New LPN

[rodri18]

I graduated last august and got my first job at a nursing home. I'm currently in an RN program so I work Saturday and Sunday 12 hr shift. So far its been OK. I'm usually pretty independent. However sometimes I feel like I am not doing all I can do. I feel like I don't document all I need to document, or not doing my job right. I get home and I feel I'm still not doing my job right. I just want to be a good nurse. I always analyze what I need to change or what else I need to do. But since I'm just there every other weekend I feel like I have not made much progress. Did anyone else feel that way your first year as an LPN?

[Mintezia]

Yup, it's normal. Nursing has made me a bit neurotic. I work in peds home health and after every shift I always wonder if I forgot something even now. I guess it's perfectionistic tendencies and wanting to do as good a job as possible.

[Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN]

Yes we virtually all feel this way in our first few years as nurses, it’s normal. The learning curve is pretty steep sometimes especially in nursing homes where you have 20-30+ patients in your care. Go in, do your best and leave with no regrets ? that’s literally all you can do.

[MikeMSN-RN, MSN, LVN, RN]

My first job as an LVN was tough. I worked at a had 25 patients and was always running around the floor for the entire shift.

It’s hard to remember all patients’ medical conditions especially if you’re a brand-new nurse. Do your best now, then once you get used to the routines, I would say that you pick one patient to learn about his/her current diseases and history of illnesses. Then you’ll know what you have to watch out for, and what systems you would focus on (focus assessment). Then your documentation will be concise and professional.

Good luck!