Feeling Frustrated by job in LTC

[epicnurse]

Hello nurses,

I'm a semi-new LPN working in a LTC facility. This is the first job I've had as a nurse... I came to this job straight out of nursing school, and I've been there for about a year. As a brand new nurse, I was kind of thrown to the wolves by the management. Granted, they were desperate for nurses - I'm not sure they had much of a choice. But I was regularly the only nurse on a floor with forty residents who I had to pass meds to, do treatments on, call doctors, get orders, and also be in charge of several nurse aides who were very new to the job and had some serious attitude problems. Along the way, I was offered minimal assistance by my supervisors. Most of the time I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing or whether or not I was doing it right, and needless to say I picked up a few bad habits along the way.

This brings us up to the present, when I recently had a pharmacy audit. The results weren't pretty, and the way it made me feel was even uglier. It's like if I don't do every little thing the perfect way, I get slapped with an audit, but when management leaves me on a unit by myself with supervisors who can't be a$$ed to help me when I ask for it, there's no kind of repercussion. And it's not like I'm sitting on my laurels. From the time I get to work at 2:30 until I leave at 11, I'm running to get everything done. How much more am I expected to squeeze into an eight hour shift??

I really just needed to vent and get some support. What was your first job like? Your first pharmacy audit? How have you dealt with situations where you're in over your head? What are your limits at a work place, and how do you decide whether to stick it out or look for a new place to work?

[jade1024]

My first job was the same way. I was also thrown to the wolves as you put it. I quit my job after three months.

[Sunbabi]

I know it doesn't feel like it right now but being thrown to the wolves can be a good thing. You will end up having superior organizational skills and time management abilities. If you ever feel uncomfortable as far as your ability to care for a certain amount of patient's make sure you voice that to your supervisor. Consider it as, looking out for the safety and well being of the patient. My first job was through the agency. I'd worked there for several years as a CNA so I knew the patient's which helped alot. I was thrown to the wolves on pretty much every assignment because they like to give the agency nurse the hardest assignments :). Don't give up, voice your concerns and have a great sense of humor to get you through.