First Job!! First Day!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh...

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Jul 21, 2008

Ummm, it was completely overwhelming and I wondered frequently just what I had gotten myself into. (Still do, some days!) Most of nursing seems to be on the job training, and has little to do with what we learned in school. Sure there's the assessment skills and such, but the rest is pretty much learn as you go. It is scary, but I have survived thus far, and have a feeling you will too.:wink2: Congrats on graduating and passing that evil test! :yeah:

Jules A, MSN · Jul 21, 2008

It takes some getting used to but you will do just fine! Keep us posted.

duling · Jul 22, 2008

I'm about to graduate, and fortunately I'm already working in an LTC as Activity director, and hopefully If I pass I might just work in the same facility. So that's less stress for me I guess, since I'm already familiar w/ the staff and the patients. I've seen new grads nurses in our facility...well most of them have to extend hours of work, to do their charting...One of them said she already lost 5 lbs.:nuke:

But as they get familiar and everything just became a routine, and they even added extra job on weekends..So goodluck! Just take everything w/ a grain of salt.

LVN2145 · Jul 22, 2008

One of them said she already lost 5 lbs.:nuke:
.

5 lbs really?? Hmmm....Well I can look forward to weight loss during the first few days!! hahaha..I love it! The thing that lowers my nervousness a bit is that my mom works there as a CNA (pm shift though) and I basically know alot of the CNAs already.....I guess I'm just really nervous to put my skills to work. It is a bit different from the school atmosphere where you only got 1 to 2 patients and now will have 20-25!!! But I met some of the other nurses and everybody assures me that they have a really friendly staff all around. :yeah:

kstec, LPN · Jul 24, 2008

You'll be a nervous wreck and it will continue that way for about 2-4 weeks. Once you get used to the residents and the medpass, it will get easier. At first you think that there is no way you'll be able to do it, but if its a good facility and you find nurses who have been there a long time, CNA's who do a good job, a place that doesn't smell like urine, a place that isn't constantly calling you to come in and gives you a good thorough orientation, than you'll be fine. If any of the above happen, you may never get used to it. LTC is tricky and you sometimes have to job hop to find one that meets your quality of care and staffing. I hope your first place as a nurse is a good one, but don't be surprised if it's not. I'm not trying to sound negative, but as others in LTC will tell you, when you fear the safety of your residents, and have a fear of losing your license due to coorporate greed, short staffing, and poor quality of care, don't be afraid to move on. As a new grad, you should get atleast 3-4 weeks orientation. Don't let them pull the 2 days to one week crap.

krazy_coconuts · Jul 24, 2008

You'll do great! :up:

I'm 2 weeks into my first LPN job. Every shift I walk around with butterflies, but I feel a little more confident everyday.

Congrats on the new job!

Snickers&DtCoke · Jul 24, 2008

Firstly CONGRATS! I'm all with KSTEC who talks of finding the right LTC facility. I found a wonderful place, odor free and proud of it! Plan on staying as long as they will have me. Problem free?? NO WAY! but always evolving.

Secondly, get that small notebook out and take notes, keep it in your pocket... I did this and I still pull it out (nearly 2 years gone by) and refer to it. So do peers who did not keep a notebook! :-)

Don't let them throw you to the job. If you can ... OBSERVE one full day with your trainee... Then let your comfort level guide you (I know you won't sit back on your heels too long) One of my peers told me of her first job... NO exaggeration.. On her FIRST day (Brand new lpn) her trainee said... I have to attend this meeting, you will pass these meds OK?" It was a vent unit!!!! My peer said, "Uh, you will not leave me.. or I will not stay here." I think she was there a total of 4 hours. (sadly there are some unbelievable facilities out there.)

And for now... lastly, Don't be quick to judge or form strong opinions other staff by what others say. Being bright eyed and friendly with all the departments will go a long way.

Best of luck!

duling · Apr 6, 2009

Hi!! I totally grow in this forum...starting from the CNA thread, to student LVN....NCLEX discussion, pearsonvue trick and now I just passed my board and about to have my first day of orientation. As I mentioned in my earlier post..my facilty absorved me and I'm greatful because It will be a lot easier for me since I know all the patients and the staff. I'm just worried that everyone might be on the look for me for mistakes I hope all goes well...I have a supportive staff..especiallt the Licensed nurse...I'm more worried about the CNA's.

jadey1 · Apr 8, 2009

I've been a Licensed nurse for 6 years but decided to try LTC, when I relocated, 2 years ago.

I was more worried about the paperwork than the patient care. As a new nurse, you'll have all that information you learned in school FRESH in your mind. Normally, brand new nurses are the best (in my experiences with them). You guys have the mindset of a student, so you just absorb the information so much more quickly than us old birds, who have been out of the loop for a while.

The best nurse we have, right now, is a youngun that preceptored at our facility, before she ever even took her big bad test. She was a CNA, here, for a few months, while she was going through school. She knew her patients better than the nurses that worked with the patients, everyday. Since she's a full-time Baylor nurse, SHE helps US! We just help her with what forms she needs, if something arises.

Congrats on graduating and passing THE TEST!! *JAWS music* Good luck!