Interviewed Today

I am in the same boat, pretty much...I was just hired yesterday at a LTC facility as a new grad and will have 24-30 patients to a unit. I am working nights...so nervous about that!!! I am looking for advice too, this is my first job! Salad to hear I am not the only one, lol

So glad (not salad, haha!). Also, I was going to say that I have never had experience with this many patients as well. But the nurse who hired me said that the other new grads who she had hired recently were doing great! So I am sure that we will get used to it in time. It is going to be challenging, but if we can face those challenges, it will make us a better nurse in the long run. Good luck and let me know how your orientation goes! :)

Some background: I passed NCLEX in June 2013 and was hired on as a Private Duty Nurse in August 2013. PDN is not my niche, to say the least. I feel guilty about leaving the family, but I've become so anxious over this case that I'm losing sleep and dreading going into work; that isn't fair to me or the family. So, time for a change.

I interviewed at a LTC facility today, and I think I'm going to love it!

After my interview, I was shown around the facility and introduced to all the other faculty. I am going back in for my orientation in an hour and will have 8 days of training (shadowing a nurse for their 8-hour shift). I think it's safe to say I'm hired (or at least according to a former classmate of mine who worked for a time there).

I'm nervous, however. There are 30 residents to a unit, so 29 more patients than I'm used to (though not as much as I've heard reading through here, God bless you wonderful nurses!). Any advice for me? Tips? I want to really be an asset to them and feel fulfilled.

Thanks for listening to me! :)

8 days of orientation!!!!!! I think you've found a great company, if they live up to that!! :) My advice is to watch all the nurses you shadow like a hawk and absorb all of the (good) practices and habits they have, because it's the little tricks of the trade that make getting through long med passes on time a possibility. However, when you see them taking shortcuts that really shouldn't be taken, just tell yourself you won't be doing those things and try not to pick up bad habits. Figure out those people who are going to be your go-to people to answer questions after orientation is over, because you will definitely not experience every type of situation while orienting, and some coworkers will be better help than others. NEVER TAKE ANYONE ELSE'S WORD WHILE COUNTING NARCOTICS, you look at the book too as they're calling off the numbers to you -- start this the first day and do it that way EVERY TIME, because if not, sooner or later, you'll regret trusting someone you shouldn't have. Keep a litle pocket notebook and write down things like door codes, ext. numbers, etc. until you memorize them, so you don't have to keep asking. Good luck, I'm sure you will be great!!!!!! :) I'm still pretty new myself, but these are just things I have learned along the way.

The new grads I hire get 3-6 weeks of orientation. I think it's part of my responsibility to ensure they are successful at their first job.

The new grads I hire get 3-6 weeks of orientation. I think it's part of my responsibility to ensure they are successful at their first job.

Wow!!!!!!! I wish I had had that!

Wow!!!!!!! I wish I had had that!

Me too! I had less than one shift at my first LTC job as a fresh grad.

Luckily for me, we have CMA's who do med pass. I'm responsible for Insulin, Inhalation meds, and Narcotics.

The new grads I hire get 3-6 weeks of orientation. I think it's part of my responsibility to ensure they are successful at their first job.

My gosh, you rock! I wish I had that. Turns out, they want me to take a floor by myself after five days. My nurse today left and I was alone for a few hours (and wouldn't you know it, a patient coded in which I froze and totally blanked-thank God there were other nurses around that heard the CNA calling for help as well, we had a discharge and sent someone else to the ER). I had a few nurses helping me, but it was still quite overwhelming.

I too am a new grad RN and passed NCLEX 3 weeks ago. I have an interview at a long term care facility next week. If hired I will have 30 residents and a 5 day orientation. Just wondering how you like the job so far? Did things get better once you got into a routine?