Fear of the unknown

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I receive my license in Feb. I fill out an application to work at an LTC ,they call me back today and had a brief hiring conversation over the phone. 6 month evaluatoin,19 dollars an hour,2 days of orientation,starting tomorrow and nervous bc it happen so quickly,so Im feared of the unknown of what might happen tomorrow.Im the 3-11 shift and I guess ill be there 30 min early. This is what i been waiting for is to have some experience as an LVN, I hope that I can hang in there here i go (sigh) I know its probably a handfull from what i read on this website and so Ill just act like a sponge and do my best.

I just needed to vent because it needed to come out...LOL

I plan on hanging in there until at least a year hopefully more if its safe for me bc i think im a tuff cookie to pick up things fast.

well !! wish me luck !

Ill talk about what happen tomorrow that for sure.......

I took lots of great note from some of you informative nurses who give out really good notes on different issues

any word of encouragement , will be greatly appreciated

:stone

I have a list of things to ask tomorrow like 1.How are charting done here (narrative,or soap etc.) 2. Where is all the paper work etc. 3. How is order taken ( over the phone / verbally) 4. Standard operating procedures(where is it )

thats what i can think of from the top of my head right now...

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I have a list of things to ask tomorrow like 1.How are charting done here (narrative,or soap etc.) 2. Where is all the paper work etc. 3. How is order taken ( over the phone / verbally) 4. Standard operating procedures(where is it )

thats what i can think of from the top of my head right now...

OH and what paperwork is needed to transfer a pt from the facility to ER or what do you need to do call the Dr. and 911 right?

Maybe im venting too much .....LOL

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, ICU, clinic.

Don't be afraid to ask for extra orientation if you feel you need it; there's no harm in asking, and only you know how comfortable you feel. You'll never learn all you need to know in your orientation, no matter where you work, but remember it will come with time. The hardest part for me was remembering all the residents, especially since they don't wear bracelets. I used to check the tags in their shirts (most are labelled) then realized that Anne might be wearing Millie's shirt, etc. It will come; have confidence in yourself--you made it this far, right? Best of luck to you!

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yeah, your right and yeah i will have confidence when i walk threw that door tomorrow why not (THANKS SCRABBLER)

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

dude. if i managed to make it, you'll definately make it. two things that i had to bring with me is my general nursing knowledge to keep my patients safe, and good time management skills cause the patient to nurse ratio runs pretty high in LTC. i think those two characteristics are the most important characteristics to have when you first start because you can always ask questions about hospital policy. anyways, just hang in there and have fun. PM if you need more support.

jon lvn

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They must need help really badly to only give you 2 days of orientation. You worked really hard to get thru school, and you have the state behind you to say you equal the task. Now, you make a choice. Ask yourself if you are willing to put all that hard work on the line, just because they need help? Talk to the D.O.N. and tell her/him you need more orientation (and you do) if not then move on. There are a lot of LTC facilities out ther who are willing to train you a bit longer. Good Luck

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCL, EP.
2 days is the norm for an experienced nurse, but not for a new grad. At any rate LTC orientation leaves a lot to be desired.

I am a new grad, (3 months) and this is what every LTC facility I have talked to has named as their orientation length.

And I have heard the same thing, LTC has a notoriously bad orientation.

However, if the OP wants to work in LTC, she is probably going to have a 2 day orientation :)

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCL, EP.
Do you think i should go along with this in your opinion....?:stone

No idea! :) I am a new grad, too. I just figured i'd mention that the 2 day orientation for LTC seems to be completely normal, new grad or not.

I just had a phone call back from a company that would hire me to do private duty HOSPICE, 3 months out of school, no hospice experience. (and no, I am not taking the job ;) )

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NO NO NO:nono:Two days orientation is so not right.I have been in ltcf for 15 years,and trained a many new grads.At least 2 weeks!!!!It takes everybit this long to learn who the res are,what their problems are.This is bs.I would tell them for sure,this is not the way to start your career.Someone should pretty much be with you at all times for at least a week.This is my experience with training.When you feel comfortable,than you go on your own.I have trained rn's,and they at least get a week..

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

I am an RN at a LTC. I would ask to work as a CNA for a week even. Just to get to know the residents. putting names to faces is the hardest part. We encourage that in our facility. and 2 days Is not an oreintation.

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Specializes in med-surg, radiology, OR.

2 days for new grad? Run for the hills. 2 days for an experienced nurse makes more sense since they may just need to be oriented on where things are who to call blah blah blah. But for a new nurse? nah uh. You are looking at possible medication errors here.

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and if 2 days is the norm in ltc, what.a.disgrace.

my jaw fell when i read this...esp for a new grad?

imo, they're setting you up to fall on your face.

moreover, these residents are at tremendous risk for schleppy and even dangerous care.

dang.

leslie

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