New Grad LTC Seeking Advice

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Well I am a RN new grad I work at an ltc of course,I usually work on a subacute rehab floor. I work 7p-7a. From 7-11 Ihave to float to other units I was never oriented to but whatever. From 11p-7a, I have 46 residents, I have to take these ppl bs checks, there are ivs, tfs (9+), treatments, skilled charting etc. I have to make out an assignment for the aids, call docs (labs,iv issues,xrays, ),wound vacs. I have to check in drugs, do the census, change over. I'm just not sure if it's the facility or me,other nurses are doing it. It's very hard and god forbid a new admit, readmit or fall I might as well spend the night. I am very frustrated andI am thrilled I don't have to go back to the hell whole until wednesday. This other nurse enjoys making my life hell (but forget her).

I'm just not sure if I'm a wimp or what and often at times it doesn't feel safe. I get in trouble alot for not doing things, but I was never trained or told about certain things . Ppl ask me stuff about residents and idk I have to look in the chart. It is very unorganized papers are always every where. Ijust don't know....

I understand being a new grad is not easy I cry a lot but do I have reason, or is this really hell. Also veterans if you can help me out with a routine,it would be helpful. If I stay on one floor I can get out on time, but if I float I easily stay over 2hrs. I have been employed at this facility since July 3, I really want to quit, but I go back just to make sure I want to quit. I have talked to the don, managers, supervisors,nothing is changing. My unit manager quit, and the person who oriented me quit soI don't have them anymore. I'll quit babbling bc I'm so flustered, tonight was badbc the supervisor called off,this guys midline came out, andI was on a floor I never been on Yikes. I apologize that my thoughts are all over but I hope someone can get my drift.

Thanks but I know I am not going to stick it out that much longer. I feel like the place is so archaic and there is so much room for basic human error. I have never had a warning in my life so I will be so dissappointed when I get one, which I am sure I will get one. I also they management try to get people fired for stupid reasons. I understand that the residents are stable but ltc nursing is hard work. I love geriatrics but I don't love ltc. I live in the Boston area so the job market for new grad RNs is tough. I did work as a nursing assistant in a Magnet hospital while in school and they had a new grad program. I got an interview, which was intense, but unfortunately they wanted the BSN and I had my Associates. So here I am hundreds of job applications and no response. I went to this ltc facility, got hired on the spot, no questions asked, and they didn't ask for references.

So good luck to you and hope you find a job that you love and feel comfortable in!

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Thanks but I know I am not going to stick it out that much longer. I feel like the place is so archaic and there is so much room for basic human error. I have never had a warning in my life so I will be so dissappointed when I get one, which I am sure I will get one. I also they management try to get people fired for stupid reasons. I understand that the residents are stable but ltc nursing is hard work. I love geriatrics but I don't love ltc. I live in the Boston area so the job market for new grad RNs is tough. I did work as a nursing assistant in a Magnet hospital while in school and they had a new grad program. I got an interview, which was intense, but unfortunately they wanted the BSN and I had my Associates. So here I am hundreds of job applications and no response. I went to this ltc facility, got hired on the spot, no questions asked, and they didn't ask for references.

So good luck to you and hope you find a job that you love and feel comfortable in!

Likewise :)

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We are all in the same boat. i too resigned from my LTC job.

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I have also resigned from my new LTC job. Good luck to all of us

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Specializes in Med-surg.

Hang on there guys. I'm a new grad RN working in a LTC for 3 months. I have to care 30 residents on one shift, in the beginning it is terrible and the idea of going to work sometimes make me scared. But 3 months later I already start to feel comfortable. I think the trick for me is: stay in one facility and gradually know all the residents, what their meds are, their preferences, etc. Even for the subacute, these pts generally stay for at least a couple of months, so I got to know them after a while.

Good thing about LTC nursing job is that it is getting better and better as my nursing skills are improved, and job opportunities are plenty - though it is tough for new grads in recent years, still much better than lots of other fields. I love my nursing job more and more as time goes by, because my confidence level has gone up as my skills build up, I have learned a lot of new things, and money is not bad either, and I know it is just to get better as my experiences are build up.

Some of my learned new skills to survive are: keep a record of cruical things on the notebook, like an important lab schedule to make. Keep a special eye on the unstable pt /or pt that I do not know well. Know the family, especially the demanding family members, just to list a few.

So my advice is: hang in there, learn skills to survive, you will get there.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I'm a LTC nurse on a floor of 46. I've worked there since I was 19 so I decided to try out other jobs just for something new. I worked at a nursing home just like the ones you guys are describing. Yeah for 2 days. Then I quit. If people aren't helping you and you feel unsafe, leave. It's not worth it.

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I would have loved to hang in there. Nobody wants to resign during this recession, but when your gut tells you to RUN, then RUN.

My only regret is that I still have to finish out my notice, I can't get out fast enough.:eek:

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Specializes in Med-surg.

Zergasaurus:

Good luck, sometime you got to do what you guts tell you to do. Nobody knows your individual situation better than youself.

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