is this normal???

tyvin, BSN, RN · May 16, 2016

I wish I could do something to help you but it's only time that will help. LTCs are ridiculous with how they run things. The amount of residents you have to pass meds to, plus do the wound care, and everything else; plus charting...I paid my dues working in one for awhile. I hear you loud and clear.

Cry all you want because you'll go crazy if you don't. Try not to take it all home with you. I know it's nearly impossible, but if there's something you left, don't worry, they'll call you. Another thing, don't do overtime until you know your routine (even if that). If it's your typical LTC, they won't stop ringing your phone to ask you to work overtime. Honestly; it will rob you of your soul. Don't worry friend; it will get better.

ComeTogether, LPN · May 17, 2016

I'm a new grad and I promise you I would NOT be able to function on my own after only 5 days!! NO WAY!! Tell them you need more time with a preceptor, don't ask them, tell them!

You're NOT dumb, you're NEW and there is a major learning curve, especially because it's so different from what we're taught in nursing school!

xoxoxo

Nikki0727 · May 17, 2016

I've been at my current job for 7 months. All the other nurses I known (except 1) finishes the med pass by 10 a.m. (we start at 7:30 a.m.). I on the other hand do not get done until 10:30. There are bps you have to take and fingersticks. Tube feeding. I'm STILL learning. But I know that I'm doing EVERYTHING that I need to do and right!

You will get the hang of it and find your own pace!

Keep your head up! You've only been there for 5 days!

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · May 18, 2016

It'll get easier with time. That's not going to make things better right now though. If you are REALLY sinking ask for help. You'll get to know who will help and who won't. Don't cut corners by making up vitals and or blood sugars (I've known too many who admit to this). Make a cheat sheet with room#'s and resident tidbits like who gets insulin, blood sugar checks, scheduled narcs, gtube feedings, crushed pills, etc. This can help you

Mhays · May 19, 2016

Thank you for your posting. I totally understand where you are coming from. When I was a new nurse, so many people told me the same exact things. I had so many different people tell me to be faster in all of the things that I had to do. Then, I had a boss that told me that she would rather me take my time and do a great job than to be in a rush and not do a good job. She told me that she knew I was working and I was a hard worker and she rather have me work on good content rather than not so good content in a rush manner. It can be very overwhelming when you have so many patients to a nurse. In fact, I think that nurses should have a smaller ratio and have one floater nurse on the floor so that they can check on the patients every hour. My advice is to take everyday as a new experience, breath a lot, write in a journal about your feelings, and make sure that you speak with your preceptor or charge nurse. Try to always keep the communication open. I wish you the best. Marcella 5/19/16

holly2422 · May 20, 2016

Hi D !!

you are not stupid, not at all you went through too many difficult classes to even think that about yourself.

I am new also and I have been employed through agencies in various disciplines. Some on this board reported I had no business being in a certain area. But, I am totally glad I took the opportunity to explore the area's available for employment.

I was given a whopping 3 days of training in my long term care facility, set out on my own, but on a new floor I wasn't familiar with (meds in various area's, residents in hallways and difficult to I.D.)

What I found is that it is a totally CRAZY position. I could not keep up either, no breaks, no lunch and meds falling out of safe admin times. I think the job is completely unrealistic to perform in a safe manner let alone giving the patients the attention they need.

I honestly do not know how the regular nurses do the monotonous job every day and not get burned out quickly.

The speed will come in time, they totally understand you need more time (they have been through this before with other new nurses) , they are just pushing you. Keep in mind, this is just building experience, it might even convince you to further your education to move on to more opportunity.

hang in there and good luck

rachel100639 · May 29, 2016

Unfortunately, the lack if understanding from her CO-workers is more the norm than not.

rachel100639 · May 29, 2016

Typical in long term care. It's not you. You're perfectly normal. It's the extremely dysfunctional system. For instance, you're expected to: move at a ridiculous pace like a chicken with its head cut off, yet also be 100% accurate; be responsible for 30 or more patients with scant assistance because they do not hire enough staff; juggle so many tasks your head spins while Knowing your expected to paste a smile on your face even though you're starving from not having time to eat or pee - let alone being able to even think about taking a deep breath; push around a 3-ton medication cart to distribute the thousands of meds (by the time you finish one med pass, it's time to start the next one!); deal with other nurses and CNAs who are usually miserable too and take out their anger on the nearest person to them, which is usually you; deal with unhappy families, demanding patients, a bloated, nazi-like state board of nurses, constant shortage of supplies, a depressing (usually awful-smelling) environment where the elderly are warehoused before they die; a top-heavy, hierchical insecure/bullying/ management and administration; all of this and much, much, more after working on your feet for two or three 12-hour (which usually wind up being 14-hour) shifts on hardly any sleep.