A Day In the Life of a LPN

Lina_V · Sep 12, 2013

hehehe...this is funny and useful. That's good you find some humor in it. at the end of the shift. what else is there left, right? This sounded like the unit I used to work on when i was a CNA and observed my superiors (RN's, and RN Supervisors). It was such a busy night. you would think 12hrs was enough time to get every single thing done...WRONG. Boy was i wrong at first. But, i loved the fast paced environment and busy schedule planned but, always tentative. Definitely worth it though. I love nursing. i am now an LVN student, hope to do this for 2 years then carry on to RN Happy Nursing!

shipmanmisty · Sep 12, 2013

I work on a med/surg floor. 0630-1500.

I arrive/clock in @ 0620. I get my assignment usually 4-6pts. I fill out my brain sheet (the paper I use to track my day). I print out mars. Do narc count.

0640-0700: get report. We do report in pts room.

0700-0800: take vitals and do assessments. If my pt has 0800 meds I see them at 0730 if possible that way u can administer the med. I usually get done with rounds around 0745. That gives me 15mins to set up my meds for 0900med pass.

0800-8:30: I document opening note vitals i&os assessments and review care plans if needed.

0830-0930: I pass my meds. I usually get finished around 0915. I chart off meds and document my 0900 note

0930-0945: break if possible

0945-1130: assist with ADLs and do wound care and document. Passing meds as scheduled take vs

1130-1200: accuchecks and insulin and assist with lunch tray pass out. Pass out noon meds.

1200-1230: I take lunch

1230-1330: pass meds if scheduled. Document. Check charts labs h&ps Etc

1330-1430: do rounds again pass meds get total i&os organize info.

1430-1500: give report. Document. Narc count

Go home.

maryen · Sep 12, 2013

I am an LVN working in Home Health; Full shift PM with direct bedside care for Night time vent dependent/Trach/ Quad- no functional use of extremities. My day starts by arriving at 0650am and waking up the night nurse. She then states that the pt. had a "good night". I then check all connection and alarms on the vent, insure O2 is working, check vent humidifier water level and setting, wake Pt. for suctioning, reposition and assessment and VS. Pt goes back to sleep and I gather all my supplies for the day; meds, oral care supplies, make up( yes- pt. wears FULL make up everyday that I apply) Stock supplies, order needed supplies, meds, start laundry. Open windows for fresh air. cleanse all equipment. Fill portable 02 tanks. Start charting. Pt wakes at 0830. Give Coffee orally via 60 ml syringe. Suction after each 60 ml. Takes 30 minutes. Clean mouth, change towels under mouth and reposition. Give puréed soup via syringe. Suction. Cleanse mouth and reposition. Then reposition pt and put on bedpan. Provide peri care and empty bedpan. It's about 1100 now. Full bed bath with peri and trach care. Massage and passive range of motion. Suction and reposition. Give more fluids via syringe and miralax. Suction and reposition. Pt. picks out clothing for the day. Dress, suction, reposition, and get electric wheelchair, headrest, O2 tank and PMSV ready for transfer from bed to chair. It is now 1300. Ask pt. if she is ok so that I can run and use bathroom. Use bathroom with door open while listening for vent alarm or pt to call for me. Back to bedside in less than 5 minutes. Prepare pt. for 1 person transfer to w/c. Transfer, connect to O2, attach PMSV. Suction. Reposition. Strip bed of dirt sheets, turn off air mattress, concentrated. Reposition and adjust pt in chair. Provide oral care, suction, retake BP and give mess as needed. Put full make up on pt, fix hair, either curl or straighten. Put shoes and socks on. Perfume and earrings upon request. Hook pt up with iPhone or computer. Reposition and assist with usage. It is now 1430. Mad scramble to clean room, put away all supplies, put fresh linens on bed, transfer clothes to dryer and start new load. Finish 2 pages of charting and med/ vent sheets. Suction and reposition pt. Maybe eat granola bar from bag. Next nurse arrives- give report and leave 1500. Go home. Eat and give my kids huge hugs and give thanks they are healthy and happy. I live in California, no breaks during shift, rate $23/ hour.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 13, 2013

Thanks Maryen! I'm in Ca and intrigued by home health, much more interested on hospice tho, so your post was very helpful to me!

SDALPN · Sep 13, 2013

Thanks Maryen! I'm in Ca and intrigued by home health much more interested on hospice tho, so your post was very helpful to me![/quote']
What you read above is PDN. Home health is visits. The routine on every case is different. Some cases are busy as you read, other cases you will sit most of the day.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 14, 2013

Thanks SDALPN for the additional information. In my school clinicals, our home health rotation was hospice and it was nothing like what she described. I appreciate learning more about the home health niche/ specialty because it is one I am very interested in working in.

maryen · Sep 14, 2013

What you read above is PDN. Home health is visits. The routine on every case is different. Some cases are busy as you read, other cases you will sit most of the day.

I should have clarified my original post- I work with the pt. that I describe 3 days per week- I spend my other 2 days doing wound home health care visits. I am also on call to cover shifts. I am not doing private duty. I also worked in a small hospice facility for 1 month. It absolutely was not for me! The turn over rate was too much for me, emotionally and physically. It takes a very special nurse to work hospice.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 14, 2013

I do PDN but each case can be different.

Case A) He is on a vent when he sleeps & has GB. I come in at 0700 & get report from off going nurse. I get my paper work ready & wait for my patient to wake up. Then whenever he wakes up I bathe him, change his trach ties & GB gauze, then he does whatever. He is an active 5 year old. He will watch tv, play with toys or hang out with his family. He can eat PO & we have to document it. So when he's with his family I just chill & watch tv. He doesn't get meds/treatments until 1700. Then after I give his last meds I go home depending on what time I'm scheduled there until.

Case B) He is semi-comatose so he just lays in bed. I come in at whatever time I'm scheduled, get report then start my paperwork. He has JT & constant oxygen. He has a problem clearing his airway so he needs constant suctioning. I give him a bath & his medications/treatments at 1800 & 2100. I am much busier at this case than Case A.

I also just started doing skilled visits. All I do I go in and check on the patient. Get vitals, talk to the care giver & so on. The whole visit takes between 15-30 minutes.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 14, 2013

Itzvalerie....is GB guillain-barré syndrome? Thanks for the insight into different employment options as an LVN!!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 14, 2013

Itzvalerie....is GB guillain-barré syndrome? Thanks for the insight into different employment options as an LVN!!

No, G-button. You're welcome! :)

SDALPN · Sep 14, 2013

No, G-button. You're welcome! :)

I'm not sure that's an approved abbreviation if you are charting that way. Usually its written as GT or Mic-key button. Generally I leave out "button"because its clear if I document 14fr Mic-key 2.5cm. But you may want to check with your agency to make sure that is approved. My agency is accredited and made up abbreviations = write ups.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 14, 2013

I'm not sure that's an approved abbreviation if you are charting that way. Usually its written as GT or Mic-key button. Generally I leave out "button"because its clear if I document 14fr Mic-key 2.5cm. But you may want to check with your agency to make sure that is approved. My agency is accredited and made up abbreviations = write ups.

It has GB on the sheet we use & I'm not the only one that puts down GB.