Drowning in LTC

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I just got my LPN license August 1st, and started working at a LTC facility the 8th. I got 3 days of orientation and got thrown on the floor the 4th day of work, working 3-11 with 35 residents on my side, 4 pegs and a trach. I was trying to do everything the correct way and at 9:30 the other nurse had to step in and help me with the last 15 pts. She said you had to combine 8 pm meds with 4 pm meds to get done unless it was a b/p med or insulin. Does every nursing home do this? I think if I had to go back to another 3-11 shift i would cry myself to sleep not going to lie. I am starting on nights 10:30 pm- 6:30 am. The meds seem significantly less. Do you think this is a better shift for a new grad? any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

You cannot give 4pm and 8pm meds at the same time. You can ask for more orientation. Night shift is easier as far as the med pass goes because there are fewer meds given then, but you won't learn as much.

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Specializes in LTC.

Honestly it kind of sounds like you are at a poopy place. I've worked three places and none of them have expected a nurse to pass medications to 35 patients. Where I work now a TMA can pass medications for up to 30 patients, but they don't have to deal with the nursing side of things, such as treatments, assessments, charting, skin checks, falls, changes in condition, g-tubes, and so forth.

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I am only working 2 days a week just to pay what little bills I have, while taking pre reqs for my RN. So you don't think I will learn much on night shift? Please explain

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

You won't be doing admissions or discharges on 11-7. You won't be changing wound vacs, doing dressing changes, g-tube feedings, or IVs on the 11-7. People are supposed to sleep on 11-7 so there is less to do and therefore fewer opportunities to learn anything.

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Capecodmermaid I work in LTC on 3-11 shift and we always do the new admits so your facility does things a little differently!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Capecodmermaid I work in LTC on 3-11 shift and we always do the new admits so your facility does things a little differently!

I said she wouldn't do admissions on 11-7---there is a difference. Most of my admissions come on 3-11 but only twice in 32 years have I gotten an admission on 11-7.

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Specializes in LTC.

I worked the night shift as a new grad, and in hindsight I think it was a great shift to increase my confidence. On the whole 3rd shift is MUCH quieter, with nowhere near as many meds.

Please do not take the "advice" of your coworker who tells you to combine your med passes. Stick to the RIGHT way to do things, the way you learned in school. It is very easy to fall into bad habits.

Good luck to you :)

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Sry cape cod didn't realize what you meant! Thanks for the correction!

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I said she wouldn't do admissions on 11-7---there is a difference. Most of my admissions come on 3-11 but only twice in 32 years have I gotten an admission on 11-7.

I remember when a 3-11 admission arrived from out of state, five minutes after MY shift ended, and the 11-7 nurse refused to do it and bullied me into punching back in and doing it, which took about 3 hours. I figured out a way to get her back for that.

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Specializes in corrections and LTC.

Meds should not be combined unless the times are actually changed to reflect what the nurses actually do. However, before times can be changed, you have to look at original physician's orders as well as making sure the times 'can' be changed. By this I mean some have to be given with food, or 12 hours between doses, etc.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
I remember when a 3-11 admission arrived from out of state, five minutes after MY shift ended, and the 11-7 nurse refused to do it and bullied me into punching back in and doing it, which took about 3 hours. I figured out a way to get her back for that.

Really? She bullied you into punching back in? Everyone has choices. YOU chose to punch in and stay. And for you to say "I figured out a way to get her back for that' makes YOU sound like the bully....and a baby.

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