Were you a know it all at your 1st LPN job???

KRODD · Nov 22, 2012

Hey! So I have a question for all of you! When you first worked (or if you are first working as a LPN) as a LPN-- Did you go into your 1st job knowing how to do everything??!?Because seriously-- I HAVE to VENT! I had my 2nd day today on the ACTUAL floor shadowing LPNs and they are all snotty, mean, arrogant and ******!!! Believe me when I say this! I went into this new job with a positive attitude and I still have one!I am a new grad, and this is my first LPN Job. I applied to work 0.9 shift on a PM shift in a SNF. I am responsible for MY LICENSE, and I am responsible for making sure that I know and DO what my job title entitles! These LPN girls get extra snooty with me when I ask questions (which is frequent at times) to clarify anything I don't know of. Also.. Today I had the pleasure of shadowing mostly an RN- and she was amazing. She let me ask questions, she let me watch when I felt uncomfortable to do a treatment or to give a med. She let me go at my pace and gave me advice and constructive criticism. So when You landed your very first LPN job-- did you absolutely know how to do every freaking thing from med passes to types of treatments to drugs etc???I didn't pass my boards test for no reason. I studied hard, and today these LPN ladies just confirmed to me that they have no compassion. Their experience and knowledge came from their many years of experience-- where as me?? Im a complete nooby and am ambitious to learn and to excel my nursing skills.. Gosh. Where is the LOVE!!!!!?!??! Ugh! I'm so frustrated!

Alot of nurses are very territorial. Most likely theyll get used to you.

skye614 · Nov 22, 2012

I am a newer LPN, and all through school I heard the term " Nurses eat their young"...While I havent seen it often, except for one LPN who acted like she was a doctor and was never a new nurse, I will tell you that I can imagine that you will encounter some nurses that just dont like the new ones, on the upside for every nurse like that, you will probably encounter 10 others who will be more than willing to help you and will teach you valuable lessons. When I got my first job as an LPN, I started right out of school as a temp unit clerk and was then trained for a pool position in a skilled nursing facility. I most certainly did not know how to do everything, I was nervous and always asking questions. I am really big on the "what if's"...what if this happens, what if that happens....etc.... the truth is that you are dealing with human beings, and while policies and procedures are in black and white, people are all a gray area, unpredictable and unique. Even clinicals, training and orientation can never totally prepare you for every single thing that happens. That is the benefit of gaining experience, and you will, and for every day that goes by, every patient you encounter and every situation you witness you will take that experience and carry it with you until you become a seasoned nurse. I think it is a process, one that I am still learning, as will you. Dont let any bad experiences drag you down.