New nurse working alone, Good idea?

[bjz823]

I just got my licence. I have been a CNA for many years and the facility I have been working wants to train me for per diem LPN since there are no openings at this time. There are only about 24 pts. total so I would be the only nurse on duty at the time. Sometimes the DON will be there if it is between the hours of 9-5 but otherwise I will be the only nurse. I am scheduled for a couple night shifts and I am wondering if it is a good idea to accept this position since there is no other more experienced nurse on if I have a problem or have to do something I have not done much of in school. I was a good student and have a lot of confidence but I would prefer to work somewhere where there is a supervising nurse on at the same time that I can learn from or if I have questions about my pts. I want to protect my license as well as learn from other nurses. I am looking for full time work at a long term facility but nothing has come up yet. What do you think?

[NC Girl BSN]

Are they going to train you? If so, then I see no problem with it if its one of those assisted living type places. If your not comfortable on the other hand, then you need to seek employment elsewhere where there is more support.Good Luck.

[bjz823]

It is a skilled unit. I had a couple days on the floor passing meds and giving injections, changing colostomys etc. I am pretty confident and think I handle myself well but there are things that we have not done much of in school. Or we have only done once or twice. If an emergency or complication arises I would feel better if I had a supervisor present to assist me. I think I would do my best and when in doubt I would send them out to the hospital. I have worked over night at the assisted living side with no nurse present when I was a CNA and handled emergency and sent them out 911 but as a nurse working in a skilled unit I think I would feel more comfortable with other more experienced nurses to guide me in case I need it.

I am looking for full time work elsewhere but I was wondering if I should just say no thanks to the per diem day here and there that they want to give me. I did the few days training which was great to practice. I think I will tell them just to keep me full time as a CNA until I find other work.

Thank you for your response. I am a new LPN and I want to do the best for my patients as we all do.