Help on being a better floor nurse

[Lynker, LPN]

I'm going back to LTC, and I feel like I struggled with a lot of basic nursing things that I should know, being a nurse for three years now. I know how to pass meds, take vitals etc...but I still struggle with things such as lab values, knowing when they're critical, ordering labs, missing treatments, knowing different types of dressings, and just knowing when to check certain things. I remember being good at night shift duties, but day shift stuff I feel like I'm running around with my head cut off, trying to figure out when it's important to finish my giant med pass or call the doctor.

I know in a nursing home, things are fairly the same every day (I'll be doing 7p-7a), but I want to learn more and be better than I was when I was previously in this nursing home.

Should I ask to be retrained on certain things? It's quite embarrassing, but I feel like it would help me and my residents greatly.

[Davey Do]

Merely the fact that one identifies areas in which one is not strong in has the earmarks of someone who wants to be a good nurse. 

The second step of the problem-solving process is gathering data, and by reaching out and asking for advice or guidance is a prudent maneuver, Lynker.

Working the day shift is always more hectic than midnights. It's one of the reasons that I chose to work midnights for about half of my career. Less distractions and more time with patients and duties are benefits.

As far as the areas which are not a forte, "Practice provides opportunity for possible improvement". I found LTC more of a meat & potatoes kind of nursing. The basics are priorities, and we do what we can to meet our responsibilities.

Following a mentor who is good at their job, open to questions, and lends assistance is gold.

Good luck, Lynker, and thanks for the support you've given me on this forum.

[Lynker, LPN]

Thank you Davey. I'm going to ask my manager that I need help learning some things when I start back up.