I dont know if I'm cut out for this.

[TheLiberation, ASN, BSN, RN]

I recently started a new job as a brand new LPN on a very busy long term care/rehabilitation center, part of a very big corporation.

I was given a 7 day orientation and have since started out on my own.

For one I live very far from this job, give or take anywhere from 45 mins - 1 hour but this is the most bearable part of it.

The central point of this post is that I feel so inadequate.

Now before any of you start telling me that this is how it is in the beginning and this is my rite of passage just like any new nurse, I can't change how I feel.

After this orientation, I wasnt scheduled at all for the next month because I was told I didnt let them know what my schedule was. Although I did tell many times what it was, they call me now and again, for NOW, as they say, to come into work.

I feel very weak in my skills, and so much so an outsider, especially considering that all my patients and co-workers speak Spanish so it is harder for me to make due there coupled with me being new and completely inexperienced.

Whenever I'm called into work, I feel this overwhelming sense of dread and it all makes me sick to my stomache. It's like going to work is this ever constant event that I have to prepare myself for. I just hate it. I dont want to give up because I know I'm not a quitter but I'm desperate for any mentoring I can get.

Please if anyone has any advice me, it'd be greatly appreciated apart from the things I already know. :)

[Glenna, LPN]

Hello there...I am a brand new LPN myself. I graduated last summer and I got my license in October.

I finally have my first LPN job in LTC. This job is just an on-call position which works just fine since I've already gone back to school to finish up a few more classes before I can start applying to bridge programs. I also just finished my last day of training last Friday. I am scared for when I work on my own...and I wanted to jump from the roof when I was passing out pills. Everything got backed up and we were so behind (no on my doing but other things came up). I almost just started crying right there. No fun.

We both of worked so hard to be where we are. I'm sure doing school there were a few moments where you felt that you couldn't do this and that you wanted to quit. I think what we are feeling is the same. We just gotta keep our heads up and take it all one day at a time. One day we will look back and be like yeah, I've got this! That ah-ha momment. I remember that feeling I got when I finally felt comfortable being a CNA 2 working in the surgical department. I will also get that ah-ha momment here as well.

Keep on trucking. Each day will get a little easier...for the both of us. lol

[TheLiberation, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hello there...I am a brand new LPN myself. I graduated last summer and I got my license in October.

I finally have my first LPN job in LTC. This job is just an on-call position which works just fine since I've already gone back to school to finish up a few more classes before I can start applying to bridge programs. I also just finished my last day of training last Friday. I am scared for when I work on my own...and I wanted to jump from the roof when I was passing out pills. Everything got backed up and we were so behind (no on my doing but other things came up). I almost just started crying right there. No fun.

We both of worked so hard to be where we are. I'm sure doing school there were a few moments where you felt that you couldn't do this and that you wanted to quit. I think what we are feeling is the same. We just gotta keep our heads up and take it all one day at a time. One day we will look back and be like yeah, I've got this! That ah-ha momment. I remember that feeling I got when I finally felt comfortable being a CNA 2 working in the surgical department. I will also get that ah-ha momment here as well.

Keep on trucking. Each day will get a little easier...for the both of us. lol

Thank you so much for your comment, it was incredibly empathetic and uplifting. See you on the upside

[nimopiba]

I have to say that, yes, feeling inadequate and nervous are all parts of being a new nurse in any job no matter how long you have been a nurse. With that being said, if you didn't have a clue about what it takes to be a nurse then you wouldn't have graduated, or passed the NCLEX for that matter. Keep in mind that we all had to start somewhere. I know it can be hard to overcome feelings but you can do it. You said that you have a long ride into work. Use that time to try to get into a "destress" routine. Bang your favorite tunes and get amped up about the awesome nursing care you are about to provide. Don't let Spanish be a deterrent. Get a pocket sized medical spanish book and learn the most basic phrases to start with and carry it with you. It sounds basic but ask questions. You can even ask the patient for input if you speak the same language. Most everyone understands "OK?" You will be fine. I do have to say that you probably should have had more training but take what you learned in school and what you learned on the job and give the best nursing care you can. It will pay off and you will learn more as you go. Good Luck

[TheLiberation, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thank you :3

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

Don't ever let anyone limit you to LTC because you are an LPN/LVN. I have worked with many Practicals in MANY areas. They Travel, They Agency, They Per Diem as well.

LTC may not be your calling,. . .

but there is a smorgasbord of job types, hours, schedules, varying difficulties, and challenges out there.

I HAVE OFTEN WORKED WITH LPNs IN SEVERAL STATES MAKING MORE THAN ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!!!

[guest2012]

Thanks for the share , whatever you do, feel that what you possessed is not enough for what you do , and lost your confidence, feel disgraceful, which are all common, did you experience that when the first day in college, some of your roommates or your classmates knows too much more knowledge than you during the introduction ,of course, that's the common thing ,just because the different school ,different education, different study, but before that you are the best excellent student in your school, what is your feeling? Suppose that you would made a plan to surpass him by hard study, right ?

Still you have the choice.

Here, you also have chance to strengthen yourself, try to learn more, ok, just now ,you say you have a long ride, definitely that's a good chance for learning , you can take a small book about nurse knowledge, or you can download something about to your Walkman, learn, we get to learn, strong yourself, and then you would win your respect and others you wanted.

Good Luck !

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I can tell you LTC was not for me either. How most of them operate is ridiculous. I even triend an LTAC. High acute/high risk patients. Often they short you on staff and training. Don't give up. If you feel that that setting is not for you start looking for something else sooner rather than later.

[ruthalittle]

I've had that "feeling of dread" while on my way to work too, not a great feeling. I agree, don't give up! I no longer have that feeling. If you can hang in there for 6 months or so, you may have better luck moving to another setting. I now actually look forward to going to work. Good luck :)