Do I need to quit?

Published

Hello,

I am a new grad and just recently got hired on at a LTC/Rehab facility. The patient ration is 1:20 but the orientation and training has me nervous. For example, everything is disorganized and RN's are constantly coming in late for their shift and causing the previous nurse to stay and wait for them for up to an hour I've seen just all due to the fact that the other nurse is running late because "they stayed late the shift before". Everyone seems to be for themselves only and not look out for other people. Apparently there have been several different DONs being hired and fired over the last year as well. I even had a nurse tell me to throw out medications for the patients because I was taking too long for the med pass. I'm still in my "training on the floor" phase (3 days orientation about hep C, etc and 5 days on the floor) and haven't started working yet by myself and I'm already feeling miserable to go in everday. Am I wrong for this? I'm not sure because this is my first nursing job, but my intuition is saying that this job is wrong. I'm afraid that I'm going to lose this license that I worked tooth and nail (and many many tears) to get. So should I leave and find something else or stick with this for my "experience" to go to the field I really want?

Specializes in Step-Down.

If there is something else take it! 1 nurse for 20 patients? That is a luxury!! I have 38 pts, which include 3 g-tubes, 3 dressing changes, and over 10 fingersticks so your lucky in my eyes.

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Thanks guys. I went in to work today and put my foot down with the RN i was shadowing that I wouldn't sign off on the things she was doing (ie giving her 9pm meds at the start of our 3pm shift and skipping on insulin injections until the end of the shift). I want to learn and I'm eager to learn but only the right way for my patient and I'm not putting my license at risk because she wants to take a shortcut (but in nicer terms). I got a bunch of attitude after that from the staff but I didn't care. I want to do things the right way. She admitted to me that she isnt the best nurse and one day I will learn and do it same things she does. But that's not the reason why I went into nursing. I want to help people. Not hurt them or prevent giving them care. I will take this as a learning experience. And you guys are right....once i get on my own and not having someone breathing down my back that I'm taking too long on med pass it should get easier, because i will be doing things MY WAY. It's just sad that these nurses looked down on me because I want to do things the way it's supposed to be. But I guess that's life.

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Specializes in Long term care and sub acute rehab.

1:20 wow you are lucky, I worked where its 1:30 on the evening shift and 1:60 on the night shift, including at the moment 1 g-tube, 2 bolus feeding, everyone is on a narcotic pain med ( they all seem to want at the same time every 4 hrs) , a couple residents that literally HUNT YOU DOWN for narcs, 20 fingersticks at least, a shift report to write thats 3-4 pages with at least 5-6 residents to document on per page on overnight since you are the only nurse on the unit for 55 resident. Hopefully you dont get a demented client that is always attempting to walk not knowing they cant bear weight. Not to mention its a sub acute rehab/ long term care mixed in with residents that have been sent there from other LTC facilities for diagnosis such as poly substance abuse. I have in fact seen nurses quit after 1-2 months but Im still there after 3 yrs. Its not easy I tell you , after working I have no use for myself. I often find myself sleeping and driving or if im taking public transportation sleeping past my destination. So what you have is essentially a walk in the park.

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Specializes in Long term care and sub acute rehab.

Its all nice and altruistic that you want to help people, I intended to do that but when you actually see whats going on around you it all comes down to the same thing.......its all about the benjamins. If facilities actually wanted to help and improve the standard of care they would have a nurse to patient ratio. But in this economy everywhere is trying to do more with less and if it means having less staff to pay and rising cost for healthcare then someone is getting that extra millions of dollars. And im damn well sure it doesnt trickle down to nurses. Its the pharmaceuticals and the MD's. Not to mention that the very same people you are helping....will turn around to file a lawsuit against you in the blink of an eye.

I use to encourage nurses aids to pursue a career in nursing as well as other people but they look at me as if Im insulting them, with disdain.

The whole world know there is a shortage of nurses but what can be done...nothing. Its a thankless job. I did a college paper on the global shortage of nursing and nurses quit within the first 3 yrs of becomming a nurse. Some places are trying to focus on retention and encouraging those that left the profession, while others are trying to encourage people to pursue the profession. Whatever the case is you will be burn out fast in this field. Right now we live in a world where there are more people needing help than there are people to provide help....more dogs than bones.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

don't quit until you have another job lined up.

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.

When I was a new grad LPN I floated and on 1 floor I had 42 pts to one nurse on 3-11pm shift. 4 gtubes, 10 fingersticks, dsg changes, skin treatments, 3 breathing txts. They could do this apparently bc it was private pay floor. Go figure you can pay out of pocket for the most minimal care. However, I'd rather go back to this than where I'm currently at....on a med surg floor. The thing about many long term care facilities, (not including SNF/LTAC) etc is that while there are more patients the acuities are lower, pts are often stable and their routines and meds stay relatively the same so you will get up to speed at a faster rate then you might would think.

Anyway this sounds doable. And by all means, dont listen to crappy advice such as throwing meds away.:rolleyes:

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.
Welcome to nursing!! There is a reason starting out on a med/surg floor is recommended. LTC is difficult, if not impossible. Keep notes, smile and nod. Then do what you were taught to do. And find another job. Good luck!

I've done both and Med Surg is difficult, if not impossible.;)

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The whole world know there is a shortage of nurses but what can be done...nothing.

There is no nursing shortage. Hospitals here are getting 30 or 40 applicants for every new grad position. And even experienced nurses are having a hard time finding jobs here. The nursing shortage is a complete myth.

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Specializes in LTC.
Thanks guys. I went in to work today and put my foot down with the RN i was shadowing that I wouldn't sign off on the things she was doing (ie giving her 9pm meds at the start of our 3pm shift and skipping on insulin injections until the end of the shift). I want to learn and I'm eager to learn but only the right way for my patient and I'm not putting my license at risk because she wants to take a shortcut (but in nicer terms). I got a bunch of attitude after that from the staff but I didn't care. I want to do things the right way. She admitted to me that she isnt the best nurse and one day I will learn and do it same things she does. But that's not the reason why I went into nursing. I want to help people. Not hurt them or prevent giving them care. I will take this as a learning experience. And you guys are right....once i get on my own and not having someone breathing down my back that I'm taking too long on med pass it should get easier, because i will be doing things MY WAY. It's just sad that these nurses looked down on me because I want to do things the way it's supposed to be. But I guess that's life.

This nurse is kinda right here. She knows shes not perfect(which face it, none of us are.) but shes showing you the "real way". You need to see the "right way" before you can find your "own way".. if that makes any sense.

Once you do find your "own way" you will need to.. take shortcuts. Or else you will be there all night doing meds.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, renal.

The biggest problem it seems with your story is the fact that there have been multiple DONs within the last year. Thats never a good sign. Like someone said, 1:20 is a pretty average ratio for LTC. My first job as an LPN was that. But the place was pretty nice and we had a GREAT DON who had our back on everything.

People should not being showing up that late for their shifts. And if there are no consequences being given for their actions then they are just going to keep doing it. That is not your problem.

My advice would be to get out of there as soon as you can, but never without lining something else up first. That does not sound like a good "first nursing job" experience. You want something where you can learn at a pace you feel comfortable with.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, renal.
I totally disagree that LTC is impossible. It is great for new grads provided you have supportive people around you. I started at an LTC three months ago for my first job and it's been a great experience. There are ups and downs like anyplace, but my coworkers are great, and the managers are very supportive. I've learned a ton and feel like I'm doing very well.

Obviously the place the OP is at is a disaster and I would look to move on.

I agree with this. LTC can be a great first job, provided that everything around you is being done correctly. You need a good support team, supervisors included.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, renal.
Welcome to nursing!! There is a reason starting out on a med/surg floor is recommended. LTC is difficult, if not impossible. Keep notes, smile and nod. Then do what you were taught to do. And find another job. Good luck!

OP may be an LPN, and in her state, not able to work in a med/surg position. LTC is not impossible, as I stated before. At least it shouldnt be.

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