Newly NCLEX-RN passer working on an LTC

Jasel, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2013

Hmm. I'll just throw out a list.

1. You won't learn everything at once and you will make mistakes.

2. Try not to burn any bridges, nursing is a small community and you'll be meeting nurses, old co-workers, random nurses who worked with your co-workers once, etc. That nurse manager at the job you're applying for could be your former co-worker who knows you badmouthed her at her previous job.

3. Start getting into a routines.

4. When you have some downtime bust out a med book and read up on any meds you've seen that you're unfamiliar with. Or write them down to look them up later.

5. Try to make sure you know procedures for things like fire alarms, weather

warnings, etc they happen when you least expect them.

6. When you have to call the doctors for something or are expecting a call back regarding a patient have their chart ready and have any relevant information you think the doctor needs to know or will ask about.

7. Do not get in the habit of skimping on documentation, which is very easy to do in LTC. If they have any type of charting system learn it and follow it even if it seems no one else is.

8. Your CNAs/LPNs work under your direction/supervision/and with you. They don't work FOR you. The same goes for doctors and how they should treat us.

9. BE ORGANIZED

bjsmomRN · Oct 7, 2013

Nice list :up:

Jasel, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2013

Thanks. Was about to give some advice and then saw I already had several months ago lol.