Are all nursing homes so chronically understaffed?

I swear, I an RN and that bull is everywhere. Nursing homes, hospital bedside, prison nursing. Its their way of saving money. Budget cuts at the point of care, and yes! You're luckey if you have 3 CNA'S working with you for 30 patients. Most nursing homes nurse patient ratio is 30 or more to one. Ive been trying to get out of nursing but can't do anything with my degree. Google "I hate nursing" and read up on it. Healthcare is only gdtting worst. My suggestion, try physical therapy (PT) aide or tech. Its much easier one patisnt at a time, but protect your back. Good luck to both of us. P.S. get OUT while you can.

Understaffing In Nursing Homes

Most nursing homes are for-profit and are there mainly to make money. Why they can't hire only 3 or 4 cnas is because they're cheap. That's why a lot of them are ranked low by having CMS for low resident-to-CNA ratio. All across the country, nursing homes are being run with less than the optimum number of staff. They are being understaffed in a hope to cut costs and increase profits.

There have been reports that over half of all nursing homes are understaffed.

Just visited a facility that was 24:1 for nurses and cna's were about 12:1

There is no way that the nurse or CNA can give quality care with that kind of ratio.

On top of that...I watched those call bells ringing and ringing and when I asked...was told "oh the CNA will get to them as soon as they can".

The nurses and cna's are all rotated to work in the dining area serving the residents each meal too. So somehow your supposed to be giving treatments, assisting w/ care and working as waitress and busboys too?

I have only been an aide for 9 months, and I"m only 16. And at first I loved my job. We were a little understaffed. then over some time every room filled up, and aides became nurses, and aides quit and got fired. Now they hired a few people. that suck by the way. SO I am always on a hall by myself with no help. I'd say most places are understaffed

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RE:

Are all nursing homes so chronically understaffed?

I have just finished being a C.N.A. (Certified Nurse's Aid) for the last 4 months. I thought I would like it, and to some extent, I did. I liked working with the elderly, but I had no idea how short-staffed the place was. Even their "regular" staffing levels were short, in my opinion....

I ve worked in 4 different nursing homes in 3 different states (one state on the west coast) over a period of 9 years. They all were understaffed in all areas of care...from nursing to social services to the dietary dept. We were told that the nursing homes had to keep labor costs down to ensure the facilities stayed open. However, all 4 facilities were constantly spending money on major updates and new carpet, drapes, and furniture to make the places look fancy all the while the quality of care was going down! I also noted that the administrators and DONs drove very expensive cars and lived in very expensive homes. Obviously, their salaries supported a very comfortable lifestyle. So, go figure!

I am an RN also..I was a CNA, and L P N before that. I just quit my job at a LTC facility. 35-38 residents each night was just way to much for me. I was working passing meds, treatments, documenting, etc.... No lunch breaks and 12-14 hour days 5-6 days a week. Going to try the Hospital. .if it's not much better I am going to the factory. At least there I can go pee if I need to.I have discovered missing my family and my health and body breaking down is not worth it.

It has been my experience that not all nursing homes are the same. Unfortunately the one that I am at currently has been "cutting" back lately. Over a two day period one of the other nurses called in sick...instead of finding coverage, they had me "float" on two units! That is 42 patients on two different levels with one cna on each level! Grant it I work night shift, but it was too much and I do not appreciate them putting my license on the line to "save money"!!!!! Needless to say I am currently looking for another position! Good Luck! Oh by the way we do not use medication aides either...had to pass my own meds on top of it all....

The place I work at I have 13 people to do and they expect me to do my second rounds on everybody and get people up before ten o'clock and get weights. The nurses don't even help you they create more work for you

No, they aren't. The super high end places where you pay $20k/month tend to be overstaffed. They are luxury.

In general, it comes down to more money for adequate patient care and fingers crossed that nothing gets missed along the way.