What more can I do?

[promote.health]

I am a new nurse in LTC/Rehab facility working NOC shift 10-6. I make sure the carts are stocked for next shift including medications. I make sure medications are ordered, clean and wipe everything down, make sure medical supplies are stocked. I feel useless sometimes ESP. On LTC side cause most pts. sleep through the night. What more can I do? I do rounds q 2 hours give medications answer lights when aide is busy

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Do you do chart checks? It is helpful when night shift checks the charts to ensure that all recent orders have been taken off and followed through.

Also, do you thoroughly clean the glucometer machines? This is another helpful task that you can complete.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Yeah, chart checks are HUGE and can save a lot of grief.

It sounds like you're doing a lot to be considerate of the next shift :) Mostly if you have the stuff dealt with that you can, the day shifts I worked with were appreciative.....also, being sure anybody on the "get up" list is ready for breakfast is a really big deal.

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

Second shift is really busy when there are admissions. It would be greatly appreciated and most helpful if you checked the charts of new admissions and make sure all the orders are written correctly and none were missed.

[GimiRN]

What about checking expiration dates? Maybe not every night, but a couple shifts a week you can check OTC meds, meds in the refrigerator, IV bags, cans of feedings, blood/lab collection tubes, etc. to make sure they aren't out of date.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I agree with everyone here...the expiration dates are huge!!! and a huge help when everyone pitches in. How wonderful and refreshing to be asking how to help you peers...Kudos for you!

[emmanewgrad]

You're a dedicated nurse, everyone can do all the above tasks. As someone mentioned, it would be great if everyone worked together as a team and not throw these tasks at you. Talk to your DON and have a list of things to do for each and everyone each week . I don't like people taking advantage. You can mantain your skills by assessing pts skin conditions throughout the night, respirations, viral signs, look at their lab results, look at their medical histories and study their cases...good luck and maintain ur nursing skills.

[prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP]

Reading patient history.. I would do this and people would be amazed that I actually knew all about the patient. most people think you sleep all night. I did chart checks, glucometer checks, refrig checks, crash cart checks, check in meds from pharmacy, lab order checks, insulin checks, writing up expired/discontinued meds, snacks passed to the sundowners that wanted to sit up with me :)

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Were you trained by a 10-6 nurse? They probably will be able to give you a list of what needs to be done/ should be done. If not, ask the DON..they will probably give you a list