Wanting to know about RNs as floor nurses.

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I'm an RN who works as a floor nurse in a LTC. I have worked as a Director of nursing, and as an MDS coordinator. I've worked the last three years as a 7-3 floor nurse in a 90 bed SNF. Recently I filled in for mds/care plan coordinator. i did enjoy that work, but my real love is floor nursing. A small part of it is not wanting to work for salary, not wanting to share on call duty. But, I want to get up every morning and work the floor. There are a couple of other RNs who work the floor where I do, one is working while she attends NP classes. Anyway, does anyone else do this? Is it by choice? I am 53, just have my husband and 20 year old son at home. But i by now means feel like i'm just coasting. I truly feel like i make a difference. Any thoughts?

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You do. Make a difference, I mean. All of us do. I just hate passing meds. I'll take a cart in a pinch but wouldn't go back to it.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

I say good for you. You have nothing to try and justify. Do what makes you happy.

Actually as an RN that is an ADON and worked many years as a MDS coordinator, I admire what you are doing. Most days it just stinks to be salary (can't help but regret all the free hours I give), take on every persons complaints (staff, resident, families, corporate), finally get a day off, only to be on call and get called at home 6-10 times/day for free, etc.

Ahh..to just come in, do my job, leave and enjoy my time off...plus get paid for the entire time I work. You really are the smart one here!

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
You do. Make a difference, I mean. All of us do. I just hate passing meds. I'll take a cart in a pinch but wouldn't go back to it.

I must be a weirdo..I always liked passing meds when I did it everyday (hate it when I randomly get stuck on a cart with no routine in place).

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I must be a weirdo..I always liked passing meds when I did it everyday (hate it when I randomly get stuck on a cart with no routine in place).

A lot of people do. And a good thing, too!

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.

I think the whole system would pretty much fall apart without people like you! :-)

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Thanks for the input. I really wasn't looking for affirmation, but thanks. I just hate it when folks assume I either have no nursing talents, or have no drive and have "settled". There are so many avenues to pursue in nursing, and i think that floor nursing in a ltc is a valid one for an RN. Like everything else in life, you can get out of something according to what you put into it.

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Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

If floor nurses had no talent or drive, we'd all be up a creek.

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Specializes in Hospice, ONC, Tele, Med Surg, Endo/Output.
You do. Make a difference, I mean. All of us do. I just hate passing meds. I'll take a cart in a pinch but wouldn't go back to it.

Right. Opening up all those pill packs makes me nuts!

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I am an RN and love working LTC on the med cart. Everyone thinks I'm strange. I don't know how many times I hear, "Well you are an RN, what are you doing in a nursing home??" And I can just about hear them thinking, "And why isn't she at the desk instead of the LPN?" Most all the nurses are LPNs, even the unit coordinator/charge nurse.

I love the daily resident contact and mixing in and around the CNAs. I help them alot. They know they can come to me to help them toilet residents or even clean them up. I answer lights when necessary. But I also love passing the meds, which most nurses seem to hate. To me, it's more than just pushing a cart and shoving stuff down throats. It gives me a chance to really observe the resident and see what's going on on the floor. Even in just a few minutes, you can do a pretty good assessment. At the end of the day, I try to help out at the desk with orders, lab reports and etc. That gives me more of a chance to use my other skills, so it's a good mix.

Unfortunately, I'm looked down on because I'm an RN working the floor rather than being a supervisor, unit coordinator, QA, DON or ADON. I've done some of those jobs, and believe me, it's no day at the beach, and no appreciation. There's no greater feeling than seeing the faces of the residents light up when they see you coming, so glad that you are there because they know you will take care of them.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I once worked on a 60 bed subacute unit. There were 3 nurses....all of us were RNs. The acuity of our residents was quite high. None of us felt we should have been doing something 'more important'. 30 patients of my own...IVs, trachs, TPN, massive dressings...you name it I did it. Hardly anyone in that building who wasn't an RN.

Don't let other people tell you that what you do isn't important. How many people in this world can say that what they do every day makes a difference in someone's life?

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I say good for you. You have nothing to try and justify. Do what makes you happy.

Actually as an RN that is an ADON and worked many years as a MDS coordinator, I admire what you are doing. Most days it just stinks to be salary (can't help but regret all the free hours I give), take on every persons complaints (staff, resident, families, corporate), finally get a day off, only to be on call and get called at home 6-10 times/day for free, etc.

Ahh..to just come in, do my job, leave and enjoy my time off...plus get paid for the entire time I work. You really are the smart one here!

Yes, exactly! I've had those "administrative nursing" jobs where you put in all the time with no extra pay, and the minute you need time off you get asked to prove what you've been doing that justifies it. Hello???? How about I worked 60 hours last week, 20 of which was without pay......

So, I'm back to regular floor duty and I've actually redeveloped a love for it! And I'm in an area where the pay is pretty decent (I can make a living supporting myself and three teenagers--and no debt!). When I'm done I go home and that's the end of it. Joy!!!

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