No Orientation for a Shift?

Hi, all!

So I just got called into work for a shift tomorrow that I've never had orientation for in a long term care facility and have accepted the shift. I'm a brand new nurse and I am also new to this facility. This shift is an 8 am to 12 pm shift. I will be working with another LPN who starts her shift at 7. Anyone have any advice they would like to share?? Thanks in advance!

[Semper_Gumby]

Wait, you're a new grad going into your first-ever shift as a nurse with 0 orientation, and are going to be working independently?

Yikes.

Have never worked LTC so no real advice (other than maybe look for a job that will at least give you a little orientation before letting you work independently) but I hope the shift goes reasonably well and you're not too overwhelmed. Good luck.

[Newgurl17, CNA, LPN]

Thanks! I've actually had orientation from this facility but not for this particular shift :/

[Semper_Gumby]

Oh, whew! At least there's been some orientation rather than none. My first job didn't orient me to night shift so the first few times I floated or was called in, I had toooooooons of questions. I hope your shift went well. You could always ask for an orientation shift or a few, though they may not give it. Some places are pretty much trial by fire!

[Scottishtape]

That's about right for all the LTCs I've ever worked. I did 7-3 shifts, and there was always a gap for 3-11. They would pull me and have me work 3-11 even though I had never been oriented to that shift.

I muddled along with the help of the other LPN. Work is the same, just in a different order :)

[Newgurl17, CNA, LPN]

Oh, whew! At least there's been some orientation rather than none. My first job didn't orient me to night shift so the first few times I floated or was called in, I had toooooooons of questions. I hope your shift went well. You could always ask for an orientation shift or a few, though they may not give it. Some places are pretty much trial by fire!

So today wasnt an actual shift, according to the clinical lead... I just got called in today to cover for an RN who would not be here. I dont think I'll get orientation for a shift like this, which sucks. This was the toughest shift i have had by far, so it didn't go well unfortunately. It was really overwhelming! Today the nurse I was working with happened to be orienting another nurse. I had to give my first ever IM injection, and the medication I had to draw up was thick. I hadnt practiced these injections since last year and had never practiced with medications that were as thick as the one I had to give today.

[Semper_Gumby]

So today wasnt an actual shift, according to the clinical lead... I just got called in today to cover for an RN who would not be here. I dont think I'll get orientation for a shift like this, which sucks. This was the toughest shift i have had by far, so it didn't go well unfortunately. It was really overwhelming! Today the nurse I was working with happened to be orienting another nurse. I had to give my first ever IM injection, and the medication I had to draw up was thick. I hadnt practiced these injections since last year and had never practiced with medications that were as thick as the one I had to give today.

Aww I'm sorry. It can be rough when you're doing something new! It may not be an actual 8 or 12 hour shift but you were still there, on your own, covering for someone else. At least now you've had that experience, and at least it was only a few hours! Now do something fun or relaxing and don't beat yourself up over it. You survived! :)

[Newgurl17, CNA, LPN]

Yeah :) thank goodness i work with supportive nurses! I forgot to mention that i ended up staying until 3 pm today because the other nurse had to go to a meeting today

[youforgotsomething]

after being out of LTC for 3 years , I decided to go back part time. During orientation, the LPN seemed I was a bothered , in the way, oh God another one for me to train, . She was rude towards me but in front of others fake nice. I will NOT be returning. Sadly Karma will come back to her. shame I will NOT be there to see it.

[littlelimabean01, LPN]

I currently work in LTC and very unfortunately zero orientation to say a different "cart" is extremely common. Its pitiful and in my mind dangerous because you don't know base-line information like what someone's normal BP is or behaviors...My current job, the owner just decided to check out and lease the facility to a global management company. I am stuck on over-nights and after I work my assigned hall I have to go split a 4th cart with 2 other nurses! We all know and trust each other it's just like you are describing, being thrown into an environment with no knowledge/orientation to the people you are caring for. So sad how our elderly are treated. I really love the elderly.

[Fiona59]

You were asked to come in and cover a four hour time period. There will never bee an orientation for that.

When I worked hours like that it was more a "keep the place running and help out where needed" experience

[Newgurl17, CNA, LPN]

Although i never got orientation for this shift i did get orientation for a 4pm to 8pm on this unit, which WAS an actual shift. Apparently there used to be 2 LPNs working 8 hour shifts in the day and evening I think and i believe things are trying to get changed back to that. This unit is split up into 2 sides and is also a locked unit.