I HATE my first job as a nurse...

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

This is NOT what I signed up for!

When I originally took the position, my first as a nurse, I was made charge nurse of an Alzheimer's/Dementia unit. I was told that "change needed to happen" and that they were counting on me and relying on whoever was put in the position to jump right in and take charge.

I have done that, and now they want me to stop and take a step back, and I feel ganged up on by the CNA's who have made up stories and lies because they don't agree with the changes that are being made, and they have been there for years.

On top of that, there is a new facility organizer, and there is something about this person that freaks me out. I mean I seriously get a REALLY bad vibe from this person. Had she been one to interview me, I would have never taken the job, because I get sick to my stomach just being around them.

I am disillusioned already and I haven't even been a nurse for a month.

Yesterday I was called into the office and (FALSE!) accusations were made against me by this person. No discuss, no names, just accusations that "people had been saying this, that, and the other thing." I don't have time to play "he said she said games." I wasn't even allowed to defend myself!

Should I just start sending my resume out?!

*Disillusioned*

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First of all, I'm not sure why you would be considered qualified to run a unit as a new nurse. Please do not take offense, I don't know your background and I'm just going by the fact that you are a new LPN. It is the responsibility of the facility to properly train and assess the learning curve of any new nurse. Shame on the hiring DON to allow this to happen. You have gotten off to a bad start and this is not appropriate or how your new position should be. It sounds to me like you were their hope for a quick fix to a chronic internal problem at the facility. Don't take this nonsense. I would recommend that you give proper resignation and find an employer who will nurture you and start you out slowly. My first job was perfect and to this day I appreciate them placing trust in me. In turn, I had an excellent orientation and plenty of time to get the ball rolling. Good luck in however you plan to deal with this and be assured that your fellow nurses are rooting for you...including me!

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First of all, I'm not sure why you would be considered qualified to run a unit as a new nurse. Please do not take offense, I don't know your background and I'm just going by the fact that you are a new LPN. It is the responsibility of the facility to properly train and assess the learning curve of any new nurse. Shame on the hiring DON to allow this to happen. You have gotten off to a bad start and this is not appropriate or how your new position should be. It sounds to me like you were their hope for a quick fix to a chronic internal problem at the facility. Don't take this nonsense. I would recommend that you give proper resignation and find an employer who will nurture you and start you out slowly. My first job was perfect and to this day I appreciate them placing trust in me. In turn, I had an excellent orientation and plenty of time to get the ball rolling. Good luck in however you plan to deal with this and be assured that your fellow nurses are rooting for you...including me!

I have my background in Management, to start. Several years worth. They felt that, along with my newly acquired skills would somehow magically transform everything.

No offense taken. I feel exactly what you described. I also feel that I should have been a LOT more particular in what I was looking for. I was so desperate for a job, that I really didn't "shop around" if you will.

I also would MUCH rather be in skilled nursing than AL, so that I don't lose my skills. I feel like a really expensive babysitter right now! And they won't even let me do that properly.

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Specializes in Rehab & Psych.

Dear SweettartPN,

I would say get out before they take away your "spirit". My first job as a PN is being a charge nurse on an alzheimer's unit. I have been fortunate enough to have the appropriate training and feel comfortable asking questions. Also, the CNA's that work with me are awesome and do their jobs very well. My opinion is that if you're looking over your shoulder all the time, it can't be very good for you or your patients. You didn't spend all that time studying and testing to be treated so badly. Nothing is 100% perfect, but if you're going to work, you should be happy. Best of luck to you:D

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I think you should start looking elsewhere. I worked in a nursing home with drama at every turn. CNAs with attitudes and a panache for fiction. I even worked with a few nurses who had nothing better to do than to stir up some drama. Believe me, it isn't worth it. I worked in a hospital and the treatment was completely different, so this was a complete shock. I felt like I was in middle school.

It just isn't worth the stress.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

"First of all, I'm not sure why you would be considered qualified to run a unit as a new nurse."

I agree I don't think that you are qualified for such a position. Clearly, they are desperate and it's understandable that you feel overwhelmed. I hope that you will take a stand and I hope that you are being compensated for your inconvienance. :confused:

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Specializes in Mental Health.
I feel exactly what you described. I also feel that I should have been a LOT more particular in what I was looking for. I was so desperate for a job, that I really didn't "shop around" if you will.

Being too anxious is not a good thing. Anxious people most often end up in bad situations that they could very well have avoided. I hope you all the best, and there are plenty of opportunities for LPNs so don't give up and God Bless!

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Thanks everyone.

You've helped to confirm my gut feeling about this.

I will stick it out, but search like a demon in the meantime for something better and more concrete.

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I say you should find a job somewhere else. I hear you want to stay, but I think you should send out resumes still, who knows, you might get a better job. If you really do decide to stay though, I give you the best of luck!

:D

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

You are being used. Here is why. Management experience or not, your first priority in that situation is to become familiar with the nursing aspect and work towards becoming an effective nurse. That is a big enough job for any new nurse. Once you have become comfortable with providing the daily care, it would not only be reasonable, but beneficial to you to assume more responsibilities in managing staff. However, clear goals and time frames seem to be completely missing. It seems that you were expected to accomplish a vague goal without clear expected outcomes and without consideration to the tools and methods desired or available to you. The way you describe being called to the office is indicative of the facilities management style. If indeed you are to act as a manager, why then are other staff not referred to you first. However, it appears you were bypassed from the beginning. I also would like to know what the expected outcome of that meeting was. My impression is your superior(s) needed a dirty job done, didn't know how to do it themselves but didn't want to back you up either. This is what kills nurses. You can be the best people manager in the world, but if your style is different from the style of the rest of the facility, you will be lucky to realize limited success. Worst of all, your upper management's style might not even be consistent. There is nothing in the description of your employer that would want to make me work there, regardless of wage.

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Just wanted to say THANKS again everyone.

This last week was an absolute nightmare, but I did land another job at a skilled nursing facility with a month long orientation and training program.... and nearly $5.00 MORE an hour than I am currently making.

I will be going in Monday morning and handing in an immediate resignation with my keys and name badge.

What a relief!

Thank you all for your support. I couldn't have done this without asking questions, and you all helped out.

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congrats.....now I start my 1st job on pool hope I have a better experience but I am also desperate for a job since I have graduated in September..

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