I am a new LPN grad. I just started a new job, at a LTC Facility. This wasn't my first choice, but there is not much else out there. I am fine with working LTC, for the experience, but im feeling a lil nervous and overwhelmed by my situation. I am on the night shift with about 50-60 pts on my own and only one other LPN in the building with me( shes on her own unit). I am responsible for all pt. care during this time two med passes and glucose checks, insulin, breathing treatments, etc. I am, like i said, just out of school and feel like this may be too much of a work load for a new grad. Am I wrong? Most of this stuff I can't start doing until they start to wake people up and I dont see how Im supposed to get it all done by 7 am. Also, does anyone have any advise on keeping some sort of regular schedule while working nights?
I feel like I am doing ok so far, but I am going to ask for more orientation time. They may not like that, they seemed like thier in a hurry for me to start on my own, but oh well, im still gonna ask. Theres still so much i dont know how to do, im just not ready to be by myself yet.
No new grad is ready after a week, period, let alone with that patient load! They're gonna have to suck it up and pay a couple of salaries for a few more weeks.
Please keep us posted on how things are going. I just hired on at a LTC. MY new job sounds exactly like yours. I am unsure about the workload but I need this job!!! I am going to get 3 weeks of orientation, than I am on my own
Well, its been awile since I posted on here, but I hope some people still read this...After a month I put in my notice and quit that job, but I dont have another one lined up and dont see any good prospects..I dont just want to take a job cause theres nothing else out there, thats kinda why I took the last one...I am really worried that I wont be able to find another one, but I couldnt take the last one I was so stressed and I feel like I was not ready for it yet, and it was very hard to get anyone to hep me when I needed it there. Im not sad I left but Im not sure how to go about finding another job...should I put the job I just left down on my resume? Should I tell them that I left because the workload was too much or does that make me seem like a quitter or weak? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Thanks for the update, BlueEyedLPN! The economy and job market are tough, but you did take the long view and did the right thing to protect your license and your sanity!
Whether you decide to include your one month job on your resume, my tendency would be not to, but if you do, just confidently explain that you judged the situation to be unsafe. It doesn't make you seem like a quitter, or weak at all. I would think that anywhere you would want to work would agree with you. Nursing is being able to judge what not to do as well as what to do.
I haven't had to look for a new job in a few years, so I hope others in the same predicament can offer some useful ideas to help you in your current job hunt and how to handle the resume and work history issue! Best wishes to you. :)
First of all you are not a quitter,some jobs are just not a good fit. As far as finding another, I have found that here in my area (western PA) jobs are somewhat limited as well, but what is working for some of my other friends who are recent grads is to be the "squeaky wheel" after applying make sure to follow up within a week, go in person and ask to talk to DON. I had business cards made up at local supply store to leave with a small note if I was not able to talk to DON. Long story short, your main goal is to get face time with whoever will do the hiring so you can let them know why you are the nurse they are looking for. Dont get discouraged! My instructors always told me, your first job will not be your last. Hang in there!!!!:)
Are there any facilities where you WANT to work? Go on NOT a Monday, after around 9 a.m., and find the DON. Look nice, have a resume. Tell her that you are looking for anything she has available. You'll be hired.
Well, its been awile since I posted on here, but I hope some people still read this...After a month I put in my notice and quit that job, but I dont have another one lined up and dont see any good prospects..I dont just want to take a job cause theres nothing else out there, thats kinda why I took the last one...I am really worried that I wont be able to find another one, but I couldnt take the last one I was so stressed and I feel like I was not ready for it yet, and it was very hard to get anyone to hep me when I needed it there. Im not sad I left but Im not sure how to go about finding another job...should I put the job I just left down on my resume? Should I tell them that I left because the workload was too much or does that make me seem like a quitter or weak? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
You are not a quitter and you are not weak. You did the right thing and you stood up for your patients and for yourself. Staffing like this is insane and unsafe. It is inappropriate and wrong for a new grad as well as for an experienced nurse. You were wise in choosing to leave this place. I doubt the facility would have supported you had something gone wrong. You are so wise to recognize that no job is worth risking your hard-earned license.
You sound like a good, conscientious nurse who will be an asset to the facility that is fortunate enough to hire you. This is a speed bump in your career. If you mention this job in your resume, don't merely say that the workload was too much---it might be better for you to say that you felt that it was an unsafe ratio as it was one nurse and two nursing assistants for 60 patients.
When you do look for your next nursing job, you might want to look at some of the websites that rate LTC facilities. Some states (maybe all?) post the results of the state department of health surveys and they should post the results of the federal nursing home report card. Look at the results of the most recent survey as well as results for previous years to see if there are any trends over the years like repeated violations of residents' rights or actual harm due to falls or pressure ulcers. Ask about staffing in an interview as well as about RN coverage---whether there is an RN in-house or if they only have someone available via telephone. If you have someone in-house, at least you have a chance of getting some help if you run into an emergency or have a resident with needs that cause you to get behind in your work.
I am so sorry that this happened to you and even sorrier to see that new graduate LPNs in general are being abused and considered disposable by so many LTC facilities. It is not right.
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
No new grad is ready after a week, period, let alone with that patient load! They're gonna have to suck it up and pay a couple of salaries for a few more weeks.