New Grad RN Alone in Rehab at Night??

[LanaEl]

I'm a new grad RN and I was just offered a really great night-shift position in a freestanding rehab facility. The place is 5 minutes from my house, extremely nice (the Four Seasons of rehabs), good pay, good nurse-to-patient ratio, and no weekends.

The only caveat is that sometimes I would be the only RN in the building with about 3 LPNs.

Is this a bad idea for a new grad??

[cleback]

Depends. Would you be managing a lot of IVs, giving blood, etc? Not sure what else RNs would do that the LPNs would not. If you feel comfortable with those skills, go for it. You would not be alone alone. And chances are the LPNs will have some experience to draw on.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I think it sounds great. If you are a reasonably confident person, I think you'd be fine.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I think perhaps you might be underestimating the abilities of the LPNs to hold their own. Trust me, they will make your working life easier at the rehab facility. They can do significantly more than your school textbooks indicated.

I see no blaring red flags. Good luck to you!

[elkpark]

Yes, it is.

[LanaEl]

My concern is really just if there is some sort of emergency situation or a pt who has a major change of condition. And I would be ultimately be responsible for that patient and may not know how to handle it.

Does that seem like a reasonable concern for a new grad in a rehab?

I know LPNs do a lot more than what they tell you in RN school because I went through LPN school (though never worked as one). But I also know the RN takes responsibility if there's a major issue.

Thanks for your input :)

[roser13, ASN, RN]

It absolutely does seem like a valid concern for a new grad. I would worry if you weren't concerned.

How much orientation will you have on day shift?

[LanaEl]

I'm not sure if they will orient me on day shift, but they said I will have about 5 days of orientation on the floor

[AvaRose]

Only 5 days wow...I'm about 1/3 of the way done with my 30 day orientation and I'm just barely starting to feel comfortable with some kind of routine but that's only with 2 patients right now...can't imagine being the only nurse on duty at night with so little training.

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

My concern is really just if there is some sort of emergency situation or a pt who has a major change of condition. And I would be ultimately be responsible for that patient and may not know how to handle it.

Does that seem like a reasonable concern for a new grad in a rehab?

Every new grad worries about that. (Or at least the ones who actually care about people, do.) To give you some perspective, I wondered the same thing when I had a 6-8 pt load and 8 other RNs (including a charge and NUS) to ask for advice. Just remember, that kind of fear is actually a good type of fear.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

...can't imagine being the only nurse on duty at night with so little training.

The original poster will not be the only nurse at night. The three LPNs who will work nights alongside her are nurses in their own right.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

What type of acuity does this rehab do? Rehab facilities can vary widely in the level of acuity they take. Generally speaking, for acute status changes at night you'll be notifying the physician and if warranted, sending the patient to the hospital.