reginarn88

Good advice. I'm just concerned about protecting myself. Thanks

Hey everyone, just an update: I had my orientation with the agency and my first shift orienting with a client. Everything went very well, except I've noticed some things that weren't cool---the LVN that oriented me was way too lax in her job, not checking for residuals, checking off on emergency equipment that wasn't where it was supposed to be, giving meds with formula that should not be given with food. During my first shift I already found outdated orders like with VS parameters of when to call the doctor. I will bring this all up during my next office orientation day. I won't work with the kiddo unless some things get changed. I will be oriented to several other patients though so hopefully I find a good fit. Overall, I am optimistic.

I'm about to start orienting so it's good to see that other new grads are doing well.

awesome post ladyfree. glad to know you were given a lot of support, succeeded, and have moved on to hospital work. I'd love to hear more about your experience! How long did you work in PDN?

OMG SDALPN that is CRAZY!! WOW, you are really giving me some food for thought here. YIKES. Ventmommy, I hope I work with a parent as awesome as you are! I would love to have that much guidance.

Wow, well that is NOT me. I am overly cautious, sometimes TOO much so I think this could be a great area for me to find my confidence, but I absolutely will not hesitate to ask someone if I am not sure about something. And I will not use any equipment if I do not fully understand how it works---I mean come on, those humidifier stories, that's exactly the kind of things I'm always afraid of happening...it demonstrates a lack of common sense, a lack of fully understanding what you are doing. I guess I shouldn't underestimate myself when it comes to making sure I get the orientation I need, because if I don't feel ready, I will not work the case. Thank goodness my agency has promised me so much orientation.

so ventmommy, have actually had any good "inexperienced" nurses? Competent ones who you felt were "Succeeding"?

To the person who sent me a private message, I appreciate your input. I don't have enough posts yet to reply to you.

My decision is not yet set in stone.

I'm certainly concerned by many of your comments. But here's a thought---most LVN's work in LTC's or clinics versus acute care hospitals, AT LEAST in my area. If you are an LVN and let's say you have experience, you're not a new grad--but it's in a LTC facility. You don't have pediatric, nor acute care experience. Does that mean you shouldn't work in PDN? I'm an RN, not an LVN---but I don't see how everyone who works in PDN has the "acute care" experience which is so necessary to be successful.

By the way, not saying experience doesn't matter, but those humidifier stories really strike me as a nurse who did not receive adequate training on how a vent works.

I am so sorry to hear about your son, ventmommy. Dear Lord, those are some terrifying stories. It is a lot of food for thought. My agency has promised me a minimum of 5 shifts of orienting with a vent client after learning about vents, which won't be for many months after I start. If my gut is saying no though, I won't take those patients. Jeez. I'm just stunned at the tragedy of those stories. I would not be able to live with myself if I was one of those nurses. Thanks for the positive spin though, mluvsgnc.

It sounds like you have a lot of great experience and advice, ventmommy.

That's true. Good point, thanks.

Can someone give me more information about insurances requiring a year of experience? I obviously don't want to be charged with fraud. I don't see how new grads can be hired so widely and publicly if this is actually true. Maybe only certain cases require this and they don't put the new grads on these cases. Please don't attack me, but working with just one patient one on one and keeping my eyes on them seems safer than working at a nursing home with 30+ patients. My friend said she got 3 days of "training", then she was on her own, and as an RN, she was the charge nurse. I do realize that kids are fragile. In clinicials, I was the first one to notice that my patient's blood pressure was not stable, and my nurse was on her lunch break and seemed less than concerned, but nevertheless that patient got a saline bolus once the physician saw her. Acute care is just not an option for me in the near future, but it may be next year. However, I can't wait a year to start working. Is all private duty considered LVN level work, or is it divided between RN level and LVN level? From what I understand if they are "stable", then it is LVN level. Starting off I will try to not take any cases that have had a history of frequent hospital admissions.