New grad LTC? Any tips?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hi.

I'll recently took a position at a LTC facility and I'll be starting this week. I'll be working 11-7 and I'll have between 25-30 pts . I am very nervous about starting. Any helpful tips?

CapeCodMermaid, RN

6,090 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

There must be 150 threads on here covering this.

Time management is key to your success as is listening to what the CNAs tell you about the residents.

Try not the think the med pass is the be all and end of of your day....it's not about your day---it's about the residents

slauren

80 Posts

Specializes in Rehab, acute/critical care.

Plan your shift very well. After report and doing rounds, look at everything you will have to complete on your shift. Try to get everything done and out of the way as soon as possible. At my LTC night shift checks the crash cart, fridge temps, file papers, some dressings, etc. If you are going to need vitals, let your aids know at the beginning of the shift. If you have wound care/dressings and skin checks, try to do them right after the CNA provides their care so the resident is clean and they can help you too. When I first started in LTC it was difficult for me to find certain meds as some are OTC and go by different names. If you have the time before your morning med pass, go through your MAR and make sure you know which OTC meds you will need. I hated when I had a patient getting Zantac and I would spend 10 min looking for this med only to realize it's house stock/OTC. Good luck!

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