Cardiac RN picking up in a SNF

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Hi all!

I work fulltime, weekend program on a very intense, acute medical cardiology stepdown. Been there for several years,

Beforw that i was a PCT on a transplant floor, also in the hospital.

Ive only ever known Nursing in a busy, level 1 trauma hospital. Neway, i live nearby a large, upscale retirement community with

A SNF and LTC, i applied and was offered and accepted a casual position in the SNF. Im both excited but also

Apprehensive as this is new territory for me. This is just something extra for extra $ during the week.

What I was told was id do 11pm to 7am 1 or 2x nights a week. Me as the RN and obviously supervising...i am a Charge at work so am used to juggling my own

Assignment + charge duties. Then there would be 2x Aides.

I'll learn more at orientation..

Is this normal staffing? During day the SNF has 2 RNs +DON and multiple aides.

I believe there r like 30 or so patients in the SNF.

Im just curious what should i be expecting?

Also as a side questions... SNF patients r stable and on home meds, right? So say if u have a pt

Who has pretty averages BP maintained on BetaBlockers and 1 night has a lower than averagw BP, does

It still get held n MD notified n pt BP rechecked or no, just jot it dowb, check pt

stability n pass on in report. Also, whats shift report like in a SNF?

Maybe im over thinking things...

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It looks like you will be in charge of the unit but also working the cart. That is a good staffing mix. We have 50. 1 RN and 2, maybe 3 CNAs.

We have quite a few skilled patients and a frequent revolving door of short-term rehab patients. For the most part, your LTC aka stable residents would be getting vital signs done on 11-7.

We do vitals q shift x 3 days for new admits, accidents/ incident reports and residents on antibiotics or those with a change of condition. If the MD has no parameters or there are no clinical changes, you will use your nursing judgment on when to call the MD. For the most part..I wouldn't be bothering the MD at night for a simple drop in BP.

Nights can get very busy in our facility. Many of our geri-psych residents are up, we do our tubing changes on 11-7, some IV antibiotics running, some wound care and a heavy 6 am med pass. It can also be slow at times. :)

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