Question for all NURSES, ever thought about...

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Can anyone tell me how their day typically goes in a LTC facility, from the start to finish. Do you find it overwhelming, is it something you plan on still doing 10 years from now, do you wish you were doing something else less stressful.The reason I'm asking is because although I'll be a LPN soon, I'm starting to rethink whether I want to further persue this nursing career and get my RN. Yes, its true as a child I've always wanted to be a nurse, but working in the field and seeing what nurses go through, I don't think I'll be able to handle the stress for long (like 10-20 years from now). I mean, I see these older nurses who are in their 50's and 60's and they are just burned out, I don't want that to be my situation at that age. So I'm thinking...should I go into another profession before its too late so that I can at least have a back up when I feel I can no longer do nursing anymore.:confused:

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Specializes in LTC.

Well, let's see...I work 0530-1800 so I start with the 0600 meds and that runs until 0700. We have med aides (usually) who come in and do meds the remainder of the day (thank God!), so before breakfast at 0800 I try to get my skin/tx books done, and get my list together of who needs skin assessments and tx's. By then, it's time for breakfast so off to the dining room I go. After breakfast, around 0900 I start tx's, skin assessments, and general assessments for those who need it. That takes me to my lunch time, which is 1030. When I get back at 1100, I finish up tx's if they're any left, and start calling Dr.s for new orders. (There is ALWAYS new orders needed). Dietary, PT/OT/ST likes to sneak in and write new orders, so I have to write those up as well. My higher-ups also like to leave post-its on charts suggesting med/tx changes for my people, so I call the MD and write those as well. I also have to cover BS's and do breathing tx's all day. I try to get pain scales done after charting. If all goes well, (it usually doesn't), I get all of that done plus my charting by 1500. I then start all over again when 2nds comes on with the tx/skin books, cover 1600 BS's, and whatever else I can get done and mercifully go home by 1800. (HA!). I work behaviors, so there is usually 1-2 behavior people following me around the whole time bugging the crap out of me. Don't get me wrong, I know they're old/sick/demented, but after 10 hrs of dealing with it I could SCREAM. I am always stressed. It is nearly always overwhelming. But I can only do what I can do, so I give myself a break. Will I be doing this in 10 years? Yes, I will. It's what I chose and I have a family to provide for. There are moments that make it all worthwhile, though. And hopefully, with time, I'll become more efficient. One can always hope.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

WOW, BLUEGEEGOO- that sounds like a whole mouth full,and I can only imagine how you feel by the end of the day. :zzzzz How old are you if you don't mind me asking,and you do feel you will still be doing this 10-15years down the line. yes I know you have a family to feed, but I can't imagine anyone doing this till they reach old age, its just too stressful. Now, yes, it's worth it SOMETIMES, but did you wish you were in a different profession.

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Specializes in LTC.

I am 36 and yes, every day, something comes up that makes me question why on earth I chose this for a living! Mostly because I had this "fairy-tale" idea of what nurses are/do, and because in school they couldn't really get the point across as to what we have really gotten ourselves into. Not for lack of effort, they did try. But, like trying to explain labor, one can't know what it's like until they've done it themselves. Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad. But, I'm on a behaviors/Alzheimer's unit, and they say it takes a special person to work on a unit like that. I'm not that person. Out of 60 pts I have 3 that DRIVE ME UP THE WALL. They sundown, so the last couple of hours of my shift are maddening! I know it's not their fault, but I really, REALLY don't have the patience for it. Next month I'm going back to skilled, so hopefully things will be better for me (and my pts) then.

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Specializes in LTC.

And yes, I'll still be a nurse in 10 years. I love being a nurse, but I just need to find my niche. I'll figure out what I need to be doing eventually.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Right now I'm only working weekends in a LTC as I'm in a transition program.

I work from 0700-1500

0645- get report, narc count

0700-,make CNA assignment sheet, stock cart, flip through the mar, walking rounds

0730-start med pass

1000-finish med pass and start charting

1100-feeding tube flushes and before lunch blood sugars

1130-give SSI as needed

1200-1230 lunch break

1230-1330afternoon med pass

1330-1430 treatments

1430-1500 finish charting

1500 report off to nurse and narc count

That's just a BASIC day with nothing going on. Usually there will be 3 or 4 calling for pain meds. A COPDer will be having SOB. 3 family members will complain to me about something. Occassionally someone will fall and get a skin tear.

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab,Med/Surg, OB/GYN, Ortho, Neuro.

On the opposite end of the spectrum....

I work 2245-0715

2245-get report, we do walking rounds, so this allows me to see everyone

2330-have a med, breathing tx, and accu check to do

0530- am med pass for 31 residents, have 7 accu checks, 2 pegs, and not everyone gets meds, but this allows for me to do a final check on everyone.

In between those times, I'm checking charts for new orders that day and making sure they were transcribed, ordered, etc. I go over the labs, file away ones that were seen by doc, flag ones that are out of norm for day shift to follow up on, and rarely call about the critical that got missed. Chart on ppl that need to be charted on (medicare, antibiotics, falls, skin tears, new admits). Stock supplies in med room, on carts, and when I'm feeling generous, order meds (med aids are supposed to do it, but I try and help out when I can). Give prn pain meds or sleepers when called for. And tend to the people that don't want to sleep and stay in bed. Just last night had my little wiggle worm who was bound and determined to fall out of her bed (not on my watch) in her geri-chair at the nurses station, listening to the radio while I was doing paperwork. Then this morning I had one resident's blood sugar at 39 (completely asymptomatic) and another one complaining of RLQ pain w/ tenderness and guarding (these both happened at 0635 and 0650).

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

WOW, sounds pretty stressful guys. but like the other lady says, your doing it to make a LIVING. Well, I don't want it to be JUSTmaking a LIVING for myself b/c right now I know I would definitly be miserable if I have to do this for long. so I've decided, as soon as I gain some experience, I'm going into something else. Not sure if it's going to be as a RN, but definitly SOMETHING ELSE.THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR REPLY ;)`

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I'm doing it because I enjoy it not just to make a living. I don't intend on being in LTC for my entire nursing career but it's not that bad. I enjoy going to work and the shift usually flies by. I enjoy my residents alot even the "difficult" ones.

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