New LPN to LTC need organizational tips

Reese17 · Jun 8, 2010

Congrats on getting a job in this crazy economy!!! I am also a new LPN working in a LTC facility....I've been on the floor for almost 3 months with only 3 days orientation (crazy I know!!). In the beginning I would keep a clipboard with my schedule of to-dos attached and notes. Also, watch how the others nurses go about their day. Dont be afraid to ask questions, very important...Along with my report sheet, I keep an extra blank sheet on my cart for reminders, if a cna comes and reports that a pt needs something but im in with another pt I have them write it on the sheet. Every day I find new ways of going about my day and everyday it gets a little easier. Stay focused, positive and patient. Good Luck to you...keep us informed on how you are doing!

bumLVN · Jun 9, 2010

Congratulations!! For me, I just bring a notepad where I can write down all the things I have to do and whatever the CNAs report to me because I always tend to forget especially when they tell me while I am doing my medpass. Good luck to you, you can do it. :)

Brookenicole84 · Jun 9, 2010

thank you very much for the replies! wow i never realized how incredibly stressful it'd be learning to pass meds and all this paper work!

catlvr · Jun 10, 2010

I have a cllp board with assorted "cheat sheets", commonly used forms (neuro checks - ugh, etc) and my report sheet - and the report sheet is where I keep all pt info. If someone tells me that a resident needs pain med, I put it right on teh report sheet so that I remember to asess and to give the info in report. (I learned this from the nurse who I pick up from - she runs thru report and tells me that everyone is "fine"...never mentions who she gave PRNs to, so that I might have a heads up. No amount of gentle questioning or reinforcement of positive behavior has led to her changing how she gives report.) I work 3-11, so I give all the 1700 meds and then do accuchecks/insulin before right dinner. The majority of meds are 2100, so it is a real challenge to them them all done on time, since we are chronically short on CNAs. After dinner, I do treatments and try to fit in a bit of charting, go to dinner myself (I do this faithfully, despite whatever might be going on - if we don't punch out, we get written up).

One thing that makes my job a lot easier is having a PDA with a drug guide; I find it easier to use than a drug book.

You've probably found this, but before you leave the nurses' station, make sure that the cart is stocked (ours *never* is when I pick up, but I try very hard to make sure that it is when I hand of.

LTC is no walk in the park - but you'll quickly grow to know and love your patients, which makes working like mad worth it.

Good luck!

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**Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN** · Jun 11, 2010

[ I keep an extra blank sheet on my cart for reminders, if a cna comes and reports that a pt needs something but im in with another pt I have them write it on the sheet.

-That's a great idea, especially if it's a non-emergency.

akayerich · Jun 16, 2010

First, I'll just say that it really does get easier. Especially if you work on the same unit all the time and become accustomed to what meds people get and all the little quirks of the unit. So hang in there.

I'm pretty much like everyone else when it comes to keeping notes to stay organized. I try to write everything down. When I was first starting out, I'd make myself a list first thing. I'd list everyone I needed to get vitals for, and whatever assessment things I needed to do. I'd list all my FSBS people. Then I'd just write all the FS and VS next to their name. Anything else I needed to do, like treatments or if the outgoing nurse passed something on to me, I'd write down, too. And then I'd cross things off after they were done and documented. Then I'd leave a place for other little notes along the way. It was kind of a silly system, but it helped me stay organized and not feel so overwhelmed. I had everything I needed to do right there in front of me on my little piece of paper. At the end of the night, if everything was crossed off, I knew I did everything!

I also try to "kill two birds with one stone" a lot. On my first med pass, which isn't too heavy to finish in time, I do any assessments that need to be done. That way I don't have to go find that person again later. Or if I have con't tube feeding residents, I grab a new bottle and tubing to put in their room first thing- that way it's there when I need it. Little things like that help a lot with time management. And the more I feel like I have time, the less overwhelmed I feel.

Anyway, good luck! And congrats on your new job!