New LPN in the Hospital-Did I make the wrong choice?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I graduated my practical nursing program in December. I took and found out I passed my state boards last week.

I have been a PCT on a MedSurg floor at my local hospital for 3 years now. I have always been confident as a PCT, knew my job, what to do, and needed little to no guidance.

Now that I am THE nurse, I am afraid. A lot of my confidence has vanished. Everyday I learn a lot of new stuff, but theres soo much to learn in a short time before I'm by myself! Between charting, paperwork (for Surgeries, Procedures, Discharges, Admits, Physician orders), and the many labs and their importance prior/post medication adminisitration, I am not only overwhelmed but fearful I may forget something.

It just seems like too much to handle by myself. Our average patient load is 6(On a good day) to 8 patients. As of late a lot of staff has been leaving/quiting, and we have a new CNO who believes 8 patients to 1 nurse is acceptable staffing. My preceptors have been incredibly stressed out managing these 7-8 pt load averages, and ontop of that we have a lot of discharges, admits (Both ER and a LOT of Direct), and transfers to different floors. The stress is begining to affect me negatively. I am begining to pickup their negative attitudes already!

I've only been orienting as a LPN now for 3 days total (Work days). I have a very good relationship with all the staff in the hospital, especially my manager and Charge nurses.

I am also the only guy on the floor so that may affect why I get special treatment sometimes (ahh just playing :devil: ).

I just re-read this post and see I have been rambling on and off topic. Basically I feel overwhelmed and unconfident about being a nurse now. I knew the responicibility was high but never imagined to be so overwhelmed and scared.

I know I will continue to learn as time goes on but I am not sure if a month will be enough for me to safely practice nursing on the floor. I am almost wondering if I should just go to a nursing home where I will go into the grind of passing meds to 12-24 patients and doing endless amounts of charting. Little bit less stress or a different kind I guess?

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My teachers always told me it will be a change of pace once we actually step foot into the real world as an LPN. I know you might not feel confident as a nurse but in time you will adapt. I have just received my license yesterday and Ive been applying like crazy to find a new job, and lucky you have actual experience in the medical field. I dont! I'm 20 years old and so scared of becoming a nurse, but I have confidence that the fear will pass and it will become my life. I believe you'll be fine where you are at. I hear the nursing home is actually really stressful for new nurses. But, whatever you choose, good luck, take that big step, and you'll be fine :) Stay positive!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

It takes time to adjust to new positions. At least you are working with people you are familiar with. Imagine going through this at a place that has no history or any idea of what type of employee you are and decided to make your life miserable (you know the story of nurses eating their young)?

Most people, especially in long term care do not even get two weeks orientation, so, a month should be sufficient enough. Ask questions, even after orientation. What I used to do is get a copy of each form that is being used for myself to know how they are being filled out. Also, get to know how other nurses work. They may have acceptable short cuts to balance out their day, some have excellent organization skills. Try to buddy up with the ones that you see are caring nicely for their patients, and also timely with notes, discharges, forms, etc...

Good luck. I think you're just overwhelmed as a new nurse (understandable) and it is only your 3rd day.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.

I feel your pain! I started a similar job a little while ago. What you feel is completely normal! I know you've heard this before, but you will get the hang of things. It will always be crazy, but you'll get better before you know it!

BTW, my LPN friends who work in LTC aren't doing so well. 15-20 pts a day with 8-12 medications each, dementia, poor mobility, and not much hope of getting better would really make me question the decision to become a nurse. They are scrambling for any hospital job they can get! Stay where you are!

Good luck!

CrazyPremed

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Overwhelmed and underconfident is completely normal. But eight patients sounds like way too many to me.

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