krislee

I'm a new nurse (LPN). Can anyone who has experience in LTC and the hospital setting, tell me which is more difficult. I have worked in LTC as an aid for about 4 years, and now as an LPN for about 2 months. I am considering applying at some different hospitals. What are the pros and cons. Which is more stressful and busy. What is a good nurse to patient ratio in med-surg. Any info would be great.

I'm a new nurse working in LTC and I am pretty busy all night. I get report, do census, get paperwork ready for lab draws in am, residents going out in am, anyone being discharged. I have 5 G-tubes which require either bolus feedings, or cont feedings. I have a resident with a trach, which requires trach care and suctioning. I sometimes have treatments. between 5-15 people on the 24hr board that I have to get vitals, do focus assessment and chart on. Blood draws in am, med pass around 5am. PRN meds. Any falls require about an extra 45 min worth of work. I have to check all new orders for the day and make sure they are all followed up on and in books. pharmacy delivers at night. I have to put all away and do reorders. clean carts, empty garbage, stock treatment cart, monthly summaries, between 2-5 skin assessments. If there were any new admits, I am responsible for checking the new chart and all meds. Rewrite all boards with any new orders included. I'm sure theres more but let me tell you, sometimes I feel like I can't possibly get it all done. It's crazy. Forgot to mention IV's, sometimes we have to hang them at night. also there are usually flushes to do. I can't imagine it being any more stressful. but there are good nights and bad. I think the facility I'm at has a lot of high acuity residents. I actually think working at a hospital might be easier. who knows good luck