experience –
New grad RN at a SNFRating: (votes: 0) First of all, welcome to LTC/SNF. Understaffing and lapses in care are common - that's why it's one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. At the same time, all those regulations can distract from care. You'll find that most LTC nurses spend more time documenting the care that was supposedly given than actually doing care. This is a structural problem and not something you're going to fix as direct care supervisor. Here's some tips: Don't accept supervisor jobs you're not qualified for. LTC loves to hire new grad RNs, but do you think you have the clinical expertise to guide all those LPNs and CNAs? How would you feel as a family member if you knew your concerns were being directed to someone with NO experience in nursing?You are not going to lose your license, so just drop that mental fixation now. Unless you're diverting narcotics, abusing residents, or falsifying documentation, your risk is slim to none. You don't lose your license from being in an understaffed facility. Comment:
Thank you for your response
Comment:
I was in a similar situation, and told them I was uncomfortable with being supervisor at that time, to summarize... However, I. Feel they just need a body with an rn license, for regulatory purposes, but like anything the choice is always yours in what you decide to do, some situations more uphill than others.
Comment:
Unfortunately, as the RN, you are legally responsible for the care the LPNs and CNAs are providing--yes, they have their own credentials, but it is your job to monitor them and be aware of what they are doing (or not doing). Many years in long-term and sub-acute care taught me that providing good nursing care is much easier said/charted than done. However, the legal system isn't really going to care how busy everyone is--if the care is substandard, you and your facility can really get nailed. My advice: if you feel unsafe, leave. Find another job where you are more comfortable and confident. Short-staffing is more the rule than the exception, but it isn't an excuse--you are still held to the "reasonable and prudent" standard; if the facility doesn't/can't live up to that, get out!
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