Advice on new grad work at SNF

[ChicRN, MSN]

Hi everyone I am a new grad who just started orientation at a SNF and I'm on my 1 of 2weeks orienting on the floor. At first I thought this would be a nice place to start my nursing career, but now I am quickly realizing how management works!! They really take advantage of how the nurse to patios work!!! On one station, short stay they have 2 nurses and 29 patients (btw none on respiratory); one nurse gets 6 patients and it charge of the nursing station, while the other nurse gets the 28 patients!! This place expects a lot & does not allow nurses to share the workload (some nurses actually got in trouble for helping each other..). Imagine there is no secretary on the station, & the one w/28 patients has to do meds, tx, charting, other charting, call MDs, appointments. The nurses have let administration know, but they just don't care to listen. And have very bad work conditions. They want the stars & good reputation (but in reality their staff is overworked). My orienter doesnt help me at all, gossips(i heard her!), & is basically making me take her patients instead of teaching me! Also, admin said they just throw us on the floor after 2weeks to be in charge on our own..I'm debating whether or not to leave & if so, how if i'm on orientation? I was hoping this was my opportunity to gain experience, yet i come home stressed to the point where i get neck pain. Please help. I really need it!!!

[tigerlogic]

Ive been a CNA at a place like that. It's rough. Start looking for work right away if you feel like that's the best choice, but learning how to function in really poor working conditions may be a (hopefully short) useful learning process too. Work on communicating with your aide(s) clearly and understanding their scope of practice. Many nurses ask us to do things we aren't supposed to do (eg put on a routine medicated barrier cream) and whether we bend the rules or not depends a lot on our relationship with you. Focus on everything you can learn and if it makes you miserable keep looking for better work. Good luck!