What is a typical day in an LTC like?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hello guys. I will soon start orientating at a nursing home for the 3-11 shift. I'm getting really anxious about not doing things on time. I was just wondering what everyone's typical day/routine is that I can model myself to. For example, what goes on from the beginning of the shift to the end? I know that I can start med pass an hour before what's written in the MAR. What goes on in between med passes though and when is the best time to do things like charting, nurse's notes etc? Thank you

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

I posted a general step by step of my day during 3-11 shift on this old thread: https://allnurses.com/lpn-lvn-corner/new-grad-first-810713.html#post7140121

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Sorry guys, I don't know how to start a thread. I am very new to LTC as a LPN. Can anyone answer me, do I need an actual order to take out a saline lock left in by an out of home service company? The actual order for IV medication was completed a couple days prior?

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Thank you very much!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I started out as brand new grad LPN a few years ago on the 3-11 shift in LTC.

245pm arrived and got assignment- usually I had the same hall every time but it was possible to float. grabbed my census and did a quick walk-through of my rooms for safety. checked O2 tanks.

3pm got shift report

330-5 Passed meds, did skin assessments, hung feeds, did accuchecks/insulin and prepared residents for dinner.

5-6 watched the dinning room, assisted with feeding. passed out PRN meds as needed

6-630 - Maybe had dinner

630-8 charted and prepared for next med pass, passed out PRN meds as needed, did treatments as needed, reconciled any chart checks we had to do and vital signs from nursing assistants that needed to be charted.

8-10 med pass, treatments, charting, accuchecks, finished up everything, stocked cart, reordered meds from pharm, checked O2 tanks (prayed there were not indecent reports to complete)

1030 Narc count, shift report.

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My experience (2wks new grad) it's a night mare

I have cried every day so far :(

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@ joannalpn it gets better i promise! Once you have the residents and their personalities down it will shave off time on your med pass because you know who to do first etc. it took me 6 months before I felt like I was completely comfy on my first hall.

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Sorry guys, I don't know how to start a thread. I am very new to LTC as a LPN. Can anyone answer me, do I need an actual order to take out a saline lock left in by an out of home service company? The actual order for IV medication was completed a couple days prior?

Yes, you need an order to DC an IV, even if the patient arrived without an order FOR an IV, or even if the patient arrived with no documentation that the IV even existed. Don't risk it. (Unless, there's a policy or standing order that says 'DC all IV's that are not ordered on admit', or something, anything, to back you up). But- it's possible that an IV may be ordered right after admit, like the next day, if so- might want to get IV maintenance orders, to prevent it from being ignored/get infected, or to prevent removing an IV that might have to be replaced the next day? Things to think though, is all. It's often a hassle, and a lot of paperwork, etc. to get an IV inserted in a nursing home. Also, chances are good that the IV is already expired and clotted off, anyway- who knows when it was inserted?

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My experience (2wks new grad) it's a night mare

I have cried every day so far :(

Welcome to the jungle...

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