New LPN needs advice

tammy07 · Mar 15, 2009

I was just wandering are you working yet and if so how is it going

mrstonyaLPN · Mar 15, 2009

I did find a job on 3/11. My orientation is on 3/26. I was just trying to get some advice on what to expect. Thank you for asking, any advice is greatly appreciated.

hiddenheart · Mar 15, 2009

I work at a hosp but I worked at a ltc as well. I picked up many 3-11 shifts, it was a great experience. After getting report it was time for Vitals, treatments and time to start meds before dinner. THe hardest thing was identifying my residents, made sure I asked if I didn't know someone. The biggest asset and the biggest problem for me was organization, if I took 20 minutes before I started, I would organize my day, deciding which residents needed treatments, which needed vitals, etc,. When I passed meds, I would also do my vitals or simple treatments on these people as well. The much harder treatment I would wait until I was finished with meds to do. I tried to do as much as I could with one stop, this prevented running back and forth a hundred times, even though it was a little more time consuming at the time, it saved me time and steps in the long run. Once the residents went to bed, it gave me a little time to finish up the things that I didn't get completed. I really loved this job, but because of insurance needs, I decided to stay at the hospital. At first you will wonder if you will make it, but, trust me, with time it will get easier with time, take full advantage of your orientation, don't just sit back and watch, jump in there and help, this will make it much easier on you when you are on your own.

mrstonyaLPN · Mar 15, 2009

Thanks for information. I really appreciate it:)