New LPN

Congratulations, how much did they offer you per hour, if you don't mind telling?

Congratulations! So exciting! :)

Congratulations! My best advice is to take it in stride. Your first few weeks may be stress, especially if you haven't worked in an LTC facility before. Just take a deep breath and enjoy the fact that you are getting to do what you've wanted to do.

I just got finished nursing school in June and passed the NCLEX last month. I was hired at jobs.baptisthealthsystem.com. I've been on the job almost three weeks. I encourage anyone in the San Antonio area or who wants to live in San An to check them out.

Best of luck in your new job. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Congratulations :)

You will feel overwhelmed- plan on it- it's normal :) Bring a clipboard and legal pad, or other thing to keep info on- you'll figure out your own system for knowing what labs are being done (LTCs often have a designated lab day- and a service for stats and ASAPs), who is sick, new orders, etc.

Always do meds by the book :) You can find ways to do some things faster, but meds isn't it:D Don't sign out meds before you give them - huge issue with state health departments- and something often blown off....it's easier to get into good habits than fix bad ones and you will always hear nurses say "we just do it like that" - those people will be nowhere to be found if you get in trouble for something

Ask questions- there is nothing scarier to an "old nurse" than to hear a new one keep quiet- makes us want to run screaming from the building and play in traffic

You can do this- remember that, especially when you feel like you're going to breakdown in the middle of a med pass, when someone falls, and another is throwing up. It all gets done- just learn to prioritize.... in this case- fall comes first, barf next, and then continue with med pass- as has been said before on AN, you might get a ding for a few late meds- but you'll get a huge ding for not dealing with emergencies :) The meds aren't going anywhere without you !!

Don't tolerate poor care from the CNAs- most CNAs are really good- but there are always a few who think that they can provide sub-standard care. The old folks (and sometimes chronically ill younger ones) deserve the best from everyone. You're not there to be anyone's friend- if you're friendly co-workers, that's great (and something I found as important as my 'not at work' friends)... but it's job first, friends later :)

Don't listen to rumors about staff- make up your own mind. It's fine to hear someone blow off steam about someone- but you don't know their whole relationship and the dynamics- they may have old history that has nothing to do with the job.... but also trust your gut.

You passed boards- you are qualified to do this But it will feel very crazy for a while- feelings aren't always facts- give yourself time

Congratulations :)

You will feel overwhelmed- plan on it- it's normal :) Bring a clipboard and legal pad, or other thing to keep info on- you'll figure out your own system for knowing what labs are being done (LTCs often have a designated lab day- and a service for stats and ASAPs), who is sick, new orders, etc.

Always do meds by the book :) You can find ways to do some things faster, but meds isn't it:D Don't sign out meds before you give them - huge issue with state health departments- and something often blown off....it's easier to get into good habits than fix bad ones and you will always hear nurses say "we just do it like that" - those people will be nowhere to be found if you get in trouble for something

Ask questions- there is nothing scarier to an "old nurse" than to hear a new one keep quiet- makes us want to run screaming from the building and play in traffic

You can do this- remember that, especially when you feel like you're going to breakdown in the middle of a med pass, when someone falls, and another is throwing up. It all gets done- just learn to prioritize.... in this case- fall comes first, barf next, and then continue with med pass- as has been said before on AN, you might get a ding for a few late meds- but you'll get a huge ding for not dealing with emergencies :) The meds aren't going anywhere without you !!

Don't tolerate poor care from the CNAs- most CNAs are really good- but there are always a few who think that they can provide sub-standard care. The old folks (and sometimes chronically ill younger ones) deserve the best from everyone. You're not there to be anyone's friend- if you're friendly co-workers, that's great (and something I found as important as my 'not at work' friends)... but it's job first, friends later :)

Don't listen to rumors about staff- make up your own mind. It's fine to hear someone blow off steam about someone- but you don't know their whole relationship and the dynamics- they may have old history that has nothing to do with the job.... but also trust your gut.

You passed boards- you are qualified to do this But it will feel very crazy for a while- feelings aren't always facts- give yourself time

Great post but let me add. Don't think I'll never get this. I've been there done that. I thought I made a wrong career choice, and that I wasted time and money going to nursing school because I was having a hard time at first. Believe me, you will get in the hang of it sooner than you think.

take a moment to center yourself,.whatever that means to you.......give yourself a moment...., you've got this! Follow the excellent advice of the pervious poster!!