New LPN Burn&Crash

bjs54321 · Jan 18, 2006

Marie,

This is what you will experience through many years of nursing. Grow thick skin. Hang in there! Don't clock out until you are actually finished. If you skip your break...get it paid. Too bad if other nurses think you are super nurse. They aren't either. You are doing good. Trust me. Hang on. Just remember that all newbies ( and us old fogies) are learning and when you get the experience, know how to do things and organization....it goes better...don't be critical like those who have wrongfully been critical to you. Nursing home....acute...home care....they are all difficult in their own situation. All should be repected and admired for the tremendous hard work it takes to accomplish. Be proud...Don't let anyone tell you less. You are a nurse....You will learn and be the best ever for your pts. If this is what you do...you will have done it all. Whoot! Congrats to you and the journey you have choosen!

I am a new LPN Grad, I started working at a Nursing Home 3 wks. ago full time, and a second Nursing Home PRN. I am working nights-12 hour shifts. I work as fast as a I can the whole 12 hours and still can't get everything done. I have two halls-approx. 45 pts. with charting required on about 25 plus 2-3 wkly reports, 24 hour report, meds to put away, glucometer checks, O2 tubing to change, census report to post. I had 10 days of orientation, which I am told is a new policy, they used to only give 5 days, so I should be grateful. Overtime is not allowed, lunch break is mandatory. So I put down that I take 1/2 hour lunch and leave on time when actually I am not taking a lunch, or even going to the bathroom more than twice a shift because I don't have time. I cannot get done by the end of my shift and end up staying at least an hour over with no pay. As hard as I work I always end up forgetting to do something. The dayshift nurses are very critical (putting it nicely) and I am beginning to think I don't have what it takes for nursing. I would appreciate any advice.

ilostu12 · Jan 18, 2006

BJS54321 is right. Your just starting out on a wonderful and rewarding career. It takes time to get a routine down and learn time managment. It's a shame though that some of the nurses you work with forget that they too were new to nursing once. Don't give up, it will come.

I went through the same things your going through, everyone has. The hours can be long, the work over whelming and co-workers can be a real thorn in your side. But I have never been happier with what I do. You will touch lives and you can make a difference.

One other piece of advice I would offer.....don't be afraid to ask for help. Sure a few nurses will blow you off or even make a few comments that I can't repeat, but most nurses will be glad to help if they can. Ask for advice, ask them for some 'tricks of the trade' to make you work easier. You'll be suprised how other nurses can make your job eaiser and help you to grow as a nurse.

marie4 · Jan 18, 2006

Thanks so much. I really needed some encouragement and kind words. I havn't gotten any feedback from the DON or ADON. They work days, so I never see them. I keep expecting a phone call from someone telling me what I am doing wrong but no one has called. I am thinking about calling the ADON and asking her how she thinks I'm doing. I'm worried about my charting. I know it is not up to par. I have to rush through it. I feel like everyone is discussing my shortfalls among themselves with only a few well aimed snide comments in my presence. I made a list of tasks that need to be done, but the med passes take me twice as long as the other nurses. I don't think they are passing out ALL the meds! But the worst part is that I barely have time to assess my patients!!! When I get off work I worry about my patients and roll over in my mind everything I forgot to chart or do. I have called back in to check on pts., or tell someone I forgot to do something and they acted very irritated and cold. I am amazed that seasoned nurses seem to get a kick out of treating new grads this way. Or are my shortcomings really making their life that miserable! I just needed to get this off my chest! Again, thank you for being so generous with your reply.

ilostu12 · Jan 18, 2006

Yeah marie4....your a nurse. Like I said, we have all been through this, and we still go through it. Try not to let it get you down sick, it's good that your concerned about your quality of care. Any good nurse will sit back and look at the work they do and try to find ways to improve. As far as the med pass, I'm sure that the other nurses are passing all the meds, but remember, they have been there for a while, maybe a few years. That makes a difference, there is two stages a nurse goes through when on a new job. The first stage is getting used to the resedents and getting a routine down, this may take a month ot two. The second stage usually happens after they have been there for about a year, they become comfortable with the faciluty and it's procedures.

Granted I don't work with you, but from your posts, it sounds like your putting your best effort into this, just keep going....believe me, you'll get it and your job will become easier.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

Dont forget that this is why there is 24/7 nursing. Sometimes you have to leave things and let the next shift pick it up, that happens.

There is no reason if you arent able to do everything that the next person cant finish up what you cant humanly do in one shift.

Take your breaks, it doesnt help anything having a hungry, tired nurse trying to work as fast as she can the whole shift.

Time management will come in time. Try to plan, remember the rule full hands in full hands out, and dont feel bad if you have to leave something for the next shift to do.

OH and calling back to tell somethig you forgot to mention isnt being unorganized, its being concientious.

bjs54321 · Jan 25, 2006

Whink Whink meown!

Marie.... It might not feel like this...but you are a great asset!!!!Remember that!

NJLPN · Jan 25, 2006

I am a new LPN Grad, I started working at a Nursing Home 3 wks. ago full time, and a second Nursing Home PRN. I am working nights-12 hour shifts. I work as fast as a I can the whole 12 hours and still can't get everything done. I have two halls-approx. 45 pts. with charting required on about 25 plus 2-3 wkly reports, 24 hour report, meds to put away, glucometer checks, O2 tubing to change, census report to post. I had 10 days of orientation, which I am told is a new policy, they used to only give 5 days, so I should be grateful. Overtime is not allowed, lunch break is mandatory. So I put down that I take 1/2 hour lunch and leave on time when actually I am not taking a lunch, or even going to the bathroom more than twice a shift because I don't have time. I cannot get done by the end of my shift and end up staying at least an hour over with no pay. As hard as I work I always end up forgetting to do something. The dayshift nurses are very critical (putting it nicely) and I am beginning to think I don't have what it takes for nursing. I would appreciate any advice.

Take a deep breath and relax!! We have all been there. As others have said please take your breaks. you need time during your shift to re-fuel, especially on 12hr shifts. you should definately be getting paid for the time you are working, even if it is past your shift. My administraton where i work were upset over our overtime on 3-11 but they eventually realized if they want their residents cared for properly sometimes we need extra time to get things done. As for the day shift being critical of your work. It could be because you are new. No matter how awfull it sounds it does happen. i would speak to your nursing supervisor or don for some advise. Good luck! and please don't give up so easy.

jennyga · Jan 25, 2006

well you do have 45 pts!!! i dont think i could handle that i am afraid because i am still a student soon to graduate and i could not see my self with 45 pts! ahhhh!! :no: i dont think its a job i would take personally.

dekatn · Jan 25, 2006

Sounds like you are doing fine to me. I have been doing LTC for longer than I'm willing to admit and there are still days that I don't get everything done, but like another poster stated, that's why it's a 24/7 job. What we can't finish we may have to pass on to the next shift. I understand you don't like to do that, I don't either, but sometimes it just can't be helped. Don't beat yourself up over what the other shift may be saying, that just goes along with nursing, most places I have ever worked, every shift thinks their shift is the hardest and the shift before them is slacking, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I do understand though, we have all been where you are and it does get more managable, if that's even a word!!! Hang in there and come and talk to us when you need too. And always ask yourself this question: What is the worst thing that can happen if I don't get this certain thing done? Usually, the answer isn't that bad. It just takes time.

kimlpn · Jan 25, 2006

I have found that those who do the most complaining are the nurses who really aren't doing the best job. Hang in there! Make a list of the things that need to be done and mark them off as you go. Like the other poster said grow tough skin...NEVER clock out before your work is done--you are owed this time!

marie4 · Jan 28, 2006

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advice. I decided to quit the full-time position and get out of there. I realized that no matter how hard I worked, one person wasn't enough to do that job and care for the people the way they should be cared for. I was even told once that "you could get it all done if you would stop assessing everybody"! I assessed the ones that needed assessed!! How can you chart an assessment that you didn't do?!! I won't even go into the backstabbing and nastiness that went on every shift change. Every effort was made to try to make me feel like the village idiot. It was unbelievable. It was like they had someone new for entertainment. Even though I know that kind of behavior is uncalled for, I kinda understand why- there just wasn't enough staff and everyone was so stressed out. I think thats the way they cope with it. I don't know, I just know that at this early date in my nursing career I have to find something else. I am going to look into home health care. I talked to the DON and asked what I was doing wrong, how could I improve and she said I was doing great, and had been getting only good reports ( I was amazed). The HR girl that hired me asked what she could do to fix it so that I would stay. What could I say, besides hire more people, get out on the floor and see what's going on, put some of the dayshift on nights and nightshift on days and let them walk in each others shoes (Yeah, like that's gonna happen), then maybe you will get some teamwork going, get the ADON and DON out on the halls more. That's what I should have said. Anyhoo, that's that. I was wondering if HOME HEALTH is as bad as that? Any, advice?