Hello everyone, I'm a new grad with my RN, BSN . For the last couple months I have applied extensively to hospitals that are nearby. I would have really great interviews with them but would never get a follow up call back. I'm thinking it was due to lack of experience, I was not a CNA while in nursing school. So for my work history , what I put down was my clinicals.
For the last 2 months I've been working on a subacute floor at a LTC facility. On any given night I will have 15- 16 patients + admissions. Yesterday was a very very stressful night. I overheard the LPNs talking about me. Saying I was very slow, on my med pass and how it is no way in the world I should still be passing meds at the time it was. Of course I went in the bathroom and cried, wipe my tears and continued my job. (I was actually done passing meds)
But what they don't understand is I'm trying to protect my license. Many of the medications are not in place, and the place is very disorganized. I'm not sure what to do. It's a very stressful environment. All of our patients are admitted directly from the hospital. So it honestly feels like I have 15-16 acute patients. And as a new grad its too much. Plus now i know how my coworkers feel. I'm not sure what to do. I know quitting looks very bad on a resume. But also have to think about my license. I worked too hard and too long to get it and lose it. Have anyone else went through this or have any advice??
Please forgive my grammar or spelling mistakes. I got a couple hours of sleep last night. This is really made me toss and turn...
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm looking forward to going to work and just passing meds.
LOL... Why pay a licensed nurse to 'just' pass medications when many LTC facilities utilize medication aides or medication techs to carry out this task?
An increasing number of facilities use medication aides for the med pass because it allows the licensed nursing staff to focus on assessments, care planning, paperwork, charting, dealing with doctors and families, and other complicated matters.
First of all. You need to allow yourself at least 6 months to master time management. I have never seen a nurse fired for being late with medications. (They would have to fire their whole staff.) If you can say at the end of every shift that you applied yourself 100% and did the best job you could, then pat yourself on the back and get some sleep, you did well.
Are there other SNFs in your area? While waiting for a position at a hospital, you may want to try another LTC and see if it is a better fit. You should stick with a subacute position for the best acute experience. I agree that during interviews, you should not burn your bridges and blaim the facility you currently work for. Know about the facility you are applying to and find something appealing they offer as a reason for applying to work for them. It could simply be a different shift, the location, the company reputation, the DON, their ratings, someone recommended it over the facility you work at now, etc. Don't quit your current job until you are offered another one. When offered a job, ask that your hire date be at least 2 weeks in the future or one month if they can wait that long so you can give your current employer time to replace you (which is not usually a deal breaker and shows them that you will extend the same courtesy to them when you are ready to move on/up). Your future looks very bright, hang in there!
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
An increasing number of facilities use medication aides for the med pass because it allows the licensed nursing staff to focus on assessments, care planning, paperwork, charting, dealing with doctors and families, and other complicated matters.