New Grad Freaking Out!!!!!!!!!!!

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Just hired at a long term care facility, 5 days training and will be on my own on the 3-11 shift. 45 PT's and no med aid. A ton of meds to pass on top of treatments. Everyone just says "dont worry you will do fine". Do NOT feel fine. Any input would be great!

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You should not feel fine. Please follow your gut and reconsider this position. A new grad needs more than 5 days of training and the assignment you're being given is huge for anyone, let alone someone just starting out.

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Run! That is not enough orientation, also that is not a manageable pt load at all for an experienced nurse, not on that shift. Just keep looking.

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No need to freak out..you have good judgement.

I agree with the above posts, run !!!!!!!!!!!!! This is not appropriate for a new grad. NO picnic for experienced RNs either.

Wishing you the best in finding the right job match for you.

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Specializes in telemetry.

I took a job after graduating a few months ago on the 11-7 shift passing meds on 52 patients thru the night, chart on them, keep on eye on all of them, and then pass meds again at 6 am. I trained for one night - I quit the next day. I was afraid working there that I wouldn't be able to properly care for the patients, then staffing just wasn't there. And I was putting my license at risk. The next week I was offered a job at the hospital I am currently working it. I wouldn't do it as the other people have posted. I would keep looking.

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Specializes in L&D, Nursery, Post-Partum.

Oh. WOW. I took a job at a long term care/rehab facility and it was no picnic. I felt my license was in danger every time I showed up. I had 2 wings (44 patients). I did all the med passes, treatments, respiratory treatments, assessments on selected patients and charting.

I was staffed with 2 nurses aides and I one charge nurse in charge of 4 wings(88 patients).

I've heard horror stories from other nurses too. If you can do it I give you props. But it's not worth my license in my opinion.

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I did a very similar thing recently- took the same shift (3-1130) at an LTC facility and with 5 days orientation as a brand new grad...I lasted 2 days on my own and never came back. I was so stressed and so scared of losing my license or God forbid someone getting hurt that I couldn't do it. It wasn't worth it. Please listen to the above posters and myself when we say RUN!!! :eek:

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Specializes in wound care.

let me start of buy saying i was a new grad with like Three days training put in a similar situation but with 30 pt give or take , i no alot of people are saying leave , and if that's a option and you dont feel comfortable then take it, i would of coorifice go to your don first and tell her you dont feel comfortable first be for just quitting. But for me even tho i might not have felt comfortable, quitting was not a option for several reason. so my advise is to prioritize and delegate, your aids are there for a reason and they have been doing this for a while ,and let me also say these people have been here for a while and not getting to a breathing treatment or being a little late on a med mess is not gona kill them, ok so relax , with that said START YOUR MED PASS EARLY, were im at you can be a hour early and a hour late , if you have to stay late charting dont stress about it. When your in nursing school its like they drill you with people losing their licence for every small thing to the point your afraid doing any thing will get you in trouble, you gota put that in the back of your mind and be a nurse , if some falls or dies of some natural cause thats life , there's a saying . when in doubt send them out , if you feel your not set of to treat some one call 911 and send them to a hospital, i hope that helps

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Specializes in wound care.

ps it is possible , iv done it and many other have done it... nursing homes are alot different than hospitals the acutely level is completely different ,these people will continue to live there lives whether your afraid to be there of not

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surge, Ortho.

OP, I work in LTC and I am in charge of up to 41 patients but I work 11p to 7a. I have about 7 yrs of experience. I would never do 3p to 11p for 45 residents without a medicine aide. You have soooooo much responsibility; med pass, treatments, physician orders, family concerns and not to mention that most admissions come on 3 to 11pm. Please remember that you don't have much experience yet and this situation could be overwhelming to a new grad nurse. I could even see a two wk orientation and maybe 17 to 20 patients, but definitely say noooo!!!! to 45 patients. I wish you the best. Please keep in mind that not all LTC facilities are the same. I happen to work at a decent one right now.:nurse:

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Specializes in Home Care.

ohhhh heck no!

I had up to 30 in my last LTC job, never again.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Everything's just peachy as long as nobody falls, gets sick, has a blood sugar crash, or throws a tantrum. As long as family doesn't want to chat. As long as everybody shows up, there are no admits or transfers. As long as you don't have to call the pharmacy. In other words, as long as your residents are safely comatose.

Throw any of the above into the middle of your 8p medpass, and your looking at disaster. Best of luck with your decision.

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