New Grad SNF work... I am just exhausted and shocked

Michelle123 · Nov 26, 2009

What is SNF?

Bre14 · Nov 26, 2009

Its a skilled nursing facility.

Melina · Nov 26, 2009

SNF => Skilled Nursing Facility

910hope · Nov 26, 2009

Bre,

I know what you mean and I'm wondering the same thing. I'm a new RN grad in a SNF. It takes me a long time to do the meds and on my first day with a meds pass the Assistant DON walked up to me and asked "You're STILL doing meds?!" I told her yes "I don't want to make a mistake." They knew when they hired me that I'm a new grad and I've never worked in a SNF before...I'm busting my butt and giving 100% when I'm there.

Here's what I've been thinking the last few days...I will continue to learn and if I'm too slow for them then they can fire me. I'd rather be safe than hurried and unsafe. While it's not great to be late with a med it's a lot worse to give the wrong med to the wrong patient...isn't it??

birdietiel · Nov 26, 2009

I graduated in May, and have been working in a nursing home since August. Some days are rewarding, some are awful. It took a while to get faster at the med pass. Once you have the same residents for a while you get to remember which meds they take, so it's easier. The hall I'm on is a rehab hall though, so I have discharges and admits all the time. Today I had 2 admits, and also had to take care of all my other residents, about 27 in all. It was rough. I got out late. I had to finish my charting. A few days ago I had a resident pass away, and that was hard, But the family was very appreciative of all we do. That is the rewarding part. I would love to work in a hospital, but there are no jobs available. Keep your chin up and take one day at a time. I agree it's better to have a late med then to make a mistake. You will get faster. Give it some time. Take care. We can't forget to take care of ourselves! Take a hot bath, make some cocoa, read a book, pamper yourself. You don't want to get burned out.

Bre14 · Nov 26, 2009

Oh yeah. It literally took me all day to do the two med passes, all the BS checks and tube feedings. The SNF has a large PT,OT and speech therapy office on the lower floors so that is also something than needs to be time managed because you have them on your butt everything you turn around. They say we get about 60 discharges a month on the 80 bed unit.

You started in August..how long til you felt you knew what you were doing?

I started out an an LTC with 31 patients but this is far different. I dunno.

jimthorp · Nov 28, 2009

Persistance. It took me 6 months until I felt somewhat at ease and at least a year unil I went to work with confidence.

910hope · Nov 28, 2009

It's an emotional rollercoaster!! One day I feel that I can stick it out for 6 months and learn a lot. Plus I like seeing many of the residents and getting to know them.

But today was a bad one. I was orienting with the RN supervisor who they want me to fill in for in another few weeks during vacation. A new patient with severe dementia fell out of her wheelchair and hit her head. The PT had just visited and moved her from her bed with side rails to a wheelchair with nothing to keep her in the frigging chair...and then left her alone. Inside I was screaming when I saw the PT later....how stupid can you be?? A patient not oriented to time and place!!

Why do the ALZ patients go to a SNF instead of an ALZ unit? I've never been in an ALZ unit but I'm guessing that's the safest place for patients with severe dementia?? Is it a Medicare issue??

I don't want to train with the RN supervisor anymore or fill in for him...though I realize that's the only reason this SNF hired me...so I may be out of a job soon then. The Assistant DON said to me today that I should know the residents before I work the supervisor desk and I told her that I agree...it doesn't make sense to me. New grad...new to nursing. New to the facillity...Guess I'll have to ask for a meeting with the DON on Monday.

Any suggestions or advise appreciated!!

Thankful for prayers too.

Gin0theMC · Nov 29, 2009

i was in the same position as you. what i did was i made a cheat sheet for myself (on excel). I put all my pts room numbers and their name, a section on who gets BP meds, who has TX, who has BS checks. and who has narcs with med passes. and eventually you'll memorize your pts and meds and you'll get faster and more accurate every day =)

goodluck and don't get too stressed!

-Gino

Bre14 · Nov 29, 2009

Thanks Gino, That is something I will do today. The training I got was very half assed and now I feel lost because I don't have a system down yet. I will go in tomorrow with much more of a plan than last week. Good advice,thanks. :up:

Gin0theMC · Nov 29, 2009

Thanks Gino, That is something I will do today. The training I got was very half assessed and now I feel lost because I don't have a system down yet. I will go in tomorrow with much more of a plan than last week. Good advice,thanks.

Your welcome! oh and also, if i dont have time to write my non narcotic prns, I just write it on a blank piece of paper, and if you have time then u can chart it. always have a blank piece of paper just in case. I also have a plastic clipboard which i got from walmart. The more organized you are, the easier it'll be for you. good luck and dont ever give up. I only had less than a week of orientation and I was alone already! haha if I can do it, im positive you can.