New LVN Orientation....I need Help

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Hi all.

I recently got hired as a charge nurse at the top SNF and rehab in Stanislaus area, and I graduated back in march (go me!). The facility is EXCELLENT when it comes to knowing I am a new grad, telling me they will give me as many days of orientation as I need.

Heres the problem....I am an indepedent person, by nature. I am a fast learner. I also am not one for 'shadowing'. Not past a couple days.

Im still not sure how orientation works, my first shift is tomorrow at 2 pm.

What do you all think? Stick with 8 days or go for shorter?

And this may sound like a silly question....but did anyone find their orientation to be 'boring' in the sense that you have nothing to do?? Or you had a nurse NOT want you to be there shadowing her??

Thanks!

:heartbeat

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Remain in orientation until you feel comfortable enough to be cut loose.

My new grad orientation was not boring. After all, it only consisted of 1 whopping 8-hour shift. The facility was so poorly staffed that they had nobody to train me.

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

I agree; take the 8 days that they give you, because this way it covers you. There may be incidental questions that come up and at least during that time, you are under someone else's auspice. No matter how independent we are, we need training during while transitioning from one position to another. It is only a week and a day...I'm sure that you'll be okay.

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Specializes in LTC, Public Health.

Hi, this is my first post after a long time of lurking.

You sound a bit like me. I'm a doer and don't enjoy following people around without actually doing something for too long. My first LPN job was at a LTC and I was given 2 weeks of orientation. The first week I oriented with the lady I would be replacing and I spent that entire week following her and getting to know the residents. I took lots of notes b/c they had a routine and I wanted to make their transition as easy as possible. The second week I oriented with random people and I asked each night if they would let me loose and be available to me in case I needed help. That worked well for me and by the end of the second week I was confident enough to handle my hall (28 residents) and the day to day routine.

There's so much more to the job than just med pass. You'll also have to get used to the charting, the doctors, the family members, your other co workers. You're very lucky to be getting a decent amount of orientation time, use it to your advantage. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

Is this your first job? I got 3 days of orientation and felt comfortable doing the hands on part of the job, BUT the charting, calling family, docs, etc will take me months to figure out!

You will likely be doing a lot of the work and the person training you will be watching you and ready to answer your questions. Good luck.

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Specializes in ltc.

I wish I could of had that opportunity. Being that I have only been a nurse since May I started in a very ritzy LTC. I only received 3 days and did not even learn the majority of the paperwork I needed to know. I recently handed my 2 weeks notice after my 90 day probationary period to this place and will be starting next week in another one, and again I only receive 3 days of orientation....I am very disappointed with the job support in the ltc I've encountered but living in Orlando Lpns don't get paid unless you work in LTCs....Good luck...take the help when its there...you are very fortunate...

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thanks for the advice....I am definately sticking to the 8 days...

However, there is a lot of problems....they dont really 'train' you, they say they do but everyone is so busy it becomes more of a fable than reality....and the really hard stuff, the paperwork, they totally dont even help with.

I guess thats working in a SNF

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Use your 8 shifts effectively. Offer to do the paperwork part of the job. I've never met a nurse who will turn down the paperwork help offer and they can review what you've done and sign off on it.

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I just started a new job Monday after really being out of nursing for over 10 yrs.

Add to that during that time period I never really worked as a nurse. So I have orientation with a really great lady who is very patient. On Monday I will have all 35 patients on my own and I admit I am afraid, I am so new at this. My main thing I think is going to be time management. I don't want to work too slow. I tend to be slow and careful but I'll never get anything done that way.

At the LTC facility I work 3-11 shift meds are given at basically 4 pm and 8 pm. Early on the shift narcs are counted ... around 3pm - 3:30 pm meds can be passed and they have previously been set up the day before. I'm wondering how do I manage my time, so I won't feel overwhelmed?? :confused:

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Thanks for the advice....well Im into my second week....and I have had to REMIND the SNF that they told me I had a minimum of 8 days of orientation when they tell me "Okay, you're on your own today". Uh no....for one thing, I dont have a set of keys for the med cart until I pass the test, which I JUST found out right now is scheduled for me a half hour before my shift tomorrow.

As opposed to me scheduling it according to what works well with my schedule, as they said.

No SNF is perfect, and this is certainly one of the best. So I am so glad that I have all my good karma working for me.

However, their 'training' sucks. They do not train how to chart or fill out the massive paperwork and you have to beg just to be able to pass meds so you can get used to it. There are a couple great nurses who let you do it, but the majority they put you with will ho hum and not show you anything, other than letting you know how much of a bother you are to them, and in the rare opportunity they do allow you to do something, they let you know how SLOW you are.

I just want to pass the med test so I can be on my own and make the mistakes so medical record dept can come after and audit me for not knowing how to chart, that way I can say "Well if you had an inservice for all new employees or had people willing to train, we wouldnt be here right now would we."

I do like the place, but I also cant wait to get experience so I can find an even better place, and become an RN.

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Hi all.

I recently got hired as a charge nurse at the top SNF and rehab in Stanislaus area, and I graduated back in march (go me!). The facility is EXCELLENT when it comes to knowing I am a new grad, telling me they will give me as many days of orientation as I need.

Heres the problem....I am an indepedent person, by nature. I am a fast learner. I also am not one for 'shadowing'. Not past a couple days.

Im still not sure how orientation works, my first shift is tomorrow at 2 pm.

What do you all think? Stick with 8 days or go for shorter?

And this may sound like a silly question....but did anyone find their orientation to be 'boring' in the sense that you have nothing to do?? Or you had a nurse NOT want you to be there shadowing her??

Thanks!

:heartbeat

Good for you, you are given 8 days orientation. on my part i was given 2 days w/ 1 day body2. I am assigned to sub-acute. I feel scared b/c i don't have longer experienced in sub acute, i had under registry, and i always canceled, for the last 2 mos. So, my exposure was not really that confident enough for me to work on my own, (I HOPE I CAN DO IT) i'll start this Sat, then Sun and Mon. I still have that negative feeling. Does anyone encourage me to go on with this job?:rolleyes:

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