lost my first LPN job

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hi all, I need some advice, I am a new grad and passed my boards (sept 07) I had trouble finding a LPN position, everybody wanted a years experience. I finally got a LPN job in a nursing home but was asked to resign with good references, I was two weeks short of my 3 month review. I agreed to resign. the problem they say is that I was too slow in passing meds, and I just could not keep up with multi-tasking and all the paperwork. I got real confused over the way I was trained. Management wanted it done by the book and on the floor it was all about cutting corners. I felt unsafe to cut corners I felt like if I did this I would loose my license. My work load was heavy with 23 patients. Most had dementia and most had to have their meds crushed and several were somewhat violent and others refused meds, or trying to get out of wheelchairs or trying to leave the facility. I was switched to three different areas and everyone did things differently.

With that being said and awfully depressed that I failed at this job, how do I explain my resignation at an interview? Im applying for jobs and getting no responses mostly because I dont have a years experience. Since Im new to all this how do you handle your work load and do you cut corners. where else can I find employment with little experience? I thought there was a shortage of nurses?

Well sometimes they pay less, some may not, just depends and no not in my state you don't have to have a years experience just go in with a great attitude, personality, confidence, well you call patients back to their rooms, do their vital signs, chart all information for the doctor and then the doctor comes in and sees them while you are putting more patients in rooms, and the doctor comes out and tells you orders like need injection, or set up for test, or samples of medications, and you do as he ask, then you d/c the patient from the rooms, you may assist with certain procedures, its not that bad and they usually train well, well the offices i worked in did. Good Luck! have good confidence and carry your resume, dress nice, and smile alot, i think you'll do fine! what state are you in hun?

thank u for your response. I thought that is what the working environment would b like. I'm from FL. But I just asked that question becuase I plan to work after I get my LPN. I'm am not looking for work now; thus no interview. I was actualy plannig to work in the dr's office that I go for my check ups and stuff when I'm sick. I don't know if I should really do that considering that she DOES take care of me. that would b kinda weird. but yes, thank you for your advice. I gues I'l have to look around and ask whether they require nursing experience or not. BTW, I'm in my LPN program now, and I finish it in Decmeber. :):):):nurse::caduceus:

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I guess it depends on where you live. You do have three months of experience. Just because it says X amount of years to apply doesn't mean that you should not apply for the job. The key is to sell yourself and be unique in your interview. I interview well because I am use to talking to groups of people. Work on perfecting your resume and interviewing skills. I have never worked in a Dr. office but depending on certain practices, it can be very busy.You have to work on organization and time management. I think in your situation it will get better with time. Your new to the profession. Everyone was has to cross this bridge in order to become successful.

than u for ur response. Actualy I wasn't applying for a job. I want to work as an LPN, but that's after I get it. I'm still in school. yes, I'll keep that in mind when I do apply for a job. I agree with u that I do have to sell myself. lol! I don't wanna work in an TLC becuase I've done that for clinicals and I'm not too fond of the nursing home. Also, I believe that working in a hospital as an LPN ( if they hire u anyways) will be too hectic..I want something that doesn't have tons of pts, so I can learn how to focus and prioritize my care. After I manage that for a yr or 2, I then wil work in a hospital when I get my RN. and I think workig an acture care facility or Dr's office will give me the opportunity. again, thank you for the advice... I realy appreciate it..... :w00t::):):):nurse:

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Specializes in Women's Specialty, Post-Part, Scrub(cs).

So good for you to be out of the place. I have 50 residents. I cut corners. I only look at my mar briefly or if it is a new resident. I can say I have almost 50 mars memorized and know many pills by there color, shape. My hall has 75% crushes. And 90% dementia "honey, please let me go home, I am leaving here now's". I started this right out of school. My boss knows we cut corners, she knows I may prepop 3-4 res at a time and tote all them out to the res. I write the name on the cup. She, also, turns a blind eye as long as I know what the rules are. State knows this too. We just have to do it correctly when they follow. I work a 12 hour shift and sometimes spent 13 to 14 hours there just to get done. And if one goes bad and you have send them out....there goes being ahead of the game. If your boss did not see clear to cut you slack for doing it the right way...good riddance. Tell your next interview that the job just wasn't for you. If you did nothing wrong and they will give good references...don't sweat it.

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Nursing home work loads are very heavy, and any nurse who does things "by the book" will not get her work done, period.

Cutting corners and taking short cuts is the only way to survive. Some admins are very aware of this, but pretend they don't know what's going on. Other admins have no clue.

How very true!!! As far as Administration... the adage "if I didn't see it, it didn't happen" is the motto they live.

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So sorry to hear about your experience, but there will be another door that will open for you. Always remember, when one door closes, another opens. LTC is (unfortunately) where the highest salaries for LPN's are paid. Physician offices and hospitals (if they hire LPN's at all) pay far less BUT the benefits of working Mon-Fri, Holidays off, and Day Shift in a Physician's office does carry it's own rewards.

Think of facilities that work with the mentally challenged, most have LPN's on staff. Veteran's Hospitals, Public Health Departments, Correctional Nursing, Substance Abuse Clinics (Methadone clinics), are just a few of the areas you might want to check.

Don't give up!!! If your passion is nursing, never doubt your abilities. Just because you don't pass pills the fastest, does not equate with the caring, loving, nursing skills you have to offer. Some nurses document better than others, some nurses are the bubbly, bouncy, energetic "people" pleasers, some give wonderful injections, some are good listeners. Each of us has something positive to offer those in need.

As far as what to tell prospective employers... the other responses of "not a good fit" is a good reply, as is: I want to expand my experience and persue other areas of nursing, I prefer a more diversified patient base, I want to bring my passion for nursing and my desire to be a valuable employee to your facility/office.

Good Luck and Blessings ...

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Hi - so sorry about your first LPN experience...working as a "real" nurse can certainly be a culture shock...One thing I would like to share - and that is, when you interview for a job -- no matter where it is....interview the facility too. Most give new grads a quick 3 day orientation - and then they "throw" you "to the wolves". Look for facilities that provide shadowing experiences, lengthy orientations, mentorships....here in our area there are a few places that will work with the new grad nurse over several weeks. Any place that would put you - and your residents - at risk - is one to be avoided. Also, when working - organize and prioritize your work...make a daily jot sheet....watch your time and challenge yourself to "beat" your time. Delegate too...teach your CNA's about things that can make their and your workload easier. Your CNA's can be your best friends....tell them ahead of time that you will be doing a dressing so that they get the patient ready for you...same thing with medications. Whatever you do, stay away from corner cutting....do it right --> or the wrong will catch you sooner or later! Take care - keep your chin up...there is a place for you out there....and sometimes it may be in another area besides LTC....Think outside the box!:redpinkhe

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Specializes in correctional, occupational,.

Working in a LTC facility is very hard and its frustrating and stressful. I used my experiences as a student nurse to help me find a career I would like. I kept track of my favorite clinicals and the clinicals where I learned the most. When I was a student I absolutely hated my geriatric rotation. I don't deal well with dementia. I've done correctional and occupational health nursing. I loved the correctional nursing it was as close as I was going to get to an emergency room as an LPN. Not to mention the criminal element is the unhealthiest of the population so I got experience in all kinds of areas. Occupational health is a little slower paced but I still utilize my assessment skills, my wound care skills, emergency skills and mental health skills. I refuse to push a med cart for 8-12 hours a day. I do however do agency jobs 2 to 3 times a month in LTC facilities to help keep my geriatric and med skills sharp.

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Specializes in LTC Peds - profoundly retarded.

My advice is a little different from others. I started as an LPN in long-term care and switched to acute care because I wanted to learn more. The fact is, acute care MADE me learn time management, prioritizing, and efficiency. Maybe you should find a smallish hospital with a good mentor/preceptorship/orientation. What I learned in the hospital made me a very effective nurse when I returned to long-term-care.

sellen1972

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Specializes in LTC, Alzheimer's, Home Care, Pediatrics.

hi all thanks for all the responses and its been a big help. looking back at the brief time I had at the facility I could see where I made mistakes, most of it was spending too much time getting patients to take their meds and keeping them from getting out of their wheel chairs. most times the cna's helped with getting some patients under control and back to their rooms but they could not handle everyone. I did have a system going and I was picking up speed . I usually had a group of 5 patients by my med cart and I would give them their meds first. did not help much since they would not leave and they all would try to grab stuff from the cart and I had a tough time getting them under control and away from the med cart. That was my biggest obstacle, the most time consuming one. my other mistake was not being assertive when I was bounced around from floor to floor with preceptors that just did not have the time I should of went directly to the don. I could go on and on but the truth is Im new to the field there is so much I don't know, and I have to build up my confidence and I really like to know how I can get in touch with a nurse mentor and talk.

I know this for sure, I will ask a lot of questions at my next future interview, and suggestions made here has helped me a great deal in preparing myself.

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Specializes in LTC, Alzheimer's, Home Care, Pediatrics.

need some advice again. Its been almost 3 months and no job offers. I've applied everywhere going in person filling out employment forms and nothing, except for a job I am doing 2 days a week doing home care through an agency. Im not happy with this job, no benifits. Everything I see in newspapers require one years experience. Plus several places in my area have shut down due to loss of state funding. Im in NJ. Im on all the job websites update my resume on the sites and nothing. I really wonder if there is a nursing shortage. I never thought it would be this tough. I know there is an LPN newspaper but can't find it on the web. anyone know of good sources? also looking in getting IV certified and wound care certified but have not found any places in NJ.

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Specializes in My first yr. as a LVN!.

wow thats odd. did you try craigslist.org? Try there... I seen jobs there some encourage new grads. what about your clinical sites where you did your clinical rounds? Thats where Im working now .. literally passed boards, drove up on a monday to get my temp license went to clinical site tues. and started that thurs. I have been there almost 2 weeks now. I needed to start paying off bills. they started me off 25/hr and they have good benefits and pay time and a half when we are staying over... which of course is nearly every night. I work PM shift.. its really crazy, Im exhausted but soon I will get everythign down. my boss literally was calling 2 weeks before I even got my results from boards... good luck!

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I'm a student, and where I do my clinical rotation at a nursing home, we could be busy the ENTIRE time if we just watched the nurses and discussed how they are "cutting corners". We actually spend about an hour in discussion each session, with our instructor pointing out things that disturbed her and that she doesn't want us to learn even though we see it happening. Outright stuff, like not calling the doc when it would otherwise be a mandatory call in a different setting...

It's important to keep up with the balance of getting things done and caring for patients, but if you put patients first and refused to give subpar care, that's heroic if you ask me. As with any other skill, speed will come with experience. I'm so excited to be going into nursing, but my classmates, my instructor, and I speak often of how saddened and upset we are about speed being the priority for nurses in the nursing home where we do our clinicals. It's part of the process, but not the priority, in our "book".

Maybe you could go on and continue get your RN or beyond. It does seem like LPNs and RNs in the nursing home setting (from what I've seen) "go through the motions" with time being everything, not quality. I know I plan to get an advanced degree, and hopefully be in management some day and make a positive difference. I do think management is the root of the problem, with expectations not in line with good nursing care.

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