New to LTC and to Nursing!

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I finally got a job! Its been 3 months of filling out many applications a day. I was hired at a small Nun run LTC facility about 30 minutes from my house. It is 26 skilled nursing beds, I will be working nights. They staff it with one RN, and 2 CNAs on overnights. Does this sound ok for a new grad?

A watch with a sweeping second hand. Clamps in case you have a foley. Your decent steth and don't let it walk off. Pens.

Words to live by. Love you Suesquatch!

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Specializes in LTC.

So last evening was my first shift on the floor and it was awesome. It turns out that we cover the 2 assisted living type floors so about 60 residents for meds. The DON is one of the nuns and she makes rounds at 10pm. Any issues with the residents she wants to be notified so I don't have to worry about being alone. I hope I get to know the residents soon because that seems to be the hardest part so far.

My nursing school definitely prepared us well for the real world. I was so surprised at how easy it seemed.

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:up:

Good to hear.

:)

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Specializes in LTC.

Sue- do you think it is reasonable for me to ask for time on my next shift (still on orientation) to read through the charts?

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Sue- do you think it is reasonable for me to ask for time on my next shift (still on orientation) to read through the charts?

I would wait until orientation is over. You will have plenty of down-time to do that. It's certainly reasonable, but a waste of the trainer's time. I WOULD ask if there are any residents with potentially unstable conditions, but you should have some idea of that from their medications.

:)

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Specializes in LTC.

So I worked my first 2 shifts alone this week. It went well, Monday was a holiday here and 30 out of my 56 went out to a parade and didn't get back until 6pm. Needless to say that med pass was a disaster. Last night I finally got a chance to start reading the policy and procedure manual, and was a little shocked that I was taught the wrong way to do a narc count.

I just wish that I was using more brains, there seems to be much hand holding (probably because of the ratios) by the DON. I am still looking for something a bit closer to home, this winter killed the roads that I have to travel and my poor car that is 21 years old is not handling it very well.

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Hang in. A little experience will take you forever.

And you ARE allowed to mark meds as not given because someone if OOF - out of facility.

:)

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