New Nurse: Agency LTC

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I've been a home health registered nurse for six months. Recently I've been hired by an agency to work at an LTC facility (temporary). Although it isn't where I want to be, I truly need some form of experience than what I am currently getting at my workplace.

My question is, what is the role of a new RN in LTC? What should I brush up on prior to orientation (common geriatric meds, time management tips..etc)? I get about 10 days of orientation, more if need be. I'm actually excited to start orientation despite all the horror stories..go figure.

*BTW, I graduated Nursing school in December 2004, never practiced nursing 'til 6 months ago (home health and flu shots only) and has yet to take a refresher course*:uhoh3:

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Specializes in critical care, med/surg.

Get ready to work your ass off! Make sure your technique is good for iv's, ngt's, f/c's, etc. Find a mentor there who is honest with you and ask all the right questions! Learn to delegate you shouldn't have to do everything. And I don't know your situation there but in Ky the LPN's do most of the grunt work and the RN is there as a supervisor so make sure that you understand your role there specifically. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

Brush up on BP, diuretics, Insulin, coumadin, and antibiotics as far as meds.

Bowel & bladder habits: incontinence and constipation. Every LTC facility has a bowel/constipation policy.

Falls, know the facility policy inside and out, get very orientated on the policy & procedure the facility follows. And get it from the DON, ADON or person responsible for staff education. It is huge in LTC and to be unprepared will be so stressful for you.

Assessments, as a RN you will probably be responsible for the shift's Medicare charting. It is usually medical diagnose specific and includes therapy and response to therapies.

The horror stories you hear aren't what always happens in LTC, I have worked at the good, the bad and the ugly. For the most part the good.

Listen to your gut, if it seems to be a bad situation: leave.

Good Luck!! :)

LTC is a rewarding aspect of nursing.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Any licensed nurse can write a medicare note. You don't have to be an RN. LPNs write notes all the time.

Honestly, I'm surprised at 2 things...one that an agency would hire you without at least a year of medsurg experience and 2 that you get 10 days of orientation.

In many facilities the RNs and LPNs do mainly the same things....meds, treatments, charting. In Massachusetts the only thing LPNs can't do in a facility is a nurse pronouncement.

Don't let them dump on you just because you're new.

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Any licensed nurse can write a medicare note. You don't have to be an RN. LPNs write notes all the time.

Honestly, I'm surprised at 2 things...one that an agency would hire you without at least a year of medsurg experience and 2 that you get 10 days of orientation.

In many facilities the RNs and LPNs do mainly the same things....meds, treatments, charting. In Massachusetts the only thing LPNs can't do in a facility is a nurse pronouncement.

Don't let them dump on you just because you're new.

Orientation may be longer (if requested), which I'm definately opting for!

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