New Nurse Rocking it!

ktwlpn, LPN · May 31, 2015

So, I've been working in a LTC facility for a month now and I'm a new LPN. I've really got into the swing of things and learn very quickly. These residents are all new to me. Anyway, so I came in on Sunday,counted, and got report. Well, on report I received that a resident had nor urinated for 16 hours! Why wasn't action taken after 8? I haven't a clue. So while on my med pass, I assess the female and realize something is just not right with her. She's lethargic and not following simple directions. I knew something was up. So, I'm standing at my cart at my aide notified me that the resident asked him where her medicine was. That's when I knew she was away from her baseline because it's a challenge getting her to take her medications anyway and she never asks for them and shes alert and oriented. So, I fill out my SBAR and brought attention to my supervisor. Called the doctor and received the order to send her out. I suspected a UTI and dehydration. She was later admitted with a UTI and altered mental status. Then another aide told me she had noticed the resident wasn't her normal self a couple of days ago. My question is, why didn't a nurse take action sooner? I feel if I had not floated to that hall way, the resident's issue would have never been addressed. Are they lazy or what? Just wanted to share how proud I am of my first hospital send out being necessary and that my intuition as a nurse is intact! All in all, I really feel amazing for catching it!

Perhaps the CNA failed to report this change she claims she observed "several days ago".It's very common for inexperienced nurses to become victims of manipulation by certain CNA's.Some like to split the team and play one against the other.Very common in LTC.You will learn these fragile edldery people can tank fast.Won't be long before someone is sent out with EMS 5 minutes after you clock out and everyone (inculding you)will be questioning YOUR skills..IMHO the most dangerous nurse is the one who does not realize what she truly does not know....Good Luck and continue to be a strong advocate for your residents

downsouthlaff, LPN · Jun 2, 2015

1. I love being an LTC Nurse, and i believe that we should all cover for each others minor mistakes it makes for a much betrer nursing team and working family.

2. When i have to complete 2 admits on new residents, 2 incident reports and stay 2-3 hours over, you darn right, i question my abilities , i also questiom my sanity at that time and thank god for the help of grear co workers because it wouls have been 5 or 6 hours over.

3. But at the end of the day , with every shift i walk into , i vow to myself to the best nurse i can be with the resources i got. Some days , it really does go well. Others i fail miserably. My co workers do as well. We all have those days. Yes i make mistakes but you bet before i clock out to my knowledge i have purposely left nothinh undone.

4. Though it seems you have taking slight offense to my advice , i applogize nurse calimity. But i could tell where your attitude towards your veteran co workers waa going, and being your a nurse of 1 month as i was when i was a nurse of 1 month , and kicked off a few good weeks with a few good shifts, it was advice offered to you to help you because the days will get worse. And when that day comes and as a new nurse when your drowning and dont understand something and you are up **** creek without a paddle, with burned bridges and co workers smashed under the bus, whol will look like the lousy nurse then?

ktwlpn, LPN · Jun 2, 2015

Agreed,that attitude shines through in this and the OP's other threads as well.I can honestly say that I am still learning,after over 25 years.I still have days where I am quite humbled.......and I admit it.

Karou · Jun 2, 2015

You did a great job on assessing your resident, communicating with the physician, and getting her the medical care that she needed.

That being said, I hope you remember this the first time that you are the one to miss something or make a mistake. LTC is a brutal place to work as a new nurse, or just in general. I remember having 30-45 residents to pass meds on and chart... Things get missed. Urine output is pretty much entirely documented and noted by the CNA's, the previous nurses may not have been aware of the problem. Be a little more forgiving to your coworkers and refrain from judging them, hopefully they will be as kind to you when you make your first mistake.

Lovethisworld · Sep 15, 2015

Let me just say congrats to one fellow new LTC Nurse to another. I have been an LTC Nurse/LPN 6 months now. You sound as if your doing an outstanding job but domt get to high and mighty. I remember a time for the first few weeks i was working 3-11 and everytging ran smooth i mean pass meds chart go home. Had plenty time to be mr. Perfect nurse. Then a few weeks later i started getting slammed with admits, new orders, remember a day having 2 new admits and 2 I&As one very demandimg admit who kept the other residents from getting there meds on time. The days will get bad, there will be times when all problems just wont be able to get adressed in one shift. My advice, your catious as a nurse and thats a good thing. There are some lazy nurses out there yes. But dont be that nurse whos throwing all her co workes under the bus because i promise u as a new nurse you will need there help and experience at some point in the near future. No, not every resident needs to get sent out for no output in 8 hours. It depends on the situation if its a little old ladu who refuses tp drink she will have minimal to no output. You did the right thing however 16 hours is a long time with no output. But just a piece of advice those days of the LTC stress people tell you about are coming your a new Nurse dont get to cocky ! If you do, and you have one of those hell shifts with admits and i&as your gonna need an experienced hand as a newbie. Remember that.

Great comment and advice, I totality agree with you downsouthlaff :thumbup: