This is a good start, but beware, just because the nursing home has a good rating on this site does not mean it's as good as it is rated. I recently chose a NH based on this and with some prior experience with them, but was sadly disappointed with the level of care on the second visit. It troubles me greatly that when we are left to put our loved ones in the care of others that there is so much that still falls through the cracks. My experience with the NH's I have had to to use ( all well rated) is that I still ended up having to be there on almost a daily basis to make sure things were taken care of in the manner they indicated they would be. Whatever happened to doing things right and caring about your job, especially when the care of helpless are involved? I am glad this site exists, but this country still has a long way to go to take care of our elders with the respect and dignity they deserve. LBF

I'm in Central NY. I'm getting frustrated that we always are short staffed. I work the eves only because it's what works best for my fam. But, seriously stressed. I only work part-time (3 shifts per week) which includes every other weekend. I used to work in urgent care 3 eves per week and EVERY Saturday I would work a 12. So this schedule is nicer. But the responsibilities, the high acuity of the patients, lots of post-surgical pain, tons of isolation pts (you know what effort it takes to go into those rooms and heaven forbid if you need something that's not in the room).....anyway, most on our unit are total care, must be hoyered, turned & repositioned, many are incontinent all throughout the shift, we take skin integrity VERY seriously at my facility, plus the family care that is needed, the education that is needed, some patients stay so long that it feels like a nursing home at times, blah blah blah. Not to mention charting. Often we have no breaks or dinner all shift. We do get paid when that happens of course. But, it's nice to have a break to breathe and step away from it all. And pee (ha ha). I have to take anti-anxiety medication (that I used to use prn) on a daily basis now. I spend my time away from work, worrying about my next shift. Yet - I do love what I do. I'm able to request a transfer in June to another unit, to IV Therapy, or to homecare if there are openings. Thinking about it. Yet, from what I see and what I hear the NM makes it next to impossible for anyone to leave her unit. Most end up resigning and leaving the facility altogether. I want to stay with this facility. The benefits (even for part-timers) are worth it. Thanks for letting me vent.

If your DD has decent grades and does ok on the SAT, I see no reason she shouldn’t thrive in her college of choice and then be admitted into its Nursing program. I hear a lot of ‘nurse talk‘ around our family table when our kids and families get together. One DIL is on the faculty at UAB (teaching undergrad nursing subjects) and is working on her doctorate. She runs across a few undergrads every semester that she advises to consider dropping nursing as a major, as they just don’t ’get it’. I don’t think this is going to happen with your daughter, Mtn. DD is a Nurse Practitioner in the ER, and she teaches one day a week. She has mentored several during their clinicals. She always recommends a new grad with a BSN work at least two years before continuing with their Masters so they can decide exactly what specialty they want to pursue. Clinicals definitely help with this during their final year of undergrad but the work experience is invaluable. If there had been a program available close to home, she probably would have gone to grad school to become a CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist), that’s generally where the bigger paychecks are for nurses. Our other DIL has a BSN and now is a case manager in pediatrics. She was formerly on a pediatric thoracic transplant team. She loved that job but was promoted.

I’ve just gone back and reread the entire thread. I wanted to give special thanks to everyone who took the time to write such thorough and helpful comments. I was going to name names, but really, every one of you. I wish I could express how much this has helped me and how much I have learned. I did speak to someone at the care home and she has been accepted as far as finances and physical exam from her doctor. On Monday I will find out when a room is available, I think. When I spoke to the person in charge earlier, she said she thought they would be able to move quickly. Mom is more than ready to move there. I am surprised at how quickly she came around. She used to avoid the topic completely but now asks if I have heard when she can get a room. Hooray for that. Now I don’t feel like Cruella D’Ville. The facility is a nonprofit and extremely highly rated. I could gladly live in one of their villas right now. It is probably a mile closer to me than her house. I love the idea of visiting and being able to just enjoy my time with her. We can discuss the exact same topics over and over again. Sigh. I notice that some of the for profit care facilities in my area are sold from one organization to another. Another good reason for seeking out a nonprofit. In the meantime, I will still be managing her finances and start working on clearing out her enormous house packed with stuff. I wish it were all just junk to be tossed but it’s not. That is a topic already discussed here. Elder care is becoming a huge issue in our country as we Baby Boomers get up in years. I can see a true crisis looming, especially for those without financial resources and family to look over them. Fortunately there seem to be more and more services available to see you through your senior years. For those whose children may be less than responsible, also may be good to look into this. Planning ahead is essential. Senior care facilities are being built all around here at an alarming rate. I wonder where all the qualified staff people will come from. Once again, many heartfelt thanks for your wisdom and encouragement. For those of you also dealing with caregiving, I wish you best of luck and you are certainly in my thoughts. Sushi, I never heard of the place you mentioned, but what a wonderful service. I am looking forward to getting some rest once Mom is settled. It is essential to care for yourself, too.