New grad/New hire needs 3-11 LTC advice.

You should carry the med reference book that is available through many nursing supply stores or even college bookstores.It is kinda thick but very quick looking up meds and right to the point.Nothing like a PDR. It usually contains the year in the title.Also always have a bp (manual ) cuff on your cart and a stethescope,pulse ox machine if available.You will need to check bp's before a lot of your meds especially in the am and before bed.Tissues on hand also.Of course make sure your cart is stocked before you start your med pass(cups,applesause or pudding for crushed meds,insulin needles and plenty of accucheck strips and alcohol wipes).Remeber too that if these people were at home they would NOT be going back to the kitchen every hour to take a pill.You need to combine your 4,5, and 6 meds at your 4 p.m med pass and your 8,9,and 10 meds at your hs pass.If you know a particular patient takes a sleeper every night then ask before pouring their meds to save yourself a trip back to the cart and more time from your pass.As you work LTC and get to know your patients and have the same patients all the time it will get easier and faster. hope this helps.

Well dressing changes get done after med pass.Not really important as to when they are scheduled as long as they get done on 7-3.Also pass 8,9 and 10 a.m's at once.Accuchecks are usually done by night shift adn insulin is either given by day shift or night shift as the last thing they do.Charting usually doesn't get done till end of shift unless something dire happens and you want to take the time to chart it if you can't remember everything or make notes to yourself while it happens or right after so you can chart later.Learn or make yourself notes as to who gets accuchecks and insulin in the morning and do them first also while you do that give them their a.m. meds at the same time.