What Does a Typical Shift Look Like?
Leading the Shift Report as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN)
At the beginning of every shift, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) will meet with their care team to discuss the previous shift. During this meeting, they will communicate any changes in the condition or behaviour of residents. This helps the whole team stay up to date on the level of care that seniors need in our nursing homes.
In addition, LPNs and RNs provide direction to Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) and Personal Support Workers (PSWs). They identify the responsibilities of team members for their shift and what they should be focusing on when providing care.
The shift reports are often led by Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses that oversee each household/neighbourhood. Often, our nursing homes are divided into sections where care teams work on.
The direction LPNs and RNs provide to fellow Healthcare and Clinical career professionals help us with our continued growth. They give their teams helpful insights and guidance as they give residents compassionate, honest, professional, and safe care.
Morning Tasks as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN)
In the morning, our Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses support seniors with their medical care. They start off by providing residents with their morning medications. If needed, they will help residents with treating wounds and dressing changes. Depending on when residents are awake and how timely the care they require is will determine when in the morning our nurses will provide this support.
After that, nurses will take part in care conferences. During this, nurses will meet with families, physicians and residents themselves to discuss their care and wellbeing. This is to ensure regular and consistent communication with all.
Moreover, nurses will help run and participate in different types of training. This is important to their role as they are responsible for the development of their care team. The types of training they provide include continued education on lifts/transfers, palliative care, care plans and informal conversation on any questions team members might have.
Additionally, in the morning our nurses will complete their documentation on what medical care they provided to residents. They also float around their households to ensure everyone is receiving the care they need and if any team members need support.
Lunch and Afternoon Responsibilities as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN)
As residents get ready for lunch, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses will provide them with their lunch time medications. They ensure residents take their medications and support those that need these during the middle of the afternoon.
Like the care they provide in the morning, nurses continue supporting residents with medical needs like wound treatments and catheter bag changes. While doing this, they resume their documentation work as they record the care residents receive.
During the afternoon, nurses may also have other meetings and/or training. Depending on what is scheduled, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses will be in meetings with physicians or facilitate training for the care team. Additionally, they may assist with recreation if needed.
Other tasks nurses complete in the afternoon include receiving, restocking, and reordering medications.
Evening Duties
In the evening, nurses help residents with their evening medication intake. They continue giving residents their medical care and make sure everything is documented so LPNs and RNs on the next shift are up to date. This helps the next care team take over smoothly.
Another task nurses are responsible for includes auditing the performance of CCAs and PSWs. They provide feedback and mentorship to these team members, so they provide the best quality of care to others. This is to ensure CCAs and PSWs keep learning and feel supported.
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Routine at Night
A nurse’s routine during the night includes taking time to do administrative work that couldn’t be completed during the day. They work on tasks like checking med rooms if they need to reorder supplies or update the care plans of residents.
In addition, LPNs and RNs will verify doctor’s orders and monitor residents if they need additional support throughout the night. Nurses will also check on residents to make sure they are comfortable while resting.
Interested in learning more about nursing care at Shannex? Read about the Types of Nurses and Differences.
Why Their Care Matters
The support Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses provide helps our care teams continue providing service excellence to residents. Our Healthcare and Clinical career professionals are consistently learning and updating their knowledge as they lead the way to better living.
Whatever the time of the day, nurses work to provide service excellence and the right care for residents. They help seniors live their best life through working in partnership with a dedicated care team, group of physicians and community of Great People always supporting them along the way.
Learn more about Healthcare and Clinical careers at Shannex.
