Neely hired LPN....HELP!!!

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Hello, I am new to the forums but felt this thread very inspiring lol. I just graduated from school in may. I decided to take a break before I sat for my nclex-pn and enjoy life again. On July 22nd I sat for my nclex and passed with flying colors. YAAAAY! Friday I got my first job as a Charge Nurse in a skilled nursing facility. Although I have worked in them for most of my clinicals in school I am still very nervous. Any advice for a first timer?

Sincerly,

Amber

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Congratulations on your academic achievements and your first nursing job!!

My first job, also, was in LTC, 31 years ago. The people orienting you more than likely know this is your first nursing position. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions, especially if it's something you are not familiar with. A few years ago, I obtained a position in an LTC/Assiste living facility. A male patient had to have his indwelling foley catheter changed monthly. The LPN orienting me, in the 9 months she had been there, had NEVER done a foley on a male. So she had asked me to do it so she could watch the procedure. Nursing is constantly changing. There are always new things happening, so you are learning constantly, no matter how long you have been a nurse. Another thing you will need to do is to develop your own workflow, something that would keep you organized, but also something that would not throw your whole shift off if an emergent situation arose. Often times, if there is a house supervisor for the shift, they can be available to assist, help you get caught up or call the MD or family members, if warranted.

You will not learn everything in a few days, weeks or months. The most difficult part is learning the names of the residents. It usuallt took me a week or so, but everyone si different.

Good luck and I'm sure you will do great!!!!

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Congratulations on your academic achievements and your first nursing job!!

My first job, also, was in LTC, 31 years ago. The people orienting you more than likely know this is your first nursing position. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions, especially if it's something you are not familiar with. A few years ago, I obtained a position in an LTC/Assiste living facility. A male patient had to have his indwelling foley catheter changed monthly. The LPN orienting me, in the 9 months she had been there, had NEVER done a foley on a male. So she had asked me to do it so she could watch the procedure. Nursing is constantly changing. There are always new things happening, so you are learning constantly, no matter how long you have been a nurse. Another thing you will need to do is to develop your own workflow, something that would keep you organized, but also something that would not throw your whole shift off if an emergent situation arose. Often times, if there is a house supervisor for the shift, they can be available to assist, help you get caught up or call the MD or family members, if warranted.

You will not learn everything in a few days, weeks or months. The most difficult part is learning the names of the residents. It usuallt took me a week or so, but everyone si different.

Good luck and I'm sure you will do great!!!!

Thank you so much for your kind word of encouragement. As tomorrow approaches I can feel the nerves start to act up. I just need to remember we all had our first jobs and I can do this :-) thanks again!

A

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First off don't get discouraged you are going to have terrible crazy days!! Before moving I work skilled/rehab and oddly enough I miss it! To me it was all about finding my own routine and learning to manage time.. If I knew I had paper that wasn't a must at that time then I did it at the end of tbs shift so I could do my med pass and accu checks insulin all that fun stuff!! The first few months I went home everynight thinking what the heck did I forget or feeling like I completely messed up, but it got better! You will learn your patients, the paper work, and protocol in time!! Just try not to get to overwhelmed!! Another thing I did was keep and little notepad with me to jot down things I needed to do.. Call this person, check on this med, recheck this blood sugar until I got the hang of things!! Good luck!! I'm sure you will be fine!

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First off don't get discouraged you are going to have terrible crazy days!! Before moving I work skilled/rehab and oddly enough I miss it! To me it was all about finding my own routine and learning to manage time.. If I knew I had paper that wasn't a must at that time then I did it at the end of tbs shift so I could do my med pass and accu checks insulin all that fun stuff!! The first few months I went home everynight thinking what the heck did I forget or feeling like I completely messed up but it got better! You will learn your patients, the paper work, and protocol in time!! Just try not to get to overwhelmed!! Another thing I did was keep and little notepad with me to jot down things I needed to do.. Call this person, check on this med, recheck this blood sugar until I got the hang of things!! Good luck!! I'm sure you will be fine![/quote']

Thanks for reminding me!!! I almost forget to put my medical bag together for tomorrow which includes my handy dandy notepad ? also, thanks for the much needed pep talk!

Grad 5/2013 , Licensed 7/2013 , Charge Nurse at Skilled LTC in OR "The character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses." Carolyn Jarvis

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And don't let mean bitter old nurses ruin your day ( lol if there are any) enough with the negative you will do great! Good luck :)

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
And don't let mean bitter old nurses ruin your day ( lol if there are any) enough with the negative you will do great! Good luck :)

​Ageist posts such as this one are inappropriate. There are good and bad nurses of all ages.

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