First job in long-term care facility

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Help. . . I am a new LPN. I was lucky and got a job at a long-term nursing and rehab facility right away. My problem is I have been there for a month now, and I am very frustrated. My body aches continually. I never get out on time, sometimes as late as three hours past shift. I work evening shift so there is no one to help with questions. This being my first job I have many questions. My wing has about 25 patients which might not sound like a lot, but I do everything including ordering new meds, physician faxes, phones, charting, treatments, med passes, admissions. I am trying my best. I have never had a break, except for dinner time. I try to take my 30 minutes, but it is hard to do when there is so much work. I love love love my residents (there are few exceptions). How am I ever to get out in eight hours? I am running to get everything done. How is this achievable? I know I'm a hard worker, but I am getting very discouraged. I want to do a good job.

If anyone has any suggestions, please help me. My orientation was a joke. The nurse training me said, "you will figure it out".

Ugh. . . I am so very tired and sore. I am told it will get better. One of the nurses sits at the nurses station half of his shift. I am wondering if he is doing all of his work. Seriously, I am scrambling as fast as possible just to get the meds passed and treatments done.

Suggestions?

Thanks for listening.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

At one month, you are still new. Give it a couple more months and you'll feel more confident.

https://allnurses.com/geriatric-nurses-ltc/first-job-out-604815.html

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Isjoli,

I remember the first month of LPN nursing in LTC and it does get better. BUT you can work a hallway/unit that has a unique group of patients that turn a "typical" 25 patient hallway into an unmanageable hallway. When I say "unique group" I am talking about more diabetes patients than normal, or more rehab than normal, or more COPD than normal...all these patients are relatively more unstable and require more attention and meds or treatments. Give it more time as you'll find that in one aspect nursing is like waitressing--you don't want to waste even one step. Carry a cheat sheet with you at all times that lists patient needs that you can check off as completed and entered in MAR/TAR. You have CNA's that are your eyes and ears, learn to trust them and respect them, but also make sure they are doing what is delegated. And lastly, have you asked the nurse that's sitting for help? have you asked your supervisor for help? Good luck.

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It will get better, honest. If it doesn't after a while...might be the facility.

As far as the body aches, tired etc....take care of yourself. Body mechanics is not always taught in school, but so important. I remember working as a CNA while in nursing school. At that time, we didn't need to take a class but just the test to be certified. Sooooo....I never really learned how to properly lift a person, turn a person transfer a person etc. wow. and ouch.

Night and day learning the proper body mechanics.

Ask PT/ OT for an inservice or watch other nurses.

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Specializes in Icu, Corrections, CICU.

It will get better and if you get a lunch break that is a good thing. Most of the time nurses don't even get a pee break.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I am not a nurse but a QMA. i work in ltc and i have seen many new nurses come and go. most get overwhelmed and have had the same issues you have. i really do, do my best to help with whatever i can. i suggest that you start out with a cheat sheet of all the things that are routine, make copies of it and use it daily. add to it as necessary. i've seen many nurses do this. i do it myself because QMA's are starting to have more required of them. i do plan to return to school shortly and get my LPN. Time is another thing. it takes time and from listening to nurses school doesn't teach you what it is really like out on the floor. you will get better and learn your routine and learn to manage your time.

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Oh my goodness - I feel the EXACT same way as you!! I'm a brand new LPN in a rehab/ltc center and my first day of orientation, about 2 hours after I started, the nurse I was following handed me the keys and said, "Have fun." My orientation is a joke! I understand that this particular nurse has been here for 15+ years and knows this facility in and out, but I just graduated! I train with a different nurse tonight and I hope for some actual orientation. For every question I had in re: to faxing, pharmacy, etc, Nurse #1 would just look at me like, "Why don't you know this?"

I'm excited to be actually working and as a brand-new LPN, I don't feel it's too much to ask for orientation to the facility!!

I totally, totally know how you feel!! :eek:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.
Oh my goodness - I feel the EXACT same way as you!! I'm a brand new LPN in a rehab/ltc center and my first day of orientation, about 2 hours after I started, the nurse I was following handed me the keys and said, "Have fun." My orientation is a joke! I understand that this particular nurse has been here for 15+ years and knows this facility in and out, but I just graduated! I train with a different nurse tonight and I hope for some actual orientation. For every question I had in re: to faxing, pharmacy, etc, Nurse #1 would just look at me like, "Why don't you know this?"

I'm excited to be actually working and as a brand-new LPN, I don't feel it's too much to ask for orientation to the facility!!

I totally, totally know how you feel!! :eek:

Wow, that's ridiculous! Does this nurse know you're a beginning LPN, Cappuccino? If she does and you've already explained to her that you're trying to learn as much as you can during orientation, request a different mentor. I know you may not want to start up drama, but it looks like this nurse has beat you to it with her ignorant attitude.

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So, made it for four months, now on suspension for some charting issue and also a CNA called a resident's family as she was confused and always is. Then CNA handed me the phone. It was resident's son, upset because wanted doc to take resident of certain med he said made her confused. Said he had talked to physician before. I stated I would talk to MD again and sorry about situation, etc. I did chart in the chart and even mentioned to RCM what happened. I felt it wasn't appropriate for

CNA to take it upon herself to call family without consulting with someone (me) first. Anyway, RCM stated CNA had the right to do this. Well, I am the one in trouble for this phone call. I charted it and discussed it with RCM, but didn't call the MD personally. So, sad to say, looking for another job :(.

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So, made it for four months, now on suspension for some charting issue and also a CNA called a resident's family as she was confused and always is. Then CNA handed me the phone. It was resident's son, upset because wanted doc to take resident of certain med he said made her confused. Said he had talked to physician before. I stated I would talk to MD again and sorry about situation, etc. I did chart in the chart and even mentioned to RCM what happened. I felt it wasn't appropriate for

CNA to take it upon herself to call family without consulting with someone (me) first. Anyway, RCM stated CNA had the right to do this. Well, I am the one in trouble for this phone call. I charted it and discussed it with RCM, but didn't call the MD personally. So, sad to say, looking for another job :(.

Wait! you got suspended for charting issue and CNA telling on you? I am not sure if I understand what you just stated.

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