VA extended care /community living center

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Specializes in General.

Hello,

Looks like I might be starting a job at the VA extended care/community center/nursing home in the Bronx. Anyone who works there or any other extended care? Please share how many residents per nurse, organization on the floor and anything you think would be valuable information for someone who is about to start.

Thank you.

Hi, have you started working in this position?
If so, how is it? How many pt's do you usually have? What's the work itself like - skills, tasks, coworkers?
How was the interview?
Sorry for a lot of questions, but thank you!

Specializes in General.
On 9/29/2020 at 11:29 PM, DEADPOOH said:

Hi, have you started working in this position?
 

Hi, yes, I have. It is OK, I am a COVID hire and most of the time I perform the duties of LPN, that is passing meds, but of course as an RN I can do other things that LPN cannot. So, I do med pass during the day. Sometimes, but very rarely I do EKG or a blood draw. I can also start an IV but just never had a chance. We have G-tube patients, trach patients and vent patients (vents are separate and I have never worked with them). I learned how to do tracheostomy care there so I am happy about that. 

The structure is that we have a number of CNAs, LPNs (to pass meds) and couple of RNs... I think they mentioned that before there was only one RN to oversee others and her duties would be blood draw, IVs, EKGs.... paperwork, new admission or discharge. That is charge nurse position. Some charge nurses do wound care, some do not. But in general charge nurse is expected to "run the unit", help LPNs or CNAs and troubleshoot whatever happens. 

I am used to it, but I realized I would not want to be Charge nurse there, they have a lot of problems with staffing and this is the biggest headache in the morning because a number of people called in and now charge RN needs to figure out who takes what assignment.. Some people will help you if need be and some just won't. 

 

Oh okay.
I have a phone interview for CLC RN in NJ Monday.
Not sure if I'll love the position, but I am trying to get my foot in the door...

Specializes in General.
1 minute ago, DEADPOOH said:

 but I am trying to get my foot in the door...

That is why I took this position as well, I also heard that my location is really far from the best... so to say. 

Is that a permanent full time position? I would take it, I do not know how much experience you have, but as a new RN I learned some skills there in safe environment. Compared to private nursing homes they are definitely much better. 

Just now, Olga said:

That is why I took this position as well, I also heard that my location is really far from the best... so to say. 

Is that a permanent full time position? I would take it, I do not know how much experience you have, but as a new RN I learned some skills there in safe environment. Compared to private nursing homes they are definitely much better. 

Yes, permanent full-time position. I have 1 yr peds OR exp and 1 yr home care exp.
Just nervous about putting my license in jeopardy - like with the nurse/patient ratio.
Nervous about doing a phone interview too - I like to be seen and see their reactions for myself. But it is what it is.
Thanks for the info too, btw.

Specializes in General.
Just now, DEADPOOH said:


Just nervous about putting my license in jeopardy - like with the nurse/patient ratio.
 

One thing I can say - it is NOT like other nursing homes, it is a safe environment. I have 11 patients for med pass most of the time. I have worked in other nursing homes where I had 49... so no, it is generally safe in my experience, I always have someone else on the floor to ask for help or if I have questions. There are more experienced nurses and managers on the unit. Never ever was I the only RN on the floor or only license on the floor. 

There are 3 LPNs to pass meds, sometimes we go down to 2 for the 6pm meds... so the most patients I had is 16-17. 

 

I ran away from my first job in private nursing home, that was a very bad, very unsafe experience, so I know what concerns you have, but VA is very different. With all the flaws they have it is very safe to learn skills and practice. 

OK, thanks for the reassurance LOL.
I'm actually looking at the job posting now.

It says:

Pay scale & grade

  AD 00
 

Appointment type

  Multiple Appointment Types

So now I'm thinking this isn't permanent?

Specializes in General.

I guess it is more than one position so some might be permanent and some not. VA can be confusing. Definitely ask them questions on Monday. Good luck!

Just now, Olga said:

 Definitely ask them questions on Monday. Good luck!

I definitely will be asking. Thank you so much!

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