Nurseclark

I work in a nursing home in rural Ohio and thankfully this hasnt been an issue yet.

It always gets easier. I had the benefit of being a STNA first, and for some reason I have always been fascinated by wounds. So those never bothered me. One thing after 6 years of patient care I still just ewwwww over...... When you pull off someones TED hose and a skin flake shower poofs into the air. I literally will not breathe! ICK.

I used WIA as a bridge program from my LPN to RN. WIA paid for all of my RN program, but I had to take my LPN boards and pass first. :) I know lots about that program so if you need info let me know.

If you know that someone isbeing abused, you can lose your license if you do not report it. Abuse, suspected or otherwise, must be reported to the administrator. And also, document that you reported it, document when you are being recorded and I totally agree with the person that said to say you do not consent to being recorded when you enter the room.

Aides are the biggest asset nurses have, and I too was an aide for 4 years in LTC. Work with your nurses, be ready to learn and ready to run if they need you to. And also, never stop reporting skin issues! If you find a new skin tear or wound we need to know even if we headbutt a wall when you tell us! Good luck!!

Remember that just because something seems bad does not mean it always will be. All new nursing jobs are scary and overwhelming to begin with because its ALL new stuff. Patients, building, people, etc. Whats in the nursing books is NOT whats really out there. Keep your head up and learn. And remember NH ratios from patient to nurse are 25:1. Hang in there.

Be humble. Keep your ears and eyes open to everything, and you will be fine. Everyone is scared at first. :)