New nurse no training?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 10, 2015

When the scheduler says that you are working 7 days in a row, is part of this overtime? Or will this be your schedule? I would ask that, along with contact numbers of who to call if you encounter issues.

Is this a 24 hour care person? Then you would get report from an off-going nurse?

I would also look for the paperwork when arriving. It should have a complete plan of care. That would outline what you are to do when you are there.

You may have to look up clinical procedures you may not be familiar with.

Otherwise, perhaps asking if you could have a nurse scheduled with you the first couple of days as to familiarize you to the routine.

This sounds like a slightly shady operation. Be mindful and careful with that. Be sure that you get your own malpractice insurance. And if what they are scheduling you for and what they are asking you to take on feels unsafe, then I would not accept the position.

EricaFrost · Jan 10, 2015

Right now its 7 hours a day 7 days a week and apparently thats my schedule the next month goes to 12 hour days. Im ok with that the part that im not ok with is I feel like im being shoved into this with no orientation or communication at all. There is no nurse going off shift to get report from and the director who hired me is not communicating with me all he does is text and says he is trying to get the other nurse to come. Ive explained to him I do not feel safe. I just dont know if my feelings are warranted or this is the norm for a new lpn.

ICURN3020 · Jan 10, 2015

This sounds very shady.... :unsure:

I hope it works out for you, but definitely proceed with caution. If you aren't provided with what you need to feel that you can safely carry out the assignment, then look elsewhere for a job. I know the job market's tough right now, but you don't want to ruin your career when it's just taking off by unintentionally harming someone because you weren't properly trained.

And I think a 7 days/week schedule for a month straight is too much. I do not have experience with home health, but as an experienced ICU nurse, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking this position. Just my opinion.

RN9742 · Jan 10, 2015

This is not normal for a new nurse, if you had experience in home health maybe, but this is scary. I personally would be finding a new job!

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

I would refuse to take the case without proper training/orientation.

Caffeine_IV · Jan 10, 2015

I would not accept the job.

I've never had a job with no orientation. Even when I quit a job and later returned to the exact same one (less than 6 months later) they gave me 3 shifts of orientation.

iPink, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

When you interviewed, did orientation come up? Such as how long is orientation, what does it entail?

I don't agree that a new nurse should be out in the field without some guidance or orientation.

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3aremyjoy · Jan 10, 2015

Your Spidey Senses are tingling for a reason. You are correct!

This is NOT safe!

This is NOT normal!

You DO need orientation.

RUN from this company!

forgivenfaith119 · Jan 10, 2015

This doesn't sound safe at all. As a new nurse you need guidance.

caliotter3 · Jan 11, 2015

Under these circumstances I would also refuse to take the case. No nurse, new or not, should be sent to a case without being provided a copy of the plan of care as a minimum before going to an orientation session or the first shift. I would look for another agency. This one is not going to be good for your survival as a nurse.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 11, 2015

I'm experienced in PDN and home health and I would turn down this job.