New RN- LTC Nurse Job, Concerns

[nitrospeed16]

Hello everyone,

I graduated with my RN degree in May, passed my boards in July. In October, I started working at a local LTC that serves veterans. I got offered $20 (mind you, I am in the DC Metro area where cost of living is outrageous) plus $3 differential for the 3-11 shift. Since I had not received any interviews for FT jobs from several other locations I had applied to, I took the job.

Orientation began ok, but since I had a PT job as a travel vaccine nurse I could only orient 3 days a week. Now my orientation period is up, and I am beginning to feel like I made a bad choice in accepting the job. Here are a few of my concerns

1) Is the salary low for a new grad RN in the DC/MD/VA area?

2) I was feeling rather competent until I worked on a floor with one of my supervisors the other night. I still am uncomfortable with doctor phone calls, and remembering some of the protocols...so I asked a question to my supervisor. Her response was more of a snicker, and she asked if I had been a nurse long. I responded no, I was a new grad, and she looked at me as if I had sprouted an arm on top of my skull. Her and the other supervisor aren't much help in the way of training, they do show me what to do but I feel extremely ignorant when i have to turn to them for help. Is this normal for LTC facilities, or just mine?

3) Given the above, I don't feel comfortable being off orientation, because I feel like there is ALOT that I don't know. I'm afraid if I mention that I need more time I will get fired, but honestly I am stressed out by the job to the point where being fired might be a relief. I feel like I am losing nursing skills by the day and feel like if I stay in this position that I will be incompetent as a Med Surg nurse if/when I do get a hospital position. What should I do to maintain my clinical skills/knowledge?

Thank you all for any advice. I am dreading my shift tomorrow and hopefully someone can give an answer to help me clarify what direction I should go.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

1) I do not know the DC market, but according to other threads in the Washington DC forum, new grad rates in DC are around $25-$30 per hour, so $20 per hour is indeed VERY low for a new grad RN.

2) That type of behavior is not an LTC thing, or even a nursing thing. It's a people thing. You will encounter these type of people in any unit, specialty, or profession. Workplace culture and your co-workers make a bigger difference on your quality of life at work than the work itself. You were unlucky in that you fell into a workplace with such supervisors. But in all fairness, places that are good” and where you fit in are far rarer than the former. So once you find yourself at a good place/unit, cherish it.

3) You are a new grad, you don't have skills to lose. The skills” you learned in school are mostly rote tasks that are easily picked up again when you start working in a unit/specialty that requires them. So let's change the language from losing” skills to not having an opportunity to develop certain skills. As a new grad you're a blank slate, skills will develop in any setting. Big ones in LTC are time management, multitasking, prioritization, dealing with families and doctors, and being resourceful to get things done with little resources and support. These skills carry over and are valuable in any and every nursing setting.

To maintain and expand your knowledge, you can always continue to study and read up on things on your free time. I read nursing stuff on my free time all the time. I'm not an ICU nurse, but I read up on things like hemodynamics and arterial lines. I brush up on EKGs whenever I get a chance. Just because you are not in the specialty you want yet, doesn't mean you can't start preparing yourself for it. Because with enough patience and determination, you'll get to where you want to be.

My advice to you is to continue searching for a job while you work in this one, and then quit there once you've found one you like. You said yourself that you had not been receiving any other interviews, which is why you took this job in the first place. As such, the alternative to this place is not working at all, which is the only way you'll truly lose nursing skills. Any nursing work is better than no nursing work.

[nitrospeed16]

Thank you SquishyRN, that helps put things in perspective a bit. You are right, this nursing job is better than having no nursing job at all.

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

I always thought asking a question would evoke an answer, not 'commentary' about ME

Sorry you went through that. I agree, it's a people thing, and no, it's not professional. At least now that it's clear you do have an arm sticking out of your head, your co-workers can find it within themselves to answer your questions, you know, help a gal out.

It's no shame to be a brand spankin' new nurse. I am in awe of how many new grads actually STAY in nursing sometimes. Not because of one issue in particular, but because that first year is grueling whether you work in a great place or not so great. No matter where you work you'll feel anxious and overwhelmed because at first it IS overwhelming. We old battle axes forget that we were also new nurses, and would do best to reach out to new nurses with respect and concern.

[marayazam]

Hi!

It's sound like you are more overwhelmed than excited and for very valid reasons.

Finding the right job isn't necessarily something that happens right away (neither as a new grad, nor as an experienced professional). Don't let this experience turn into something negative that makes you feel incompetent, take it as what it is: just a piece of experience that will certainly not last forever. This type of life situations tend to help you by showing you what you want and do not want for yourself.

Looking for other jobs is a great idea, and if this one becomes into something unbearable, then leave it for your own good.

Be well!

[caliotter3]

Twenty dollars an hour is low for an RN in any setting, but, you can look at it this way. Twenty dollars an hour more than nothing an hour. I would stick with this job while learning as much as possible and looking for a replacement job. When you get the replacement job offer, then determine if it would be an improvement for you. Until that time, continue to learn while getting paid. I can assure you that $20/hour is quite good for "training pay". Don't let the behavior of the other nurses faze you. You could get that kind of treatment from any new job. These nurses are not unique.