New LTC nurse

Published

Hi, everyone. I wanted to give a quick intro since I plan to participate here and there. I live in the midwest, I graduated in May with my associates. I'm thrilled to have OFFICIALLY earned my RN. I'm starting next week at a sister property to the LTC facility that I've worked in as an aide on a part time basis (very part time) since the winter. In talking with my new DON, I'm excited to start at her facility. I can already see where there are some differences (the corp I work for just bought the facility in January....it still has some of the homey feel to it) from my old facility.

I have read Allnurses since before I actually started the nursing program and have honed in on this forum since I've been in LTC. I STILL decided to take the position. lol In fact, this forum gave me some GREAT questions to ask the DON and ADON during my interview.

I start next week. For those of you that love and like LTC (and SNF...my facility is trying to recruit more RNs to move that way) what are your words of wisdom for a newbie?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Don't let anybody( CNA, another nurse, MD, administrators..) make you feel inferior. You are there for one reason.. to provide the resident with the best care you can.

Get good shoes.

Bring snacks(for yourself)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

:yeah: get good shoes! Great advice. Ask lots of questions from people who know more than you. Get to know the doctors...they love it when they are asked to do some off the cuff teaching (at least the ones in my facility do), realize the importance of your CNAs.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

thanks the aides every day.

concentrate on the med pass

be very careful with narcs/sign out immediately!

ask questions

keep extra gloves and pens in your pocket

bring healthy snacks

wear comfortable shoes

don't gossip!!

don't believe everything you hear/make your own judgements

treat everyone kindly

say hello to everyone from the housekeeper to the admin.

pay close attention to the med pass, document everything

ask about policies when taking phone orders, ordering meds, calling the pharmacy, every facility is a little bit different

some nurses are gruff, just take it with a grain of salt, it's not you, it's them

get into the charts asap and learn the meds and why residents are on them

help the aides when you can, serve meal trays or jump in here and there.

listen carefully the first few weeks to learn the culture of the place.

enjoy. it can be rewarding

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

be very careful with narcs/sign out immediately!

:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't get sucked into negativity, listen to what everyone has to say and form your own opinion. Try to respond from a place of calm, rational, wise? place to unfair or angry comments tossed at you by family members, peers, co-workers.

Try not to be hurt when former friendly CNA's see you as "not one of them, a betrayer or try to work the guilt trip....you used to be so nice."

Work is work and if someone is not doing theirs, it's up to the nurse to follow up and make sure our patient's or clients or whatever you call them are taken care of. Bring something special for the staff once in a while, do-nuts, lunch...whatever. Congrat's on all your hard work, you are so needed!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion