New LPN Grad starting in an Alzheimer's Unit

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Hello fellow nurses!☺

I just graduated from the LPN program in June and will be starting on the 3-11 shift in a Alzheimer's/Dementia unit. Wanted your input on what to expect! I'm compassionate,kind,assertive, and work well under pressure, so hope that helps! I'm super nervous!

I'll be responsible for 20 pts

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

My most helpful tips when coming on to dementia unit was having a nurse that was familiar with the unit sit down and tell me the "tips and tricks" to each patient. For example: John Doe likes to have his medication crushed in pudding but he will refuse it unless you give him the medicine sitting down or Give Jane Doe her evening meds first because once she goes to bed for the night it would not be wise to wake her up again. This is good information to get for any unit your own but I think especially so for dementia units since sometimes it can be harder to administer them medication and treatments.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice.

I work on a closed Alzheimer's unit on the night shift. I have worked the evening shift, so I know it can get a bit overwhelming, but you can do it. Many of us have made a little cheat sheet and it has a list of all the residents and how they take their medication. Crushed, in applesauce, etc. It's nice to have someone tell you a little about each resident. It may be very hard at first, but once you learn your residents things will calm down and you will know each little thing about your resident and what makes them tick. Sometimes you can even know what they are going to do before they do it because that's just what they do! lol. I have one little lady that follows me around all morning asking if there's anything she can do to help. It's so sweet. I go to the med cart, she's asking if she can help. I go to the nurses station, she's there ready to help. I always tell her I'm there for her and everything is taken care of.

Just give it time and it will all come together. Sometimes just prioritizing your workload helps too. You will learn it's very important to know what should be done now and what can wait until later.

I wish you the best of luck :)

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Thanks for the advice Nurse Molly ☺

I started my orientation yesterday and it gives me peace of mind to know that at least I'll be orienting for 8 weeks which will give me (hopefully) plenty of time to get to know my residents and get a routine down.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Bless you eight weeks orrientation in any LTC facility is a luxury, And will facilitate you doing a great job...

best wishes

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