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..?
I work LTC and my 30-40:1 is so overtaxing that I don't really get things done the way they should be. I cannot even imagine your situation. Everyone is right, this place needs to be reported and you need to get out before it costs you your license, sanity and health.
You are being taken advantage of most likely because you are a new nurse and you "really need the experience as an RN". Move on and take it as a lesson. Some times you have to walk away. Your sanity isn't worth it.
Honey, You've worked too hard in nursing school to have your license put in jeopardy. Like someone said, your not working for them, your running it. It's not even worth it. Leave now. There're other jobs out there.
OP take care of yourself first or else you'll have nothing to give to others.
If you never have enough time, equipment, or people to get the job done it's a toxic environment that's out of your control and will most likely never change.
Unless you get comp time, free personal days, or are allowed to leave work early from time to time, salary is the new slavery and should be avoided.
Update your resume. Check out your options e.g. home health nursing, urgent care, school nurse. Write a good resignation letter. If all else fails, consider a bridge program to RN.
This has nothing to do with the OP but I love your profile picture!
It is unbelievable how these places take advantage of nurses. Specially new nurses who are willing to try hard and don't know who is who in the zoo. The good thing is, you can walk out. I would not even take a job like this, as I have refused many. One time I was hired by a facility where demented and wondering patients did not have a guard bracelet. They would just walk out in droves. I was told it was the RN's responsibility to keep up with the escape artists. "can I leave now" and I never looked back.
Don't quit! It is just an unfortunate job. Search for other jobs with a little more stability and continue your education. Many times, this is what us new nurses experience making us want to quit everything. Once you get into a better job, within a little time everything makes sense.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
The best thing I ever did was quit my first job. Kudos for making it 2 years without litigation. My first job was unsafe as well, just didn't know how much until I got a different job. But before you get your next job take a minute and think about what you want. When you accept a job with out boundaries or expectations your employer will take advantage. My advice would be to find a part time job with the option to pick up. You are burnt and you need some time to recoup your soul.
This sounds terrible and highly stressful! I would look for something else. It is normal to feel overwhelmed when you are a new nurse....but again, this seems like too much!
After 2.5 years experience as a nurse with management responsibilities, you are more than ready to tackle a new facility/specialty. Find trusted coworkers who can act as references, maybe even family members of patients you have a great rapport with. Do not let your supervisors know you are leaving until you have a job offer in writing from the new place. At this point, give your two week notice (and use up that PTO that must be piling up). Go to askamanager.org for tips on writing the perfect resume and cover letter. When describing this job on your resume, focus on accomplishments rather than job duties. Ask yourself, what did I do in this job that was different from what a mediocre employee would do? Considering the work you put into this place, you should have plenty of material. That is what you should write in the job description you put on your resume. Thinking this way not only helps with the written application materials, but will help you get into the confident headspace you need to be in to ace your next interview and land a MUCH better job.
CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P
330 Posts
I work LTC and my 30-40:1 is so overtaxing that I don't really get things done the way they should be. I cannot even imagine your situation. Everyone is right, this place needs to be reported and you need to get out before it costs you your license, sanity and health.