[biafra]

I am a new grad RN, and I picked up this job at a mental hospital. Before accepting the offer I made sure I asked all my questions. I was told I will have an orientation for 5 days after which I am supposed to be on my own. But also was told that I will be working with one LVN and another experienced RN. To my surprise I just found out that actually I will be the only RN on the unit working 3-11pm with an LVN who was supposed to be the med nurse. So I am responsible for admissions, discharges,teaching, charting; and I am talking about 23-29 patients on an adult chemical dependency unit. Ofcourse they do not have a secretary so I am responsible for that too. Even at that nobody is responsible for orienting me; I just have to ask as many questions as I can . As a new grad I really do not feel comfortable being the only RN on the unit, and worst of all I do not know how I am supposed to be charting on pts that I did not even interact with throughout the shift b/cos I was busy doing admissions/discharges etc. P/S fellow nurses what do you all think? Is this familiar or the norm in psych settings? Is this safe? I do not want to jeopardize my career. Any advise will be highly appreciated.

[Sabby_NC]

5 Days orientation!!! Is that all?
Big red flag is flying here hon... Did you accept the job knowing you would only have those 5 days of orientation?
I would meet with them again and voice your concerns.
I would not want to put myself in a position of that responsibility if I was knew to a position and did not feel comfortable or ready to do it on my own!!

[Yosemite, RN]

Welcome to Psych. No, it is NOT safe. Yes, it is SOMEWHAT normal for many facilities.

Make sure your malpractice insurance is paid up...

[Thunderwolf]

In my past, I used to work as a charge nurse on a combined psych and chemical dependency unit. No...your staffing ratio is NOT safe....especially if it is all chemical/detox....especially as a new grad RN...especially with just 5 days orientation, especially as the ONLY RN on 3-11...and especially, especially during 3-11...a very, very tough shift.

I usually am not one to give bad news and to recommend what I am about to say....but, honey...."Run!...and run fast!" If not, you will be eaten alive....or become a patient yourself!

You deserve better. So please, look elsewhere!....for your own sake.

[elizabells]

I don't even know anything about psych nursing beyond a horrible rotation in NS, but my gut started screaming RUNNNNN when I read your post, for whatever that's worth.

[elkpark]

Good Lord! I am an experienced psych nurse of >20 years; I just started a new position in the psych department of a community hospital, and I'm going into my fourth week of orientation (the hospital's idea, not mine) and there's no end in sight!!

I can't imagine anyone putting a new grad in a situation like that -- very, very, very, very, very, very dangerous!! (To you and everyone else!) That is not at all "standard" for psych settings. Do you have any other employment options in your area??? If they cannot make a change after you voice your concerns, I would think v. hard about getting out of there.

Best wishes --

[PsychNurseWannaBe]

I guess I would first talk to the person who hired you or the unit director. I don't even know if an expierenced RN could do everything you mentioned...and do it safely. Voice your questions and concerns and maybe something got lost in translation and it can be fixed or maybe it was overlooked???

As someone else said... 5 days of orientation is a BIG red flag. I wouldn't put you, the patients and your license in jeopardy. I wish you lots of luck!!

[epg_pei]

Wow, that's pretty bad. Almost every sentence in your post gives a reason to RUN from that place. Makes me feel a lot better about my own workplace.

[Binkles100]

I'm a new grad starting on orientation in a psych facility soon. I'll be working the night shift with another RN. My orientation is 4-5 weeks, but allowed more time if I need it. 5 days orientation with that many patients as the only RN would freak me out. I hope you can get this changed/straightened out. I know it can be really tough finding a position without experience, but this doesn't sound worth it. Good luck to you.

[biafra]

I appreciate all the advice and input from everyone. I went to my place of work this morning to voice out my concerns to my supervisor and she assured me that all this week two additional nurses will be on the unit to work with me (all PRN). But she still emphasized that eventually I will be the only RN on the unit with one LVN; THAT IS THEIR POLICY! PERIOD... Well I asked for a day off just to think about what to do next but she declined my request. But anyways I just went ahead and decided to RUN for good. I feel like she is trying to convince me to stay by just making it better for the next 5 days. My question is do I include this one week of job experience in my resume or just keep myself as a new grad? Again I will appreciate every input. THANKS.