Need help from any LVNs working in med surg please

[MimismomRN]

Hi guys, just started my preceptorship in med/surg at my local hospital yesterday. Boy am I overwhelmed. I had 11 patients and they say I may have 13. I'm not sure how I can do this once I'm on my own. Sometimes the meds were like 2 hours late or more and they say that is real world, not what school has taught you. I am really afraid I won't be able to handle this on my own. At this point, I'm not sure what labs to look at, when and why to look at them yet. I'm new!!!! If you have any suggestions or can offer any help about getting a system down for handling all the meds, insulin, accuchecks, etc. on so many patients I would really appreciate it. I really want to make this work and get the experience I need. The whole day was pretty much a blurr! Thanks for any suggestions, help, encouragement.

[minnib]

Hi guys, just started my preceptorship in med/surg at my local hospital yesterday. Boy am I overwhelmed. I had 11 patients and they say I may have 13. I'm not sure how I can do this once I'm on my own. Sometimes the meds were like 2 hours late or more and they say that is real world, not what school has taught you. I am really afraid I won't be able to handle this on my own. At this point, I'm not sure what labs to look at, when and why to look at them yet. I'm new!!!! If you have any suggestions or can offer any help about getting a system down for handling all the meds, insulin, accuchecks, etc. on so many patients I would really appreciate it. I really want to make this work and get the experience I need. The whole day was pretty much a blurr! Thanks for any suggestions, help, encouragement.

Hi MM,

I am also an LPN at a hospital on a Rehab unit but get pulled to m/s. I will tell you the most pts I've had is 10 and the supervisor did feel bad and (mostly)ALL OF THE nurses pitch in to help each other! There is so much I want to tell you but I am too tired to type that much right now LOL I just had to post something now though. Where are you from?, if you live in Western PA I would say you can even call me!I must say, for the most part I really do like the community hosp. I am at...and believe me I was soooooo completely overwhelmed my 1st year it was hard but I learned so much. If they continually give you 11-13, I'm sorry but that is CRAZY!!!! You are setting yourself up for a huge liability if you continue to accept that pt load. I know staffing is getting bad everywhere but that doesn't mean you have to accept that kind of assignment..ok I really do want to give sooo many tips and such..I will @ a later time. You can also email me @ [email protected]

ttyl,

Melinda