nursing home- nights 7p-7a. What to expect?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2014

30 is waaay to many. 15 max. I don't want to scare you ,but I have a boatload of experience and could not handle 30 residents.

Review your job description . Most likely you will be responsible for the med passes. Maybe dressing changes.

Of course you will be assessing for any changes in the residents condition. That requires knowing the code status, how to obtain doctors orders STAT, and if you have any standing orders to implement.

Then you will have the CNA's to handle. They will test a newbie to the max.

Good luck, I couldn't do it.

aviaa · Mar 7, 2014

I guess there also might be an LPN on staff as well as 2 STNAs...but they did say that it was rare to only have one RN in the whole facility. So I wouldn't be entirely on my own...

k_eighteen · Mar 7, 2014

I am an LPN doing NOC shift with 47 residents and 2 CNA's. I am the only charge nurse, it's hard and scary but you can do it. Good luck and try to sleep all day. :)

maryen · Mar 7, 2014

Wow- hats off to you. I cannot do night shift. Please take care of yourself and get your much needed sleep.

kckris · Mar 7, 2014

I'm an LPN on night shift and I always have 47-50 residents. I am also the charge nurse for the entire building (198 residents). I have 2-3 aides depending on scheduling. I do a morning med pass, change out all GT supplies. Treatments. Charting. And get paperwork ready for doctor appointments, as well as manage the problems on the other floors. I also handle all scheduling conflicts such as call offs, no shows, etc. It makes for one busy night!

Marsha238612 · Mar 7, 2014

I'm an LPN on night shift and I always have 47-50 residents. I am also the charge nurse for the entire building (198 residents). I have 2-3 aides depending on scheduling. I do a morning med pass change out all GT supplies. Treatments. Charting. And get paperwork ready for doctor appointments, as well as manage the problems on the other floors. I also handle all scheduling conflicts such as call offs, no shows, etc. It makes for one busy night![/quote']
47-50 patients! Wow. That's an astronomical amount of responsibilities. I've done clinicals at a nursing home and I see the nurses with their hands full with 15 patients.
You must be super woman :)

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Mar 7, 2014

Are they long term residents or short term patients? My long term floors have one nurse overnight...we try really hard not to give out any meds at night since people need to sleep. My short term unit which is currently half long term, has 46 beds with 2 nurses on 11-7. It's mostly PRN pain meds, blood glucose checks at 6am and dealing with any emergencies.

CrazyGoonRN · Mar 7, 2014

Yes 1:30 is very normal in LTC/SNF. It's going to be tough. Hopefully you have a good orientation.

CrazyGoonRN · Mar 7, 2014

Oh and remember if they are LTC they are not acute like in a hospital. That is where they live, their home. If it's SNF patients are not as stable as LTC but are stable enough to be out if the hospital.

aviaa · Mar 8, 2014

It does have skilled nursing, but it also for long term care patients. I guess what I am most worried about is night shift...I almost feel like I only took this job because it was the only place that offered me one. Do a lot of new grads start out on night shift at LTC facilities? I I just hope that I made the right choice!

CrazyGoonRN · Mar 8, 2014

Not sure if you are an LPN or RN, but yes a lot of new grads start out in LTC on night shift. I would say more LPN's than RN's for sure start out in LTC. LTC is not for everyone and not everyone can do it. I have worked with more than 1 new grad RN who didn't come back after a few days. I havn't experienced this with LPN's yet but I'm sure it happens too. I started out in LTC as a new grad LPN 3 years ago and it was not easy. I struggled but didn't give up and I have survived for 3 years. Now that I'm an RN I will start my new med/surg postion next week. I am so excited to leave LTC, but I really have learned a lot there.