Per diem nights nursing home?

[chris21sn, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone. I've been thinking about applying for a per diem job at my town's LTC. They have on the spot interviews, so before I make any drastic actions, I want to be more informed.

I have about 7 months of telemetry and ICU experience night shift, but I have no idea how a LTC works and functions.

Im planning on also taking the 11pm - 7am shift.

Could anyone shed some light for me the functionings of a nursing home? How's the patient to nurse ratio, what nursing skills can I practice and do you do a lot (the more exposure the better), How's the demographic of the population (a lot of dementia/confused?), how is the atmosphere - how many cnas/unit secretary/management?

Thanks so much guys!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I think there are a few posts on her about nights. You might be able to find them with a search.

11-7....depending on the size of the building, you might be the only nurse in house. If so, you will be doing hands on. There generally is a 12 am and 6am med pass. the 6 or 7 am would be heaviest. you might have a few treatments, IV meds, feeding tube and iV tubing changes and then there is chart checks and restocking and other general housekeeping tasks.

We normally have quite a few people awake. Some are just night owls and some are dementia patients.

Again...depending on the size of the facility...it will probably be just nurses and CNAs. No secretaries, housekeeping etc.

Ratios can vary. We run with one nurse for 50 residents and 2-3 CNAs.