Tidbits, facts, save-your-butts...for new nurses in LTC

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Specializes in ASC, Infection Control.

To all you seasoned LTC nurses: can you share with us new nurses to this specialty, little facts, tidbits, and helpful info to make our transition safer and better? Anything, even if you think it's "common nursing sense", please share it!!! Regarding meds, labs, treatments, routines, dealing with doctors or family, literally anything. This could be an amazing guide for us :)

:nurse: "What every nurse in LTC should know..." :nurse:

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Never take shortcuts, you will get burned everytime!

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

Read your policy books & try to always be doing things the way state regulations would have you. Fun advice huh? Don't forget to document when you've updated the MD or family on anything.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Thorough skin checks at least once a shift.

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

Don't ever leave meds @ the bedside of an alert and oriented resident!

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Always be willing to help out with toileting and basic care. Never think "that's not my job." If you respect your aides, they will respect you. If you help them out, they will help you.

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I am only an aide but I thought I would chip in lol. Please make sure that the resident swallows their pills before leaving them. I have come into some of my resident rooms to find that they had their pills in their mouth still.

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

All good advice above...here's some more....

When in doubt, fill out an incident report. An incident report is an internal tracking device, so if your DON feels it's not needed, it won't be a big deal. However, if a resident that was lowered to the floor winds up with a fracture, you'll be glad you did it.

Document, in detail, every discussion you have with a family member. This has saved my rear (and my facility's) from bogus family complaints to the DOH.

Remember that you are a leader during your shift, and it's ultimately your responsibility to make sure everything is done correctly. Make the time to make rounds on your unit.

Help the CNA's, even if you're busy. It only takes a minute to help transfer or turn someone, and it goes a long way when it comes to how you'll be respected as a nurse.

Attend inservices!!

Be very, very careful not to fall into the common LTC trap...."I'm just here to do meds, some treatments and some charting." Keep your assessment and documentation skill sharp, be an active leader and never stop learning about the older adult population. Despite what some may think, gerontological nursing IS a specialty! You don't have to work in a hospital to use your skills. Look into getting board certified.

Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe will provide better care for the residents, even if it means ruffling some feathers.

Good luck in your career in gerontological nursing! Feel free to PM me with any questions....I've been doing this a long time!

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Thorough skin checks at least once a shift.

20- 60 patients....just can't be done in a LTC place.

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I am only an aide but I thought I would chip in lol. Please make sure that the resident swallows their pills before leaving them. I have come into some of my resident rooms to find that they had their pills in their mouth still.

Never "just an aid"! Great advice!

If more nurses would listen to what the CNAs have to say and follow up on things........

I'm not at my job to make friends, but working together as a team and realizing that everyone is part of it is the key.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, GP Office.

Listen to and follow up with your CNA's when they report a problem. A few weeks ago, as I was transferring a resident to the hosp. with severe abd. pain, one of our CNA's was getting the resident ready for transport, reported a mass on the residents abdomen that was not there before. I reported this to the ER nurse & noted it on the transfer form. The mass ended up being an incarcerated hernia, a medical emergency, and immediate surgery saved the residents life. I was so proud of my CNA and told her so.

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Specializes in LTC.

If your gut tells you to document something...document it. Document everything you can...especially resident behaviours and what they say and do and what you did. If you think it'll CYA...do it.

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