seachel02

I've worked for the same facility for almost 8 years now and we have gone through what my coworker and I like to call "The Purge" at least 3 times, each time an administrator changed which typically means a new DON, ADON, Staff Developer, and at least one UM. It never gets easier, we just grit our teeth, smile and nod our heads. DON'T get caught up in gossip, drama, or the discussions with other coworkers about the new conditions and such. It gets worse before it gets better. But if you keep your nose clean and follow your job description, you're golden!

I am a recent graduate as well and I have been working on a med cart with 15 sub acute patients in a SNF/LTC facility. It sounds like you are days shift, the best way I was able to organize my day was first coming in and checking the therapy schedule so I knew which pts I had to catch before therapy stole them for the next hour or so :) The 11-7 was usually busiest at this time and never ready for report so it worked perfectly, by the time I had an idea of who i needed to catch first, she was ready to give me report. Afterwards I immediately rounded to do accuchecks and vitals, prepare any IVs and then preceded with my medpass in order of peoples therapy times, plus the random pt here and there that was practically independent and ready for d/c that walked up to my cart. Taking me to about 1000, next I typically do my physical assessments and treatments up until 1130. Accucheck time again, granted this changes a lot and sometimes I have none, sometimes I have 10 and they are all sliding scales! 1200 - Lunch trays are on the floor and insulin is administered, so between I and the other nurse on the unit one takes lunch and the other takes that time to do Med A Charting and progress notes, then we switch. 1300 - Next round of medications, which is typically much lighter, finish any charting I have left. Note: *Making time for the occasional admission comes with experience, the more you do, the better you get* Also, a lot of nurses don't utilize the CNA's to their full potential, our full skin checks & braden assessments are scheduled the same day as shower days, I have a good relationship with "my" CNA's and they know to call me in to check the skin or if it would be more convenient to do a sacral dressing for the person that is a hoyer lift now, during AM care, rather than later. You sound just like me the first time they put me on a cart, a nurse had to leave because of an emergency and they asked me if i was comfortable enough to run the cart alone, I also happen to work with very supportive people, but everything went fine! You're first few days alone are going to feel crazy, you're going to think you forgot something, or did something wrong. Just take a second and breathe and remember you got it! Generally employers know you need some time to get into your routine. You'll get there! Hope this helps!