What is a typical night shift like in LTC

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Hi All!

I am a new grad (ASN) who finally got a job opportunity at a LTC/SNF facility.:yeah: The shift is from 10p-6:30a.

Since the residents will all presumably be sleeping, I was wondering what a typical night shift would look like. I will be grateful for this job since they are hard to come by for new grads, but am concerned about losing some of my skills.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Specializes in med surg, cardiac step down, rehab, geri.

LTC is no longer just that with our facility it's short and long term re hab pre and post op

and it's crazy

long term dementia patients don't sleep well they ambulate in circles and talk hang onto the nurse grab at everything and are huge fall risks the staff runs all night

40 patients and 3 staff with a heavy med pass at midnight and 6 am

on all 3 floors med pass is hell as unit managers put 75% of the am meds for 6 am no way can you be in compliance they must start meds by 4 am and leave blood sugars for 6 am

one unit can have 18+ diabetics

chronic care is worse g tubes IV's heavy med pass but patients tend to sleep better

acute and rehab is a constant prn race and they like their meds and are told they can have anything at any time so they call for snacks meds and to move the kleenex box a half inch closer and then complain they waited 5 minutes for meds

all floors do 24 hr checks write next appt consult paperwork and discharge paper work

file and do the iv's meds insulins and treatments because if they didn't the 3 day nurses would not be able to chat at 7 am have breakfast at the desk and smooze with management

unless you must work the night shift it is not the way to learn and it makes you wonder why you went into nursing

I gave it up in favor of a saner shift

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Thank you all for your thoughts. I just completed 4 shifts of orientation and have 6 more to go before I am on my own. I am having some anxiety, it will be just me and two aides at night with current census of 26, but can go up to 35 depending on Skilled admits.

The LPN that is orienting me said that I could call her anytime when I am on my own if there is something she can help me with, hopefully she meant what she said.

I just hope it all works out because I really need this job and its not good for new grads around here. :o So far its okay and everyone says I am doing great, but I WILL ask for more orientation or resign from this job if I ever feel unsafe or feel my license could be in jeopardy (It didn't have the best rep, but has improved of late - new DNS).

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Not too sure if its different where you are. Here is my experience of nights. I haven't done too many but I've done a few. :

Lots of changes, lots of comforting, you get to know the staff you're working with more and as someone mentioned you have good teamwork and they seem to trust you more AND be more trustworthy themselves because they cannot blame something they did on someone else with how little staff you have. Sometimes you have falls, people get confused in the middle of the night and may have episodes. You may have some diabetics who wake up in the middle of the night with low BS. You have to get the urines usually early in the am, which isn't always easy. However you seem to have more time, but theres always something to do.

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