[mcg1929]

hi evryone! i was hired in a subacute facilty 2 weeks ago,,,and its my first week as a lpn,,,they said i had 2 weeks orientation but it seems like im not ready yet....i always ended up doing my paperworks at the end of the shift (3-11)eventhough i have another nurse working with me,,,we have to do admissions,assessments,treatment and neverending paperworks! im so overwhelmed!!!can anyone give me advice on how to be organized? and use my time wisely? very much appreciated,,thanks.

[pagandeva2000]

Not sure, because I do not work LTC. But, watch what the other nurses do and see if you can incorporate some of their techniques to use in your own time management. I did that in my clinic and things did improve. Maybe have a blank sheet with pertinent facts to be noted on each patient; a brief summary, so that you will get right to documenting these facts. Also, look at their notes to see what they are documenting. Maybe some of what is written can be narrowed down to just what is necessary. Not sure if this would work for you, but try and see how it does. Good luck to you!

[TheCommuter]

I work on a subacute unit, and my workplace only gives nurses a 3-day orientation before they are cut loose to work on their own. Not surprisingly, the employee turnover rate is rather atrocious at the facility where I work.

Anyway, here is how I organize for the day. I work 16 hour shifts, from 6am to 10pm. At the beginning of the shift, I'll go through the MARs and TARs with a fine tooth comb and, as I go, I will jot down the things that must be done in my notebook. My notebook is how I organize the rest of the day, and I usually won't forget to do anything. Here is how yesterday's notebook page looked (names have been changed due to HIPAA):

8-12-2007
DIABETICS, FINGERSTICKS: Agnes (BID), Agatha (AC & HS), Bill (AC & HS), Wendy (AC & HS), Rex (BID), Jack (BID), Esther (AC & HS), Margie (0600, 1200, 1800, 2400)
NEBULIZERS: Margie, Esther, Bill, Jack, Jane
WOUND TREATMENTS: Jane, Bill, John, Jack, Lillian, Rose, Lucille
IV THERAPY: Wendy (Vancomycin), Laura (Flagyl), Rex (ProcAlamine)
COUMADINS: Agnes, Agatha, John, Lucille
INJECTIONS: Agnes (lovenox), Jane (arixtra), Rex (heparin), Bill (70/30 insulin), Esther (lantus), Mary (vitamin B12 shot)
ANTIBIOTICS: Wendy (wound), Laura (C-diff), Rex (pneumonia), Agatha (MRSA)
1200, 1300, 1400 meds: Margie, June, Rose, John, Jane, Jack
1600, 1700, 1800 meds: Rose, John, Rex, Lucille, Lillian, Laura
REMINDERS: assessments due on Agatha, Jill, and Louise; restock the cart; fill all holes in the MAR; follow up on Jane's recent fall, fax all labs to Dr. Smith before I leave, order a CBC on Rex...

[Bx_RN2B]

I expect to get my LPN in January and since I will likely be working in LTC this is important need to know stuff for me.

Anyone else with tips please post.

[mcg1929]

you are soooo great!!!!! thanks a million!!!! im going to try that one out and hopefully it will help me,,,,just one question,,,i know LPN's dont do Iv's but in our place they let us do it....i just dont get it at all! and im not iv certified!.....strange,,,**do u do admissions too?

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by mcg1929

you are soooo great!!!!! thanks a million!!!! im going to try that one out and hopefully it will help me,,,,just one question,,,i know LPN's dont do Iv's but in our place they let us do it....i just dont get it at all! and im not iv certified!.....strange,,,**do u do admissions too?

LPNs/LVNs are allowed to do IV therapy in my state of residence, which is Texas, as long as they have completed an IV certification course. The only aspects of IV therapy in which I am not qualified are blood products and central lines; however, I am permitted to flush central lines. I just cannot give meds through central lines.

I do my own admissions; therefore, I am in deep trouble if I get slammed with 3 or 4 new admits in one shift! Our facility does not have admission nurses or unit secretaries, so the floor nurses must complete their own admissions. And, the new admits roll in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.