New LTC/Overnight Nurse

[Lynker, LPN]

Hi everyone! I'm new here, my name is Jared. I'm a new nurse, still waiting for my LPN license to come in. Hopefully it'll be in by Friday! I got my "unofficial" pass results though!

I start my first job orientation October 8th. It will be in LTC overnights. Do you guys have any tips for a brand new nurse straight of out nursing school, specifically including LTC and overnight tips? I'm so excited! Thanks in advance. ?

Edit- I also have a general question. (When I pick up 7-3 or 3-11) How am I expected to do meds for about 20 patients? Like, within the legal timeframe? What do I do then?

Edit- Forgot to mention I was a CNA in the second semester of nursing school, as it allowed me to skip the training. So I got a good 7 months of CNA work under my belt. I will cherish my CNAs and let them know they're well appreciated. I remember I had a nurse at my CNA job who always told us morning report, asked if we needed anything, told us to have a great day, and even brought in cakes for us every weekend. She was such a great nurse...I want to be just like her. ?

[amoLucia]

"When in doubt always err on the safe side".

Don't be afraid to ask questions of another nurse/supervisor.

"Compliment in public, critique in private".

And if you really think something is a SUPER real change in status, check it out with someone. If it's a SUPER SUPER DUPER change, act fast and let your aides know.

Remember the nursing chain of command - another experienced nurse/supervisor then the Nursing On-Call person. They can help you for things to try/do, and also about the appropriateness of making more phone calls at odd hours. Never take that burden of a bad decision (NOT calling MD for significant issues) on to yourself.

Make sure you have malpractice insurance as you start.

NEVER EVER take a shortcut with your narcotics/count. It doesn't matter if the 3-11 nurse wants to go home fast. Make sure your count is correct!!!

[LPN Retired, LPN]

Ditto on what amolucia said, never take shortcut on your narcotic count. Never. Don't trust anybody, even your moma where those narcs are concerned. I came in one night, counted with off going nurse and short on some narcotic. (Dont Dont rememberr

now what it was) I called the RN ON call. She had to,come out. And off going nurse was suspended immediately, but the investigation turned up the narcs had not actually,been counted for several,shifts. They were just taking each other's word it was correct. So it finally came to one nurse, she was fired, and the nurse I was relieving actually had nothing to,do with it, so she kept her job. But that's excellent advice...never ever take anybodys word. Count it. Look at the med and the book too, if you have any doubt. You can lose your job, and your license for being lazy on that.