Organizational Advice PLEASE!

[smokeyoaks82358]

I am in need of some organizational advice. I graduated in Dec. '05 as an LPN and have been at my current job in LTC for 3 weeks. Just finished orientation Tuesday and went solo Wed. (3-11). My first med pass took me 3 1/2 hours to complete, got to have a quick bite to eat and then went on to the 8 pm pass, which took 2 1/2 hours. After that were treatments, then charting, checking that the aides did their work and then gave report. I have 20 patients with a multitude of problems. What's the best way to organize my shift? I have fingersticks to do also plus I feel that while I'm assessing it's nice to spend some time talking with the patients! I'm a real visual person so I'm wondering if I need to put together some type of sheet that will give me a clear cut way to go about my shift. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! :)

[SkateBetty]

Holy cow, I can't imagine trying to manage that patient load. I feel for you LTC nurses, b/c I know the clinical situations can be just as demanding as in the hospital, and with a much larger patient load. Dressing changes alone could keep you guys busy throughout the shift. I don't know what to say about organizing, in your case, but I hope some of the other LTC nurses will pitch in some advice. Maybe you should post your question where more experienced nurses, esp in LTC, hang out? Good luck.