New LPN here.. felt like a useless fool at work..

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I'm so frustrated.. I'm mad and embarassed that I don't know what to do in certain situations. Thing is, I SHOULD know what to do!

FYI I work in a skilled nursing facility 11-7 shift

Here's the story. Last night at work was my first night off orientation. Nothing dramatic happened for the 8 weeks I was on orientation so I didn't get to see what they do ect.. so what happens last night? A male pt walks up to the nurses station and says "I tink I'm having a heart attack" Mind you, this pt has had 2 heart attacks so far during his life. I stand up and tell the CNA's to sit him down and get his vitals while I check the MARS for nitro.. does he have nitro? Nope! So I come back out of the med room to hear his pulse and b/p are fine. His temp was elevated to 101 and his resperations were 38/min.

I go back into the med room and see he has a PRN order for percocet or tylenol. Since he had some mild pain and a fever, I choose to give the tylenol.. why? Because I thought tylenol is better to help reduce the temp:uhoh3:. Ugh..

Anyway, after I gave him the tylenol, they took him back to his room and I checked on him every 5 min. The nurse on working the opposite wing said to get him oxygen at 2 liters (Don't you need an order for that??) so the CNA's set that up while I called the doc. The doc gave me an order for Nitro and of course he asked me questions about this patient that I knew NOTHING of (I'm a floater at work and that was my 1st night on that wing- no excuse I know) so I looked like an idiot to him:o. Then I didn't know who to call to schedule an EKG- it's like top secret who they use for services. I didn't know the phone number to the facility I work with (not on the phone or anything) so I looked real smart then too. Plus, I'm not sure what standing orders there are.. I know I should know and will find out later today. This is my first job and first time in the medical field~ I wish this place was more organized.

Anyway, I didn't know what to do.. didn't know what questions to ask the pt, I was in so much of a panic! So now, the CNA's probably know I know NOTHING and probably are laughing at me behind my back. *sigh* I feel dumb and know I need to be educated more.

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Such a pity you felt that way.You have to go thru lots to be what you want and dream to be.Dont mind!even if the CNA's are laughing behind ur back of which they might not be.Move on,you are learning.Mistakes at times help you learn more.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

First and foremost, how is the patient? If he's fine, then you did your best. You are not supposed to know everything now or ever. Because of that night, you learned something new. Everytime something comes up you will learn something new. Be patient with yourself and don't beat yourself up.

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The pt is fine and the pain went away before the end of my shift. He is recovering from a lobectomy so that explains a lot. You're right, I won't be making that mistake again!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sounds like you did a good job to me. We all fumble around a bit and feel useless, dumb and foolish at first. Be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself time to be a newbie.

(RNs can administer 2L of Oxygen without an order, at least here they can.)

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Every time a new situation comes up where you feel like you don't know what you are doing; learn from it. Now I'll bet you know (or will find out soon, your next day at work) how to handle chest pain, where and what the standing orders are, and how to navigate the call system. When you discuss it with a coworker (like maybe the dayshift nurse), ask her what she would have done differently. You'll get a lot of good feedback that way.

And the next time you call the doc, just be up front--I'm a new grad, just off orientation--so please be a little patient with me and feel free to spell things out for me. I've said that before to docs, and I've never had one of them give me a hard time; usually they'll slow down, give me more info than I probably need, but hey, I'd rather have too much than too little.

In my experience it takes about a year as a new grad in a new position to start feel comfortable and confident. Hang in there! We all have been there--just view EVERY situation as a learning experience. Review what you did well, and what you could improve the next time the situation arises.

Keep up the good work!

J

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

you did the best you could. your new at this. you dont need a order for oxygen.. esp if the pt is having chest pain.. you did allright and who cares what other people think.

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Specializes in Occupational Medicine, Orthopedics.

Dear Crazy,

I'm absolutely certain I will be in your boat very soon. I tend to beat myself up quickly too.

But obviously we do so needlessly. I work in a pediatric doctors office right now, and am starting a LTC job soon. I feel completely uncertain about the ability to do the job. If it were just passing meds that would be one thing, but it's the assessments, charting, treatments, dealing with family, dealing with the balancing of supervising nursing aids while earning respect and friendship, etc, that I have never put into practice and has me scared out of my wits.

I know I will be a fool for a while, but I whole-heartedly plan on being good at what I do some day! Some day I will be the one teaching and helping the newbie and I will remember (God help me remember) what it was like to be new.

I hope you feel better about yourself very soon, and I wish you all the best in this new job!

Blue

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