katbird21

I appreciate everyone taking the time to give their honest advice and tips. I read over them all and I felt much more confident going in for my first day. :nuke: However....after a week of being taught how to do unthinkable illegal things, learning that state is trying to shut them down, and that there are two lawsuits pending in my unit....I backed out. It was the most unorganized chaotic mess I never thought I would encounter. I feel bad in the way that I'm not there to advocate for the residents but I can't jeopardize my license one more day there. I know it's hard to find jobs for new nurses in my area but I'd rather be unemployed than gambling with a resident's well-being and my new license...

Hi, I'm a brand new RN (with no previous work experience as an aide or LPN unfortunately.) I was just hired to work at a LTC facility on a unit with 30 residents to 1 RN (or LPN). I honestly am not sure what to expect at ALL. I only have hospital experience from clinicals to pull expectations from and I know this will be very different.... I expected a longer orientation like the hospitals provide but am offered only 3 days on the floor being "buddied up" with someone. From reading other posts, I guess this is normal. My question is for those of you, RNs and LPNs, who have worked in LTC. What can I do to prepare myself? I don't know any nurses that work in this field and I want to do well and be a great nurse, without having to bother other nurses that have their own routines down. Do you have quick reference guides? What do you not leave home without? I'm very excited to finally begin working as a nurse with the elderly but I'm also SO nervous and afraid of being more of a burden than a blessing to the other staff members. lol Any tips or advice from you veteran nurses would be Greatly appreciated!!

Your subject line caught my attention-too funny because I thought the exact same thing on Feb 2 when I took the NCLEX. I got to 76 and about died because all my friends were cut off at 75. Mine stopped after I answer 79 and it cut me off. I passed. I'm sure you did, too. Just try to breath easy until you find out for sure, easier said than done I know...