[caliotter3]

At my first FT job as a licensed nurse in LTC I had to "float" to all sections of the facility except the Medicare area, and I was slated to go there also before I left that job. On the locked area, I had 21 residents. On one of the two other sections I worked, there were 38 or 42 residents, don't really remember, and on the other section, there were 80. When I worked in another facility I was the only licensed nurse in the building for 52 residents and there was an upstairs and downstairs. I used to run ragged there, up and down those stairs.

Really, you would be better off getting a permanent position in a facility where you would have the opportunity to get to know your residents better. It is like the others have stated, pretty routine. When things get busy, they get busy. Then, there are quiet nights. It is more difficult when your CNAs call off. It should not be so bad if you find a place where the nurses get along pretty much and practice team work. Sometimes that's the key to making it through a bad night.

[ex1140]

Originally Posted by hollyjolly

I'm basically a new nurse since May and I just signed up for an agency for LTC nursing. You get 60 patients for 11p-7a. Since I'm new at this, I really don't feel comfortable with this. It seems I won't being able to give proper care to the residents. I worked so hard for my license to lose it. My only nursing experience has been med/surg. I used to be a CNA in LTC but nursing is a whole different ball game as far as I'm concerned.

God bless your heart...My first job was at a LTC facility that had two wings one for LTC and the other for Rehab. And boy was it a job. I would come home with sore legs and feet, like you wouldn't believe. And I would have 60 patients on most nights. I got tired of putting my body and license on the line and started to look for better. I was so stressed out. Some folks might say that 60 patients isn't bad for LTC, but you never know when one of those old people will go into distress. I also worked 11-7...which is a topic within itself. I hope that as soon as you get some experience that you will move on to better things. The pay might be good, but it probably pales in comparssion to your responsibilities.