First job 11-7p at a SNF. I am really excited, however I am a little anxious, really want to do a good job. I am used to 6 to 12 patients as an LVN in subacute, DON says the RN's patient load is 25 patients. I could sure use any advice on how to get a good routine down, especially with passing meds and monitoring patients making sure everyone is ok.
Specializes in Pediatric &Long term care/Rehabilitation.
Hey thanks huangsoRN! I love your advise especially about asking what patient tends to have a blood sugar that drops fast. For orientation, I am the same way, they always ask me if I have any questions but I really don't know what to ask until I am actually doing the work. My shifts are going to be 11-7 and I was told that I am going to be house supervisor but that they will train, that is if I actually get the job, so I know I probably wont be going home until 9 or 10 for the first few months, if I am lucky. I hope I find someone like you did that will help me, but its only hope. Your coworker has a good heart to be there for you.
Good luck to you to!
Compression socks definitely help! :) and comfy insoles.
Specializes in Pediatric &Long term care/Rehabilitation.
Thanks Kittypower!
I am the biggest culprit for not asking for help. But thanks for reminding me that I need to change that about myself and speak up. I always love to help out anyone especially if they are new. Because we all had to start somewhere. Hopefully I will find some great coworkers that will help me and I will definitely be there for me them when they need me.
When I was fresh off of orientation as a new grad at a SNF, I was totally overwhelemed at the patient load. However, it does get more manageable the more familiar you become with your residents and their routines (obviously). It took me a good 6 months before I felt pretty comfortable. I, like many have already stated, made my own organizational sheet of paper which labeled everything that needed to be done in that shift and checked it off my list as the shift went on. That way, I could reference that sheet alone while charting at the end of the night and then was able to walk out the doors knowing that I at least completed all of the technical things I needed to get done. I think the catergories of my sheet were "Meds, Treatments, Blood sugars, Vitals, Skin Checks (Weekly bath residents/toenails if diabetic), "Red Dot" charting (this was the patients that needed to be charted on for any change in condition that we were monitoring, and Misc (for anything that happened during the shift that I wanted to remember).
Obviously, every place is different but that's what needed to be done during my shift... at least what I can remember (it's bee awhile since I've worked at a SNF).
Specializes in Pediatric &Long term care/Rehabilitation.
Thanks cityknittyRN! Yes it does help a lot. I noticed a lot of nurses like yourself use a reference sheet. I definitely will be making my own cheat sheet to help me through.
AngRN6726
51 Posts
Hey thanks huangsoRN! I love your advise especially about asking what patient tends to have a blood sugar that drops fast. For orientation, I am the same way, they always ask me if I have any questions but I really don't know what to ask until I am actually doing the work. My shifts are going to be 11-7 and I was told that I am going to be house supervisor but that they will train, that is if I actually get the job, so I know I probably wont be going home until 9 or 10 for the first few months, if I am lucky. I hope I find someone like you did that will help me, but its only hope. Your coworker has a good heart to be there for you.
Good luck to you to!
Compression socks definitely help! :) and comfy insoles.