sn543

Thank you everyone for your input and sharing your experiences. I am grateful that there are others out there who support me and understand what I am going through. SNF/LTC is very hard work. I have decided that I am not going to talk to my DON just yet, but rather work on some goals to improve my timing on the clock while NOT compromising patient care/ethics. If I do not reach my goals, then I will talk to the DON to discuss ways to improve. Again, thanks guys!

I started working as a new grad RN at an LTC/SNF facility for about 22 days. It has been about a full week after my orientation, and I believe that I am progressing. But after talking with my DON today, I felt less confident and disappointed with my progression. The DON came by today to talk about the reason why I have been clocking out later than expected. "What's going on?", "What are you doing wrong?", "What is it that you need help with?". The work day is 8 hours long, but on average, even the more experienced nurses clock out 1-2 hours after 8 hours. For me, I have been clocking out around that time also. I understand that working overtime is bad for the financial part of the facility. However, I believe it says a lot knowing that even the more experienced nurses clock out 2 hours later. Maybe its a facility issue that should be worked on? After the talk I felt so unworthy and useless. I have been working so hard to keep up the pace with this line of work. To my understanding, I was going along just fine. After the talk, I am thinking twice about this line of work and whether or not I am capable of working at that facility. I replied back saying that "I tried my best and was safe as possible". I also mentioned that there was a last minute discharge and some medications that I physically could not find, but was located in the other medication cart. But even then, it seemed as if my DON did not understand the situation today. Boy it felt good to let all that out... I plan on talking to my DON and mentioning to her what I typed here. Would this be a good idea? Any recommendations?

Thank you for the replies. I am no reconsidering consolidation. Funds are just very tough at the moment and I need some short term relief. I really hope my loan companies will lower my payments.

I am a recent BSN graduate who just recently found employment with a LTC/SNF. Much like every other recent graduates, this means that we all have to pay back our unwanted, and long awaited student loans. And for me, it is biting me back big time. I owe nearly 90k in loan repayment with three different companies including four private loans. I am really lost with loan repayment, but I did hear something about loan consolidation. From my understanding, loan consolidation is simply one company buying out your loans in order for you to pay that one single company with a fixed rate. Is this true? I am wondering if anyone else can share their experiences with loan repayments? Any horror stories? Any success? Also, I am planning to buy a house someday. How should I approach my situation?

croppyRN, I am also in the same boat as you. I am nearly done with my orientation and I am terrified to be pushed onto the floor. I am so focused on getting my routine and passing meds, let alone getting to know every residents faces. The paperwork is whats killing me the most. I barely know how to talk to the MD! How are things with you? Any updates? I hope things are well.

Thank you for all your responses. Boy, I hit the ground running yesterday! Before my shift, as what gorgenurse posted, I did feel many feelings and emotions at the same time that included fear, anxiety, stress, and excitement. However, all the negative feelings dissipated when I actually started my shift. It was as if there was a on-off button that shifted me from being scared into being a professional. I was so surprised! I can tell that LTC is a very demanding specialty that requires much prioritization. I agree with you ERRNinMI, and also aside from prioritization, organizational skills are just as important. To make it a little more tricky these are concepts that cannot be taught in books. Work is now the learning tool and the syllabus is my job description. Like I said, I hit the ground running during my evening shift yesterday! I was lucky enough to catch a 1.5 hour in-service and learn how important time is in this field. Although the meeting was helpful, this pushed back a lot of time with patient care and medication passing. The morning shift RN's (7-3pm) left at about 5:30-5:45 because of admissions and charting. Indeed, that one hour was very valuable for the shift. My preceptor was very great last night, despite the high stress and pressure to do meds and treatments in very little time. She was very patient with me and even answered all my questions. However, I would have loved to hear from her mouth what steelydanfan had posted (that would have helped with all the initial feelings of anxiety). I give LTC nurses much credit. Caring for 20-30+ patients is no easy task. Last night I had 30 patients with my preceptor and I cannot imagine doing this on my own (at this point). This aspect still seems so overwhelming. With passing meds, doing treatments (wounds, RT, trach, GT tubes, IV's, etc), teaching, assessments, charting, admissions... Yeah I hit the ground running yesterday. I am glad to hear that some other people also had their first days also. kukula, how was your first day? I hope it was as teachable as my first day. Again, thank you for all your responses and sharing, I really appreciate it!

Today is my first day as a RN. I am nervous as heck! I don't know what to expect, but I am excited and willing to learn at the same time.. I hope things will go well. Just wondering how everyone else treated their first day. Any failures? Any positives?