MARs, TARs and charts

[RN520]

At my facility, they are all paper. No pyxis, no computerized charting except to add progress notes and weekly pix of wounds. Since I worked the night shift last night and the night before, I was responsible for helping to get the Sept MARs and treatment books ready. I am a new grad, 4 months into my 1st job, and I feel like I wasn't able to get as much done. I'm still learning the best way to manage my time and every shift presents challenges to the plan I have for the night. There are 35 residents, and I fly solo from 1800 to 0630 with 3 CNAs. I do all med passes, skin assessments, any wound care, and put out any "fires" that spark (and there's ALWAYS a fire or two to put out). I used to like coming to work but now it seems as though the paperwork is becoming more important than the residents. Oh, and we're also getting ready for the annual state visit which just seems to add to the general sense of pressure/stress/tension.

I feel like I should call the night shift nurse now and apologize for not getting more done, but I don't want to present myself as weak. What's a new grad to do??

[AngelRN27]

I believe that this post belongs in LTC, not LTAC...