My first job and so much Anxiety

[jousx101]

Hello everyone, :rotfl:

I am a 21 year old Male Lvn. Graduated June 05, passed the Nclex, and tomorrow will be my first day at my VERY FIRST job. I am feeling very nervous and scared and whatnot. The place i will be working at is a nursing home/ locked facility type of setting. It holds 100 patients, 94 are currently residing. The staff seemed very friendly during the interview.

Well. let me get to the point now. During my clinicals in school, we went from nursing home, med surg, OB, and so on. Even though i was exposed to these settings, i feel that i have had minimal experience in regards to actually being independent and being a true LVN, not just an SVN. I observed that the LVN's in most nursing homes spend quite a bit of time passing our meds. My major concern is that : what should i do if i find myself finished with passing meds? I don't want to look stupid by standing there and twiddling my thumbs, nor do i want to "Pretend" to keep myself busy by folding their bedsheets. I hope you guys can relate to my situation. Any feedback/suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

[EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN]

Welcome to your first year of nursing, AKA Hades. You will learn to be the most patient person you never thought you could be. You will also experience occasional emotional outbursts: anger, sadness, and indifference. It is important that you ignore critisism and focus on learning what you need to know to make it. Your family is sacred, keep in close touch with them. Find a schedule that offers you stability. Consider appropriate avenues for treating stress and anxiety. welcome to the future.

[HeatherLPN]

Clinicals don't really prepare you for that first job, IMO. I think it's normal to feel like you're not sure of what you're doing.

If you finish medpass early, just ask other nurses if they need any help. If you have extra time, help your aides--you need them and their experience with your clients, so get on their good side and treat them well.

[mom and nurse]

I've only been working a year and a half and I remember the anxiety of my first day. I work in a hospital and not an LTC. I was told it takes about 6 months before you feel comfortable working as a nurse.

If you finish early, ask if you can help out other nurses (as a previous poster stated). At the place I worked, the problem was not finishing early, the problem was having enough time to pass out all the medications, assessments, etc. Unlike in nursing school, when you pass out medications, there are usually interruptions of one kind or another. It's a rare day that I can just pass the meds without someone calling that a patient needs to see me, a family member is on the phone, the lab is on the phone, a doctor has a question, etc.

And remember, Take time to take care of yourself, eat breakfast before you go to work, try to eat lunch, etc. Remember to continue doing things that you enjoy to do.......:)

[MackNJacks mom]

Welcome to your first year of nursing, AKA Hades. You will learn to be the most patient person you never thought you could be. You will also experience occasional emotional outbursts: anger, sadness, and indifference. It is important that you ignore critisism and focus on learning what you need to know to make it. Your family is sacred, keep in close touch with them. Find a schedule that offers you stability. Consider appropriate avenues for treating stress and anxiety. welcome to the future.

This is so true. It's amazing how I can love my job so much, and yet dread the thought of being there or what I am walking in to. The nursing shortage is a reality. I think the shortage is more of one for funds, not so much nurses. Being finished early? In theory it seems like it would be possible because we only have to pass meds, chart, and assess, among other things. The hard part is definately the distractions and the little things. Good Luck and take care of yourself.