got the new nurse nerves!!!

javanurse2000, BSN, RN · May 11, 2010

Don't let anyone spoil this for you... I promise there are no wolves :0) You'll find out quickly who is receptive to your questions and who isn't...try to "hang" with the positive people. No one comes into a new job knowing everything...let alone a new career. Sounds like you have a really good positive attitude. Expressing your nervousness just shows that you really care about the work that you'll be doing. Good luck and congrats!!!!!

meadowsong, ASN, RN · May 11, 2010

Good for you, I wish you the best of luck! In time, you will learn almost everything you need to know. I say almost because you never know it all (which is a good thing), nursing is all about learning and growing :)

bumLVN · May 11, 2010

Congratulations on getting the job!!:yeah:I know what you feel because I am in the same boat. About to start in an assisted living today and I am sooo nervous. Anyway...good luck!! Just work hard and do your best. I know we can do this!!

nevergivingup83 · May 13, 2010

I too,understand what u r going thru.I just began my career as a nurse a week ago n was scared out of my mind.luckily the ltc facility that I'm at has me in a two week orientation because I am a new nurse and I couldn't be more grateful.We will eventually overcome our fears and go on to be great nurses.So keep smiling nad giving it your all and I think we both will be ok

LINJOH8571 · May 13, 2010

Just wanted to say that the 3 days of orientation have been non-existent! I have had to pass meds to 40 people and all on my own. The Med-tech, "training" me, didnt help at all last nite. I asked her for help, she said, "maybe later" when I had 25 more people to give meds to before 11 and it was 10:30. Why is a med-tech training an LPN anyway? I did it on my own and finished at 11:30. (while the med-tech was outside smoking cigs) You know, if they think they can run me away by being rude or not helping me, they are mistaken. I really like this job and they arent standing in my way. I will pick up speed with time. I just have to get to know the clients and figure out where everything is in the facility. (even if I have to do it on my own!!)

Starr1966 · May 14, 2010

i remember what it was like starting out as a new nurse. my first nursing job was in a ltc, that was a mistake for me. i didn't know enough i thought to be the only nurse on noc shift and responsible for 35 residents. it was quite nerve wracking. i would have nocs where i would literally cry before going to work. my orientation was only 3 days too. not near enough in my opinion.

i did however work in a small community hospital and i got a one month orientation. it was wonderful and i felt more confident. i think that is the way it should be in every facility, especially for new grads.

hang in there, you'll do fine. good luck et congratulations on becoming a nurse, that is something to be proud of!

wanda/nebraska

Peds_Nurse · May 16, 2010

Don't despair, Lin...

I'm on my 3rd month as a new nurse in LTC/Rehab facility and I only got 1 day orientation before being put on a wing by myself. You will get better every time you open that med cart. I didn't think I would ever get the hang of all the paperwork, the medications, the clients, etc. But, you learn quickly and then you can pick up speed. Just make sure you are dotting all your "i"s and crossing all your "t"s when documenting during your shift.

It gets better, truly it does!

LINJOH8571 · May 17, 2010

Well, this was my first weekend on my own. I got all my meds passed on time and everything in order by the end of my shift. I love this job and wish I had become an LPN way before now. I still have a lot to learn but I am so happy with this job. I do have a problem with the unprofessionalism that is displayed by my co-workers. They were talking tonight about LPN's, and they aren't "$&X?" With me right in the room. They just didnt care. I didnt say anything, but it really made me upset to think that people can be so mean. It also made me think that maybe I should be watching my back!!!!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 17, 2010

Well, this was my first weekend on my own. I got all my meds passed on time and everything in order by the end of my shift. I love this job and wish I had become an LPN way before now. I still have a lot to learn but I am so happy with this job. I do have a problem with the unprofessionalism that is displayed by my co-workers. They were talking tonight about LPN's, and they aren't "$&X?" With me right in the room. They just didnt care. I didnt say anything, but it really made me upset to think that people can be so mean. It also made me think that maybe I should be watching my back!!!!!

What titles were these people who were speaking negatively against LPNs? You'll find that there is always some sort of polarization between titles and each one feels that they are being more mistreated than the others. If it were RNs doing this, then, try to have the frame of mind that you, too, are a nurse and it will take time to meet their expectations. I have encountered quite a few RNs who felt that the LPN license was a waste of time, and as time marched on, based on my attitude and professionalism, I was found to be an asset to them than a hinderence. If it was CNAs, then, keep in mind that many of them feel abused because they do the bulk of the heavy lifting, etc...and many of them believe that nurses don't want to help them. What this probably was is people just picking on the new guy because they can. Sometimes, it takes awhile for people to warm up to the newbie. Like the saying that "Nurses eat their young". Sometimes, it can be any incumbant person eating their young...it's not always nursing.

My advice is to keep trying to learn your job to be more competent, and as you become more proficient, you can see windows of opportunity to assist the CNAs more. An example of that in my experience is on my first few days of orientation to the floor, I saw some CNAs I knew when I was also one. Immediately, they started asking me to assist them, and I had to tell them 'not now' because I was orienting as a new grad. I had no idea of how to be a nurse. I had to shadow another LPN and an RN to see what was required, etc... learn how to hang IV medications, mix the different meds, etc...and I was overwhelmed. After a few weeks, when I had it more together, I found ways to assist the CNAs. I knew that if I had assisted them with bathing, toileting, etc, and then had to be called to hang meds and forgot that poor patient left on the bedpan, I would have been equally as in trouble (and even moreso) than before. It had nothing to do with being above or below anyone...it was about learning what was expected of me.

And, bottom line...yes, you do have to watch your back. I am not saying this out to make you afraid or paranoid...it is just the nature of life. Always be observant of the characters of the people that surround you. Sometimes, silently watching can save your rear when you see what people are capable of doing. Learn everyone's talents and weaknesses so you know who to approach about what and when.

Peds_Nurse · May 17, 2010

Words of wisdom, Pagandeva...

I agree, you need to watch your back, it's just the nature of people in any profession, whether it be nursing or banking or anything else. I'm a new nurse, but I've been a manager for many, many years in different professions and it's the same everywhere. People are mean, remember the schoolyard bully? Well, some of them just grow up and be bullies at work.

You'll be ok, sounds like you're doing fine. Just concentrate on your job and the focus of your profession...Patient Care! They are our focus, not the petty politics of work.

When I started at my job, I was told by the hiring manager that I might hear "some negativity". Yeah, right! They were laying off many RNs and backfilling the jobs with lower paid LVNs to save money. I heard so much negativity about how LVNs are worthless, not really nurses, not as educated, and the place, according to these RNs was going to "fall apart inside of 6 months". Well, I've been there 4 months now and we are doing better than ever with a fresh staff of nurses (RNs and LVNs) and with all positive attitudes, no bad habits and although we are all learning, we are learning together as a team!

LINJOH8571 · May 22, 2010

Just wanted to update from this last week. I finally feel comfortable on the floor. I have talked to the Med-Techs that were talking bad about LPN's and we resolved the issue. They were concerned that the LPN's were not going to be doing direct patient care, I told them that I have been a CNA for 23 years and have no problem what-so-ever doing direct patient care. So this last week I have been doing LPN and CNA work. Giving showers, taking residents to the bathroom, all of it. I also talked with the DON and told her what has happened. She was pleased that I took the initiative to work this out with them. Our facility is going through big changes. I am new so these changes wont be so drastic to me, but I can tell the other employees are being impacted. Im going to be supportive to them and hope they adjust to them.