New LPN grad in LTC

Todd SPN · Sep 30, 2006

Congrats!! It has been my experience that there are fewer nurses on this shift, so you won't find it slow. Also, it seems that most of our deaths occur on this shift. Seems like a lot of prn pain meds are dispensed and suppositories! Also IVs are run and tube feedings need to be hung. As for advice, don't forget to start your assessments with VS and if you have to call the MD, have the chart handy so you can answer the MDs questions. You will not be always talking with the primary so the on-call will not be familiar with the res and may have many questions. Before making the call you might want to know the res dx and read the nurse notes a few shifts back in case there is something there that might pertain to your current situation. Good luck and enjoy.

Todd

ilostu12 · Sep 30, 2006

First off ejsmom, gratz on passing! I normally don't work the night shift, but have done a several. Depending on your facility staffing ratios, you will more than likely have 50 - 60 residents to take care. Now don't panic, at least 95% of them will be asleep the whole night, the remaining 5% will up late or went to sleep early and now are awake and so forth. There are med passes, tube feeds to change, flushes, treatments, linen carts to stock, med carts restocked, drugs reordered, vital signs, you may have one get combative with the aids or someone may go critical, and yes there are some that do pass in the night. Oh yeah, lets not for get charting and other paper work. You'll be busy, but not over whelmed. Depending on the facility hopefully there will be at least two nurses on duty, so you won't be by yourself.

At first this seems a bit much, but you will get a rythym down and it will become easier.

For the first several months, your gonna feel like you don't have a clue as to what your doing or if your even doing it right, every nurse goes through this. Don't let that discurage you, remember your a new nurse and you have a lot to learn, don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Also I'm willing to bet that some of the more experienced nurses will seem harsh and cold to you, but don't give up because there are going to be several nurses that will go out of their way to help. You may even find one or two that will take you under their wings and teach you(use this to your advantage, they can teach you soooo much in a short time). Where I work at now I was very luck to find such a nurse, she was very patient and was eager to share her knowledge.

I hope this doesn't scare you too much.....LOL. But don't give up, be open to new ideas and suggestions, and above all....listen to your aids!!!!!! They are your eyes, ears and nose.

Lovin' my job! · Oct 3, 2006

Good luck in your new job. I think one good thing about nightshift is there are 'slow' periods (but pls don't say slow when you're there!) where you will be able to take the time to orientate yourself to the floor. Like where certain supplies are kept, where to find important phone numbers, and of course reading policy and procedures. I remember one of my first night shifts I took the time find the 'code box' and go through all the supplies and believe me it came in handy about 2 months later!

ejsmom · Oct 3, 2006

Thank you sooo much everyone!! I started today, and I think that it went pretty well. I'll be w/ a mentor for about 3 weeks, 2 of which I do during the day shift so I get the day experience. To be honest I didn't think that I would like this area of nursing because I thought it was too slow for me. What a wake up call!!! Busy, busy, busy!! Even when I go on night shift I still have to find a way to memorize all the resident's names!!

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Oct 3, 2006

Hi everyone! I got hired *:wink2: * I start next week at a LTC facility 11p-7a. I'm not sure if I'll be doing sub-acute or LTC, that will be decided depending on how my orientation goes. I'm a new grad just passed boards in august (yeah!!) and I have never worked LTC, however I do have 10 years healthcare exp as an MA. I have a few questions:
What can I expect on this shift?
Is it going to be very slow?
Any advice on my new journey?
Thank you so much in advance!!!!!!!

My story sounds alot like yours. I am also starting in a SNF or LTC (not sure what the proper term is) this weekend. I am a flex-time person since I have another job working 40 hours a week in a clinic. I also was an CMA before becoming a nurse. I am looking forward to trying something new.

Glad to hear your first day went well. Keep us posted!

Lovin' my job! · Oct 3, 2006

When I first started there was a day were they orded KFC for the residents and they were all sitting around the table waiting for it to arrive. I sat with them and talked for a bit. Dementia residents can be quite the bunch of fun:) anyhow, I started at one end and named each resident. Around and around I went until I memorized I think about 8-10 at that time. It was alot of fun.

Lovin' my job! · Oct 3, 2006

Hey, off topic, but since you guys are online at present - how do you add pic etc to your username??? thanks

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Oct 3, 2006

Hey off topic, but since you guys are online at present - how do you add pic etc to your username??? thanks[/quote']
If you would like to be able to post a picture with your user name. You will need to become a premium member:)

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2006

You will not be always talking with the primary so the on-call will not be familiar with the res and may have many questions.

Lol, the docs I know only know that's their patient because they look at the chart and see their own name on it.

ejsmom · Oct 6, 2006

Oh yes, I'm having fun trying to remember everyone's names!! I got about 1/3 of them though. It's tough b/c we only 4 males~yup, I got those down!! So far I'm loving it and I didn't think that I would enjoy it this much. Today I got a a resident that always keeps to herself (as I am told and witnessed the past few days) to come out w/ me into the "living room" and join everyone for kareoke. Another resident took her meds for me, but refused w/ the other shifts. It makes me feel good to see them feeling good.

CaperLPN · Oct 6, 2006

You're soooo lucky. I also work in LTC,but we only get 2 orientation shifts foer days and one for nights.Three weeks would be wonderful.I envy you!!!