Need HELP keeping my emotions in check

[jg24]

I am a need grad and have been on my first job in LTC for a month. I got into nursing because I truly love and care about people. In a perfect world everyone working in healthcare would feel the same, but we are far from living in a perfect world. I don't understand these CNAs that push, pull and jerk around the pts. The way some of them talk to the residents is awful. I wouldn't talk to my dog that way. It breaks my heart. I love spending time with the residents and talking to them. I don't just go in their room and shove their pills at them and walk out. How can people act like this? I come home and cry because it hurts my heart so much to seem them treated this way. It isn't all of the CNAs. Just a few, but if I can see it then why can't the DON see it? I have put in my notice because I have found another job and expressed my feelings to the DON. Is this just a bad first experience or am I just gonna have to toughen up?

[Leesha]

I also am a new nurse working at a LTC facility. So far I am not happy at all and am starting to feel like I don't want to be a nurse anymore I would like to get to know the patients that I am taking care of but that just isn't how it is. It seems to be all about paperwork and getting out on time. This isn't what i signed up for. I want to feel like I am making a difference but that is not how I feel at all. Everyone that I work with has been very nice and supportive so that is not my issue. I actually think the issue is me and that I am pretty hard on myself at times. I have anywhere from 18-22 patients that I am responsible for and it takes me 3 hours to pass meds. I have worked there less than a month but I feel like I should be faster than that and I don't get to any of my other responsibilities either. I always end up having something to pass on to the next shift because I couldn't get it done. I have so much anxiety that I am not able to sleep at night and I feel physically sick every day that I have to go there. I have one semester left of school to get my RN which I plan on finishing but I'm just not sure what I want to do anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

Leesha

[Gently.me]

I also am a new nurse working at a LTC facility. So far I am not happy at all and am starting to feel like I don't want to be a nurse anymore I would like to get to know the patients that I am taking care of but that just isn't how it is. It seems to be all about paperwork and getting out on time. This isn't what i signed up for. I want to feel like I am making a difference but that is not how I feel at all. Everyone that I work with has been very nice and supportive so that is not my issue. I actually think the issue is me and that I am pretty hard on myself at times. I have anywhere from 18-22 patients that I am responsible for and it takes me 3 hours to pass meds. I have worked there less than a month but I feel like I should be faster than that and I don't get to any of my other responsibilities either. I always end up having something to pass on to the next shift because I couldn't get it done. I have so much anxiety that I am not able to sleep at night and I feel physically sick every day that I have to go there. I have one semester left of school to get my RN which I plan on finishing but I'm just not sure what I want to do anymore.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

Leesha

Hey Girlie hang in there!!!

Sometimes it takes awhile to pass meds, especially if you do not know the patients well. You are doing them a GREAT service by taking your time and doing it right. You will eventually get faster, and have more time with your patients. All your coworkers have been where you are at now, so they should be understanding.

Even if you dont know your patients as well as you would like, you can always do your best to be a great nurse/experience for that patient when you encounter them. It is the little things that make a difference. When you are passing meds, in the few seconds you are there, give those little old ladies a nice complement, or show some empathy when they are in a bad mood or in pain. They know that work is hard, but exeryone likes compliments.

The wonderful thing about nursing is that you can go ANYWHERE with it, and do just about anything. If LTC is not for you, go somewhere that is!! You will make it and do just fine!!!