Please Help! Encouragement needed

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Hello all,

Well, this is my issue. I just started as a LPN in a LTC facility on May 8. I had 7 days total orientation on 5 different teams. Not enough time to remember who the residents are, especially if most of them don't have their identity bracelets on and their pictures in the MAR are either not there or to old to recognize.

I started this past Saturday on my own caring for an average of 22 patients. I am suppose to pass meds, chart, call doctors, write orders, do my own admissions/discharges(when they arise) and do my own treatments.

I kind of feel that this place is not organized, supplies for the treatments and other things are usually not in their rightful place/not stocked.

The days that I was on my own I came home, elevated MY feet and went to sleep:zzzzz .

I feel so rushed when I go to work. I am so focused on getting my meds passed that I start around 7:30AM and have been getting finished with that first round around 10:00-10:30. Then it's time for me to get ready for the second round. I'm on my feet from the time I get there to the time I leave just about, except for my 30 minute break.

Any insight, help is appreciated.

Thank you

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Unfortunately I can only say... welcome to LTC. This is pretty much the norm and you're lucky to have only 20 some residents. I think if you stick with it, you'll find a "groove" and it eventually falls in place and gets a little easier - but it takes some time. Good luck.

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Specializes in Too many to list.

Stick it out, you will get into a routine, and will know your residents better as you go along. You'll learn what challenges each day of the week offers. Also, keep in mind, you could switch to nights, even if you have to go to another facility, there are always jobs. It gives you a little time to think about your tasks, in most states (not Connecticut, however). It's a fact LTC without med techs is a killer until you get used to it, but you will. Possibly, going to a smaller facility may work for you, not all places are alike. Stay away from places that take just anybody to fill the beds (meaning train wrecks that sadly, no one can ever fix or cope with as you have enough on your plate right now). Good luck.

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.

Good luck and congratulations on your new job!

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Hang in there Baby!! LTC is a very unappreciated nursing job,but you will soon know yoour residents by sight and sound. Give yourself six months to aclimate, make good friends with your CNAs they will save your life more than once! Look,listen and learn from all your peers and your residents. Before long you will see your abilities and confidence grow exponentialy. If you find LTC is not for you,do not forget the many many nurses who deserve respect always for the job they struggle to do every day. Never Never devalue any healthcare worker for the facility they work in or the position they hold! We are all of one heart and one calling. CARE GIVERS!! You will do great things and they do not come easily.Good luck!!!

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Thanks so much everyone for your replies, they are well taken. I am very much open to suggestions and helpful advice, I just want to do a good job and provide the best care to my patients.

Valhalla,

I really like working in LTC, the residents are wonderful and I feel so blessed to be able to give care to them. It's just that I really don't like relying on another co-worker to tell me who so and so is, or the temptation of signing off on things that are suppose to be done, that were not or checked on.

I don't like feeling like, I'm working in conditions that's putting my license on the line. Some things I feel are just to risky. Every resident is suppose to have identity bracelets, why is it so hard to make that happen?

You just can't expect people not to make errors when they haven't been properly trained. I don't know, maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, right now, I'm just a novice nurse but I pray each time before going to work and while I'm working that God would be with me and cover those things that I didn't purposely do wrong or not at all.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

We've all been new and we've all had doubts. Make your own schedule....pass your meds safely and keep asking God to watch over you. I've spent the past 4 days editing med sheets at my facility....you wouldn't believe how many unnecessary drugs I found. I either called the docs myself or asked the pharmacy rep to make recommendations. Today we got rid of more than 13 on one side alone....little by little you'll get the hang of it. It's not an easy job, but we need people like you who seem to really care about doing a good job.

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Where I work none of the residents wear name tags (or ID bracelets). It's not a problem for me since I know all of our residents except, of course, the newly admitted. But it's hard for an agency person or a new worker. Name tags, I think, would be a very good idea since some of the residents don't talk. It would avoid errors, thus protecting the residents. But maybe because of HIPPA the facilities are opting not to use them.

Thanks so much everyone for your replies, they are well taken. I am very much open to suggestions and helpful advice, I just want to do a good job and provide the best care to my patients.

Valhalla,

I really like working in LTC, the residents are wonderful and I feel so blessed to be able to give care to them. It's just that I really don't like relying on another co-worker to tell me who so and so is, or the temptation of signing off on things that are suppose to be done, that were not or checked on.

I don't like feeling like, I'm working in conditions that's putting my license on the line. Some things I feel are just to risky. Every resident is suppose to have identity bracelets, why is it so hard to make that happen?

You just can't expect people not to make errors when they haven't been properly trained. I don't know, maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, right now, I'm just a novice nurse but I pray each time before going to work and while I'm working that God would be with me and cover those things that I didn't purposely do wrong or not at all.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
Thanks so much everyone for your replies, they are well taken. I am very much open to suggestions and helpful advice, I just want to do a good job and provide the best care to my patients.

Valhalla,

I really like working in LTC, the residents are wonderful and I feel so blessed to be able to give care to them. It's just that I really don't like relying on another co-worker to tell me who so and so is, or the temptation of signing off on things that are suppose to be done, that were not or checked on.

I don't like feeling like, I'm working in conditions that's putting my license on the line. Some things I feel are just to risky. Every resident is suppose to have identity bracelets, why is it so hard to make that happen?

You just can't expect people not to make errors when they haven't been properly trained. I don't know, maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, right now, I'm just a novice nurse but I pray each time before going to work and while I'm working that God would be with me and cover those things that I didn't purposely do wrong or not at all.

Lack of identity bracelets was common in most all LTC facilities where I worked. The main reason given at each place was: "this is their HOME--do YOU wear an ID band in YOUR home?" I can see the logic BUT for safety's sake(assist in decreasing med errors), I still feel it would be wisest to have residents wear them.

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Congrats and welcome to the lovely world of LTC.I promise that you will get a flow but you sound as if your already about on the average.A morning med pass is the toughest because thats when most meds are given,But you will learn the little tricks to save time with each resident and soon you will have an easier time .Again Good Luck.I LOVE LTC and feel its my calling,and cant see myself any where else.To know that people trust me enough to intrust their parent into my care means alot......

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I know you feel overwhelmed right now, but 22 patients is not a bad load in a LTC. Alot of nurses care for many more than 22 patients, some places swamp you with 50 or more patients. I've read threads on here indicating that.

I think if you give it time, it will get easier. You'll get to know your residents, and all their meds, and then maybe, when you know the residents better, you'll find some time to do some organizing.

I love to organize on my job.

I do just one little area at a time, a drawer here, or a closet there.

Just a little bit at a time, when you have a few free minutes, and you'll soon have things in better shape, where you can find things easier.

If I were you I would give it time. I think things will smooth out for you!

God bless!!!

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Thank you everyone for you wonderful advice and encouragement. Well, Friday I worked on a unit that I have been on at least three times already, including two days orientating and you wouldn't believe that I remembered who all the residents were without asking anyone.

It was shocked with myself. I got finish with my first med pass at 10:00 AM and though this unit is suppose to be one of the lighter load units, that's still good for me.:monkeydance:

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