Need a pick me up! Or just tell me its going to be okay!!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

It's my 3rd day working in a nursing home as a new grad & I'm exhausted! I have never worked 12 hr shift before in my life! It takes me FOREVER to pass meds. For example today I didn't get to go home until 7:30(I'm suppose to leave at 6) because I take to long on med pass! Please tell me it will get better, and how long did it take for you to get faster on med pass and get use to the long hours? Theirs just so much to learn, but I can't suck it all in.. All i worry about is med pass these pass 3 days and can't learn anything else because of it!

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

It does get better, but it takes time. I started on a rehab/long term care floor 3 months ago. I split my work week by working the front half of the hall for a few days and then the back half of the hall for another few days and then being off. Overall, I'm responsible for giving meds and doing treatments for ~34 different residents in a month and 15-17 during a shift. I'm getting better every day and it's mostly through organization and prioritization. I think to myself, "who will be out of bed and in the dining room soon?", "who has dialysis or an appointment today?", "who's alert and oriented and will be watching the clock for me to give them their meds?", "who is difficult and will take 10 minutes of coaxing to take their meds?", "who has a g-tube?", and lastly, "who needs their meds crushed and in applesauce?" I also of course prioritize pain medications and antibiotics. It's not easy but I've gotten my med pass down to about 2 hours, give or take 15-30 minutes of distraction and unexpected tasks sprinkled in.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I try to tell my nurses not to fret if the meds are late. NO ONE ever died because they got their colace at 1030 instead of 830. As an industry we are all to worried about the med pass. People at home take their meds when they want...when they remember and most of the time they make out fine. Everyone is slow at first...better to be slow and know you gave the right meds to the right resident than to hurry through just to make sure they were given "on time".

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Psych, Addictions..

It does get better. Really! After a few weeks you'll start to have a routine down and you'll be mu h happier. Hang in there. :)

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Thank you everyone! Y'all are amazing and y'all picked me up tremendously! Luckily I finished my med pass 30 mins early today! Yay(: it is getting better and yes it takes time in just stubborn and want it better now. And again thank you all!!

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It gets better! Trust me, I've been an LPN in LTC for 10 years. You will soon have a routine and you will actually have time to do other stuff in between med passes. It is very overwhelming at first, hang in there!

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