[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.

[underpaidrn]

Hey hollyjolly - welcome to nursing. I worked the 11P to 7A shift at a LTC many years ago. I can't imagine it's changed much since then. Most of the time, the residents are sleeping and you will have a few calls from them, usually for a pain pill, etc. Most of the night I spent hanging my tube feedings and putting new water bottles on the O2 units. Was peaceful for the most part. Can't guarantee that yours will be like that. I think it's rather stressful for a new RN to be alone with that many patients. Good luck in whatever you do. Be safe!

[RN1989]

That sounds like WAY too many. I'd be worried about my license. Have seen that many only when someone out sick and couldn't find any replacements.

[deeDawntee]

I worked long term care at night and that was my patient load as well. It was very doable, actually. You had to depend on your Aids. What you can do is go on rounds with them when they reposition and change pads...that is a great way to check skin and get a sense how people are doing. As I recall, there was a ton of eye drops to do on those poor sleeping folks, early in the morning...and of course suppositories for those with no BMs in 3 days....and Tylenol...lots of scheduled Tylenol. When I left LTC, I never wanted to give Tylenol or eye drops again!!

It seems scary, but I am sure it is set-up so that you can do it. I honestly had a lot of down time in spite of having that many patients.

Good luck.

[^Kiwi^]

However hollyjolly has a good point, as being a newly registered practitioner she should be given a decent orientation/support package? and if she is feeling unsafe, you must doing something about it, just sitting back and doing what your told "because everyone else does it" is not good enough for best practice.

Don't be afraid to speak out, even if nothing changes, you have alteast bought it to someones attention so in the unlikely event something does go wrong, you have made the effort.

Good luck.

[joprasklpn]

When i worked night shift at a certain facility they did have patient loads like this and I really had to run around alot and god forbid somebody would fall or have an emergency. We had 3 aides and 1 LPN and then a house supervisor who was responsible for our unit and 4 others. There is so much more than just handing out pain meds. We had chart checks for new orders on every patient chart (time consuming, but very important) medicare assessment on certain patients. vital signs, meds, lots of tx's, insulins and finger sticks in the morning with a pretty full am med passing, redoing the next months MARS, helping the aides, responding to bed alarms and call bells, preping charts for am doctor visits, routine maint. on some equipment and so much more. I got really burned out in LTC in general between agency and facility work. I still work agency, but in peds trach and vent home care and I really like the work. Slower paced. Sometimes I miss the facility work and may go back, but for now I'm happy with peds. So i know how you feel. LTC is very hard work on ANY shift.

[indigo girl]

Yes, at night it is in some places, depending on the unit.


If you are the only nurse in the facility, you may have more than
one floor also. In this case, the acuity level is usually not very high.

You may be better off on another shift, until you get used to LTC.

[allevi]

Yes I had this many patients at night when I worked long term care.
The aides is who you rely on. I did a visual of all rooms, but then may not have been back to those rooms the remainder of shift unless they needed meds or there was a problem.

[morte]

this is going to sound harsh....you should NOT be temping with as little experience as you have.....i have temped for more than half of my nursing "life" and i wouldnt want to work for an agency that would hire you.......please, get more expreience .......

[hollyjolly]

I think you are probably right-I should get a permanent staff position to get more experience. I don't always feel comfortable being such a new nurse doing agency. A permanent position would put me more at ease.