LPN 1st assignment today

Oh yeah.. bitten off more than any one could chew.

Did your agency require a check list of your qualifications/experience? Or are they throwing you to the wolves to take their cut of the payment?

You would be required to follow the care plan for the hospice patient. Get report from the off going nurse and carry on.

In the case of a hospice patient, keep them comfortable.. you know how to do that.

Then, do not accept an assignment you are not comfortable performing.

It was not a good experience for me. I should have known something when the agency told me not to tell them I didn't have hospice experience. First it took 2.5 hours to get to a location that should have taken 45 minutes. 2 accidents in rush hour traffic. Got there and the outgoing nurse gave report which I haven't had to do in 10 years. Some things she said I understood but most was gibberish to me. I was too embarrassed to ask for clarification. I waited for the other shift nurse to ask her anything I didn't know. 2 of my 10 patients died. I was not prepared for the families asking me questions about the protocols. The RN came to pronounce the death, I felt like a child so unsure of herself. The 12 hours wasn't as bad as I thought. I was so ready to get out of there. I have not accepted another assignment yet and they have called about 8 times. I am kind of shell-shocked now. Thank you for responding. I may just stick to my infectious disease patients.

I'm not gonna kick you when your down. You have made a mistake and now you need to figure out what your going to do. I would make an appointment with the agency supervisor and the scheduler. Tell them you have NO hospice experience. NO pediatric experience. You have been an office nurse for 10 years, those are the agency assignments your suited for, and should seek out. You may consider seeking a part time job where you could be properly oriented and given a chance to ease into a new speciality. Clients of the agency are paying premium rate to the company and expect to get a nurse that can hit the ground running. It sounds like you got run over.

I thank you for your response. I would like to learn more about hospice, but I realize, this wasn't the way to go. Agency knew I had no experience, but sent me anyway and told me not to tell them. I will talk to them about other assignments. I appreciate all comments, good and no-so-good.

Working for an agency that tells you to mislead the client about your skills and experience is not someone you want to continue a business relationship with. In fact, I would tell the client as it is not in their best interests or their patients either.

run run run from an agency that tells you to lie! if you feel wiped out you should! this agency does not have your back never mind the poor hospice clients who are as vulnerable as they will ever be. this really steams my clams. go find an agency that will send you to a LTC job where you will have fellow nurses and a supervisor to help you when your starting out. you can get there a little early and walk your hall and take notice of the different spots you'll be hitting during the shift and say hello to the residents, smile, and try and relax. you will be tired, but not out of your mind with worry. BONUS: you can meet and get to know hospice nurses as they visit their clients and interact with the families and get an idea of the meds and such you will be using in a dedicated hospice facility.