New RN no experience, might be hired by a nursing home? Need advice please!

Specialties Geriatric

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Hi guys! I am excited/nervous that I might be hired by this last place I went to. I filled out an application in person in 4-star nursing home (In one of the posts here in allnurses.com found out there is a website you can go to - http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/Include/DataSection/Questions/SearchCriteriaNEW.asp?version=default&browser=Chrome|17|Windows+Vista&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home&CookiesEnabledStatus=True, to compare nursing homes so I did a little research before picking nursing homes in my area.). They have a long-term wing and sub-acute/skilled too.

It was a nice 'feel' once I entered the facility. They welcome new grads too, so I bee-lined to that facility after I did my little research. Filled out my application, dressed business casual, fingernails clean, hair neat, and all that stuff just in case. After that, the DON reviewed my application and interviewed me on the spot. It went very well and informed me that they have an opening for night shift and maybe a couple days of evening shift. But I forgot to ask what position! I guess I was just got caught up with the thought of "wow I may actually have a job" LOL I know, not very smart

Anyway, after that she ordered a drug test for me, and that it will be about a week until the results come back. One of the nurses gave me a quick tour of the facility and the nurses, residents seemed really nice. I have been to other nursing homes that nobody even bothered to smile.

So here are my questions hope you can help me out:

1) What positions do new RNs (I have an Associate's degree) get hired for in nursing homes? Or are there other positions too that are similar to LPNs? I heard that some RN and LPN duties sometimes merge.

2) With the high nurse-patient ratio how are you able to do assessments at the beginning of your shift? I can't imagine how you can do proper assessments on 25-35

residents!

I'm sure I will have more questions but as of now some advice is greatly needed in case I get the job :D Thank you!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Congratulations on maybe getting your first job! RNs in nursing homes have a variety of duties---meds, treatments, paperwork, assessments...the difference between what an RN does and an LPN does varies a little but that's based on your state practice act.11-7 will be a difficult shift to start on since you're new and there fewer people there to support a new nurse.As for numbers of residents you'll have, that too varies depending on the facility. On 11-7 probably anywhere between 15 and 40.Keep in mind that you do NOT do an indepth assessment of every resident every day. You'll most likely have more paperwork than resident contact since people should be sleeping in the middle of the night. Good facilities don't schedule meds or treatments on the 11-7 shift.Additionally, you might be the only RN in the building which means you would be the night supervisor if that is the model the facility uses.Good luck on getting the job. This is a great forum for getting advice or just venting your frustrations.

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Okay so I got the job. woooooottt!!! :) AND the "wooot" ends here.

BUT my problem now is I'm still tooooo slow! Nurse:patient ratio is 1:15 (on skilled wing) and 1:20-25 (on long term wing). I got only ten days of orientation (two of those working on computer stuff) and I really really thought I could do what the other nurses were doing while still on orientation! That's why I agreed to start on my own, with guidance from other nurses around me helping me with other stuff like re-ordering meds, entering orders on the computer, calling doctors, etc. The other nurses also got about the same days for orientation and now as I see them it seems like they've been working as a nurse since forever! Because they have all the duties go so smooth, unlike myself that I literally cannot even stop in between.

Unfortunately I found that the clock was my worst enemy! ugghh!! I work day shift and it is soooo busy because some have physical therapy, or others are at activity, and since I barely know the residents (I don't have a permanent area so I cannot get the chance to know the residents day to day), I have to hunt them down and that takes up a lot of my time :bugeyes:

You know when there is that one hour window before and after the meds schedule. I cannot complete passing meds within that 2 hours and then the next set of meds slowly creeps up on me! Some nurses are very supportive, they tell me it will get better in time, and that they've been in my shoes when they first started. But of course there are those that get annoyed, although they try not to show it. :(

But until when is a reasonable time to be able to catch up and not get fired for being so behind? I literally do not have a break because all I do is panic and try to catch up with the time! And I barely even have the time to do the treatments like changing dressings, checking skin conditions,and all the other stuff because its this darn med pass that I can't seem to catch up on yet. I feel so dumb when the next shift arrives and see me not yet even done! And they have to adjust the next dose of those people I've given meds late. Help!

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It's really tough. but i really think that you got into a good place. I was oriented for two days only and have 30-40 patients. But i couldn't last long. I kept asking for more orientation but it was out of the question. So I hope you could hang on, cause I think it'll be hard to find another place like that. Anyway can I ask where are you from? I'm from cali, LA area. I got another call but they wanted me to become a RN supervisor with only 3 days of orientation, but I rejected the offer. I didn't feel like they cared about my license. I would really love to be hired in a place similar to yours, and I hope it comes sometime soon.. Goodluck

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How did you manage with 30-40 patients?!? How long did you work there? My gosh, I couldn't even catch up with the number of patients I have. I really do hope to hang on, because watching them everyday, it seems that the other nurses who have worked there have no problem by now doing their shifts. Others have been working there a long time so I'm assuming they are contented with their job. But I just keep on doubting myself, until when is this going to be this hard to catch up with the time? *sigh*

I live in Illinois.

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