Before I get hired in a LTC... WTH!!!

[Mrs.RNindeed]

I am a newly licensed LPN and I have a few interviews coming up.

I have sooo much in my brain and then again not enough!!!!

My Question....fellow LPN's WHAT THE HECK do I need to know working in a LTC?

Dosage? Meds.? Charting? I know the anticoags but I feel like still don't have a clue with the heebby geebby's in my belly.

Thanks all for your feedback.

[Lourdes0710]

You will get a little bit of everything in LTC. You especially need to brush up on assessment skills, wound care, staging ulcers, documentation skills, customer service skills, delegation, prioritization, and time management. And do not make the mistake that since the patients are typically less acute than in hospitals that it will be easier. That only means you will have a lot more patients and many who could easily still be in a hospital if their insurance coverage were willing to pay (at least for subacute rehab).

[twinsmom788]

Do not trust anyone. Especially regarding medications. Give your meds as ordered by the physician. Assess your own patients. Always report to your supervisors and document everything.

[extremenurse4u]

LTC are elderly pt so I figure I need to know meds but what type is my question.

I know I need to know timemanagement, bedsores (signs and stages, wet to dry etc), falls...?

Where do I channel my expertise?

LTC is not always elderly. Most are "youngsters" having hips and knees replaced. I have a 40 yr on hospice for a brain cancer. Lots of hospice; comfort cares. Lots of s/p falls. Lots of dementia and I am seeing more and more of it at a younger age as well. Your facility should have a wound protocol; most are going away from the wet to dry approach. 98% you will learn as you go per facility protocol. Always asks questions. Good luck!

[Nibbles1]

Know your lab values. When you call a doctor be sure you have everything in front of you. Example: Mr. Jones INR is 3. Know how much Coumdian he takes. What was his last PT/INR value? Have a pen ready to take instructions from the Doctor. Always get a Sensitivity with your UAs for potential UTI folks. I struggled with lab values the most. I didn't have a lot of practice in school. The very most important thing is RELAX! You got this!

[beaglelover]

In my ltc, 75% of the residents are under 65. All of the suggestions above are needed, document...and note the time something occurred not the time of the note...start new orders without delay, actually look at DNR paperwork in chart and make sure its signed by doctor, monitor your labs and X-rays, best of luck !!

[wanderlustnurse88, RN]

You will be providing lots of comfort care to residents and their families. Where you are will depend how often you will see it but being comfortable with subq lines is good as that is a main way of giving pain meds.

[Mrs.RNindeed]

Thanks everyone I officially start working alone Monday! Eeeek

[whatdidigetmyselfin2]

I would suggest to be friendly but not too friendly. Do your own assessments because it's always better to see things with your own eyes if something needs to be called to the doctor and charted. Time management is essential because you may have medpasses, treatments, documentation, admissions and supervise other unlicensed personnel. Also, like someone else stated, just because it's LTC doesn't mean they are all elderly. You could have younger patients with recent surgeries or younger people with mental/physical issues that can't get the care they need at home.