My first day working as a nurse

Specialties Agency

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Specializes in PCU/Hospice/Oncology.

Was with an acute adult psych unit yesterday.. It was a great experience. I did very well, 19 patients, passing meds, charting, friendly nursing staff. I loved it. I want to work there full time now.. Only problem? I dont have a year of experience and when the Nursing Supervisor found out she called my manager and told them that "Sometimes our LPNs need to be the charge nurses so he needs another year of experience and then hes welcomed back here with open arms."

Im floored. I did everything correctly. The staff loved me, the patients loved me, and I did an excellent job. Yet the head nurse wont let me back based on a fact that I dont have a year under my belt? I know alot of nurses who have worked 20 years and I wouldnt let them anywhere near me in thier burned out state!

I can see where she is coming from asking for more experience for CHARGE NURSES, but since when is an LPN allowed to be a charge nurse on a unit with RNs on staff? My agency didnt send me there to be a charge nurse, just to be the LPN passing meds and doing his job.

This was a bit of a rant, I have an interview with a rehab center tomorrow to maybe swing a more consistent working environment but I really love this agency nursing thing. Im a bit torn now :(

How do i get a year of experience when no one wants new nurses?

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

I know it's frustrating being turned down because of lack of experience, but simply because LPN's there have charge capacity in the situation that no RN can be there is reason enough to be relunctant to hire someone with little experience.

SO many things can go wrong with a patient and the Charge Nurse has to be the leader in such emergencies, it simply takes time to learn what you do depending on the emergency. There are many emergencies I can manage now as opposed to 6 months ago, but there are still many situations where I would feel overwhelmed.

I'm really happy that you did so well an enjoyed your day so much! Keep to the grindstone and you'll do fine!

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Specializes in PCU/Hospice/Oncology.

Thank you so much! I actually interviewed and got hired at a Rehab/LTC facility called Wilton manors rehab. The director was very clear and upfront about my unit being very difficult. However the pay is good, there is orientation and I dont think theres anything wrong with some hard and well earned paychecks.

This hopefully will get me through my RN program and then im off to dream world hopefully onto some pediatrics unit :)

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