New grad - landed job in LTC facility...any advice

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Hi, I am a new grad RPN in Ontario. I recently accepted a full time position in a new LTC facitlty. We will be opening the doors in the new year and I'm a little nervous (having no experience). I'm looking for advice and tips that anyone can give me!! If yu were able to help set up your floor what would you have them do??

Thanks, Kelly

Specializes in LTC.

Make it your mission to make more friends than enemies on the job. Ask questions - it is better to look stupid for asking questions than to be really stupid in the end. Be observant and choose to learn even from criticism - doesnt mean you are a bad nurse. Above all, determine to enjoy yourself in spite of. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in LTC.

Enjoy your new position! I'm on a TCU and it's not bad. Not my dream job, but very doable.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

I work in a place that's not too bad, no horror stories I can tell, but chronically understaffed and I'm always running around like a chicken w its head cut off. I never have the time to give proper attention and care to everyone 100%. So I am perpetually crossing my fingers and hope nothing goes terribly wrong on my shift. I'm making the switch to home health care, now I'm doing both part time. Eventually my goal is to be out of LTC altogether. I feel so much safer attending to one patient at a time, and what do you know? Home health pays a lot more!

BTW, LTC has its merits, it's a good baptism by fire. You will learn a lot, both in clinical skills and real world health care matters. Spend a year or two before you move on, it's a real eye-opener.

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Thanks to everyone!! I am still looking forward to my new position...I will just be cautious. My nurse patient ratio is 1:32 so I think it's manageable. Im not clear why some of you think I should give up my license at the door??

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks to everyone!! I am still looking forward to my new position...I will just be cautious. My nurse patient ratio is 1:32 so I think it's manageable. Im not clear why some of you think I should give up my license at the door??

Kelly I think it is because some facilities especially in the US have too many clients and not enough staff and things get missed and the RN is the fall guy. I think things tend to be a bit better here in Canada due to the unions. I know here in NS nurses have to join the union

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