2nd day in nursing home and I want to quit

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hello everyone! I am really glad I found this site. I just wanna know your insights about my situation. I passed the NCLEX on August 2011 and couldn't find a job in hospitals so I applied in nursing home and got hired this October. Is it normal to feel like quitting my job on my 2nd day? They only gave me 2 weeks of orientation which means 6 days because I work 12 hours a day. This nurse assigned to orient me handles 20 or more patients and wanted me to just shadow him on my 1st and 2nd day. He's really nice and supportive but it is just impossible to train me and handle 20+ patients at the same time. He told this to the DON and said, ''the DON doesn't give a sh*t''. I told him to give me at least 4-6 patients so he did but I spent too much time in just one patient preparing his medications. I don't want to harm my patients so I was triple checking meds especially with narcotics. I couldn't ask questions because he's too busy preparing meds for his other patients on the other side of nurse station. I apologize for I'm slowing him down but he said that he doesn't expect me to get it on my 2nd day. Needless to say, I ended up shadowing him again. Now that I'm getting familiar with the residents on this unit they assigned me to a different nurse and different unit on my next schedule. Every minute of the day I was thinking of ways on how to cope in this situation but every time I figure out how it just doesn't work. There are many things going on at the same time. I do love this job but I feel so hopeless and helpless right now. This is so overwhelming, I'm just crying. I'm in my early 20s, I have a BSN degree, an immigrant here in US and still having difficulty in speaking and understanding English but I'm really willing to do everything to learn. Do you think it's best for me to continue? Is this really how the training conducted in every nursing home and hospital? What do you suggest me to do to be successful in this job? Thanks in advance to those who will reply. God bless you all!

tyvin, BSN, RN

1,620 Posts

Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

You're lucky you got 2 weeks orientation, usually it's 3 days if any. It is what it is ... skilled, rehab, etc... a nursing homes a nursing home and not bound by nurse patient ratios that some hospitals have. In fact many are just plain dangerous to work in (I've worked in 2).

Feeling overwhelmed is what you are and of course you are. Take a look at what you do, it's got to boggle the mind. I look back and still can't believe I actually lived through the experience. Yet it taught me how to consolidate my steps and time. You get fast quick or sink. Take it for the experience it gives you. With time you will get faster but it will always be hectic and never enough time for the patients.

Other opportunities will present themselves if you keep at it. Good luck.

Mom2boysRN

218 Posts

I graduated in Dec. 2010, so I'm still a new grad too. I had gotten my PN half way through my RN program and used that to get my first job in an AL at the beginning of December. I am now in skilled care at a different facility where I started in July.

It is especially overwhelming at first. So many patients, if you are dealing with dementia patients (that's mainly the floor that I'm on). As time goes on you will get more comfortable and you will be amazed at how much quicker your med pass goes. Keep asking to have part of the patient load for yourself during your training, I found that very helpful. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

It will get better though you will have days where you dream of a nice quiet desk job in an office, even after you are comfortable with what you're doing. :)

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 5,115 Posts

your english, at least written, is perfectly fine. i don't think that's the problem :D.

do the best you can, and keep your options open. perfectly ok to keep looking, and when you find something better, to go in with a letter that says, "thank you for the opportunity, and i will be leaving in two weeks."

good luck! stay in touch!

Biffbradford

1,097 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

I went straight from new grad to CVICU. I wanted to quit every day for the first month, once a week for the next year, once a month for 5 years. From 5 to 10 everything was fine, but after 10 that was enough! :p

Have confidence in yourself and do your best. You'll do fine.

RNgrrl09

48 Posts

I started in a nursing home, I have a BSN also, and I am now working in a hospital. I stayed at the nursing home for 6 months and wanted to quit everyday. I was on a subacute unit with 20 patients at night with ton's of treatments and a big med pass in the morning. The way you are feeling now is perfectly normal. You will get to know your patients and will get to know their eccentricities. Continue to take your time, speed will come as you become familiar with your cart and your patients. Keep your job until you get another one- I got into a hospital after 6 months, but this was in November, 2009. I wish you the best.

jennys77

54 Posts

I'm not a nurse yet, but you just got out of school. So you can't expect to be anywhere close to perfect. And from what I understand, nursing is hectic. The people you work with have a #1 priority of patient care, not training you. I sort of think they have their priorities in order. Maybe the place is short staffed, but that's not the other nurses fault.

nurse_autumn

30 Posts

I started out in a Nursing Home also as my first job after graduating. It was really overwhelming at first, and really frustrating most days. Well over a year later I'm still there and I LOVE it. I would expect the first few months working once out of nursing school is anxiety-filled and overwhelming no matter what type of nursing job you have. Give it a chance, and talk to your ADON or DON. I wouldn't take someone's word that she "doesn't give a ****"...granted, she may not, but there's a real possibility that other nurse never spoke to her to begin with!

BunnySan27

65 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg Tele; LTC; Corrections.

My first job out of nursing school was a nursing home also. I was horrified inside, I couldn't fathom passing that many pills to that many residents in 8 hours time, plus on top of all the other things I had to do. I guess the hardest part for me was getting to know the patients and how they took their meds crushed or whole applesauce, jello, or pudding, who likes theirs last etc...it took a while but I got it down eventually. Now since I've worked in acute care, I don't think I could do the 20 plus patients anymore. Keep looking for that position that you think would be most comfortable for you. Hang in there in the meantime. There is a silver lining more or less.

God Bless!

Fiona59

8,343 Posts

I'm another one that had three orientation shifts and was set loose. The employer's attitude is "nursing school taught you your skills and meds, you're here to learn our routine". Harsh but factual.

I did it for two years and moved to acute care. LTC taught me time management skills like no other place could have.

xtxrn, ASN, RN

4,267 Posts

As a new grad, you are supposed to feel overwhelmed. It's very normal. The newbies who think they have it all figured out are THE biggest nightmares in any facility. I've worked in several nursing homes. You have to get your own routine down. If you have looked up a med 3 times one day- you shouldn't need to look it up the next day- just be sure it's the same patient, and no orders have changed. Eventually, you'll know a lot more than what you think you will. I personally don't think 2 days is enough to evaluate a career by :o You're getting someone to orient you for 6 shifts- that is HUGE in a nursing home. Shadowing for 2 days is a luxury.

You will NOT feel comfortable going out on your own, no matter how long you orient. That's just part of being new. :) But when you have a chance to get your own way of doing things (within the policies and procedures), you may find you like it a lot more. It takes months, if not a couple of years to feel comfortable in most situations. Some just never feel ok. And that isn't all bad either. If someone gets their thrills when someone dies- I'm very afraid. :uhoh21:

I'd give it at least a while on your own before you take off- jmho..... :hug:

allnurses Guide

Nurse SMS, MSN, RN

6,843 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Your written English is perfect. :) I have no advice, still in school for another few weeks, but I wanted to wish you well. Hang in there!

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