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
