New LPN - Feeling Like Anything But a Nurse

When I finally received my license to work as an LPN, and having been a CNA for the 3 years prior, I could not wait to get in there and do some real nursing at a nursing home. I had worked on an Alzheimers care unit, and that was my forte.....I just love the residents, and seem to "get" what they are all about. I just knew all my training, along with my experience on that unit would have prepared me to take things to the next level and really do more for the (all too) many dementia residents who are out there.

Flash Forward to the present - employed only 4 nights per week (as opposed to the 5 which I really need to be working for financial reasons)..working 11-7 shift, where all I do is (1) count narcotics with nurses on previous shift; (2) get report from those same nurses, who have alot to say, because they have been busy nursing the residents (none of the information pertinent to me, as the treatments, etc. will not be done on my shift); (3) clean up the mess left by 3-11 shift (empty trash recepticles on med and treatment carts, get rid of lingering lipstick-ridden Dunkin Donuts coffee cups, stale pieces of donuts remaining in the box, and other lingering food "remains of the day"; refill water pitchers, get applesauce for the one resident who takes meds crushed); (4) pass 12 a.m. meds to exactly 2 residents who who are asleep, (5) file all the paperwork day and evening shifts have no time to do since they are busy being nurses; (6) check glucometers, dates on stock med bottles, check temperature of refrigerator in med room, dates on insulin bottles, be sure crash cart has all materials necessary, etc., etc., etc., (7) prepare for 6 a.m. med pass; (8) med pass along with one finger-stick for a diabetic resident; (9) clean up and be sure everything is perfect and carts are well-stocked because day shift will not have time to do same (i.e., empty trash in med and tx carts, refill water pitchers, etc.); (10) count narcotics when day nurses finally arrive; (11) give report to day nurses (so-and-so got up for a banana at 3 a.m. and other really important info); then leave by about 7:30.

In one month, I have lost every skill I learned, I feel like more of a secretary than a nurse, and am envious of the CNA's who have actual interaction with the residents. Is this what nursing is all about? Because I am a single mom with school-aged children, I cannot work 3-11 shift, and 7-3 is all but impossible to find in this part of NJ, so 11-7 is the only shift available to me. I just wish I were a "real" nurse!!

Anyone else going through this?