Anyone have experience working at an assisted living?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

]Hello,

Finally after 6 months or so of looking for a job....I finally got one! I got hired at an Assisted Living Facility and I'm so nervous as this is my first job as an LVN. Can anyone give me some idea as to what to expect at working there? I would really appreciate your help regarding this. I am so excited to work but my nerves are killing me!!]! :idea:

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Specializes in long term care, school nursing.

Congrats to you on securing a job!! My assisted living nurses pass medications, provide breathing treatments, provide skin treatments, assess resident's who are ill, notify physicians of needs and requests, and supervise nursing assistants and med technicians. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

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Congratulations! Pay attention, work hard and you will do fine.

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

thanks so much for the replies. I think I am more calm now when I think about it.

Bdgmpark - Is it true that I will be the only nurse in charge on my shift? This is what scares me...I mean being responsible for all 60 patients is kind of a big responsibility? Do you think a new grad LVN can handle it? Thanks so much for your help. And what is a typical day at an assisted living?

My friends are telling me that it is so much easier than working at a nursing home but I am still scared...probably because of lack of knowledge on how to work at an assisted living or lack of confidence in myself....

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Congrats to you on securing a job!! My assisted living nurses pass medications, provide breathing treatments, provide skin treatments, assess resident's who are ill, notify physicians of needs and requests, and supervise nursing assistants and med technicians. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

This is correct. I got my first job in a ALF in March 2010. I had just passed my boards a month before getting the position. I was lucky to get the position as no one was hiring Graduate LPN's. You can't help but be nervous, don't worry, you will have orientation, take down notes. It is not as hard as I thought it would be. At my facility there is only 1 nurse on every shift, you will also have medtechs, and CNA's. There are about 180 residents living in our community but only small percentage get assistance with meds and breathing treatments. Working the night shift I do 2 breathing tx, and give meds to about 12 residents at midnight and 6am. Doesnt sound too bad right. Also do glucose monitoring on a few residents in the morning.

Just relax, you will be fine. I love my job as it gives me alot of down time to study for my RN.

DLPN:nurse:

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

Wow! Thanks deemarys and congratulations on getting that job. I really appreciate your reply...now I am not so nervous anymore. I guess I should also be thankful I got the job and do the best I can. It gives me confidence hearing it from a new grad like me. :) by the way, how long was your orientation? just curious.... again thanks so much!!!

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Wow! Thanks deemarys and congratulations on getting that job. I really appreciate your reply...now I am not so nervous anymore. I guess I should also be thankful I got the job and do the best I can. It gives me confidence hearing it from a new grad like me. :) by the way, how long was your orientation? just curious.... again thanks so much!!!

Orientation was 3-4 days. I was also given phone numbers of the other nurses just in case I had question during the night. The staff is very helpful. I think the only time I lost it was my first fall during my shift. Just remember to keep your cool. Assess the situation, if you see that they can't get up with 2 assist(you the nurse and your Nurse's Aide) Call 911. I had to do that a few times. Also if they hit their head call 911, I mean if they refuse thats fine as long as you get that refusal letter from the paramedics before they leave. See if the Nurses can write you a "fake" incident report from a fall so you have an idea how to fill one out when you are on your own. Along with a sample nurses note. A nurse at work did this for me and it helped a great deal on my first week. Hope this info helps and Good luck, you will love it.

DLPN

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Specializes in LTC.

I also started in assisted living as a new grad lpn. I love the job and its not too bad. I just dont care for the don at my job

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

thanks for the info deemarys! it's a big help. and good luck on your work as well. :) nurselovejoy88 thanks too! now I'm feeling more confident that I can do it....

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I'm sooo happy I found this!!

I just accepted a job in an Assisted living facility!! MY FIRST NURSING JOB YAY! Anyways I'm super nervous. I will be working evening shift as the only nurse with two qma's. 76 patients!!! 1 hall being a memory unit...ahhh I'm trying to stay positive.. I know I can do this, but I don't have any experience at all so I don't know what to expect. I start on wednesday so say a little prayer.. I'm gonna need it! lol I will get 1 week of training and then I'm on my own. Please share any advise on how to deal, deligate, and keep my sanity!!!

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

I know how u feel. It's my 2nd week now and I am still nervous. :) My advice is just work hard and ask questions. Also bring a notepad with u so u can write down everything that u have to remember and u can review it when u get home. Good luck and congratulations on getting that job!!!

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