how long does it take to get used to what you do? (working in LTC)

[kimogieo]

I am new to LTC, I am 23 and a new graduate. I was oriented in our small facility for two weeks, two long term and one sub acute. I started working mid July as a per diem nurse since they didn't have an opening. It's been two months and I still get this jittery anxious feeling everytime my phone would ring and they would call me in. Now I was able to handle sub acute and the long term units, I've been through the crying myself to sleep at night after i got off orientation for a whole week due to the stress of screaming family members, getting pulled aside, being late with med pass. But now, I'm more organized BUT i have yet to do admission lol but i've done the paperwork though, I just need to learn how to do assessment because I dont really know how they do it in that facility.

I don't know how long it takes to get used to be working in long term care or even working as a nurse but this is a stressful one. I got a call this morning from work asking if i could work saturday and sunday, i said yes but about an hour ago, i got a call asking if i could come in tomorrow to work. Then I started to stress for some reason, I'm still not over that feeling of being comfortable working. Not because I am scared to make mistakes but just getting used to what I do. I had told my boyfriend about it and he told me that it would really help if I take a full time job so i can have a schedule and get used to it quicker. I don't know if this is normal for new nurses esp new grads. How long does it take to get used to working in LTC? Because I'm starting to think I'm not cut to be a nurse because of it. I was thinking of working per diem for 6 months, then look for a part time job becaue i wanna continue with school to be an RN. I also think that transition would be great to get used to with what I do but my boyfriend things 6 months is too much.

So, I dont know... I guess I'm posting because I feel disappointed in myself and I wanna pour my heart out to feel a little bit better. Any advises?

[rn_nxt_dr]

Being new in LTC needs getting use to. I worked in LTC for 30 days, my med pass was terrible. I was bounced from tasks to tasks until I never got a call back for another schedule.

I'm glad it was over too but at least I didn't quit. When you spend a long time in LTC, it would be hard to get a hospital job. At least, that's what they say.

However, there's a technique that I learned while working in LTC. Consolidate all your enteral feedings first, take all your Bld. sugars and start with the patient with the least medications to get it out of the way. Give your CNAs the list of patients that has anti-hypertensive meds. bec. BP is needed before you administer their meds.

If you have time, since no nurse has ever read patient charts---I don't think, if you want ask your supervisor to spend time on your free time to read through them. That is if you want to, otherwise, you will always work with a catch-up mode. Rather than knowing their medical history.

Good Luck! You'll do just fine.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

You have picked a tough job. That's why we love it. You need to get comfortable sometimes working outside your comfort level. That said, you need to ask questions at work so you can do your job. Orientation is frequently spotty and not well done. Be up front with your charge or DON when you don't know how to do something. If you don't, it's because you haven't been trained properly. Do your best, put patient safety first, and you will be fine. If you get too overwhelmed, call for help. Even if they don't provide it, calling for help is your best defense should something really bad go wrong. It will take a while to get in the groove but hang in there, you worked too hard to bail now. Failure is not an option. Good luck. And if that boyfriend isn't part of the solution, cut him loose. There are other fish.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I've worked LTC for almost a year. It took me a good 6 months to really get a routine down. I'm still asking questions all the time. It does get easier.

[DanaLPN]

Maybe you're just in the wrong field?

You should LOVE your job; not dread it. It will show to your residents and will effect your overall care.

Have you considered transitional? Acute? Clinics? etc.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Being new to nursing is scary. It's going to take at least six months to feel reasonably comfortable, and another six to really settle in. This would be in any setting, not just LTC. Hang in there.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

Totally agree with the above post, a year is when you start to feel like MAYBE you know whats up. In LTC things change all the time and they change fast. I don't think per diem is the best way to get used to it, because you are always on alert and don't get the chance to settle into your job. There are a lot of demands and your boyfriend has no idea so don't go by what he thinks. Except that he is right that you will get used to it and learn more faster if you are there full time, obviously. Most places do not allow new nurses to be per diem and this is why. You need the constant support and supervision that comes with full time or at least a constant place to work.

[kimogieo]

Thank you all for the advice and support. I feel better knowing its normal for me to feel this way hehe.

[itthybitthythpider]

I shed many many many many tears my first year in LTC XD My coworkers and I had a "crying room" (the utility room on one of the stations) where we would go when we were upset or needing to vent or something. It's VERY stressful at first. I agree getting a full time position is better, but that's hard to do without having a job for 6 months or so....

I was there, feeling like I wasn't cut out to be a nurse, feeling like I should give up... It was hard, but so worth it! Ask lot's of questions, ask for help, offer to help out others so you can learn how to do things. Keep your chin up and don't stop putting in applications, even before 6 months is up. Good luck!