How to be the best LTC Nurse I can be

Published

I am currently an LPN. I have always been drawn to LTC, even during nursing school. I worked at a doctor's office as well as a mental health facility, and while I enjoyed aspects of each, I recently started a new position in a very nice LTC facility.

I feel at home there, even though I am still in orientation.

I want to do the best that I can at this position. I have a whole floor, but the facility is non-skilled so it isn't bad at all. I also will be working the dementia unit from time to time. I can PRN at a skilled facility, so I am not worried about losing my skills. I just want to be the best nurse I can be for the facility.

In addition, I am currently getting a BS in Human Services and specializing in gerontology. At this facility (A Brookdale facility) I can move into various other positions and still be allowed to work the floor with this degree.

Any tips?

Thanks!

Samantha

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I don't have much advice, but when I saw the "502" at the end of your

name, I just knew that you had to be from Louisville!

Actually, I will just say, keep the positive attitude, be willing to work

hard and help others whenever you can. Be willing to learn as much

as possible. Brush up on your time management skills, because

they are always needed in LTC.

Good luck!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

Be kind to, and respect, your LNAs. They are often the eyes and ears you need when you can only be in one place at at time. Be willing to help; toilet, transfer, feed etc, as time allows.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Home.

I've been an LPN/LTC Nurse for 2 years since completing nursing school. It's a tough environment. Substandard CNA staffing, and staffing in general, cost cutting by management, heavy Nurse to patient ratios sometimes burn Nurses out. But I can honestly say it hasn't burned me out yet. I love LTC. In my opinion the 2 most important qualities of a good LTC Nurse are being quick, and being accurate. Everyday is a busy day. Lots of meds, nurses notes, physician orders. Be prepared to go home exhausted and work every hour of the 12 or 8 hour shift.

Be prepared for tired achy feet after a long med pass with 30 plus demanding residents. Be prepared for being buried in labs, and physician orders to take care of, New admit paperwork, in addition to regular routine nurses notes to be completed.

Its a hard job. Good LTC Nurses earn every cent. It's not for the faint of heart, and I promise you there will be bad days where you are so swamped you will feel like crying. If you truly love LTC however don't give up. Nurses like us who truly love the environment of LTC and can see us spending our whole nursing career there are a rarity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't stop caring and remembering why you are there. It is so easy to focus on the daily tasks and responsibilities and get over whelmed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CNAs can be your best friend or worst enemy, but in the end they are your eyes, ears, nose and sometimes voice. You'll need to figure out their likes and dislikes and RESPECT them, make sure they know their job but also be sure to offer help/support frequently.

Be sure to know your own limits.

Don't let managers work you overtime if you don't want it.

Be honest. If you need help follow the chain of command.

Do everything you can to make sure you have very little to pass onto the next shift (it changes from shift to shift such as days: do appointments, call labs in, make sure dialysis pts get to their treatments...eves make sure all your admission paperwork gets done and people are down for bed...nights make sure to do charting corrections and make sure people are up and dressed for day shift)

If it gets overwhelming, try to remember priorities: ABCs, then pain, then paperwork and charting (LOL).

LTC isn't the prettiest nursing, but we are respected a lot by others for what we do on a daily basis. It's not easy to go in and see older people in constant pain/depressed/angry about things not to mention family members up your bum about very silly things and the occasional dire emergency. Not to mention most places do not do 12 hour shifts (as far as where I am at least) and doing the same thing day to day to day can get you discouraged.

Be sure to find something you can rely on to pull you out of funky weeks. Exercise, religious activities, hobbies...etc

PS: Don't let people push you around either. If you feel you are doing too much for your position, kindly talk to your administrator to evaluate your duties.

I was a great nurse at my last facility, worked there for almost a year and a half but the poor attitudes from managers, the lack of training for new nurses and CNAs, and the fact that I was doing three jobs in one (i was literally the secretary for the phones on weekends, considering nobody else would answer calls omg) made it unbearable. When the administrator continued to make promises but didn't back them up, I knew it was time to leave.

Two weeks given and I RAN.

Good luck, much love.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion