StaceFace1122

At full capacity I have 32 on third shift while the other shifts have 16. Patients are constantly coming and going so at time it's a little hectic depending on the acuity or if census is high, but sometimes its not too bad.

I have worked in the short-term unit of a nursing home from 11p-7a and have roughly 30 patients. One of my halls is always heavier, and I've found that doing those patients first works better, and then I can breeze through the other hall. I also flag my 6 am meds in the MAR so I'm not flipping through the entire book in the morning, and then I'll double-check I got everything later. I don't give meds from memory, but I will remember that a certain pt is on Vanco, so I get that out of the refrigerator before starting the med pass; one pt will only take meds with applesauce and another with pudding, so I make sure they're on my cart, and that everything is stocked. I've been there for about three months and am just starting to feel like my med pass isn't completely stressful, and I've been able to leave on time, mostly every day. A lot of it depends on the patients (I used to have two IVs to hang at 6 am and a bolus PEG tube feeding to give), but I try to just be really organized and stay focused. I start at one end of the hall and just work my way down, moving the med cart as I go. I see some nurses move the cart from room to room, but that doesn't really work for me. Practice will make perfect, and you just have to find the routine that works best for you. I constantly watch the clock and am still trying to figure out the best way to do everything. Good luck!

I'm in the same position as many of you. I currently work on a short-stay/rehab unit on the 11p-7a shift. Being a new grad and fresh off orientation I'm still getting up to speed, but finding it difficult with 32 patients. There are so many tasks throughout the night and it seems like there's always several things happening at once that get me behind. I feel like I can barely spend any time with my patients, except for giving meds and that's not why I became a nurse. I really want to be able to spend time with my patients and their families, so I've been considering hospice as a way to really make an impact in someone's life and feel like I'm doing something good for my patients. Can anyone give me info on what your day is typically like? How many patients do you have, what you do, how much time you spend with them, etc.?

I wanted to list it as soon as I started so it would look better that I have experience, but I was afraid of a potential job calling them for a reference and them saying something along the lines of "oh, she's only been here for a week so we really can't tell you anything." But I might as well give it a shot!

Hi everyone! I'm starting my first nursing job tomorrow, which is only PRN right now. I took the job to gain some experience since I couldn't find anything else, in hopes it'd help me land a full-time job. In your opinion, how long should I work there before I put it on my resume and apply for full-time jobs? I'd still like to keep the PRN job, I'm just really anxious to get something more permanent and that offers benefits. Thanks for your opinions!:)

Thank you all so much for the advice! My first day is next Monday and I'm starting to feel a little nervous

Thank you so much SarahLeeRN! I will definitely explore all of your suggestions, I'm trying to be as well-prepared as possible! I think my orientation is only a few weeks long, which is kind of intimidating, but the DON said that I have the option of staying on a little longer if I feel like I'm not ready. I wish I could work more regularly, but PRN was all that was available and I have to work another full-time, non-nursing job to pay bills I think I will be reducing my full-time job to 30 hours each week so I can pick up more nursing shifts. I'm hoping to learn as much as possible! Thank you again so much for your response

Hi everyone! I graduated with my ADN in May and finally landed my first job :) It's a PRN job in a SNF and I'm also waiting to hear about another PRN job in a LTC facility. I originally got into nursing because my grandmother developed Alzheimer's so these are the types of places I rreeaallyy want to work in. I've been reading a lot of forums on here to get advice and wanted to see if anyone in these types of facilities could offer me some tips for preparing myself/what to expect/how to handle everything. I'm absolutely aware that I do not know nearly everything that I need to, so I'm really trying to absorb as much as I can to prepare myself. I'm really hoping that these jobs work out, so thank you for any help you can give me!

As people have mentioned, apply for anything and everything! I pass the NCLEX in July and felt like I had applied to every single nursing job in a 50-mile radius at least twice. I took a coordinator position at my current job in the meantime and that, along with applying for jobs that weren't just full-time or part-time, allowed me to finally get callbacks. I think having the supervisor experience helped, and also being willing to take a PRN position in a SNF. I'm doing pre-employment screening for one job and will get a decision on another job in December. I'm not thrilled to be doing PRN work, but a classmate of mine did it for roughly 3 months and was able to land a full-time job with the experience so it might be something to consider if you haven't already? Someone pointed out that in an LTC or SNF facility, you don't have doctors, pharmacy, IV teams, etc. as readily available as in a hospital so you learn to function a lot on your own. That really appealed to me, and even though you have more patients, it seems like you can really learn a lot... at least I'm hoping I will!

I got my Bachelor's degree in Forensic Science and was completely set on this being my career. Unfortunately, there weren't many jobs available for new graduates and I spent two years looking to break into the field with no success. Around the time I was thinking of giving up the search, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Seeing how incredible some of the nurses were who cared for her really inspired me, but some of the not-so-good ones also made me want to ensure that nobody else in my grandmother's position would be treated the way she was at times. I decided to go for my nursing degree and haven't looked back. Being a new graduate with no experience, it is hard to find jobs in my area (Philadelphia) but I know I made the right decision. I'm hoping to eventually get my SANE certification so that my first degree wasn't a complete waste, and I'm sure you could find a way to work are into your nursing career (i.e. art therapy). My best advice would be to follow your instincts, and not be afraid to take a chance on something different.

Got my quick results and I passed!!!

Have you tried the actual Pearson Vue trick? I've heard of it sometimes saying results are on hold (apparently because of some random reviews?), so maybe that's why?

Ugh, I still need to wait a few more hours. I think I might go crazy! I keep trying to tell myself that the state's board might be backed up with people who tested Friday and Saturday, so fingers crossed that this PVT is never wrong!

Hi everyone! This is my first on here, and I feel like I need to post just to keep my sanity. I took the NCLEX on July 2nd and have been getting the good popup ever since then. People that I know have had their license posted on the PA board's website the next day but mine still isn't up so I'm freaked out! I felt crappy when I left, and now I'm replaying the whole experience because I'm terrified I did something wrong, ugh! Does anyone know if quick results will get posted on a holiday?