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..?
