depressed about new ltc job

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I'm a new grad as of May 2010. Of course, there are few jobs in my area, so I'm trilled when offered a position in LTC. I recently finished my first week alone and hated it. All I do is pass meds all 8 hours. I have no time for patients interaction. I rush through everything I ever do. I'm suppose to work 3-11, but I find myself coming in at 2:30pm and leaving between 1 and 2 am. I cry before I go into work and cry when I leave. I have no time for anything else than work because the job is Monday-Friday. Some people at work tell me that it will get better with time....others say that it will never get better because they need 3 nurses on second shift.

I know most of you are probably thinking that I'm whining for no reason. I know that many people do this everyday, but I'm so depressed about it. I can't just quit because the bills are piling up, but I don't know what to do.

Not to mention that many people have told me to just pass 9pm meds with 5pm unless its a narc, which makes me really nervous. Is this the only way to get things done? It scares me to death to think that on Friday I had to sent a resident out to the hospital before 9pm med pass. I can't remember if I passed 9pm meds to her with her 5pm....can't remember if I signed the MAR before she left.

I'm scared, depressed, hate my job, and have no way out. I guess I'm just asking for some encouragement or advice.

JZ_RN - LOVE it. I too hate it with the passion of a thousand burning suns. That made me laugh. I needed to laugh….

Fortunately for us at our LTC we are no longer bound by strict timelines. Only specific meds have specific times. It is much nicer and more resident and staff friendly. I usually start my evening medpass around 6:30 pm, try to catch the ones who go to bed early and finish around 9:15pm or 9:30.

Please can you tell us more about your med pass. My med pass is unfriendly. Thanks.

It's basically the same med pass we had before but instead of strict times we have guidelines (before breakfast, afterbreakfast, before lunch, after lunch, before supper and after supper, before bedtime and bedtime. Since I work 2-10:30 pm I am not really all that familiar with the day shift medpass. On second shift we 'count' and get a brief report, then I take time to review the MAR, TAR and BM list, then I go on to stock my cart, do snacks, take vitals. The before supper time is supposed to start around 4pm and end around 5:30. I usually have time to help feed unless it's a hectic day, take my supper around 6pm, return around 6:30; the 'after supper' meds end about 7:30 and after that it's before bedtime and bedtime. Sometimes the after supper and before bedtime run together (it can't always be avoided) and sometimes the before bedtime and bedtime run together. It sounds complicated but it's really not. You don't have to 'sweat it' like before when a med was due at 9pm and at 9:15 you haven't given it yet. And that is nice...

It's basically the same med pass we had before but instead of strict times we have guidelines (before breakfast, afterbreakfast, before lunch, after lunch, before supper and after supper, before bedtime and bedtime. Since I work 2-10:30 pm I am not really all that familiar with the day shift medpass. On second shift we 'count' and get a brief report, then I take time to review the MAR, TAR and BM list, then I go on to stock my cart, do snacks, take vitals. The before supper time is supposed to start around 4pm and end around 5:30. I usually have time to help feed unless it's a hectic day, take my supper around 6pm, return around 6:30; the 'after supper' meds end about 7:30 and after that it's before bedtime and bedtime. Sometimes the after supper and before bedtime run together (it can't always be avoided) and sometimes the before bedtime and bedtime run together. It sounds complicated but it's really not. You don't have to 'sweat it' like before when a med was due at 9pm and at 9:15 you haven't given it yet. And that is nice...

What state are you in? What about meds that are supposed to be q12hr or q6hr apart? Narcotics? Everything, really? I'm just surprised that this would be within regs according to state survey... how long have you been doing this? I'm skeptical, but it sure does sound nice...

Like I said before, certain meds have specific times but fortunately not all of them.

You said it caliotter3. I worked LTC along time as a CNA and as an LVN and if you can't hack it in a SNF passing out meds and doing treatments , what makes you think you can get hired by the big bad hospitals if you're already talking about quitting? Pay your dues(2-5 years in your resume?), be patient, and look for your opportunities.

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