_LTC_LPN_

I question this myself. I recently started working as the charge nurse (while having my own full assignment) and I have nurses calling me every 5 minutes asking ridiculous questions or expecting me to do their job for them. I am honestly speechless. Prior to me becoming charge nurse I never called the previous one for anything. Unless I was about to call the Dr. to try to get a resident sent to the hospitial. And more of FYI kind of things. No I'm not doing your fall charting, or putting in your orders, or calling the Dr for you, or whatever else. And before you call me for help you better have tried yourself. I am about to go to my DON and tell her I can't do it anymore. Really I can't. It's outrageous.

Was it the same resident that fell all 3 times? And you mean that they were having respiratory difficulties? If so my recommendation would be to check on that resident as frequently as possible. Make sure their O2 is on, check spO2 and also ask them how their doing. Also remind your CNA to peak in at them frequently and let you know if there's any issues. As for when do you will get comfortable? I always tell people I orientate to give it 90 days. The first 90 days will be rough and you may go home crying. But you will catch on. After 90 days I'm not saying it gets perfect. But by then you will get into a routine and be familiar with the doctors and policies and families and everything else. I would say I started to really feel confident in myself around 6 months.