new grad RN in LTC- overwhelmed!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

hi.

i have a question about SNF/LTC's. I am a new grad. I applied for a nursing home in pomona, ca. i accepted the job as an RN and the mistake which i made was i didnt even ask how many RN patient ratio. or what my title would be.

I just came from an orientation today and i just found out that that facility only has 1 RN per shift without a DON! and that 1 RN is assisgned to 4 nursing stations! with 200++ patients.and my title would be an RN supervisor. although there are LVNs. Honestly i overwhelmed and didnt know what i got into. I dont know what ill do during my shift because tomorrow ill be the only RN at night shift.

I was only oriented for 2 days and the RN that oriented me today was the last orienatation ill have with an RN.

Also, i told the guy that hired me that i dont have a certification for IV and would not insert IV's.

is that normal to have only 1 RN supervisior or just 1 RN for the whole facility???

Im thinking of quiting because i dont i can handle 4 nursing stations and being an RN supervisor and just being a new grad RN.

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I would never hire a new nurse for a supervisor position. I wouldn't hire a nurse with only hospital experience to be a supervisor in my facility. They don't have a clue about LTC and I wouldn't want to put a new nurse in that situation. We all felt overwhelmed when we were new. It's natural. But, you cannot be a supervisor as a new nurse. End of story.

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics.

Is there no DON because he/she left and they haven't been replaced in a month? That seems like such a long time to be without a DON. Who is responsible for what goes on with nursing? I hope they don't have you as just the warm body to point a finger at and say "there's our RN" just to be up to code/standard.

I give you my best wishes :)

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Specializes in LTC.
the problem is.. we dont have a DON. imagine? its been i guess more than a month now. i am the only RN in the building and if a problem arises the license that is in jepordy is mine.

lpns are licensed too so their license is also on the line. Any way I can kind of relate. I'm a new grad lpn charge nurse and the only nurse in the building so it can be overwhelming.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
lpns are licensed too so their license is also on the line. Any way I can kind of relate. I'm a new grad lpn charge nurse and the only nurse in the building so it can be overwhelming.

I dont think mochafrappe meant to imply that LPN's arent licensed and dont care about their licenses, but she as well as you are in a position for being blamed for a problem that you might not have known about or be responsible for.

BTW, I am not a big fan of being a new LPN and ONLY nurse in the building. You still have tons to learn and would do better in a facility where you can find a mentor and learn from others,

I understand it is hard to find jobs today, and I know administrators LOVE finding new LPN's to take on positions they may not be ready for, (cheaper for them etc) SO PLEASE be careful.

I am writing this with the best of intentions and caring for you. Feel free to post any and all problems for discussions and search topics through allnurses for great advice from those who have been nurses for longer and gone through all that you are now going through. Learn from others mistakes and advice!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, Long Term Care.

no need to argue,my friend mochafrap is in tenessee now working in an acute hospital.hehehe!!!

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