purplynn

:yeahthat: As a new grad I also started in LTC. For the first couple of months I ran around like crazy, had a hard time developing a routine, feeling like an idiot and the worst nurse on the planet. I really does take a while to settle in. There were (and still are) a few nurse who are not at all supportive, patient, or helpful. Then there are those who are. The nurses who are supportive are who you should get your feedback from. Get to know your policy/procedure books. If in doubt, look up facility policy. I agree with every post thats states checklist, checklist, checklist! At the beginning of EVERY shift I start of list of who needs what during report. P report and count I go through my mar and tar to see what I have to do and make myself a flow sheet. It really helps. e.g. Skilled Assessments t,p,t,bp,spo2, ls,bs,skin,pain,diet,mobility VS t,p,r,bp ATB temps adverse reactions S/S i.e. cough, sinus, URI,UTI... Aerosols spo2,ls,coug DM iddm po fbs GT bolus continous flushes TX's creams procedures drsgs and so on. Anyway, I hope this helps! Hang in there! BTW, your DON hired knowing your level of experience. Don't let'em get you down. Know you limitations and don't be afraid to ask questions. No support = dangerous environment, for your "R" and your license. Don't be afraid or feel bad if you need to move on. Follow your gut! Keep us posted!:icon_hug:

:yeahthat:

If you have exhausted all other avenues i.e. MD, administration, S.S, try the ombudsman for your state. http://www.ltcombudsman.org/

:lol_hitti

So frustrating isn't it!! I am currently still a toddler, 1 yr in. I am the same way. I hate confrontation. I couldn't tell you how many nights my husband had to deal with a blubbering idiot, i.e. I can't do this, I feel so inept, I've made a huge mistake, yada-yada-yada. He really has been so supportive ( Luv ya honey :kiss ) Anyway, I finally stood up for myself and things are much, much, MUCH better! I still get the occasional you-are-beneath me attitude from a few but I just let it roll off my back. Sometimes I wonder Do nurses really "eat" their young OR are the wiser of us just trying to make us newbies tough because sometimes it is a necessary trait of a good pt advocate? (but there will always be, just like in kindergarten, those darn bullies) Be a duck when needed but quack when necessary :roll signed, on-the-way-to-being 1 :pumpiron:

Becoming a CNA first will be EXTREMELY beneficial! Especially if you plan to stay in LTC. I speak from experience. I had scratch-the-surface knowledge prior to nursing school and talk about a culture shock. :sofahider If you aren’t in a hurry, or you have a family, I say baby steps are the way to go. You will end a well rounded nurse with a greater overall understanding of what is going on! :studyowl:

NPH insulin: an intermediate-acting insulin; NPH stands for neutral protamine Hagedorn. On average, NPHinsulin starts to lower blood glucose within 1 to 2 hours after injection. It has its strongest effect 6 to 10 hours after injection but keeps working about 10 hours after injection. Also called N insulin.

:madface:OMG! brand new nurse and alone on the floor alone. Roxanol came in a box label 10:1 instead of 20:1. Not being familiar with normal concentrations I gave too much. Someone had crossed out and corrected on the narc log but not the bottle or box. Talk about wanting to throw up!! All turned out well. I was lucky enough to be working with very supportive nurses!

http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/ :biggringi

The grammAr that comes to mind when reading this entry is "Nurses eat their young" It’s sad really. Especially since one of our fields biggest compliant is NEVER enough staff! I say stop chomping and start encouraging. You just might be surprised at what a student or new grad could teach you.