First time on the floor ever!

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

My first week on the floor is discouraging for me because I feel lost with the charting, not know what which residents prefer when it comes down to their meds administration. The narcotic meds and its charting is difficult and computer charting. Do you think I'm doomed from the start. I am still in training at my job and I feel I don't know everything yet. I had an anxiety attack while driving home from work and I feel so discouraged. It seems with watching the other nurses it seems so easy for them.

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Specializes in TBI and SCI.

How much longer if training do you have?

What system are you using?

What type of faculty are you working in?

Don't feel discouraged! Everyone is nervous on their first job and charting is always scary you get better over time honestly. I still suck and I've been a nurse over a year! You might feel slow and always behind, but it's cause you're still learning your rhythm. Don't worry too much. Don't stress

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Thank you. I'm working in a long term facility, eMAR, as long as I want until I feel more comfortable. I just feel so slow in a way lol.

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I can't exactly remember the system it is lol

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Specializes in TBI and SCI.

Ltc is tough. You have a big pt load. Just remember everyone in the beginning started out sucking at it. They were slow, didn't know all the meds, second guessed everything. Just relax. You will learn everything over time.

Take lots of notes and when something is happening ask if you could watch or have someone teach you. It's all a learning experience in the beginning.

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Thank you for such great advice.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

lovingme01-- if it were in my first week in an LTC I'd be feeling most of what you are, and I've been a nurse for decades. In every new job, my exprience is that it always took me several weeks just to become familiar with the layout and which supply is located in which drawer.

It will fall into place. Hang in there and best wishes! :up:

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

The other nurses were once just like you.

One day you'll realize you haven't felt anxious in a while, and you'll be just like them. :)

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Thank you

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

We ALL felt that way at first. You just learned to walk- and are comparing yourself to marathoners. You'll get there- it does get better.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Four months in to my job at LTC I finally have got the hang of it. It is complicated work with a lot of minutia to remember. You will get it, it becomes about the flow and getting the flow takes time. Hang in there.

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I'm glad to see the encouragement here. You will be fine, don't get discouraged. As many have said, we've all been there wondering "what the hell did I get myself into?" but then the puzzle all starts to fall together and one day you'll just feel in your element. Remember how you feel now, the encouragement you've gotten, and pass that on to the next new nurse you see struggling when the time comes.

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