.) They are probably counting the supervisor in their staffing count- that's how they're getting away with giving the floor nurse 47 patients.
2.) I'm glad you got the heck outta Dodge. It sounds like they were trying to take advantage of a new grad. They were waiting for you to come along- I'm glad you were smart enough to know better.
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
During survey once, one of the nurses asked the surveyor if it was illegal for ONE nurse to be responsible for 101 residents on 11-7. Are all y'all sitting down? The surveyor said NO, it's not a good idea, but not illegal.
I will be the charge nurse as an lvn over all 47 reswidence on the 3-11pm scedule. We do have a unit manager that does not do her job such as clarifying orders, admits, calling md's etc etc). That is stuff that I will have to do while passing meds, treatments, dealing with anger family members etc. This unit manager RN has been reported to the DoN at least 7 times by angry lvn's who repeatedly do her job.....nothing has happened to her and nothing will happen to her. She is lazy, and this place has such a hard time keeping RN's that she could get away with murder.
The nurse that is training me has said repeatedly that "I will be on my own and to not expect help from the unit manager as I will not get it." Two nurses before me at this station didn't even last long enough to put in a two week notice. They left after a couple weeks never to come back. These were experienced LTC lvn's, if they can't handle the load I don't see how I could as a new grad with little LTC exp.
This unit I will work has 47 patients, including 22 diabetics, 5 GT patients which will make for a LONG med pass. They call it "hell hall." That 1 hour before, one hour after rule will go out the window as there is no way I can pass to that many so fast.[/quote
My what a pickle you are in !!! I work in a LTC. We have 120 beds. Have three charge nurses on day and evening and two at night. We have 2 med aids on days and evenings and a treatment nurse. The nurses do all that med aids cannot do. I am a unit manager and help on the floor with admissions and when my nurse needs help. My suggestion is, RUN out of there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
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We used 'et' frequently where I worked. And I use a lot of medical abreviations at home.
:eek:
fultzymom
645 Posts
That is alot of patients for the 3-11 shift. We have floors at my facility that have that many patients but there is always 2 nurses until 11pm. Then at 11pm it is pretty manageable because the majority of people are asleep et there are not many pills to pass at midnight. It can get hectic at HS when people are sick et a virus is passing its way through the unit. I could not imagine trying to do a 8pm med pass for that many people.