First RN job at LTC.. Please I need help badly!

racs09_RN · Feb 29, 2012

thanks guys for the advice.. but i already asked for more orientation.. the DON said that its not possible.. the management only allows 2 days.. the DON said that all ther new grads go through the same and they made it. so im thinking that im not just cut out to be a nurse. i told the DON that i feel so incompetent on the floor because i cant get a routine and i think it'll be hard because i keep going around the places, even the shifts. i feel the same that i'm just there to fill whenever someone can't come in. i don't think as a new grad it will be an environment where i can learn. there's just no consistency..

Aem1215 · Mar 1, 2012

2 days of orientation just isn't enough. My nurses get 10 days of orientation and more if they ask. Put in 2 weeks notice though if you quit, you'll be doing you professional self a favor.

racs09_RN · Mar 1, 2012

where do you guys work? i need to go there.. im in cali

LockportRN · Mar 10, 2012

Ok, first I'd like to say don't quit. It takes a good 6 months to get even a bit comfortable at being a nurse and remember, we are always always learning new things as nurses. As other posters have told you, usually a new grad will get more orientation than just 2 days. Much more than when I was a DON, not only to ensure your comfort as a nurse in the hopes that you would stay with us, but for the safety of the residents. There are many things that you learn by the book in nursing school, but unless you are very aggressive as a student and are given the opportunity to actually perform the tasks that you learned in class, you should still have a preceptor watch you perform a new task to ensure that you can in fact, do it satisfactorily. Time management is a biggy to learn and it takes time and practice. This is not just something that you 'get' right out of nursing school. You have to figure in the 'human factor'. Each person is different and you have to adjust to them, their circumstances and what is right for you. So don't just assume that you are not or won't be a good nurse. It seems as though this DON uses the 'sink or swim' mentality in this facility. Rest assured, not all LTC facilities think or operate in this manner. Take it easy on yourself, remember how hard it was to get through nursing school? Do you remember having doubts then? If so, you kept at it and finished and got your license. Keep at this as well. You simply cannot judge your performance as a nurse after only 3 shifts my dear! Not in a good way, nor bad. Again, there are just too many variables and too much to learn. Take a deep breath, think about your day today. What went right? List them all and remember how you did them for tomorrow. Then build on that by thinking about what did not go as planned. Why didn't it? Was your cart not filled? Did you have to make many trips back to the station or the supply room? If so, plan on arriving tomorrow 15 inutes earlier to stock the cart. Was your cart clean and organized? If not, again, do it first thing tomorrow. Were there things that you forgot to do and had to go back repeatedly to do them? Make yourself what some nurses call their 'brains sheet' listing out things like accuchecks, BP's, etc. Then bring highlighters so that after you complete the task, check it off and know that it is done. You can experiment with time management if things like doing assessments are taking too long. Either get there early, get to your assigned unit, set up your cart while the off going nurse is completing her shift and maybe after you get your cart set up, take a walk to each of your assigned rooms to say goodmorning and get a quick visual that all of your residents are ok and they will tell you things that you may need to look into ie pain medication, breathing difficulties, a color that doesn't look right. Emergent things can be quickly addressed, the other things, add to your 'brains' and question the offgoing nurse. These are just some ways to help you get a bit of a better handle on the start of your day, though there are many many others.

I hope that you hang in there. Use your supervisors and your aids. Use the other nurses, ask them for tips and pointers. Often times they will KNOW that 'Millie will only take her meds whole in pudding, and hates applesauce' or that it takes Fred a week before he will talk to a new person and many others. Please keep us informed and don't give up. One day after plugging away, you will find that the day is over and everything went well, and soon enough you will be the one with the most experience and have the chance to help the new nurse feel competent with her new license.

NoahscoopsRN · Mar 17, 2012

I'm in a similar situation as you are. I'm brand new (as of Oct 2011) i'm in a busy LTC and like you, bounce from unit to unit. On my weekends on I am on the Alzh unit (4 nights) then one night a week a Medical/Psych unit and another night just a Medical unit. Feeding tubes, IV's, everything. I found it VERY overwhelming (and still do at times) getting to know the PT's and how the system works. I'm just now starting to get used to everything and it's March. However, my orientation was 2 weeks and could have been more if I felt the need for it. At the beginning of my hiring process I had told them that I had been out of a clinical setting for 2 years and felt a bit unsure of my skills etc and asked if I needed more orientation would I be able to have it and they said yes, we want you to be comfortable before you're on your own. Luckily I felt ok, and I have nurses on the other units that I call if I have questions or concerns. If I'm unsure about something, I ask, I don't care how stupid I look or sound, it's my license and I worked hard for it! My advice to you is to talk to your supervisors and explain your situation and that you feel as though you needed more time to orient. Time management is always difficult but when I feel as though I'm behind I just try to tell myself to relax and reassure myself that I'll get through it. You're not superwoman! If you need help ask, if you have questions ask. Good luck!