New grad in LTC/Volunteering

[pir8]

Hello everyone,

I just graduated nursing school and passed NCLEX-RN in June. I have been applying for numerous hospital positions and have not gotten any callbacks. I have a second interview for a LTC next week and I am wondering if it is a good place to start for new grads? It is the 3-11 shift with 30 residents. I also have an opportunity to volunteer at a local health department. I am excited for the opportunity to start in LTC nursing to build my time management, critical thinking and other skills. I am also worried that I may be in over my head and might decide to volunteer. Any thoughts/advice on 3-11 shift for a new grad?

Thanks!

[Junebug903, LPN]

I can not comment as an RN, but as an LPN/LVN. My first job out of LPN school was 3-11 full-time with 30 patients. It was very hard. I cried often and had to ask a lot of questions. I felt bad for asking so many questions, but it helped me through many "real" life situations. The "real" world in nursing can be much more difficult than what we learn in school. I learned a lot, of course. I had to get very good at time management. My 5pm med passes merged with the 8pm med pass, at first...I lost weight when I first started my job. I had not time to take a lunch break lol. The first year or two as a new grad is hard, but definitely doable. After that time, I got very confident and ended up being the nurse being asked the questions :)

I think one of the things that I struggled with was multitasking. On 3-11, you deal a lot with Sundowners and that is a whole other ballgame. You may be run ragged for awhile, but eventually you may just run all over getting everything done without giving it any thought :)

GOOD LUCK!!!