Jvilleredhead22

I agree with what you're saying, but the manager for the unit approached me about the job, and she knows I'm in school, so there is no conflict there. I'm only going part time, but clinicals will have to be done during the week. I have been with same organization for a long time, and hope to stay with them in some capacity after graduation. I'm a little aprehensive about the change in settings

I have been a nurse for 14 years, primarily on med-surg and Neuro. I went to case management about a 1 1/2 years ago and recently started working on my Masters for FNP. Looking at moving back to bedside in a small ICU and would appreciate advice. I have always been quick study, worked as charge nurse on a difficult units and stayed current with ACLS until I went to care management. I'm excited/nervous/scared for opportunity and think it's important for my future career, skills, etc. The unit is not at major trauma type facility, but does occasionally have vents, drips and lots of recover cath lab patients. They have a great team who know me and have promised to help 'teach' me. I had quite a few code situations in Neuro, where patients tend to turn quickly when things go south. Thanks in advance!

Well, I can't really say things are great but I did talk to the girl or "oriented" me along with another RN who works at the LTC facility where I work, basically asking them to tell me why I should stay.... I explained some of the issues I was having and the RN volunteered to help me with some of the stuff that I didn't get in orientation. I am still finding out things every day that I didn't learn, but it is getting easier and I am starting to be able to really concentrate on what is going on with my residents instead of just barely keeping my head above water. Have also gotten to know the APN who works with our MD here, and she is very helpful and approachable. I guess I am saying I'm not giving up just yet.

When I changed jobs I actually got a pay raise, but it is getting easier. What I had always heard about LTC nursing was that the nurses didn't do anything...lol....well, there are some who don't do much but hand out pills, I've even heard of people who were fired that didn't give out the meds at all, just signed them out if you can believe it. And, as far as writing the phone orders goes, it's for things such as ordering a chest xray if you suspect a person it getting sick, labs like ua's things of that nature. Anything big or anything I am uncertain about, I always call first. And the doc has an APN who we can call almost any time. But thanks for the advice. I was told if I called the doc about everything that he would be calling the nursing home giving the administrator a call about it.

We are required to do assessment on day shift for all our MCR pts and vitals every shift. Night shift just does a few short notes. We also have regulations for charting on pts receiving abx, recent falls or injuries (even if they bump their arm and get small skin tear, which happens a lot), new admits, etc. I am still trying to get everything done, and though I learned how to assess in school, I always worked at a hospital where the RN's were required to do all assessments. Anybody with advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am also new to LTC and have a whole new respect for those in this field. I am depressed, feel like I am not doing all I can, got inadequate orientation, and am on a hall that has many total care pt who are extremely sick on full codes to boot. If anybody has any advice please share....I too have thought about leaving but I am going to give it a little more time to see if I can adjust without becoming one of those "don't give a crap" nurses. I would rather work at Burger King than not take good care of my patients.

I just starting working in LTC after spending all my career in a hospital, so I sure can feel for you. It is VERY depressing, feeling like you never are getting what you should done, that you are not doing all you can for your patients, and your situation is much worse than mine. The added responsibility is enormous....especially when the first thing they tell you is not to call MD unless is emergency or critical labs, you write the phone orders and MD signs them off. Everybody in the place is sick of me asking questions, and guess what... I got exactly THREE days of orientation. I didn't even find out where crash cart is until today and I've been there a month. Any advice from you guys in LTC would be appreciated. I stay up at night thinking about the things I needed to do today and making lists for tomorrow....i.e. why I'm still up now. And to think I took this job b/c the hours made it possible to be with my girls more as my youngest daughter was just diagnosed bi-polar and is having a lot of problems. Now I'm wondering just what I got myself into, but I do care for these patients (residents) and want them to have the care they deserve.