Typical day in LTC nursing?

chellelynn25 · Nov 22, 2009

I work 7-3 at a LTC facility. I get to work at 6:40 am to get report from the off going nurse, then we do a narcotics count. After that I look to see who I need vitals on, who my weekly assesments are and if I have anything else to keep up on like 72 hr charting or someone on a ATB or if a resident is on neuro checks, also if anyone has any MD appointments. I make way to our nutrition room and gather my supplements for the day 2CAL, Suplena etc and also my juice pitcher and cups of applesauce and pudding for my residents who like their meds in these. I usually start my med pass about 7:15 am, on a good day I'm done by 9:00am.

After my 8am med pass is complete I usually sit down to chart. I do my vitals has I do my med pass. I do my skilled notes and any q day charting.

At about 10:45 am I start to get my diabetics fingersticks, and after that I do the few 12 noon pills that I have.

After that is finished I usually finish any charting I might have and do my treatments if we don't have a treatment nurse that day.

I finish the day by documenting BMs and I and Os. At about 240 afternoon shift shows up and I give them report we also do a narc count again.

LovePurple · Nov 22, 2009

hey thanks! so how long does it take to get in the swing of things. is it running around like the hospital or is it pretty routine once you get the hang of things?

how does your facility do the assessment?! are they just every few days or weekly.. or just depending on the type of patients?!

chellelynn25 · Nov 22, 2009

Getting to know the residents and how they like things is probably the hardest part. But once you get everyones likes and dislikes down and learn who they are it gets alot easier. My facility has weekly assesments. Each residents gets a weekly assement done., we break it down by shift where I work.

LovePurple · Nov 22, 2009

so basically.. your job is assessments, meds, and treatments if needed... what about pt care and things like that?.. like baths.. changing beds.. things like that which take up half my day in the hospital?

chellelynn25 · Nov 22, 2009

The CNAs on staff where I work a mainly responsible for baths and bed making etc. But if your like me you will still find yourself taking ppl to the bathroom and helping a CNA give a boost to a res who has slid down in the bed. lol But alot iof my day is meds, charting treatments if need be

LovePurple · Nov 22, 2009

hey thanks! in theory that sounds good! have you worked in a hospital? is it comparable?! better or worse?! can you throw in some pros and cons of the comparison. =) Just want to be prepared for what I'm getting myself into

Katie5 · Nov 22, 2009

hey thanks! in theory that sounds good! have you worked in a hospital? is it comparable?! better or worse?! can you throw in some pros and cons of the comparison. =) Just want to be prepared for what I'm getting myself into

Nothing more to be said. :yeah:

What shift are you looking to work on?

LovePurple · Nov 22, 2009

Nothing more to be said.
What shift are you looking to work on?

hopefully just doing some day shifts. Not sure if they do 8s or 12s there.. would def prefer 8s but we'll see how that works out. Should be hearing more tomorrow

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 23, 2009

It's nothing like working in a hospital. You'll probably have at least 20 residents who all get way too many meds. You'll have more paper work than in the hospital and the biggest difference.....it's all on YOU. The docs aren't around, sometimes no supervisor in the building. You need stellar assessment skills and extraordinary time management skills. The way most places run...you'll have a post op hip in one room, a long term copder in the next....you have to be prepared for anything and everything. If you can work on a sub acute floor, the hospital will look easy by comparison. Good luck. You might just love it.

rapkeygurl · Nov 23, 2009

One of the things I did not see was rounds, before I take on an assignment as a charge nurse I go look at everyone, make sure they are all there. then get report then get typically if working 10-6am get all needed vitals and o2 sats, change any peg tube tubing out, and make assignments for the nurse aides they usually round 12-2-4-6 I am rounding 11-1-5 to check behind them if someone is wet etc.. or that they dont check on ( this is if your working agency and dont know your CNA's) we do get blood work at our facility around 5am then spin down the labs per policy. have them ready to pick up in am. We give morning 6am meds that can not be given with food like prilosec, thyroids, hhn tx if ordered. You might be responsible to fill out monthly summary forms, or weekly assessments but for the most part important thing to remember if something usual happens fill out incident report, call md and family. Remember CYA!!! Try it out, I was a hospital nurse for years and came over to LTC and I have loved it worked nights for a long time now doing MDS's -- brush up on your assessments skills if you are working nights because everything is on you.