New grad first job-Is this the norm in nursing??

[Hopefulnurse30]

Hello, I graduated with an ADN in May. My first job as a RN was at a LTC/TCU facility that provided almost 0 training except following a nurse around for 3 days, who was too busy to actually show you anything because they had 20 some patients to give meds and treatments etc. I was put on the floor after 3 days to figure it out on my own, with not a soul around to ask questions if they arise. While I understand we all have to learn somehow, I don't learn well this way and do not feel this is safe for the patients or the nurse. Also the staffing at this facility is awful and I have been left with 20 patients in TCU to care for by myself because they just didn't have another nurse. Needless to say I got tired of that fast and decided to pursue other job opportunities. I stayed on as casual employee until I am able to find something else. But every time I am called to pick up a shift, I just dread it because I don't know what I am walking in to as far as staffing, patient load etc. I enjoy the geriatric population but would feel awful at the end of my shift because I would finally sit down to write a nurses note about the patient and feel like I have barely seen that patient except for the 2 minutes I ran in to the room to give them their meds. I read all of these posts about new grads having wonderful preceptors and support when they first start as a new grad nurse and I have not had that experience at all. I also hear about how as a nurse you have so many opportunities to try different areas of nursing until you find an area that fits you best. I have been looking for a new job and applying at hospitals- with the hope that the hospital would provide some training and a preceptor, but as an ADN these jobs are pretty much impossible to come by. I am open to any advice and interested in hearing others experiences about their first job as RN. Is this the norm in nursing?? I am hopeful that because I am new grad I just need to get some experience under my belt and better opportunities will arise, but I am starting to feel discouraged.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I had 8 weeks of orientation as a new grad, as well as a charge nurse who does not have a patient care assignment. A charge nurse is the most useful resource for a new nurse. My experience as a new grad ADN was 20 years ago when the job market was beginning to open up for nurses after and when the BSN did not matter so much.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It sounds like you're caught in a difficult situation... with acute care jobs only open to BSNs. Then your options would be limited to non-acute settings that have a much lower reimbursement rate - so they don't have the funds to support orientation and training in the same way as hospitals do. Have you looked into Home Care? They may not have well-developed orientation/training, but the patient load would be lighter in terms of volume. Another area that you may want to consider is Hospice. You can start out as a 'volunteer' but after you complete the mandatory training (usually about 24-30 hours) and begin working with them, it may well lead to a job offer.

I wish nursing schools would do a better job of informing prospective students about the real job market that they're going to be dealing with.

[Spinmass, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I started as a new nurse in HD, the company I work for provided a thorough training program. I truly enjoy my job but it is very fast paced and busy. Several nurses that I graduated with have had similar experiences as yours in LTC. I wish you the best of luck in your search for a job that will provide you adequate training.