MomjessB

We do neurochecks immediately after unwitnessed fall, then every hour for eight hours and qshift for 72 hours.

She is a new grad, with excellent grades. She didn't even stick it out a month. It took me six months when I graduated to feel like a "real" nurse. I encouraged her to stick it out, it would get easier when she got to know people and the routine. My supervisor is not upset with me at all. She said that it doesn't matter how smart you are, you need to have a special personality to stick it out in LTC. The last person I recommended has been there over a year now and it working out great. This is why I don't recommend very often.

I believe that the nurses and activities needs to work together to help the residents quality of life. It's little things like changing g- tube feeding times so the resident can go to activities to see other people even if they don't participate. Having a sensory group for lower functioning residents. We have a game room that our high functioning residents like to hang out in and play chess and Trivial Pursuit. Also, working with local churches to get regular visitors in, especially for residents with no family around. I give my residents hugs and kisses and try to take the time to listen to them when they are feeling down. All of these things are at least as important as medications.

I have worked in a Rehab hospital. The patients have to be stable enough not to need IVs, or a lot of treatments in order to do PT/OT. I work in a NH full time and I feel that my skills are being utilized. Those skills being communication, assessment, and time management. You can always relearn how to insert a catheter or start an IV. The other skills are what is important no matter where you work.

In LTC dignity is very important. The CNAs know the residents better than anyone. They are your eyes and ears in LTC because they do all the bathing, changing, and feeding for the most part. Nurses help, but mostly it is the CNAs.

I am frustrated because I recommended a friend who just finished nursing school for a job where I work. She says that it is too hard and she is quitting. I really don't know where a nurse can work that it won't be hard. It makes me even wonder why people go into nursing. I love LTC. I love getting to know my residents and their families. It is a lot of work, and there are bad days, but overall I look forward to going to work every day, and even will go visit on my days off sometimes with my therapy dog. If you don't like hard work, don't go into nursing.