New ltc nurse looking for advice

Specialties Geriatric

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.

Hi all. I'm a new grad lpn that accepted a positin on 2Nd shift in a 50 bed nursing home with current census of41. I have16 years as an aide inn about every specialty you can imagine and came back to geriatric nursing because I love it so much. I'm looking for any tips to make the most out of my shift and maybe things you've learned through your experience of working.

For reference:

I will be generally with a med aide. There are 4 halls and each cart does 2 halls. I will be responsible for all that And the attached assisted living with only 4 residents right now. Nothing special going on like trachs or vents right now just lots of cancer patients. There are generally 4 aides (1 per hall) and not a terribly huge med pass but heavy enough. Only 7 diabetics, 1 of them is severely brittle and I've never experienced a brittle diabetic before. The shifts are 2-1030.

Thanks In advance for any advice!

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At the beginning of each shift take a few minutes to write yourself a schedule for everything you need to get done on your shift. Then as you do things cross them off. Sometimes scheduling things out can help with time management.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.
At the beginning of each shift take a few minutes to write yourself a schedule for everything you need to get done on your shift. Then as you do things cross them off. Sometimes scheduling things out can help with time management.

Thanks. I'm a Pretty big planner so it makes sense to do that. I have a small notebook for my shift at work and I've only been on the floor 3days but have a few notes to help. I appreciate your response.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Always listen to your CNAs!!! They pretty much know your pts better than anyone else - I'm sure you know this personally.

Thank them and compliment in public, critique in private.

And re pt care, when in doubt, always err on the safe side!

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

Focus on your med pass and get it done as quickly and safely/accurately as possible. Don't be afraid to take logical shortcuts that save you time and provide 0 potential harm for your residents (fellow LTC Nurses you should get where I'm coming from [emoji108]🏻). At the begining of your shift know who you have to chart on that way you can get it done.

LTC Nurses every where usually have many tasks to perform so it always helps me to keep a list of routine tasks i am responsible for as the Floor Nurse.

Keep a note pad at all times. So much happens during a shift and med pass that you will forget if you don't jot it. PRN Meds, minor changes in conditions, meds that may not be available on the med Cart/resident complaints/ assessment data you gather for charting.

Ego control. Having been a CNA as I was before becoming a Nurse, you can spot a hot headed CNA who is lazy and can see right through them. But remember work with them. They don't know how busy you are and you surely need them unless you wanna be a heck of a lot more busy.

And remember over the years the best LTC Nurse role models that I looked up too and who were regarded the best by peers are the ones who spent time they coulda spent complaining/stressing/flying off the handle, doling something productive instead and using time wisely. Good luck to you. Welcome to nursing. Be grateful for med aides. My state don't use them. It's 1 Nurse for 40-45 residents [emoji51]

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