hcrabby

That's great! Congratulations. It is wonderful that you feel comfortable with the team. I'm a new grad myself, and I am now a full-time nurse in LTC. Just remember that every day will be different, and full of little interruptions. Evenings where I work consist of skin checks, changing duoderms, night meds, and following-up of day shift. Many times I have come home freaking out but I always go back. Be confident, and let the CNA's and others know how grateful you are. Always tell them Thank YOU! I fell that as a newbie, it is a journey of learning that is never over. There are so many things to learn, and develop. Develop good habits now. Close the mar when you walk away, make sure the cart is always locked, you keys are locked. Some residents will be sundowning in your shift, and so learn to focus on how you can get the job done while helping the many residents who all need help. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

You know, I get the same impression where I work. I'm a newbie, and the oldies don't like it. It's like a 'territorial' thing. Funny how human nature, isn't it? So, I try to tune out the negative politics at my new job, tune out the attitide, and remember all the time of WHO I am. Sasquatch RN, you are a blessing to where you work. All of us are blessings, and although we may see and hear otherwise, you KNOW the truth. I see so many nurses worn out with everything. But we must nurture ourselves, and 'flip' the switch between personal and professional. I keep my mouth shut, do my job, and listen to my intuition.

I agree! I'm a new grad RN and I'm just happy to have a full-time job. It's overwhelming, starting in LTC, but also a gift. We're in it, doing it!

Thank you so much ladies. Your advice will surely help me gain confidence and a system. I hope to be an asset to the place where I am working. I am working on a sheet to bring to work tomorrow to help me remember what I need to do. Thanks again!!!!!!

Thanks for all of your advice. I came home tonight after shadowing and learning meds along with a the charge nurse and I am FREAKING out. I have the highest intentions of doing the best job possible, but when you have 35 to take care of, It is a HUGE responsibility. I just wiah that there was another nurse on my unit so that we could divide the patients, and therefore, give them more time and attention. I LOVE and Care for people, and I don't want to lose that ever in my heart. I don't want or plan to take a bunch of shorcuts either because I am there for only 8 hours per shift, 5 days a week. I want to learn organization and a plan. I am so afraid, so unconfident right now, and I feel like a loser for not being able to do a better job. My gut feeling says to resign, and seek to work somewhere with better nurse to patient ratios. But, the ecomony, and I am a new grad seem to be a problem. Have you ever felt this way? I will not quit just yet. But my gut says to run. My goal is to continue to get better at passing meds, and organize according to locations and acuteness of patients. I have no system. FYI- I found out a couple of other nurses have quit because they can not take the pressure of all the responsibilities. Also, the whole MGT team is new, and filling in, because the organization has just let go of higher-ups. HELP.

Yes, I will be in charge of all medications. I am trying to get to know all the residents first, to remember who is diabetic and needs meds before meals, who is on coumadin, metroprolol, who needs wound care, who requires their medicine crushed, and things like that. They give us a roster of the clients, and from that I make notes of special treatments, and other things I must do such as assessments, calling docs, faxing orders, etc. I just hope that residents and staff are patient with me and that they understand that I will not be able to do it as fast as them. I want to get a good system going, so that I'm not feeling so overwhelmed that I can't breathe right. Breathe, right? I am just so grateful to be able to do the best I can with the residents. They deserve so much dignity and respect. I tell the CNA's that they are blessings to the residents, and please let me know about any changes in status.

Use your sliding scale with your fast asting insulin to lower your BG. Drink lots of non-sugar fluids to also help along with the insulin to flush out sugar and get you re-hydrated. Sugar take a lot of fluids out of your system. I'm a type 1 diabetic for 9 years now. Remember that the highs and lows make your body work extra hard, so make sure and rest and most of all be Good to yourself.

I am orienting to a facility where I will be in charge day shift, and am a little overwhelmed and haven't even been on the floor yet. I am currently figuring out how to strategize with time management.What is a good routine? I have a 6-3 shift, care of 35 residents. Luckily not a lot of treatments at this time. BG checks, doc orders, talking to families, med pass on 2 floors! However, the staff seems to be very helpful and although busy, they seem to really care for patients and they enjoy gettting the job done. I'm a new grad who wants to know good habits from bad ones. Any tips from seasoned LTC would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for this recent post. I am orienting to a facility where I will be in charge day shift, and am a little overwhelmed and haven't even been on the floor yet. I am currently figuring out how to strategize with time management. I have a 6-3 shift, care of 35 residents. BG checks, doc orders, talking to families, med pass on 2 floors! However, the staff seems to be very helpful and although busy, they seem to really care for patients and they enjoy gettting the job done. I'm a new grad who wants to know good habits from bad ones. Any tips from seasoned LTC would be greatly appreciated!