New grad first job-Is this the norm in nursing??

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello, I graduated with an ADN in May. My first job as a RN was at a LTC/TCU facility that provided almost 0 training except following a nurse around for 3 days, who was too busy to actually show you anything because they had 20 some patients to give meds and treatments etc. I was put on the floor after 3 days to figure it out on my own, with not a soul around to ask questions if they arise. While I understand we all have to learn somehow, I don't learn well this way and do not feel this is safe for the patients or the nurse. Also the staffing at this facility is awful and I have been left with 20 patients in TCU to care for by myself because they just didn't have another nurse. Needless to say I got tired of that fast and decided to pursue other job opportunities. I stayed on as casual employee until I am able to find something else. But every time I am called to pick up a shift, I just dread it because I don't know what I am walking in to as far as staffing, patient load etc. I enjoy the geriatric population but would feel awful at the end of my shift because I would finally sit down to write a nurses note about the patient and feel like I have barely seen that patient except for the 2 minutes I ran in to the room to give them their meds. I read all of these posts about new grads having wonderful preceptors and support when they first start as a new grad nurse and I have not had that experience at all. I also hear about how as a nurse you have so many opportunities to try different areas of nursing until you find an area that fits you best. I have been looking for a new job and applying at hospitals- with the hope that the hospital would provide some training and a preceptor, but as an ADN these jobs are pretty much impossible to come by. I am open to any advice and interested in hearing others experiences about their first job as RN. Is this the norm in nursing?? I am hopeful that because I am new grad I just need to get some experience under my belt and better opportunities will arise, but I am starting to feel discouraged.

I had 8 weeks of orientation as a new grad, as well as a charge nurse who does not have a patient care assignment. A charge nurse is the most useful resource for a new nurse. My experience as a new grad ADN was 20 years ago when the job market was beginning to open up for nurses after and when the BSN did not matter so much.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It sounds like you're caught in a difficult situation... with acute care jobs only open to BSNs. Then your options would be limited to non-acute settings that have a much lower reimbursement rate - so they don't have the funds to support orientation and training in the same way as hospitals do. Have you looked into Home Care? They may not have well-developed orientation/training, but the patient load would be lighter in terms of volume. Another area that you may want to consider is Hospice. You can start out as a 'volunteer' but after you complete the mandatory training (usually about 24-30 hours) and begin working with them, it may well lead to a job offer.

I wish nursing schools would do a better job of informing prospective students about the real job market that they're going to be dealing with.

I started as a new nurse in HD, the company I work for provided a thorough training program. I truly enjoy my job but it is very fast paced and busy. Several nurses that I graduated with have had similar experiences as yours in LTC. I wish you the best of luck in your search for a job that will provide you adequate training.

+ Add a Comment