Need tips for working double weekend

[pachyta]

Hi experienced nurses:

I'm a new lpn. Just graduate last april here in Arizona, and I will start my first job working double weekends in an acute care facility...I'll have 4 days orientation, but I am nervous and anxious, because this is a new whole world for me...How I will be able to organize my job from 6 am to 10 pm? Every sat and sun?

Any tips or advice please!!!:typing

[Valanda]

I think the biggest one for me is to always sign every med out right away, no matter how busy you are.

If someone is taking a med qid, it gets difficult to remember if you have given that same med to that person 7 times or 8 times over the past two days.

I find that the two days seem to run together toward the end of the second one, thus it is very easy to miss doses -- or perhaps even worse: give something 9 times instead of 8.

I have seen nurses who work double doubles who will sign all their meds off for both shifts at the end (or beginning) or their shift. No matter how good they thought their memories were -- pill counts always revealed mistakes.

[LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN]

I am also working double weekends and let me tell you, it is hard but it does get easier after a while. My best advice is to stay hydrated, don't neglect your tummy if you can help it, take your breaks, and wear the most comfortable shoes you can that still work within your dress code. A good pair of shoes can make a huge difference. Good luck!

[Jolie, BSN]

4 shifts of orientation, and then on to 16 hour- shifts on weekends? Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?

I suspect that a facility that is hiring for double weekend shifts is desperately short of staff. Will you be the only licensed nurse on duty in your patient care area? To whom will you direct questions? Whom will you ask for help? Who will guide you when you run up against a new situation?

I don't mean to sound harsh, but I think that planning meals and finding comfortable shoes are the very least of your worries.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i work double weekends now and have most of my nursing career. the biggest tip i can give you is get out of the building on time saturday night because you only have a couple hours sleep until the next shift starts. i usually only get 4 hours sleep before my next 16. if your not used to it it can cook your goose. also my mondays are used for nothing but sleep. i also make sure i have enough money or resources to eat cause i am one of those people that cannot work hungry. it takes some time to get used to but the 5 day break is worth it.... good luck

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

this is nothing new . ive been working double weekends for many years now. there are people that want m-f and me i want to work 2 days a week and get paid for 40 so i can be off with my kids...i refuse to work during the week. there is a weekend supervisor available if needed. i mean people in geriatrics need care on weekends as well....

4 shifts of orientation, and then on to 16 hour- shifts on weekends? am i the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?

i suspect that a facility that is hiring for double weekend shifts is desperately short of staff. will you be the only licensed nurse on duty in your patient care area? to whom will you direct questions? whom will you ask for help? who will guide you when you run up against a new situation?

i don't mean to sound harsh, but i think that planning meals and finding comfortable shoes are the very least of your worries.

[pachyta]

Thanks for the advice...I will be working with an RN on the floor and another LPN doing her patients...Frankly I want to work there so I learn skills and ask millions of questions to the experienced nurses....I am thinking taking a Liability Insurance to protect myself. Do you have yours? and work for at least 6 months and apply for the long LPN to BSN program, but definitely change that type of job...Let's see what happens...

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I advise ANY nurse to obtain an outside malpractice insurance, no matter now nice a facility is. The attorneys of the facility only have the interests of who pays them-that facility...not yours.