Is this typical??

[yankeesrule]

I just signed on with an agency as my current job as a LPN is brainless work. Meaning all I do is order meds and run dr. appt. So to maintain my skills I signed on with an agency. Last week was my first night working. I was sent to a nursing home. When I got there I found out I was by myself with 40 pts. Many meds to pass, tx and 3 cna's to help out. I want to know for others who have worked out there is ;

1. is it normal for 1 LPN to be alone from an agency in a brandnew place with NO orientation. No one to check on you, No one to make sure you know what you are doing. I know the agency does the screening, but still I thought it was unnerving. I had no clue who was a DNR who was highrisk, those that needed o2 continuous. I had to wing it the whole night. I guess I did all right they didnt say anything the 2nd night. But I did question this to a supervisor whom set up orientation for me the 2nd night. (kinda felt that was too late for that. I already got thrown in with the fishes. )

2. the Nursing coordinator came to me and ques if I needed more training. I didnt have a chance to answer as when the nurse traiingn me said oh yes at least one more night. Its not the work I have a problem with . Its the other stuff I need to know where it is and what to do.

So could I get some feed back on agency nursing. Or is this just me learning, getting my feet wet. I was scared sh$tless the first night. I have been an LPN for 5yrs, but this is Real nursing stuff to me. Not what I have been doing.

Thanks in advance for your insight!!

Maranda

[kids]

My experience with agency in LTC is that there is little to no orientation.

The expectation is that the nurse already has the skills and experience t handle the med passes and just needs to be brought up to speed on basic facility policy and some of the patient's idiosyncrasies.

40 LTC patients (presumably stable) with 3 CNAs is about average.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

This does not shock me. This happened to a friend of mine, and that scared me. I just received my LPN license a few weeks ago, and that pretty much made up my decision NOT to work in LTC. Best of luck to you, and I sincerely mean that without sarcasm.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

This happened to me on my first on call night as RN. I had NEVER worked in a hospital. I was still on orientation on my regular floor. I got called in to a different (oncology) floor with me and a new LPN. That was 25+ years ago and I still recoil in horror. I hate it's still happening.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

Sad but true