Just started my job... and considering quitting

RNDreamer · May 28, 2011

Hi, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I understand that you work in a nursing home, but what type of unit do you work on that makes it so busy?

What would I do? Honestly, hang on as long as I can until I found something else. But that is just me, YOU have to decide what is best for you.

Good luck!

CaliforniaRNnow · May 28, 2011

Hi, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I understand that you work in a nursing home, but what type of unit do you work on that makes it so busy?
What would I do? Honestly, hang on as long as I can until I found something else. But that is just me, YOU have to decide what is best for you.
Good luck!

I appreciate it. It's called the 'skilled unit'... so it's the more advanced stuff, which makes it fast-paced and busy.

N1colina · Jun 1, 2011

Hey I feel ya! I worked in nursing homes for 3 years and felt extremely overwhelmed! I had 20-30 patients daily and it was ABSURD! You're right, we are taught to be compassionate, caring, and show our patients the attention they deserve but it is just not feasible in the nursing home....and it's sad. It really is. You just don't have the time. They are so under staffed it is unreal. I used to go home crying most days. I am so happy to be out of there, but I still feel bad for the patients. I hope one day they can get the care they deserve. It may not be all nursing homes that are like our experience, but it sure seems like it. I've worked in enough of them to feel this way (worked for an agency) My advice would be to tough it out until you find something better and GET OUT. I felt the same way, about it not being worth the money at all. I dropped $6/hr just to go to an office setting and get away from there. The money is not worth it if you are miserable everyday....The one bright side of working in the nursing home setting, is you do get an enormous amount of experience, especially with learning medications because you give so many! Look at it as a learning experience and move on. Good luck :)

NursingN.C · Jun 1, 2011

All I can say is wow that is a lot for a new grad

aredenyf · Jun 1, 2011

you are the one who replied to me on nclex discussion for the threads of one of our fellow NCLEX-RN candidate. I replied there already.

I actually had same experience as you. I passed my NCLEX-PN exam july by last year here in California. received my licensed in august. applied for a job on september. started to work on october as LVN. got 8 days orientation. and boom!!

Got a fellow employee 5 years experience as LVN and they orient him 7 days. They orient me for 8 days without any experience in the past. I told them im not yet comfortable but I ended up working.

there is a maximum of 26 patients in one station. it will not be less than 23 patients. I am the medication nurse, the treatment nurse and the charge nurse. I learned that LVN was supposed to be supervise by an RN and the RN was supposed to call the doctor and get doctors order. but not all stations have RN. So Im in charge. medications, treatments, paperworks, and calling doctors. Oh my gosh on my 4th day I want to quit. But I need this job for me to save money for my RN preparation. I told myself not to quit. I pray and pray everyday.

2 people they know they quit. 1 RN two weeks, 1 LVN two months. I told my self I can do it until two weeks and quit but ended working one month I talk to Director of nursing that I request part time because I am having difficulty. I am stressed. but ended up working in 2 months I called in many times. they said they will find somebody to get some of my days. my probation period was 3 months ended working full time in 4 months. I remember One of the doctor there told me get experience atleast 6 months and leave. I paid all my credit cards. save money. I told my self this is a good experience. LOL

Then I talked to DON that I want to request perdiem once a week because i am going to study for my RN which is true then after 2 months of working as perdiem I am not really happy on my Job. I lose weight because i am not taking breaks to spend time with the patients. And I decided to resign. two weeks notice. they told me not to resign but I want to focus on my nclex-RN to pass so I can work in the hospital. atleast 6 and half months experience in skilled nursing facility. It was a good experience but its time to move on.

So if you can.. try to stay there for a little while and save money, or start looking for a job, or if you are studying for RN.. try to requests part time or perdiem so you have money for expenses. I dont know if you have support from parents or family if ever try to focus on NCLEX-RN exam. dont stress yourself from work. AND PRAY ask him for guidance.

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Jun 2, 2011

After working in nursing for 3 years the facilities desire the nurses that do not talk to the patients. They just want you to throw the meds at the patient do a quick assessment and move on. This is all part of the monied corporate greed. I worked in a hospital and just lost my job because I spent too much time with my patients and forgot to chart at the exact time required one night. I am through with this type of environment unless there is something out there that allows a nurse to be a real nurse.

I also see where they passed emergency procedures to bring in 20k foreign nurses as they claim there is a shortage. I say BULL!!!! They just want to work these poor foreign nurses like slaves.

*lorie · Jul 28, 2011

My first job was at a nursing home, 2-day orientation, full census of 42 patients per unit. In the morning shift, there would be 2 nurses: the charge who does the charting, appts, treatments, meetings and all those extra things that always come up; and the med nurse, who is supposed to pass meds to 42 patients with gtubes, crushing meds to be mixed with apple sauce/thickeners/etc, some fight you as much as they can before taking their meds, prn pain meds, ocassional IV and you are supposed to do morning and noon time med pass in 2-hour windows (nope, not possible), and some notes/charting as well. Both nurses are extremely busy, and rare to see them leave on time, esp. unit managers/charge nurses. In the evening/night shift, only one nurse with up to 42 patients. It drove me crazy. Anyway, I worked with them per diem while I was working on my BSN. The supervisors were supportive and I liked my coworkers, but I was relieved when I finally had to leave.

doink · Aug 3, 2011

Nursing homes are to worse to be in for new grads, especially if you haven't took your boards yet. Working full time job while trying to study for the nclex is too much stress. You should have focused mainly on the boards first. I knew a few that took internships and failed bcause of the long work hrs. Nclex is kinda expensive to keep retaking it.

Illinurse2010 · Aug 3, 2011

You are not going to get 6 months of orientation in LTC... I think I had 12 shifts as a new grad and the other nurses were talking about me like I was spoiled. I work the night shift and have 36 to 42 residents-- some are long term and have dementia and some are more alert rehab patients with broken bones, joint replacement, or recovering from surgery or illness. It was hard to get adjusted and I cried all the way home for a couple months. But you need to get a routine, stick to one shift, don't be afraid to ask questions and learn as fast as you can. You can do this, its just gonna be hard until you get the hang of it.

jo1010 · Aug 9, 2011

I started orientation today at my new job in a nursing home here in California. I'm a graduate nurse who has yet to take the NCLEX.
I feel like they have just thrown me into a pit of snakes. I'm being trained by 1 nurse. She is very extremely busy. She doesn't even take lunch breaks or any break at all because she's that busy. She has to stay atleast an hour later than she's supposed to because she has to catch up on all the things she has to do. She has one hallway full of patients... atleast 10. Today, we had 17 patients. She gives meds, writes notes, goes back and forth constantly, calls people, etc. etc. etc. etc.
Whatever she has to do, I have to do.
I only get 5 days of orientation. The nurse said I'm lucky because other people get 3 days. WHAT?! I said, "At hospitals, new graduates get 6 months of orientation." I have a friend who has been working a few years at a hospital and she said she was given 1 patient at first, then 2, then 3, etc. GRADUALLY. And now, she takes care of 6 and is extremely busy. I was told that if I need a little more time to orientate, I should just let them know. But I don't need a LITTLE more time, I need to have half a year of orientation...
I was put on the busiest floor. The fastest-paced floor. I'm the only graduate nurse (with not even an RN license yet), and I feel so lonely. I'm trying hard to keep back these tears. In fact, I'm actually too numb to cry. No, it's not just a matter of feeling overwhelmed on my first day.
In nursing school, I was taught not to treat patients like objects... not to ignore them. Talk to them. Have a conversation with them. I barely have time to say hi, how are you doing today, did you sleep well lastnight, etc. I'd only have time to do what I need to do and get out of the room. I don't want to do that. I'm a very smiley person.... but when I'm there, I barely smile. Seriously.
My wage is $30/hour. I KNEW there was a catch to this job. I know it's so hard to find a job right now, but this one is... already unbearable. And yes, that's a lot of money starting out. But the money doesn't seem like anything to me because I'm already not happy. I'm extremely overwhelmed and confused. Yes, I wrote down notes and stuff. But this is happening so fast. It's not just the fact it's my first day... but it's a LOT of work. More work than you will ever think. Imagine taking care of almost 20 patients.
I'm thinking about telling them I'm considering part-time (if I even DECIDE to stay...). I need time to study for NCLEX. And I'm starting my BSN program this fall.
So if you were me, what would you do?

Sorry to hear that. Since you wrote this you probably did what you felt you had to do, however I will say my opinion. I started in a nursing home as well, here in New Jersey. My wage was the same (in 2009) and i had 16 patients, never less than that (on subacute floor). I was oriented by LPN who knew she will be replaced like every other LPN working there by RNs newly hired so obviously she gave me a crappy orientation. Anyway, the fact that this nurse was busy all the time and didnt even take a break doesnt mean anything. Try to see and observe other people, soon you will be a very confident nurse and you will organize your work the way that you WILL in fact find some time to eat. Dont get discouraged by that nurse or any other one. Look at yourself only and think about the future. Obviously many new grad nurses had to start in nursing homes, but you wont be there forever. You just need that experience in order to get to a hospital (if that is your goal). Some nurses just have a tendency to be disorganized and like to keep themselves busy, you dont have to be like that. With some more time and experience you will know what I am talking about. I found a hospital job after 5 months of working in a nursing home and now, after 1,5 years on med surg/onco I am moving to CCU (that was my goal). And the same thing happens in the hospitals. Dont look at other people, they will envy your willingness to grow, your confidence. Look at yourself, have your goals set and be a team player. Do the best job you can so you will feel blessed at the end of the day, that you indeed did a great job.