New Nurse being thrown to the wolves IN LTC HELP!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hello Im a new Nurse I just got my license on Feb 14, 2005. Im working in a ltc. They put me on a skilled unit. There are 2 sides On side is fairly light with 2 trach residents and 2 tube feeders. The other side is 6 trach patients, sacral wounds stage 4, 2 IV abt, and 6 tube feeders. I have not work this side by myself because I dont feel ready but they want to orient me to this side. The light side I have done by myself with no problem. My question is how do I deal with the extra load. Why would they put I new graduate there. I think because noone else wants to do it... I work 11pm to 7am and a lot of times the relief calls out!! IM stressed already and I havent been there for a month yet!! Please help me.. I have the opportunity to do homecare even though I dont have a years experience in nursing should I take it or stay and the LTC facility... :o

Even experienced nurses run into situations they have a difficult time dealing with. I would think long and hard about going to home health nursing with as little experience as you have. Maybe you can talk to the DON and let her know of your concerns, the fact that you need a mentor to bounce things off of for a little while longer. I would be learning everything I could about what your state's nurse practice act says. I wish you luck, it is very difficult being a new nurse at a new job.

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
I know I have been thrown to the wolves as well many times.There are good places to work and bad places.....good nurses and bad nurses...I can't believe that your first night working as an RN she said you're in charge...that is just crazy.Charge nurses have experience on top of their RN status.Good for you for getting through the night without killing anyone.I know it's scary at times.What is SNF?Where do you live?Most of our facilities are pretty good with being supporting new nurses.They are mostly training hospitals so they are used to lots of newbies.Right now I am trying to figure out where I want to do the clinical component of my nursing refresher course.I don't want to be thrown to the wolves lol ever again so I'm really studying and researching the areas I might be interested in so that when I start my refresher I will be one step ahead and even further ahead when I apply for that job.Where are you working now and how are things going for you?

SNF= Skilled Nursing Facility...don't think nursing home ... think med-surg unit with less staff and no doctors around if something goes wrong! :rolleyes: I've been at this place for almost 6 years...from nurse manager to supervisor to MDS queen to Assistant DNS. Most of the facilities around here are about the same...it's all where you think you find the best "fit".

Specializes in Geriatric Psych, Physicians office, OB,.
SNF= Skilled Nursing Facility...don't think nursing home ... think med-surg unit with less staff and no doctors around if something goes wrong! :rolleyes: I've been at this place for almost 6 years...from nurse manager to supervisor to MDS queen to Assistant DNS. Most of the facilities around here are about the same...it's all where you think you find the best "fit".

I've been there - done that. And if I could go back and change things, I would have never gotten into the LTC setting. Mind you, I really loved the job and the people I took care of, but the admin cared for no one - I was left on the night shift with 86 residents and 6 CNA's...and was told it was LEGAL......even tho the office of Long Term Care said that in Arkansas they had to have one LPN for every 80 residents. When they hit 81, they should have had another nurse.

Where I worked, they would "feed you to the wolves"....over and over. Finally I got smart and quit, and love my job now! I took some great advice that nurses here at this site gave me: "Get out and find a better job!" There are too many good jobs out there - go for the home health job and get comfortable with your nursing experience. Never do anything you aren't trained for, specifically, IV's - check with your state guidelines. And never hesitate to contact your state board or OLTC for info if you have questions!:balloons:

I know I have been thrown to the wolves as well many times.There are good places to work and bad places.....good nurses and bad nurses...I can't believe that your first night working as an RN she said you're in charge...that is just crazy.Charge nurses have experience on top of their RN status.Good for you for getting through the night without killing anyone.I know it's scary at times.What is SNF?Where do you live?Most of our facilities are pretty good with being supporting new nurses.They are mostly training hospitals so they are used to lots of newbies.Right now I am trying to figure out where I want to do the clinical component of my nursing refresher course.I don't want to be thrown to the wolves lol ever again so I'm really studying and researching the areas I might be interested in so that when I start my refresher I will be one step ahead and even further ahead when I apply for that job.Where are you working now and how are things going for you?

Hi DebbieP

I just retook my RN NCLEX to renew my license. I don't know what state you are in but I am in CA. I didn't know that you were offered any certain area to do your clinicals. Or is this different from state to state?

I start mine in a month and just started at a skilled, subacute LTC that I am thinking very seriously that I am not going to stay there. After being promised to be put on the skilled unit, I was put on the LTC. When I reminded the DON of our agreement she was not happy, but agreed to let me do 2 orientations on subacute then be charge. I don't think this is going to work. So I think if you had a choice to orient, this would be great. Thanks for any info.

I am 50 years old and just got my RN 3 years ago. Before that, I worked every where in the health care system as a certified medical assistant, ER tech, admissions rep, ward clerk and nursing assistant. I did my nursing clinical senior year in LTC and stayed at the same facility. My facility here in WA state apparently is wonderful. :) While working the floor, I never had more than 28 patients on the evening shift and 22 patients on the day shift. My facility does not take ventilators but we do have tube feeders and lots of insulin dependent diabetics. When I first started, I didn't think I could handle the load, but with time, I did. I have moved from student, to LPN, to staff RN, to charge nurse now recently promoted to MDS/Restorative Coordinator...all in 3 years. My point? (I do have one!!) Everywhere I have worked, the nurses there always think they won't be able to hadnle their load. I've seen ICU nurses cry at the end of their shift after caring for FOUR patients...but....they came back the next day!! My advice, don't push yourself too hard and take your time! Rushing means errors. If you need help, ask for it. Ask your charge nurse, ask a co-worker who has a lighter hall and always, ALWAYS respect your nursing assistants. They are your eyes and ears. Keep copious notes on the resident's of your hall. I went home and made my own census that told me how they took their meds, whether or not they were on O2, had SVN's, eye drops, noon or HS meds, diagnosis, blood sugars, insulin etc. It sure made my next day easier and then, when I listened to report, I added any new info in my own writing. I also divided my notes into three columns...one for what I heard in report, one for what I needed to do that shift and the third was for anything that happened during my shift that I needed to report. I know I've bombarded you with lots of info...hope it helps just a little! If you can make it through nursing school, you can make it in LTC! Good Luck. Susan

Thanks, Susan I needed this feedback!!!

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