I just need to vent. :(

[beekee]

New nurse. I think everyone who reads AN posts knows what's coming next. Ugh.

I started at a TCU on overnights. I got six shifts of "training" (if you can call following someone who expressly stated she didn't like to talk, but was super nice when asked questions). The facility is ridiculously short staffed so, after a couple shifts on my own on overnights, they asked if I wanted to train on days.

I definitely want to get experience and training on days. My first day consisted of no training, just me and a med cart with the floor manager telling me to find her if I needed any help. Day 2 I actually had someone train me. Day 3 was on my own again. Day 4 was with another nurse, who shadowed me and provided tips/help as needed. That was my training. Now, I'm basically alone. Of course there are other nurses around, but I find this quite lacking. Is this normal?

They are usually finding others to cover my "usual" overnight so I can cover the day shift. But, not always!

I am planning on working here at least until I finish my BSN. I'm not really the job hopper type. I know it'll get better. But, right now, it's just hard.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Is the TCU at a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or freestanding rehab center? If it is at a SNF or freestanding rehab, I'm not surprised about the lack of organization and orientation time. These types of places typically do not have extensive budgets to provide new hires with lengthy orientation periods.

I am so sorry you are experiencing this. Hopefully the problems will smooth over with the passage of time.

[Cisl4him, RN]

I had a similar experience at my first Long term care (Geri-psych) as a new RN. The whole time I worked there, which was a little over a year, I was often overwhelmed. I had about 8 days of orientation to the unit. Their were several bully nurses who worked there for 20 plus years and enjoyed pushing me around because " I believer, my being an RN and them being an LPN put a tag on me. They were jelous but also saw that I laced experience in this field. The worst job as a nurse I ever had. I ran out of that place. There was an event that lead up to my leaving that involved what the "DON" said was a violation of HIPPA. Long story. I definitely learned from this scary situation. I was almost put on suspension. Long story.

Hang in there. Take what you can from this position. If you find it's too much though, I would look for another job until you finish your BSN. Unless ou are almost done. Do you agree?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Dealing with something similar. I'm jumping ship. I don't get paid to fix their problems. State is there and we are woefully understaffed. People come in hours late, walk out on the job, and ignore call lights with no consequences. I'm not off of orientation, but have secured other employment already. I'm not a job hopper by any means, but I won't provide the crap care I would be forced to working there.

The other night I had to work the floor despite barely knowing the EMR system. We were still over 4 hrs late with meds. Some pretty important ones too. Not to mention the one "teaching" me the other night has been at this facility for less than 2 months! She has no idea how to do certain things. I ended up teaching her about the EMR system that I was brand new to. The other "mentor" admitted she hasn't trained anyone in years.. WTH?

I'm running while I have a license and some sanity left. I can do 30-40 LTC patients. I can't do that many rehab Pts. Maybe that makes me a weak nurse? I just feel my patients (and myself) deserve better than that.