Your daily tasks

[wlb06]

Hi Everyone,

I am a male pre-nurse, new to the site, and about to start in an ADN program in the fall. I also have a BS in Exercise Science.

I was wondering if you nurses could give a short to the point list of what you do from when you get to work to when you leave work. Also where you work and in which dept.

I am trying to get a good idea about what I might be doing in the future.

Thanks a lot and take care...

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Looking at these posts makes me want to try ER in my future. Definitely it's a must, especially when I know what I like to have at the ready when I get a new admit in telemetry...it's nice to have some circumstantial reference.

Denverchick24 you rock! Couldn't do any better at describing a day in T-land.

[guest64485]

Surgical/Tele IMCU

Typical day: 1 tech for the floor, oftentimes only had a tech half of the night.

1830 - 1900 clock in, create my brain. Look up patients general info, history, labs, chart check for new orders, write down medications, create noc hourly task sheet, print out tele strips, attach to chart, quick view on them to ensure none need immediate attention

1900-2000/2030 get report, finish anything not done in 1830-1900 while waiting for report from tied up day shift nurses, verbally verify completion of day shift orders during report (Yes, our length of report sucked)

2000/2030-2200 do assessment, 2000 & 2200 meds, gtube flushes, basic needs, check VS, pain control, basic education and POC, walking patients, IV/PICC flushes, begin charting assessments, trach replacement, dressing changes.

2200-2400 meds, finish charting on assessment, sleeping pills, write up tele strips, call respiratory for nebs/breathing tx, CPAP/BIPAP placement. Take new admit if required

2400-0100 check or get BG, meds, check or do VS, round on all patients, gtubes

0100-0330 meds, PIE notes per each problem, 24 hour nursing summary, quietest time, sign off all day shift orders after checking completion, enter into computer all orders for night shift, (no secretary), have another nurse sign these off on computer, sign off orders for other nurses' patients. lunch if able (hah) otherwise gulp down a juice

0330-0500 24 hour I and O's. Bath #1, meds, trach replacement, gtubes, pca totals, draw labs

0500-0600 fill out billing sheets for prior day, and new documentation sheets for next shift, bath #2, 0600 meds, replace IV tubing where needed. See if labs are back yet. 0600 and 0700 meds, dressing changes if patient is awake, reconcile medication sheet.

0600-0705 0700 and 0730 meds, add any info for report sheet such as when IVs due to be changed, check labs, call dr. if needed. Prep for OR, place new IVs if old ones expired. Finish dressing changes.

0705-0830- recheck any labs that aren't back yet. finish 0730 meds, report, finish charting, help new nurse get blood set up, check IV bags amount for changing, or finish other minor things. Administer insulin if patient has food ready.

Also: Trach suctioning q1-2h and prn. Rounds on more stable patients minimum q1-2 hours. Epidural checks qhr. Restraints documentation and ROM q 1-2 hour. Detox documentation approx qh,

And no, I'm not there anymore =)