VA extended care /community living center

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. 

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, 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. 

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!