Nursing home nurse- Help!

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I am a newer nurse and am wanting suggestions on basically time management and organization! I work in long term care. I always end up staying over to finish up things. My med passes are usually fine, because I stop other tasks to get it done. I would like some advice. Cheat sheets anyone? :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Make a list/grid of all diabetics, blood sugars, and times. You may need to do this on your own time if it's a busy shift...whatever it takes to finally get organized.

Example:

John Doe: 0730____, 1130___, 1630_____

John Smith:0730___, 1630___

After that, list/grid your tube feeders and crushed meds residents.

Make copies and keep in a safe place. Update it with new admits or discharges as needed.

Placing that aside, my day was like this:

0645: shift report, narcotic count

0715: grab a copy of that list and keep it for the shift, completing it as indicated.

0800-1000: med pass

1000-1130: charting and incidentals (1130 blood sugars, skin assessments if not done during baths, incident reports, etc.

1130-1200: lunch

1200-1400: med pass

1400-1500: wrap up my shift (8hrs)

By this time, if on a 12-hour shift, you should be flowing quite well.

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Thank you! It is all very overwhelming when i start to try and figure it out and get to work! :nailbiting:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Thank you! It is all very overwhelming when i start to try and figure it out and get to work! :nailbiting:

I know. Been there, done that. This is why I say you might have to develop your plan on your own time instead of trying to devise one while having to actually be doing the work. Keep in mind, no plan allows for emergencies:falls, vomiting, etc. But the faster you handle those and snap back to your plan, the easier it is to stay the course.:up:

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