Help me get through this!!!! Tough first nursing job

[SnowboardRN]

Like many new grads, I applied anywhere and everywhere when I graduated. I had some interviews at a few hospitals, and an interview at a long term care facility where I had done my geriatrics clinical. That last one had me come in for a 2nd interview up in their rehab unit. They told me they have one nurse per 5 patients, and that it was a lot of computer work. The pay was 3 dollars more an hour than any of the hospitals. M-F 3:00-11:30, NO weekends. They loved me & pretty much hired me on the spot.

I got about a week and a half of training, where the continued to get more and more admits and we were so busy that my trainer was having me do the things I already knew how to do (Blood sugars, insulin, vitals & assessments) while she did everything else because it was obvious she needed help being the only nurse. At the end of the week and a half, I was to start on my own and had been told "If you need more training then just let us know!" So, I told them "I have not gotten to learn hardly anything during orientation, so I really think I would benefit from some more training before going on my own, especially since I'm a brand new nurse." Well they nicely told me "We don't have any extra nurses to train right now, just call the supervisor if you have questions."

I was freaked out but sucked it up and went in there, my first night went fine, but between phone calls, family visits, vitals and assessments on each of my 12 patients, and allllll the meds, i was JUST finished in time for the 3rd shift nurse to be there.

Then the next night all hell went loose, a patient passed away (expected, but still I had no idea what to do! And I am the ONLY nurse on my floor!), a patient fell, a script for vicodin wasn't sent with a new admit and they needed their pain meds.... I was calling the supervisor every 10 minutes.

I was running around like crazy and didn't end up getting all my vitals and assessments done until about 1 in the morning, didn't get home until close to 2, and then the next evening the NP came and I had about 20 new orders to put in the computer and write out on the physician's order sheet....that night I didn't get off until 2 a.m.....

I am exhausted. I know I will get faster at passing the meds, vitals, and computer work.... But now I have been told that TWO people were hired for my position before me and they both quit shortly after training because of how hectic it is. And that no one in the long term care facility wanted the job even though it paid more.

My weekend was too short and it's monday again, about an hour before I have to leave and I am just dreading it! I know that if I can get through this I will feel so proud, but I just need some encouragement! I was talking to my husband about it yesterday trying to make myself feel better and he was no help "Well if you worked at a hospital you would only have to work 3 or 4 days a week, and you would have half as many patients as you do now....." We had two more admits over the weekend, so now I have 14 patients!! And one CNA.

Help me get through this!!!!

[sbostonRN]

I would definitely have a sit down with your supervisor or DON and talk to them about how stressed your feeling. Ask about any advice they have for time management and really stress that you need extra help during the busy hours (maybe someone can help you for 3-4 hours before the pts go to bed), if not extra time training. Being a new nurse in this type of setting is super stressful and it does take awhile to get used to. I have been working day shift on a rehab floor for 4 months now and I'm just starting to get the hang of it. Ideally I have 15 patients but sometimes I get up to 21 and that usually pushes me right over the edge. Being on your own to manage all that is really the worst part of the situation. If the sup/DON isn't willing to work with you, I'd start looking for another job - an extra $3 isn't worth the stress!

[Jaimie.RN]

I feel for you. I had the exact same situation at my job but just got a new job and quit my old job. They stuck me with 33 patients though and no help, on nights where I have no one to call, and the meds and supplies are never there when I need them. It was just plain unsafe and I feared for my license and for my patients. I only quit because I had a new job, but if I hadn't gotten my new job, I'd be searching. Sorry that you have been abused like this, it's not fair and I don't care what anyone says.