Discouraged after first day training on new job :(

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I've had an extremely hard time finding a job as a new grad LPN. I sent out applications and resumes to all of the nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, doctor's offices, homecare agencies and staffing companies in my area, despite that most of them said that a year of working experience was required.

I was so grateful to finally be called for an interview, especially because this long-term care facility was one I had had experience in during my clinical training and it was one that I had favored. During orientation, I was told that I would be given three training shifts, and then be put on the floor on our own. The DON said five days of training was ideal but cannot always be fit into the budget. Then I had my first day of training on the floor. I followed an LPN around all day and assisted with the med-pass. There were about 40 patients on the floor, with 1 LPN passing meds and 1 LPN charge nurse working at the desk.

I was pretty overwhelmed when I realized that my entire shift basically consisted of passing meds. They don't tell you that in school....... we learned care plans and nursing diagnoses and a whole lot of things that it doesn't seem like I'll be using much.

The nurse who was training me advised me to speak to the DON if I felt like I needed some more time training. However, when I went to speak to the DON, I found out that she had actually cut a day of my training and scheduled me on the floor on my own after just two days of orientation. I told her that I had come to talk to her about possibly getting an extra training shift after my three days of training, and that I really didn't feel like I was ready to go on my own. I mean I received training in school but I am still a brand new nurse!

She asked how I would feel if she moved me to a slower unit that day (which was originally supposed to be my third training day), with only 30 patients as opposed to 40, and with a charge nurse on during most of my shift if I needed help. I really didn't know what to say but I got really upset by the fact that they seem to want to just throw me out on the floor by myself when I'm still brand new, and didn't even receive the full amount of training I was promised. I agreed to meet with her again after my next training shift and see if I felt any more comfortable. She said she wanted me to feel comfortable, and that if after my next day of training I still didn't feel confident about going on my own, she would try to get someone to come in and train me, but it seemed like she wasn't sure if that would even be possible. I guess that they are really just under-staffed and she was very nice about everything, but I couldn't help but feel like I am being pressured to jump into something I don't think I'm ready for. I know that if I mess up, it's my ass on the line.

I just needed to vent a little and I'm hoping to hear from some of you with experience if or not this is common or if I should just take off running. The thing is I really like this nursing home and the staff and I've wanted to work here for quite some time now, but now I am just unsure about everything and I'm hoping theres some reasoning behind this :(

OP, your post really caught my attention. Im still in school and learning a lot. We do learn a lot of Nursing DX, and interventions, etc. Where does all this come into play in the extended care facility? What are your responsiblities besides focusing on med pass? Do you assess each patient as you are in the room? Do you listen to breathe sounds, etc? If you give a blood pressure med, do you have time to actually check that patients blood pressure before you give it?

Specializes in LPN.

It is not fair to give a new nurse 2 to 3 days training, and hand them over the floor. But, that is how it is, fair or not. I am in the position to train a new people, as you will be too. I try to give them everything they need, and have a lot written down for them. But, unless you as a new trainee take home the things I give you, and unless you consider what you saw on the floor, you will be at a disadvantage. My advise is to study and organize you thoughts after every day of training, take a couple of hours each night and consider all you saw and all you did.

Then on your first day, don't be surprized if you feel overwhelmed, so do a lot of the seasoned nurses you will be working with. I would be surpirzed if you didn't go home and cry. But try to realize it will get easier. But you have to think about your work day every night, and try to find ways to get faster.

It is a shame there isn't more training, because you need it. You will find time to listen to lungs and bowels and assess things, but you have to do it when you see it, not decieded to come back later and do it, because later will never come. Develop your own method to remember what you found, so you can chart and report on it. Or, call the doctor if need be.

I carry around a blank grid with everyones room number on it, and I have 60 residents to one nurse. I write in the grid people on antibotics and on incident, and then write in things I find during my rounds. Then I have a reference for charting and reporting. Then later after my shift, I white out abotics and incidents that are finished, and keep the ones, I need to check on tomorrow. It keeps me organized and I dont have to wonder if I missed something.

Wow, 60 to 1 ratio?!?!?! :( very admirable you are doing that

...I never could.

It is not fair to give a new nurse 2 to 3 days training, and hand them over the floor. But, that is how it is, fair or not. I am in the position to train a new people, as you will be too. I try to give them everything they need, and have a lot written down for them. But, unless you as a new trainee take home the things I give you, and unless you consider what you saw on the floor, you will be at a disadvantage. My advise is to study and organize you thoughts after every day of training, take a couple of hours each night and consider all you saw and all you did.

Then on your first day, don't be surprized if you feel overwhelmed, so do a lot of the seasoned nurses you will be working with. I would be surpirzed if you didn't go home and cry. But try to realize it will get easier. But you have to think about your work day every night, and try to find ways to get faster.

It is a shame there isn't more training, because you need it. You will find time to listen to lungs and bowels and assess things, but you have to do it when you see it, not decieded to come back later and do it, because later will never come. Develop your own method to remember what you found, so you can chart and report on it. Or, call the doctor if need be.

I carry around a blank grid with everyones room number on it, and I have 60 residents to one nurse. I write in the grid people on antibotics and on incident, and then write in things I find during my rounds. Then I have a reference for charting and reporting. Then later after my shift, I white out abotics and incidents that are finished, and keep the ones, I need to check on tomorrow. It keeps me organized and I dont have to wonder if I missed something.

I see you have 18 years experience, have you always worked in LTC and always had so many to care for?

Oh, I DID cry on 1 of my 1st shifts, but I made it to the bathroom

Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

I have the same issues. I'm also a new LPN that's now on her own and boy do I feel so ******. Usually I'll have anywhere from 20 acute to 30 (8 acute and the rest long term) but boy is there SO much to do. I managed keeping back the tears somehow on my first day.

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Needless to say, the 2 to 3 days orientation doesn't sit well with me :nono:, and let's not talk about the 60 to 1 ratio that's just murder in my book:banghead: for a new grad! However, my hat goes off to you since you have manage to do so, trust me after a while you'll be a Pro! BTW you deserve a HUG!!!:loveya: Wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors~

I had one day orientation and was on the floor with 30 residents to give pills too. Also like you I was a new graduate.

One of the most difficult parts is trying to figure out who everyone is, and how they take their pills. (crushed, in applesauce, whole???) I would make note of who has bracelets. And in what medium, if any, they take their pills. I don't work in LTC, but did plenty of clinicals there, and it seemed almost impossible! But after awhile, the routine takes over, and you will get your groove. Accuchecks at 4p first, before supper on every patient who needs them with intervention if needed. After supper, anyone who needs a treatment. Then everyone who needs them, starts at 7pm with 8pm meds. And one of the above posters is correct. Make notes, keep them handy, even a list before your shift starts of all of the people on accuchecks, those who are treatments and those who are on 8pm meds. Day shift is more difficult as you have a morning pass for pretty much everyone, and that is where I would take careful observation, and notes. Good luck and best wishes!

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

My first nursing job, as a brand new LPN, the day after I got my license in my hand was at a LTC facility. Because they were so short staffed, I had one whole day of orientation and was on my own. Did I cry a lot? Yes I did, but when I put my two weeks notice in one year later, they begged me to stay because according to the DON and Administrator, I was the best nurse they had ever had to walk through those doors. I was determined to not let it defeat me and I worked very hard to become a good nurse.

Hang in there! It WILL get better and you just might find you enjoy the fast pace. I know I do :)

only 4hrs?????? that simply ludicrous... im barely doing it in 8!!

I am getting 4 days of orientation and then I am on my own. All I know is that I am going to do my best. That's all I can do.

I have heard of nurses who got fired because they said they weren't ready and asked for more orientation time!!!!!! :(

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