Never enough time....

caliotter3 · Feb 13, 2007

Your feelings are common to those starting out in LTC. Try to figure out some ways to work "smarter". Work on your prioritization. Taking a four day weekend on occasion won't hurt either. It gives you something to look forward to. I would suggest try some ways to team up with one of the other charge nurse on some tasks but usually this idea is shot down by others; they usually think that you are trying to get out of something rather than see that two sets of hands working in tandem, can accomplish things more efficiently. It kind of goes along with the idea in some facilities where they have one or two nurses whose duties are Treatment Nurse only, leaving other tasks for the charge nurses. Also some places will bring in part timers just during the med pass times to work for 4 hrs or so. But these are ideas beyond your control, and your bosses will probably not be open to suggestions from a newbie. So just learn to relax and do the best you can. And you may not be aware of it but it does get easier as you get to know the residents and routines more.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 13, 2007

I understand your feeling of being utterly stressed out...I just posted about being exhausted a week ago. Still feel that way. What is getting to me, though is hearing about the nurse-patient ratios on these boards. It is FRIGHTENING!! I work in a clinic, so, I am not affected this way, and also, I do private nursing on the weekends with one client.

What I can suggest to you is to take your lunch; even if it is a 1/2 hour. Since you are currently not getting it all done with even your best efforts, take into consideration that you do need a mental break for yourself!! Also, (and don't shoot me for saying this), but back off a bit from assisting the nursing assistants until you master your own job. Do things for safety, of course, such as assisting them to lift a client, etc; but other things, they may have to just wait for a minute until you can successfully begin to manage your job and incorporate assisting them. You have the license and can't risk losing it.

I have to admit, I would search for another job, or at least begin inquiring with other LPNs that you know that are employed in other places and see how they are faring. I can't even fanthom 45 patients between two nurses, but again, I was never faced with that. I hope that others can post wonderful suggestions that will help you. Also, I'd ask your supervisor how she thinks you are doing and ask her for suggestions to make things easier. I wish you the best of luck...sincerely!!

I haven't been on this forum since I passed my NCLEX...
I just wanted to know if i'm the only one that feels this way....
So I ended up having my first job at a SNF. People call call the facility i work at a step down. So we have many admissions and discharges everyday. On every floor its 2 nurses to 45 patients. I'm not sure if its just the facility I work at or if its everywhere else. But do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to to do everything you are suppose to do during your shift? 8 hours to pass meds, do tx, help out your cna's, and do documentation? I feel like I don't have enough time for everything to be done by the time my 8 hours are up. I find myself drinking energy drinks before my shift in hopes that it will somehow buy me some time and help me work a little bit faster. HAHAHA. I know I know. But its just that since I worked there (which has been 4 months now) I havent had time to take a lunch break. I work through my lunches. And we are also allowed a 15 mintues break. I wish I saw those 15 mintue breaks. I dont even have time to sit down and take a breather. It's my first job and already I feel like i'm getting burned out. 4 months and already I feel like quiting...
Any advices on what I should do. Will it get any easier? Should I hang on a little longer and maybe it will get better?

luv2shop19mall · Feb 14, 2007

im glad im not the only one feeling this way. i felt so burned outalready on my 1st week. they told me that i was going to be on orientation and all of a sudden im passing meds to 35 patients, with no namebands and its alzheimers.. unit i mean if i asked the residents theyre name. they wouldnt know it. i dont know what to 2.. im trying to get used to it. but it seems like theres not enough time to do everything. but i dont care i still eat.. ;(

dcoffee · Feb 14, 2007

Ok, so your post sounds a lot like me and a coworker of mine (she also went through the LVN program with me)!!!! I graduated in June 2005 and in Nov 2005 I was working my first job (and still there) as an LVN, passing meds to 42 patients!! Sometimes there was not even a DON there, so I was doing EVERYTHING! So now, we have 2 nurses to 47 patients....when my friend and I happen to work the floor together, we've tried to do our routine several different ways to figure out, what the hell keeps us from getting out of there on time! (we work the 7-3 shift) What we found helps....get as much paperwork out of the way as soon as you get there ie weekly summaries, make phone calls to Dr.'s etc as soon as possible, so any potential orders can be taken care of as soon as possible. Avoid distractions that are not in need of immediate attention while doing meds, I love to talk to residents, family...you name it, and that can throw me so far behind. And just know, it just takes one thing to throw your whole day off, and that is not your fault. If you feel stressed out, take a breather, even if it's going out into the fresh air for 2 minutes, sometimes you just need to seperate yourself from the environment for even just a few seconds to get your head straight. I often thought I was not using my time wisely, no, most often it's those phone calls and orders and doctors that decide to come in about an hour before you are supposed to clock out, and you get stuck. I'm supposed to clock out at 3:30 pm, and that's only recently started happening as I found my employer is not paying me for overtime, and I refuse to work for free!!! Hope this helps!!!! Dana