Advice for a New Nurse on LTC also what are they looking for on Pre-Employ. drug scr

[ChrissySnowRN]

Hi Nurses

I have a 2 part question, please help me out. I'm not new to AN, but this is my first time starting a topic. My first question is, I was just hired at a LTC facility (finally) after looking for 6 months :); I graduated in May. I went for my pre-employment physical and drug screen (urine) and now I'm panicking. I take Ambien occasionally for trouble sleeping, and I took it the night before my physical/drugscreen, (I know..stupid). This prescription in MY name, prescribed by my PCP, my question, what exactly are they looking for in the drug screen, and can I be in trouble for taking it even though it's legitimatly prescribed to me? Secondly, I don't start this position until 12/3, any suggestions on what to review, what to brush up on, any advice at all is greatly appreciated on both questions. I have been having heart palpitations since yesterday, can't sleep, anxiety is at an all time high and I'm so distraught, what if they decide not to hire me, totally freaking out

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

As long as you have a valid prescription for the Ambien that is less than one year old, you should be fine.

LTC facilities usually have residents with chronic conditions such as hypertension, Alzheimer's, CHF, COPD, PVD, type 2 DM, CAD, vascular dementia, and others. I would review these because it has been a few months since you graduated from school.

Common LTC medications include Colace, OsCal, Synthroid, Lopressor, Clonidine, the various insulins, Metformin, Nitroglycerin, Aricept, Namenda, Seroquel, Ativan, Xanax, Glipizide, various cholesterol-lowering statins (pravastatin, simvastatin), Prilosec, Pepcid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Coreg, Lisinopril, Norvasc, Lasix, Aldactone, and many more. I would review these.

You'll be doing wound care if your facility has no treatment nurse. You might be doing finger stick blood sugars, simple IV antibiotics, breathing treatments, trach care, Foley catheter care, and other procedural skills that you may wish to review. Good luck to you.

[ChrissySnowRN]

Thank you so much! Yes my script is only a few months old, haven't heard anything about screen yet (fingers crossed). I dont start for a few weeks so I will review those suggested meds. Thanks Again.

[Vinniesguy]

It might also be useful to have a look at pathology results as well - just to know what is an abnormal reading you can let slide and what is worth ringing the doctor immediately for!

Also I remember a doctor asking me to order bloods for a delerium screen and I had no idea what I was supposed to request! he hung up before I could ask him! I was too embarrassed to phone him again and confess I had no idea what he was talking about!

Good luck with it all.