New nurse scared to work assignment

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

I am a newly licensed practical nurse. This is my first job and it is working in an LTC facility. I have been in orientation for 2 weeks and tomorrow I am on my own. I have been assigned to a hall that no one wants to work. There are a couple of vents, and patients with IV's. My problem is I never oriented on that hall and I have never suctioned a patient and I have never done anything with an IV. I talked to the DON on Monday because I knew that Friday would be my last day of orientation and I told her about my concerns. I even told her I was uncomfortable with that assignment. Her words to me were, she would give me one more day of orientation and it would be on that hall and that after that Im going to have to just jump in and go. Another thing, some of the more experienced nurses who have been there for years refuse to work this assignment.

Tomorrow you will have your one day orientation for that hall? If you don't feel comfortable accepting the assignment after you see how things go tomorrow then by all mean why can't you refuse this assignment? It seems as though other nurses have and are still working there. I think you did absolutely the correct thing talking to the DON about your concerns. If she doesn't take you seriously then it would be time to move on. It's not worth risking your hard earned license. Good Luck, let us know.

charebec65 · Mar 20, 2006

I know how you feel, sort of. I'm still in school but there is always a fear of the unknown. The first time I was to pass meds my mouth went totally dry and I was a nervous wreck....... same thing with my first injection, my first suctioning, first g-tube meds, etc. My instructor keeps telling me that I"m doing great ... that I just need to work on my self esteem.....

I don't know where you're from but around here, LPN's can do very little with IV's. During one of my clinical rotations at an LTC there was a pt on IV and the DON (the only RN there) took care of it. I won't be able to get my IV certification until I pass the NCLEX and even then, what I can do with them is limited.

Insofar as suctioning..... I was a bit freaked at first, fearing I was going to make the pt uncomfortable or hurt the pt. However, in the end, it was obvious that what I did made the pt. more comfortable and it was appreciated. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just keep in mind the skills that you worked on in labs, take a deep breath and go for it.

Good luck!

flasandy42 · Mar 20, 2006

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i would tell the don that i need more orientation rather than risk a pts life or losing my new license. i was an lpn for 40 years and i never took care of a vent pt. i'm retired now so i guess i never will. the vents were all in icu and when we floated there they gave us the easiest pts.

a new grad should have a longer orientation. i'll never forget my first trach pt. i was terrified of caring for him, but i got through it....and you'll get through this and much more. if they still won't give you more time, i would look elsewhere for work, though i don't know your financial situation.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

There is always a fear of the unknown. The first time I was to pass meds my mouth went totally dry and I was a nervous wreck....... same thing with my first injection, my first suctioning, first g-tube meds, etc. My instructor keeps telling me that I"m doing great ... that I just need to work on my self esteem..... I'm sure you'll be fine. Just keep in mind the skills that you worked on in labs, take a deep breath and go for it.

I know you mean well and are trying to encourage the OP and boost her self-confidence but this is not a matter of self-confidence. This is a matter of patient safety and knowing your limitations. This job involves her first dealings with vents, IV's, suctioning, as well as other vital skills. I think the LTC is totally out of line expecting a new grad to take on that much responsibility all at one time. I would refuse without any reservations.

Drysolong · Mar 20, 2006

I know you mean well and are trying to encourage the OP and boost her self-confidence but this is not a matter of self-confidence. This is a matter of patient safety and knowing your limitations. This job involves her first dealings with vents, IV's, suctioning, as well as other vital skills. I think the LTC is totally out of line expecting a new grad to take on that much responsibility all at one time. I would refuse without any reservations.

I hope the OP takes your words to heart!

charebec65 · Mar 21, 2006

i know you mean well and are trying to encourage the op and boost her self-confidence but this is not a matter of self-confidence. this is a matter of patient safety and knowing your limitations. this job involves her first dealings with vents, iv's, suctioning, as well as other vital skills. i think the ltc is totally out of line expecting a new grad to take on that much responsibility all at one time. i would refuse without any reservations.

i agree with you wholeheartedly dutchgirl.

sigshaRN · Mar 21, 2006

thank you guys for your support.

flwannaB · Mar 21, 2006

that was a brave decision. there are so many opportunites out there and the right spot is waiting for you. good for you. i wish you all the luck.

well today i gave my notice effective immediately. i dont think the don was too happy but i am. the only thing that i am sad about is that i have to start all over with finding a new job and that whole process but i know what i did was the right thing. while i was talking to her, i let her know everything else that was bothering me and why i didnt think that i was right for the facility and why the facility wasnt right for me. i dont think that she was too happy with me but im going to put this behind me and start my search for a job again. thank you guys for your support.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2006

I admire your courage and your ability to tell the DON exactly why you weren't right for the facility and the facility wasn't right for you. I think you made the right decision for you. You'll find another job much better than this last one.

Geeg · Mar 22, 2006

Don't blame yourself. There are some "old" nurses, like myself, who are scared of their assignments too. Sad commentary on the state of nsg.

HeatherLPN · Mar 23, 2006

Sounds like my first job. I was scared to death at first. It seemed like so much responsibility for a new grad. And it was. Too much really, with not much support from the RN that was SUPPOSED to be floating around all night, whom I never saw. I lasted a month. BUT, I did get a lot of good vent experience, and have been able to use that. They use to scare me, but now I'm a lot more comfortable with them. I still don't like trach care tho. Ugh. I learned things there that some of the RN's at my facility never had experience with, so when we had vent patients come in, G-tubes come out, and IV's go bad, I was able to show them some of what I learned. I'm big on learning all that you can, but ONLY with the proper support available.