3-11

I'm a per diem employee, a nurse for 6 years. I pick up 11-7 and 3-11 in LTC. I find that I just cannot get done with all my duties on the 3-11 shift within those hours. How do you get it all done? I had a resident with a skin tear on his shin, that is FOUR reports to fill out, a nurses note, wound log, treatment order and then transcribe that order. These four reports take me all over the chart, Kardex and Care plan for data and the TAR for transcribing the order. Why can't we simplify this paperwork?! WHY do I need to know if a resident fell in the last 30 days if he has a skin tear?! Why must I research when his last labs were drawn? I love all aspects of my job except the paperwork. Just once i'd like to get out on time. I'd love your thoughts and also just needed to vent. Thanks!

SORRY! You are great to finish what you started, as unappealing as it may seem. It seems like the paperwork got worse after computers, huh!? I think so too. Now instead of one paper charting, there are paper charts and two computer programs that the data has to go into....crazy. Legalities.

One suggestion is to make ANOTHER paper/computer template (whatever) that is kept up to date with the info needed to answer all those questions. I don't know any other way, except to see if it can be kept on the Kardex? ....

Hope your day is a better one and you got some sleep!

3-11shift is the worst shift in LTC. I'm a full time 3-11 nurse at a LTCF and I hate it!!!! You are greeted with new admissions, labs that just came in, and you have to tie up loose ends from day shift before you can even get started with any meds or treatments. The charting is outrageous. We have to do a concurrent review ( change in status form) if a hair is out of place! On evenings you have to deal with family members , sundowners, mds, pt, ot, and everything else.

I've worked all three shifts in LTC and days and nights were my fav. I love working nights but had a hard time sleeping during the day. I may have to go back to nights or days because 3-11 in ltc is waay to much.