Starting back into LTC-need help finding a good nursing assignment sheet

I don't really have one, but I would include on my sheet

res name and room #

code status

Dr name

primary dx

crush or whole, thick liquids, NPO

if they are on VS/ I&O, IVs

then maybe any alarms or safety devices

any special treatments

After you have been taking care of the same residents for a while this could be paired down.

I have always created a report sheet of my own, so I understand where you are coming from. I also don't like to use more than one sheet. It was when the sheet were copied with the back side upside down that I finally gave up on the official one.

And not to dampen your zeal but what info do you need to have in the report, I don't write anything down that can be found elsewhere - so code status, doc, diagnoses, med stuff, VS, I don't need. I can look at the chart, the MAR, the VS board for all that. What I need is the current issues and concerns and things I need to take care of on my shift. With such a large number of residents I need to be able to easily pick out the important things like urine dips, family worries, labs etc. I came from intensive care to long term care and I had a real culture shock learning that it is OK not to know everything and be tracking everything.

So for me, I take a doctor's order sheet and write in the names as I get report and make three rough columns. What I am told in report, what happens on my shift, and the to do column. Then I use the back to make a running list of routine things to do which I just cross off as I go. Generally most of the day's events get on this list so when I get through report I just go over it to make sure I told everything.

Good luck!

Grab a CNA assignment sheet and highlight your residents. It will tell you what their bath days are, how many to transfer, are they toileted, hoyered, what their splints and devices are, if they use special soap or shampoo, if they wear glasses, hearing aid, dentures, if they're on nourishments, thickened liquids fluid restriction or NPO, are they an elopement risk, have siderails, alarms, mats at bedside, bed against wall, etc. Then add your own stuff, should be a comments column on there somewhere--treatments, prns, follow-ups needed, allergies, DNR, whatever you need to get you through your shift.