A family member of mine is also an RN. She just graduated this past May. In October, she started working on an adolescent psych unit. (the same unit I used to work on before moving) Yesterday HR and her nurse manager asked for her resignation. She knew it was coming since they spoke to her before. They think that acute care isn't for her. She had problems with documentation and keeping the teens under control. It is a 14 bed unit and the last night she worked 3 wound up in locked seclusion and 2 in full restraints. She did offer redirection. She offered prn meds to those who had meds ordered and they did take them. However, she failed to call and ask for orders for the kids flipping out who did not have any prn's ordered. Obviously, this was a problem. I asked her why she didn't call for orders and she said that no one ever told her she was to call and ask for orders if someone needed something. She is now wondering where she can work. I know that she is not good mechanically or using fine skills. She hid throughout clinicals and took easy patients so she didn't get in trouble for not being able to do skills. She had average grades. So basically, she never inserted a foley, ng tube, did trach care, suctioning, start an iv, only did a few dressings. She only hung a few ivpb meds and had trouble with doing that. She does not think or move fast so med/surg is obviously out. She thought she would try psych since she knew she wouldn't have to do any physical skills. She is terrified of skills. She also does not want to be a charge nurse or supervisor. She worked in an office her whole adult life. She doesn't want to throw away her nursing education, but I don't know what to suggest to her to do. She likes the idea of being a nurse. She has a very good full time day shift (college office) job that she is not going to leave. It is a very good paying job with good benefits and lots of time off. So she isn't going to trade it in for a full time nursing job. She is in her 50's and in good health. She is looking for mostly weekend or occassional evening work. Do you guys have any suggestions what may be a fit for her? Do you think she should forget nursing all together? I really can't think of anywhere for her to work. Please help me with idea's for her. Thanks in advance.
I don't mean to step on anyone's toes but how in the world did she get through the lab classes without having to 'get checked off' on some of these skills? How could she hide during clinicals ?? Weird!!
She just got lucky with skills performance exams. Its easy to hide in clinical when there is a big group. Also... A lot of insturctors ass/u/me competence with increased age. (she is in her 50's) So a lot of insturctors didn't really check up on her. We had the same last name and we went to the same school. I was a straight A student, very involved in the program and well liked by all instructors. I feel like she got through on my name. That is how she got her last job. :stone I worked on that unit.
Why is it, when a "nurse" lacks clinical or critical thinking skills, it is suggested they try LTC?
I have worked LTC, Psych and Med/Surg and believe me you need clinical and critical thinking skills for LTC! That "irks" me too... NOT an easy place to work...
Even most 'paperwork' type jobs want some years of medsurg or other hands on experience. Doing chart reviews requires a good knowledge base of signs,symptoms, treatments, and assessments.
I too would have to question this person's true vocation..it doesn't really sound like it's nursing.
I hear it said all the time that the nurses who can't make it in acute care go to LTC. Ha! When I started as a CNA I was told that acute facilities around here would not hire unless there was at least 6 months LTC experience because if you can survive that, you can work anywhere. I heartily agree with that one!! My hat goes off to LTC staff all the time, I don't think I could do it.
Why is it, when a "nurse" lacks clinical or critical thinking skills, it is suggested they try LTC?
Interesting question! I work in LTC/rehab. The residents/patients are for the most part A&O x3. They can be very demanding and any little ache/pain/concern get's communicated to me and other nurses. I use critical thinking and assessment skills to prioritize/evaluate the complaints and determine if it is justified calling the PCP/PT/OT/social services for orders/direction or just passing the info to them as an FYI. These people are in an environment that lacks a lot of stimulation and some get bored and need/want attention. Many are valid complaints but some are not.
I cannot imagine how I would act if i found myself having to live in an environment where I have darn near zero privacy (despite our best efforts) and where I am dependent on someone else for something as simple as getting my TV remote into reach or mailing a Christmas card.
While she may be a wonderful person, it does not sound like she is suited to nursing. She needs to have basic skills and the fact that she hid from them in school is very telling. The fact that she doesn't want to leave her other job to take a nursing position tells me she does not have the drive to really try to make it in nursing. Nursing not only includes the performance of physical skills, but requires a passion to care for others.
GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN
1,553 Posts
She just got lucky with skills performance exams. Its easy to hide in clinical when there is a big group. Also... A lot of insturctors ass/u/me competence with increased age. (she is in her 50's) So a lot of insturctors didn't really check up on her. We had the same last name and we went to the same school. I was a straight A student, very involved in the program and well liked by all instructors. I feel like she got through on my name. That is how she got her last job. :stone I worked on that unit.