hopefull1

Thanks guys..sounds like very good advice. That's what my gut was telling me, but I wanted to know I wasn't being overly cautious on it.

Hi all!! I need some advice from those in LTC. I'm a two month out new grad LVN currently working Med/Surg 7-7pm in a local hospital that is low censused and is now talking of lay-offs. I was just offered a charge position in a LTC that has patient ratio of 1:53 with a med-aid, treatment nurse, and two CNA's per hall usually. I would have 15 head-to-toes a day so they said. Does this sound safe for a newbie? I've never worked in a nursing home, so I'm not sure...Thanks for any advice on this.

Quick question. I've worked in Med/Surg for the last two months as a new grad, but due to low census their talking lay-offs...soooo I have an opportunity right now for a LTC position on days with 1:40/50 pt. ratio. I will be a charge with a med-aid, treatment nurse, and two CNA's. Does this sound doable for a new grad? I've never worked LTC before so I'm not sure myself. Thanks for your advice!!

I am a new grad LVN who felt very blessed to have landed a 7p-7a Med/Surg/Tele job. But, during my first two weeks my experience has been chaotic to say the least. I was told when hired I would orient for 6 weeks with one preceptor so they could keep track of what I had mastered and still had to learn. My manager asked me if I would like days instead of nights because she thought I could handle it. I agreed because I've never worked nights anyway and at my age don't know if I could get used to it. (I'm middle aged). It has ended up that I've had four different preceptors in two weeks because due to low census the one I'm supposed to be with gets floated off every day that I'm scheduled to work with her. I end up getting dumped onto whom ever happens to be the most senior on the unit. A couple of times they were not happy about it. With that on top of the total chaos from short staffing I'm worried this is not going to work out. I even tried switching to nights for the slower pace and supposedly a preceptor that didnt get called off or float..she floated the first night I was scheduled, and was called off the second...so I went back to days and am trying to get what I can out of it. I figured if its the same situation on nights, why suffer with the sleep adjustment. Is this the norm for new grads on my type of unit? Managment is even encouraging the preceptors to give us new admits when they are short handed on the unit. Any advise?

I feel for you. I've been told the night shift is the best place to start and learn, but I am starting days on a busy Tele unit. Has any other LVN's out there started on days and survived orientation to become a solid member of the team?

TX- MedSurg/Telemetry

Jamie P.M., RN I am a new grad starting on a telemetry unit in a couple of weeks and was wondering what you thought of it? I will also be on nights, 7p-7a. I'm pretty nervous about it also. Any advice you could give would be GREATLY appreciated! :hrnsmlys: Took notice that this post was from '11 and not '12. lol. Would still appreciate news of you experience though :)

Well you're definitely not alone in being nervous, I am too for sure! Keep me posted after you start on how it's going, and I'll do the same:).

Congrats!! I'll be working at a hospital in TX as a GVN until I pass boards. How about you? I've been told it's alot to take on (and that's scary), but if you can do it, you gain a load of experience!

I know it's been a while on this post, but I was wondering how you have progressed with the tele position. I'm a new grad that will be starting on tele in a couple of weeks and am really worried I won't stack up. Please let me know how it's gone so far for you..Thanks!!

My LVN "student" status will end in August also. My class of 25 have all grown close over the past several months. It's comforting to have others around you who are in the same boat with you thru the newness of it all, and it's a little scary to know that afterwards you will be on your own. Thank goodness for Facebook and this site to let us stay in touch with others who can lend a shoulder when we need it:loveya:.

Thank's for the replies and advice ladies..it does make me feel better to hear it!:) I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed that I can land a position somewhere that I will enjoy working and learn alot while I'm at it!

I am currently a student LVN, and will hopefully be licensed after August '12. I've really enjoyed school and clinicals so far, but I am starting to feel a little panicky about becoming a nurse due to all the "I hate nursing" comments I see. Are there any LVNs out there that like what they do? If so, what area are you in?

Thanks for the update Krisintheweb. I'm just beginning school this month. Your experience is something I will have to keep in mind when I begin working.

I am also starting a LVN program in August and am nervous about what to expect. From what I understand from others the first half of the semester is mostly learning CNA type stuff. Still alot of reading and test taking, but not really intense as far as medical knowledge. I've heard that comes more into the later part and into the second semester... I think our nervousness is a good sign we'll stay on top of things when we get started, and make us do well.:)