Day 2 of Orientation - stressed

[SunshineAnytime]

I just started at an LTC unit and I'm stressed already!! I'm a new grad. (((Sorry - this will be kind of long)))

I graduated in Dec and wasn't able to find a job until June. I've never worked or even shadowed in an LTC so I didn't know exactly what to expect. I knew I'd have a large patient load and little to no "treatments" per shift. Due to some issues @ the facility (their budget), facility orientation wasn't scheduled until this past Wednesday. After spending all day @ orientation, I was (surprise) told to come in the next morning at 0545 for training. My nurse was great and helpful, the patients are nice and most are compliant. We finished our med pass early yesterday. I was kinda weirded out that we essentially no vitals. I was told the CNA's do them on certain patients (Antibiotic and medicare patients). So, overall, yesterday was good. I was a little overwhelmed cause it had been so long since I've been in clinicals. But the nurse told me I did good and I'll get the hang of it eventually.

Today I was working with my a new nurse, who just so happens to be one of my supervisors. I was already nervous about making a great impression and now great I'm with my supervisor!! lol She is a real stickler for state policies. Gtubes, meds, paperwork, charting all was of course done to a T today. I was asked to do EVERYTHING today... Call families, call doctors, treatments and meds. My supervisor would offer some guidance but commented several times on how slow I was. =( She kept getting frustrated with me and said how she was missing her lunch. I thought they would be more understanding, I'm a new nurse, they know I've been out of school for 8 months --- the last thing I wanna do is harm my patients or lose my license!! We didn't finish morning med pass until 12 pm (they're usually done by 11 am). And then of course we had to play catch up with the 12 and 2 pm and meds.She told me the nurse the day before did a bad job of training me, "Did she teach you anything about how we do stuff?" Idk... ask her!!

We ended up staying 1.5 hour past clockout time. My supervisor said I need to get some rest and read up on med surg. I agree... My orientation is supposedly only 7 days (morning shift) and then I'll be switching to nights!! I'm frustrated because I'm a brand spanking new nurse, having to deal with the normal insecurities of being a new nurse on top of the added stress of taking care of 33 patients and delegating to 5 CNAs!! I feel like the CNAs don't respect me. I'm trying to keep up with all the charting and meds right now, but expected to be asking my CNA's who BM'ed last and who's next for a shower and check their documentation before change of shift!!! I'm the only new grad here and just feel so out of place. My Director of Nursing appeared to seem very understanding of my situation and willing to work with me... how exactly should I address this? With the DON, the supervisors?! I feel like I'm drowning already!!!

[SarahLVN]

Hmm.. You sound just like the a gal Jennifer, who just started at my old place of work... Anyway, this all sounds about right. The problem seems to be that they don't have anyone with enough time to train you...

[McBunny]

Oh wow. Sorry to hear about that :/ . I really have no advice for you except to stick in there! I myself will be starting my very first job as LPN at a LTC next week. Boy, it seems hard. We're only gonna have 2 days of orientation and I'm a little worried. Also, I think I may be the only new grad nurse there because DSD told me that the other new employees have part time jobs.

[poopprincess]

Part of the STEEP new grad learning curve is time management. If they are getting frustrated with you then throw the ball back in their court and ask for advice on how they think that you could better yourself. I personally think that it was unprofessional of her to bash the nurse that trained you prior. She should have handled that differently, while still showing you how she prefers it. Anyways, continue to show concern for the safety of your patients, ask a zillion questions if need be and do the best that you can. Sounds to me that she is an impatient person. I have worked on med-surg for 2 mo. and I still pass my meds late sometimes. Also, read up on med-surg as she suggested, let her know that you did so and continuously ask for feedback so that they know you are giving your all.