carolh

Hi, I'm a new GPN with what I hope will be a great first job. I've been orienting at a great facility for the last month. While I was being oriented by the first nurse, everything was great. She let me do what I could and even let me make my own mistakes and then told me when I did and what to do to fix it. I also learned that the nurse, an lpn, on the other wing that I would be with was not too happy to have me. There were a few nasty comments made by this nurse about me and from what I hear not too many of the other nurses like her either. In fact, our scheduler did not want me to even orient with this woman, but shortages being what they are....The first night we had problems. I was talking to one of the RN's who had worked that wing and asked her to give me a crush list. The lpn heard and flew into a rage. She even threatened to leave. Instead she pulled the RN into the med room and chewed her out. She then told me either I was orienting with her or with the RN. I didn't realize I was in such a breech of etiquette by asking for the crush list from the RN. Later while we were doing our charts she gloated about putting the RN in her place. Well, yesterday was suppose to be my second day of orientation with her, she said she wanted me to slow down that I had made some mistakes because I was going too fast. This burned me up. First I should add she delays getting to work and then whines because she can't get done quick enough. I say this not because I don't think its possible I made a mistake, I could have. I say it because I think some of the reason she wants me to slow down is because she does not want to work harder to get done with the first med pass till after dinner has started. You see all the nurses where I work have to help feed. I hope this is coming out right I don't mean to imply that I could never make a mistake, I'm sure I might have. Now this gets complicated so I'll try to put it down so you can follow. I worked with her the first time on Thursday. She was off friday. The mar's were changed saturday. When did she find the mistakes I had made? If she saw me make the mistakes why did she wait to tell me, if not...how did she find them? Then yesterday, she was arguing with an aide in a resident's room in front of the resident's, what is the deal with that? I want to learn from her she has been a nurse for a long time but I don't trust her after all of this and I don't know how to handle this situation without causing problems. I really want to like my new position. Anyone got any good ideas on how I can get through this and still learn something?

Thanks, you don't know how much it helps just to talk to someone who has been there too! I can not even imagine passing meds to 50 people! My God, they should have passed out rollerskates to all the new nurses there lol. I love geriactrics and have wanted to be a nurse for so long that I am determined to stick it out no matter what! I hope someday I will be able to write some words of advice to a new nurse and make her day better as you have done for me. Thank you!

Alright here I am a new Graduate Practical Nurse. I couldn't wait to graduate and get a job. I looked forward to finally being the nurse after 15 years of being the CNA. I was lucky, I was offered a great full time position at a LTC Facility the day after graduation. I started orientation 2 days ago and I have never been more exhausted and sore in my life! Last night I passed meds to 24 residents and I swear some of them got in line twice lol! Our shift is from 2:30 to 11:00 and if it weren't for my preceptor I would still be there this morning. I can't believe how long it took me to make two med passes last night. I know, I know it was only my first time passing meds to a full assignment, but I am really wondering how the heck I am going to be able to pass the meds and do all the treatments and charting. My preceptor thinks they may put me on by myself on Friday and I don't mind telling you that scares the heck out of me. Even though I was throughly exhausted last night I could not sleep. I worried all night long about whether I had done everything right. I guess, aside from unloading, I would like to know how everyone else is doing and some tips on how to do my job a little more efficiently. A little encouragment would also be greatly appreciated !

We also take the ati's at our school. You have to at least get a 60% on the mean average to go to the next level in school. Our Instructor said if you get at least the 60% mean average you will pass the nclex. I think this may be true. We also take the Saunders nclex review tests and the ati's seem harder. Good Luck and congrats to those who have already passed!