New nurse.. Just want to quit everything..

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Hello,

I've been a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) for 2.5 years and I'm currently working for Dementia Assisted Living (My first job as a nurse). I have 2 medtechs on each shift and I work 10-12 hours x 5 (or 6) days a week and getting a set salary (no overtime). I'm the only nurse in the facility and my ratio is currently 1:120 (yes... 120 dementia residents) who deals with family and doctors.

I'm so overwhelmed and just want to quit everything.. I'm trying my best to be on top of patient care/medication room management/part-administrator work dealing with licensing and RCFE. Also I'm on-call 24/7 during PM/NOC shift. I usually work between 7:30AM - 6:00PM then sometimes I may have to come back because there are many things that medtechs or caregiver cannot handle.

It seems like I lost my social life (not that I ever had one..) and been working and working... I feel like I'm overwhelmed but doesn't want to let my director down.

Because this is my first job as nurse, I don't know if I'm overwhelmed or just getting being a crybaby. After each shift, I've been crying hiding in the bathroom but don't want to give up at the same time..

I got accepted to LVN to BSN program and I should be happy but I feel like I'm stress about everything right now.. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO...

I need an advice from wonderful nurses out there.. Is this normal feeling for nurses to go through..?

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You are not working for the assisted living facility, you are running it for the for-profit company.

This arrangement is unheard of in the business. Quit now and report the unsafe practice to the state.

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Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

OMG, sounds so much like my first nursing job. Never sacrifice your well being for your job. It's just a job. You're being crapped on.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Get out! Don't give up nursing because you're in this crappy situation. Do your program so it can broaden your job prospects and find an area that isn't abusing you and that you're happy in. Quit the job? Yes! Quit the career because of the job?? Absolutely not!

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Get out! this place will cost you your license, your health, your sanity. Not to mention the health and safety of your patients. If you need a job while you're in school, get a different one, or take out student loans.

And, I agree w/reporting the facility to any and all licensing agencies of which you are aware. What a nightmare!

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Is this for real?

I've never heard of such a situation. I'm finding it difficult to believe.

Get out of there.

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You are not working for the assisted living facility, you are running it for the for-profit company.

^^^That's a statement full of truth right there!!

Holy crikey, listen to those here and don't look back! Good luck to you :)

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Agree with the other posters. Run, don't walk! This is not a normal or acceptable arrangement.

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Specializes in Oncology, critical care.

You are NOT being a crybaby!! Nor are you "giving up" if you want to leave. This is not the right job for you. Period. And that's ok! They are taking advantage of you. They know you are nice and hardworking and will just take what they give you and not complain. Totally not fair and totally not safe (for you or the residents). Nurse life shouldn't be this hard!! Get out now and chalk it up to a good learning experience. Do your LVN-->BScN and don't look back. It's ok to put yourself first and considering your physical and mental health are suffering, it's time for change. Do not feel guilty, you are not letting anyone down. You are just moving onto greener pastures, people do it all the time. Don't let them make you feel guilty either. You deserve to work in a place you enjoy that isn't killing you!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
You are not working for the assisted living facility, you are running it for the for-profit company.

This arrangement is unheard of in the business. Quit now and report the unsafe practice to the state.

Absolutely! Quit now! Turn in your notice today!
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You are not working for the assisted living facility, you are running it for the for-profit company.

This arrangement is unheard of in the business. Quit now and report the unsafe practice to the state.

I couldn't have said it better myself. This place is running you into the ground, get out now or you'll regret it later.

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It's normal to feel overwhelmed as a newer nurse. It is NOT normal to work 5-6 10-12 hour shifts a week and it is NOT normal to care for 120 residents! The most I've heard of previously is 40-50 which is already insane. The fact that you are salaried with no overtime means they can take serious advantage of you in a way that is unethical and should be illegal, if it's not. You are exhausted. You spend all your time being "on" since you are on call even when you're home. You never get a break and that is a big part of the reason you feel so overwhelmed and close to burnout.

Like the others have said, get out. Get out before this job costs you your health, your sanity, your license and your love of nursing. Report your employer to any and all agencies involved because I suspect they'd be pretty appalled at the expectations placed on you. Do not feel you're letting your director down--she is letting you down by letting you continue to work in such unsafe conditions!

I hope you can find another LTC position (preferably an hourly one so you are fairly compensated for the work you do) or another position altogether that is suited for you, and work your way through school if needed. Go ahead and get that BSN and open up all kinds of new opportunities for yourself! You deserve so much better than what you're getting right now.

For what it's worth, anytime I had to work 3 12's in a row, or work 4 or 5 12's in a week, I was so exhausted I couldn't think straight and could barely function. I don't know how you are able to do it!

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