I just don't know anything!

[AngelaLPN08]

So, I am a fairly new grad starting working in Sept 08, I love what i do, but honestly I am a high paid cna/ with med aid abilities. I am frustrated because of the fact i feel as if I am now under educated. I get stressed because I sometimes feel like I do not always know what to do, or even silly things like meds. I don't pass meds...well pretty much ever, unless somebody calls in or leaves early. I know people say that it takes time in order to know things but I find myself jelous of what my friends have learned and here i sit still in the same style of work as i did as an aid, granted far better paid, but still no real change. I know at this time there is nothing I can do that will change the situation however I just needed to complain! I don't know if anybody else has this problem but..I doubt it. Most new nurses complain of overwhelming sence of responsibility, i am bored to death!

Thanks :)

Angie

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Who passes the medications? Maybe what you can do is shadow them, read the types of medications and then go research them. Also, what are your collagues and supervisors saying about you...I mean are they making complaints? I guess I can understand your frustrations, however. If you feel that you are not gaining in your skills, then, you may have to seek elsewhere. One of the reasons why I asked how you are perceived at this place is because if you have relative peace, at least remain there for a year, until you can find something more challenging and secure (especially in these days and times).

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Perhaps it is simply my personality type, but I don't enjoy challenges at all. I prefer to work at a low-stress job with plenty of routine tasks, very few challenges, and a slower pace. I am a laid-back, admittedly lazy person who dislikes encountering unexpected roadblocks and hates feeling overwhelmed. In fact, I'd rather be bored than have an unbearable workload.

Hey, I've gotta be honest with myself. :)

[labvampire]

Don't get frustrated, get motivated! Assert yourself and tell them you want! Be outgoing and curious! Tell them you want to pass meds, get familiar with charting, do what you are trained to do! Nobody is going to do it for you! If your employer sees you craving more responsibility it will make you look good and possibly place you in a different position. Believe me, if I don't know something, my employer is more than happy to show me. That is just me, want to know everything, be as efficient as I can, as knowledgeable as I can. Go Get Em'!

[NacNurse]

It does come with time. When a MD orders something a test etc, get out your old book and read what it is for, anticipate the questions the MD/RN will ask you about the test. Make yourself some index cards for various tests that could be ordered. See a pt on a med, read about it, find out the side effects, monitor for those, without being told to. Chart on the possible s/e. I brought my med surge, and skills book with me to work at LTC, and when a resident came in with a diagnosis, I read up on the diagnosis, or med, so I would have a refresher on what I should be doing/looking for. If your bored ask the PT or RN can you do some ROM excercise, can I find out of this person is incont and try a B/B training. Can I improve the quality of this persons life. Read the chart, look at the care plans, see if there is something some one overlooked or anticipated, by going back to your text book and double checking. Read up on wound care, I bet you could help out with that. The wound care nurse could use some help with dressing changes, or the mound of paperwork she has to fill out. The MDS nusre, if you have one, could use your help in finding out some billable things that the nurses do, but omit putting on the chart. Just because you have the certificate does not mean you know anything/everything. You still have to learn, when I got a pt with renal failure, I would go home and re-read the book, same thing with diabetes, CHF, HTN etc. You will be fine, I worked with several classmates after graduation, I would remember something, that they didn't, and vice versa. My first code, i forgot everything, but my class mate remembered, thank God and helped me through. Good Luck

[~MIA~, ASN, RN]

I don't understand??? You are bored at your job as a new LPN? What are you doing? Why are they employing a nurse with not enough to do?

I don't have time to eat or pee, much less be bored! LOL