I am currently employed in a hospital which has an extension of an LTC facility for 2 months now. My orientation went fast and next thing I knew, I'm on my own. I am trying to get organized, get my speed for doing my med pass, charting, carrying out orders, calling MDs about changes, helping my aides put people to bed since their partner is on break, calling family about new orders and addressing their concerns, nurses nitpicking each other's work, serving dinner trays, doing wound treatments, etc. Doing this for 2 months, I come to realization that I hated the job itself. I have come to a conclusion that I am not happy. Life is short and I don't want to be miserable. I've been clocking out late for a month now and haven't took a single break since I was off orientation. Do I get written up for this?
Anyhow, my husband totally disagrees with my decision. He thinks that this a good opportunity for advancement since I can bid on another job in another department on my 6th month. But I can't stand being there for another day. Don't get me wrong, I love my residents. They always find time to thank me for all the things I've done. I always give them the attention they need even it compromises my med pass or getting everything done on time. But how come there is soo much things to do and so little time? I badly wanna quit, the only thing that is hindering that is my husband. I am being paid good and he thinks that I'm gonna regret it when I leave. I am not trying to be selfish, I just wanna be happy. I have been unemployed for a year before I took this job because I just moved here in the US and was busy trying to be a licensed nurse. I am not lazy and I don't mind working. I just wanna work on a less stressful environment. I think that my coping mechanisms are not doing me any good. I also came across a post about ADD/ADHD. I don't know if I have it. Since a lot of adults lived their lives undiagnosed. I found the ADD screening tool and it says I most likely have it. I have implusivity at times especially when I see something I like or wanna do. I'm inattentive when faced with stressful situations. My body is there sitting infront of you and seems like all the words they said went out straight on the other ear.
Please help me make up mind. Should I stick it out 'til my 6th month and be unhappy for the remaining days that I work there? Or should I give my 2-week notice now and move on without regrets? I'm sorry this is long..
I too am a newbie, and when I started immediately the aides tested me because I was a new grad. Was I gonna be the nice new nurse that they could walk all over? I was told by the nurse who oriented me, that they would test me and see if I would take charge or let them walk over me. I will help in a minute with their work if my time permits, or if it is imperative for the safety or comfort of a resident. However, I will not put someone to bed while you take your break, it needs to be accomplished before your break. I also try not to let the aides do that to each other (cover my lights while all the people want to go to bed so the other aides have to deal with it) I set boundaries early on and it has worked well for me. I have learned to delegate with appropriateness. Obviously if it reg. a med / tx or concern of their care I deal with it. If it is because they didn't get their snack or can't find their red dress they want to wear, I delegate to the aide. It is a mutual respect I believe. The other night for some strange reason I had time during dinner so I fed one of our residents for one of the aides. They all appreciated it since it freed her up to answer lights which helped all the aides on the floor.
I wouldn't necessarily quit, but first try delegating those little tasks that can hold you up and follow up to make sure they are completed while doing med pass or tx. Believe me, one night it took me 20 minutes to track down a PBand J sandwich (originally I thought, oh - I'll just do it what's a couple minutes.. 20 minutes later it was the last PBJ I ever track down!)
Nurse_Tricia, LPN
46 Posts
I too am a newbie, and when I started immediately the aides tested me because I was a new grad. Was I gonna be the nice new nurse that they could walk all over? I was told by the nurse who oriented me, that they would test me and see if I would take charge or let them walk over me. I will help in a minute with their work if my time permits, or if it is imperative for the safety or comfort of a resident. However, I will not put someone to bed while you take your break, it needs to be accomplished before your break. I also try not to let the aides do that to each other (cover my lights while all the people want to go to bed so the other aides have to deal with it) I set boundaries early on and it has worked well for me. I have learned to delegate with appropriateness. Obviously if it reg. a med / tx or concern of their care I deal with it. If it is because they didn't get their snack or can't find their red dress they want to wear, I delegate to the aide. It is a mutual respect I believe. The other night for some strange reason I had time during dinner so I fed one of our residents for one of the aides. They all appreciated it since it freed her up to answer lights which helped all the aides on the floor.
I wouldn't necessarily quit, but first try delegating those little tasks that can hold you up and follow up to make sure they are completed while doing med pass or tx. Believe me, one night it took me 20 minutes to track down a PBand J sandwich (originally I thought, oh - I'll just do it what's a couple minutes.. 20 minutes later it was the last PBJ I ever track down!)
Good luck!!!:):)