Anybody who started out working in a Nursing home as their fisrt RN job?

[jobhunting, ASN, RN]

okay so i recently got hired in a nursing home two weeks ago. my very first job as a new rn. woooooottt!!:)

and the "wooot" ends here.

but my problem now is i'm still tooooo slow! nurse: patient ratio is 1:15 (on skilled wing) and 1:20-25 (on long term wing). i got only ten days of orientation (two of those working on computer stuff) and i really really thought i could do what the other nurses were doing while still on orientation! that's why i agreed to start on my own, with guidance from other nurses around me helping me with other stuff like re-ordering meds, entering orders on the computer, calling doctors, etc. the other nurses also got about the same days for orientation and now as i see them it seems like they've been working as a nurse since forever! because they have all the duties go so smooth, unlike myself that i literally cannot even stop in between.

unfortunately i found that the clock was my worst enemy! ugghh!! i work day shift and it is soooo busy because some have physical therapy, or others are at activity, and since i barely know the residents (i don't have a permanent area so i cannot get the chance to know the residents day to day), i have to hunt them down and that takes up a lot of my time:bugeyes:

you know when there is that one hour window before and after the meds schedule. i cannot complete passing meds within that 2 hours and then the next set of meds slowly creeps up on me! some nurses are very supportive, they tell me it will get better in time, and that they've been in my shoes when they first started. but of course there are those that get annoyed, although they try not to show it.

but until when is a reasonable time to be able to catch up and not get fired for being so behind? i literally do not have a break because all i do is panic and try to catch up with the time! and i barely even have the time to do the treatments like changing dressings, checking skin conditions,and all the other stuff because its this darn med pass that i can't seem to catch up on yet. i feel so dumb when the next shift arrives and see me not yet even done! and they have to adjust the next dose of those people i've given meds late. help!

i don't give up easily and i'm thankful to have a job, i just want to hear from others who has been in my shoes and how/when you got "better" at managing time. after what length of time did the don or your fellow nurses expect you to perform as a proficient nurse? sorry for this long post, i guess i'm just overwhelmed:cry:

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Oh, honey.....:hug:You've been on the job two weeks, and you're expecting to perform like a nurse who's been at it for months or years? PLEASE don't be so hard on yourself---it takes a lot more than ten days of orientation to learn the ropes of nursing in LTC (or anywhere else, for that matter). And whatever you do, try to avoid comparing yourself to others....chances are, their shifts aren't going anywhere nearly as smoothly as it may seem to you right now. The veterans can make it look easy, but they have terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days all the time......trust me, I've worked LTC on and off for years, and there have been days when it was all I could do not to stand in the middle of the nurses' station and bawl like a baby!

The med pass will get easier and faster. The treatments, phone calls, charting, families, orders, falls, paperwork etc. will also become routine with time, although it'll never be easy to complete everything properly, get out on time and keep your manager from squawking. Think of it this way: if nursing were easy, everyone could do it. :)

[jobhunting, ASN, RN]

awww.. Thank you VivaLasViejas I needed that hug!!

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

I feel your pain! I just started my first RN job February 1st working on a short term rehabilitation unit at a nursing home. The average stay on my unit is 1-3 weeks, so the patient load is constantly changing. There are a lot of discharges and admits, with LOTS of paperwork. I work second shift, so the first 1-2 hours of my day are usually consumed with physician calls, checking orders, and tying up all the loose ends from day shift. On average I end up staying 1-3 hours after my shift doing charting and faxes. I just cannot seem to get it all done within the time allotted. So far my managers haven't mentioned anything about my overtime, but I just hope I can get quicker before they start getting mad! It seems to be "normal" to feel this way. I guess I can't really tell you when it will get better, but just assure you that you are not alone!

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Oh yes, I hear you sister/brother. It will take time. Even with a routine you have to constantly re-prioritize... Welcome to LTC.

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

It gets better, this I know to be true. I have been working in LTC for 9mos now (my first job as an RN also) and I remember how I felt those first few weeks. What I learned is to step back and take a deep breath! And it does get better. It really does. :) It takes a bit of time. The previous poster who said to not compare yourself to other nurses is right. I drove myself nuts in the early days trying to compete with the other nurse on my floor. Now, I just worry about my side and I am much better off. You'll have good days and bad days. We all do.

It does get better. Take a deep breath, and give yourself a pat on the back. When you finish your med pass 5 minutes faster, pat yourself on the back! Best of luck

[Cubchan]

I currently work in a similar setting and I can tell you that it does get better. Once you get more comfortable your routine will go quicker. You will know who is off the unit when and won't be spending as much time tracking down a resident or trying to find a med. You'll catch on faster than you probably think. It's a different world than what we learn about in nursing school but you have the skills to do it.

When I started I felt like I was a horrible nurse because I was only doing what had to be done and didn't feel that I was being pro-active. The longer I worked, the more I was able to apply my skills and now I go into work confident that I am giving the highest quality or care that I have to offer. Reach for that goal... it's what you're here to do.