First week as a nurse, need some advice

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Hey everyone,

I know a lot of you have said the first year is awful, but everyone's situation is a little different. I basically took the first job that was willing to hire me, which was also in LTC/Rehab. I did two weeks of orientation there which were worthless. My first day on my own was awful. I had no resources, nobody to ask questions to because everyone just ignored me, and my supervisor was not very helpful since she was a part time weekend supervisor. Well, I work on a weekday and it's even worse. My nursing supervisor is pretty worthless, since everyone is overworked nobody has a minute to spare to help answer my questions, and I've never felt so lost in my life. I feel that I can just barely pass medications to 12 (sick patients), let alone address their family's issues, and there's. At times I almost feel like I have to neglect some of my patients to get things done. At the end of the day, I get there early, leave late, and get nothing but med pass done.

I don't know when I will have a minute to have someone show me how to look up labs and such. I've already discharged two patients not knowing what I was doing. I personally feel that this facility just hired me because they needed a space to fill. I feel that I'm compromising patient care and although this is a learning process, my goal is to help people get better. I go home thinking and thinking, go to bed dreaming, and even on my day off I am taking this job with me.

I have a few options running through my head since I've always leaned more towards school nursing/1 on 1 nursing. I enjoy the counseling and teaching and caring for the individual. While my classmates have hoped and prayed to be in the ER or ICU when they left nursing school, I have had no interested in the "adrenaline" rush. Since working here full time is really taking over my life, I am wondering if asking them for something part time would be more suitable for me, while doing home health on the side (which is more counseling, educating patients, etc). I could also quit, if I feel this facility is not a good fit for me. The other option I have is working on a different unit like the first floor which is more orthopedic patients (and from the sounds of my coworkers, easier for a new grad nurse). However, I think because the first floor is easier, there is no available slots for me. I really am not one to give up something before giving it a try, but my sanity isn't worth any job or amount of money, especially if I'm not enjoying what I do. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Telemetry, Med-Surg.

My first RN job was in LTC as well. I didn't even get any orientation. My first day on the floor, I was given the keys to a med cart (approximately 20 residents per med cart). After my 'orientation', I was on my own. I had 40 residents on a skilled hall (no other nurse to help, and 3 aides that disappeared all the time). About 1/4th of them were diabetics and needed QID blood sugars. About 1/8th of them had g-tubes. I only had that job for about 2 months before I took a job on a telemetry unit. LTC is rough! You're typically overworked (as are all nurses) and understaffed. I spent my entire shift doing med pass, and always stayed over to chart. God forbid someone would fall and post-fall documentation would need done! I also felt that I wasn't giving proper care, because I wasn't given the resources to do so. Unfortunately, this is how it is in LTC, so you're not alone in how you feel. If you think the other unit will be a better fit, give that a try. But I wouldn't quit until you have something else lined up. Also, please know that nursing is stressful and overwhelming and it's unlikely that you're going to find something "easy".

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I know it's hard the first few weeks as it was for me I now work for a temp service and so I go to many different facilities that I haven't been to before, here is a few things you can try, wheyou take your lunch break see if there is a nurse or supervisor or an aid that you can ask questions to ask during your break also try the MDS coordinator I know her life is just as busy but she'll be able to help you with knowing how to fill out a lot of the paperwork that needs to be done and coming in early helps also try to talk to some of the nurses from the prior shift before they leave to answer some of your questions keep your head up your patience will appreciate it if you have anymore questions feel free to message me

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Specializes in GI surgical.

I agree with lilsn, it's tough!. I'm sort of in the same position p no idea whats happening with what etc. I'm really tempted to move to another unit just because they have more staff to patient ratio so they will have slightly more time to talk things through!. I think the feeling of neglecting patients comes with the amount of paperwork that nurses have to fill in nowadays. You'll sort your routine out eventually. It'll take time!

Hope it gets better and you decide what you want to do!

:)

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Don't go anywhere until you find something else. Employers seem to like to hire someone that is already working rather than unemployed.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I know it's hard the first few weeks as it was for me I now work for a temp service and so I go to many different facilities that I haven't been to before here is a few things you can try, wheyou take your lunch break see if there is a nurse or supervisor or an aid that you can ask questions to ask during your break also try the MDS coordinator I know her life is just as busy but she'll be able to help you with knowing how to fill out a lot of the paperwork that needs to be done and coming in early helps also try to talk to some of the nurses from the prior shift before they leave to answer some of your questions keep your head up your patience will appreciate it if you have anymore questions feel free to message me[/quote']

^THIS. :yes:

It also helps to have a system in place; accu checks first; then if they need BPs/VS, get them done.

Set up who needs meds early; Pegs can be done first; then meds while, then crushed. Next are treatments. Then chart. I take break/lunch between med pass, then treatments.

I did this same method for many years; was on the cart on Christmas and haven't done a med pass in five years; was out of there by 3:35 pm on a 7-3 shift with EVERYTHING done, including change in conditions. Very proud of myself. ;)

It get's better; I also agree to keep looking while you are still at this job; the opportunities will come. :yes:

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