New LPN at LTC completely overwhelmed

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Hi guys! I just need some advice and encouragement maybe. I'm a new LPN at LTC facility. I've been there for 1.5 months already, and I feel absolutely terrified. I had 8 shifts of orientation on 2-10 shift. Now I'm by myself with 35 residents on 2-10 shift. Yesterday I was scheduled on a different wing where I didn't have orientation. 35 new residents for me. Long story short, I got so overwhelmed with the endless medpass and treatments and everything going on that I broke down right there. The worst thing is that my colleagues saw me crying. I had to stay there till midnight for charting. Today I have to go there again. I feel that this amount of work is too much for me (it's my very first nursing job), and I worry about not providing the best care for my residents because I just don't have time. After graduation, I applied everywhere, but in our small town this LTC was the only place to hire me. I like being a nurse, but I don't feel like a nurse at this place. I feel anxious and unsafe. I'm afraid to hurry and make a med error. This place has a high turnover, but there are quite many long time nurses too.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You need to organize your workload. Make a "brain sheet" to help organize, ie, VS, Blood Glucose, insulin coverage, treatments, GT feedings, change in condition, I &O, skilled notes.

Having an way to organize in LTC will transcend any floor you go on.

Best wishes.

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That was a really crappy thing your employer pulled. It's not right to throw a brand new nurse down a wing where they've had no orientation. It's setting you up for failure.

Go to your nurse manager and ask for additional orientation on all the other wings. I would also ask another nurse to make up a cheat sheet for you with how residents take their meds, any treatments that are scheduled, and any tips or tricks for managing the wing.

Mans don't feel bad, many of us have broken down in tears while on the job. It happens.

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35 is too much, even for long term care. It's not you; it's your crappy employer (welcome to LTC!)

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