New LPN - Feeling Like Anything But a Nurse

[JoanieDee, LPN]

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?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Well, I've done all three shifts in LTC and days you'll be banging out meds with no time to talk and no time for contact with the patients.

[akanini, MSN, RN]

I remember a CNA telling me that the reason why she didn't want to become a nurse is because she has more interaction with her patients and gets to know them. Your post brought this to my attention. I have the upmost respect for CNAs, bythe way. However, remember you went to school to become a LPN so try your best to give your all.

[nursey81]

favre i know that isnt what you hoped i loved to work the nursing home at nite because of the slowness of the shift but i had already worked in a busy hospital and was ready for something slower if you are a new LPN you might want to try the hospital first:loveya:

[lpnflorida]

Be patient there will come the night shift when a patient condition changes, then what you have learned will come into play.

Meanwhile to keep up on skills read the nursing journals, attend any educational opportunities that you can. I have always tended to take CEU's not only in regards to where I work but in other specialities of nursing in an attempt to stay up and new or changing practice.

Congratulations by the way on being an LPN.