Knuckles31

Alright I will look into an attorney as soon as possible especially if I find out I'm being black listed. When I went to the department of labor it only listed that I was terminated. They did ask if there were other factors involved in the termination so I told them what I told you guys. I'm not discouraged just yet. I am skeptical of working at another nursing home since from what I experienced at that place is that word of mouth is very powerful rather than a person's performance and effort. Maybe a clinical setting would be better?

No I'm not hiding anything. What I told you is what happened during the phone call. The only area I was struggling in was delegating the CNA's for the reason listed above which led to several complaints and such. Not only that ,but within the first month of me being there rumors were circulating of me getting into relationships with the CNA staff that the DON approached me about it. I told her they were in no way true. It turns out that the nurse in charge of the other halls on the same shift started those rumors in the first place. It kind of feels like I was at a place where I couldn't win. Everywhere I went it felt like I had a target on my back. They even told me if I applied for unemployment, that they wouldn't argue against it, which is a red flag if I ever saw one.

So today I got a call from the DON of the placed where I worked at and she stated that "We are going to have to let you go. The doctor just got done chewing me out because she thinks that you are incompetent, don't know what you are doing, and sounded like you were high during the phone call (even though other nurses where guiding me during the call). I know I screwed up a few times while I was there due to this being my first nursing job, but something seems really wrong with the way they fired me. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had awkward phone conversations with doctors. I got the information that needed to be communicated to her. I had an even more awkward conversation with a on call doctor who had a thick accent, but I didn't receive a complaint from her. I had trouble delegating CNA's, some who were just plain lazy and didn't care, others who had a severe attitude problem. Things were getting better, until I received the call. I talked to a few other people and they think I should look into the department of labor and see if I can file a wrongful termination claim. I'm just not sure. Any advice?

Thanks guys. I did what you guys said and found two mentors from first and third shift that help me out. Like you guys they are very encouraging and on Friday the nurse from first shift volunteered to stay over a few hours and help me organize and get myself together. Almost like a life raft in a drowning situation. So since Friday I did what you guys said and started being VERY detail oriented on the notes that I write down when I start my shift and during my shift for reminders. It did help alot and during that shift I felt more in control. Only thing that has me concerned is that I still have yet to tackle a new admit on my own. As for the paperwork, which is my biggest obstacle right now, I did start doing a check list to keep in check. I learned a few new tips and tricks as well. I don't know why but the paperwork aspect of everything is the most intimidating. Regardless that nurse from first shift is going to follow me on Monday to evaluate how I handle medpass combined with other aspects of the shift. Now this is two weeks of the job on my own. I hope they dont see her teaching me as a sign of weakness and fire me...Wish me luck guys. I am really trying my hardest to improve and overcome the stress and anxiety at work.

So I just started a new job at a health facility/LTC facility and I am very thankful with getting a good paying job so close to home. The only thing I'm struggling with is the anxiety of it all. The LPNs at this facility are responsible for everything including their own wound care. We have around 60 + residents so as you can imagine its stressful. How have other nurses dealt with the anxiety of a job with so much responsibility? I find myself entering a panic just a few days ago when I tested a resident's BG levels and they turned out to be in the 500's. I went through everything as the other nurses instructed but still find myself messing up (forgetting to fax a doctor for a suggestion of a new order, ect). Just yesterday I was taking care of a terminal resident and performed wound care and it was a stage 4 pressure ulcer. I kept panicking, entering cold sweats, feeling bad, and seeing how it got to that point. I'm imagining that events like those are what help new nurses develop in to more competent nurses? I know that it takes about a year to truly become competent as a nurse (or that's what they tell me), but how do you guys deal or have dealt with stress until you get past the first year?

Yeah they have been very helpful. Without them I would have been a mess. Lol.

I'm dealing with the same thing. I'm a new grad and just got this new job at a LTC facility and I kept forgetting a few meds because I was working on improving speed and overlooked a few medications. I asked a few of the nurses how I can improve my accuracy and speed, so they Highlighted all the meds I have to give during my shift. That not only increased my speed tenfold, but am now seeing every med so I can't miss them. They did say that they would go easy on me because of my mistakes. Im glad they are helping me and taking it easy on me since this first week was very intimidating.

Just wanted to say that your avatar is awesome. Have a good day!

During my nursing program I had mostly a buzz cut and had no complaints. During the winter, I let it grow out into a curly style which got pretty tall with no styling and still didn't get any complaints. I guess the main thing is if your hair style is out of he ordinary. If you stand out too much then that may be a bad thing.

I'm planning on doing mine next year at Georgia Northwestern Tech College, at the walker county campus. Its a like....45 minutes- 1 hour drive from my house....but sacrifices have to be made in order to ascend. After a year at the nursing home I just recently got hired at I'm sure they will work with my schedule since its for an RN license.

I busted my ass for my LPN license. Hearing people walk in doing interviews, in pajamas, piercings, and what not annoys the hell outta me... Makes this generation of new nurses look bad. Speaking of which, I have an interview Friday. Wish me luck!

So as of late my job search for an LPN has been pretty rough. I knew that as a new grad that I would be met with challenges. It just bothers me that I am one of the few left in my graduating class that is jobless. I've only had one interview after about 30-40 applications put in. I've went online scouring the internet for tips and I came across an article over Health care temp agencies. It stated that most places are just looking for temporary positions instead of permanent ones and Temp agencies are helping new grads weather the storm while they are inexperienced. My main question to my fellow experienced nurses is that have they actually come through and helped you guys get employment? I mean I'm guessing they are just going to do what I'm doing now. Send out my application to several places and leave it up to them to determine if they want to hire me. I know this might sound like a "Noob" -ish question to ask. I actually didn't know temp job health care agencies existed until I did some research earlier this week.

My first job was a PRN job that I got thanks to a friend who's sister in law worked there. When I did my orientation I got about 4 days and it was a LTC/ assisted living as well. I got placed on the south hall which was patients with Alzheimers , dementia, and confusion. Most of the times, the patients are ok, but can get very violent. I saw many female nurses with bruises on their arms and one had a bruise on her face. On my first day by myself, everything was good except for that the CNA's were almost ALWAYS joking around and talking thus I had to go and hunt down patients to give their meds which got me behind. I wondered for the longest time why the facility was rated one star on most websites and when I worked there that's when it all clicked. As the day went on patients got more and more aggressive, CNA's just laughed and pointed while I tried to calm the angry and aggressive patients. People were always hanging out smoking outside. At one point I was doing my med pass and patients were aggravating other patients and I was the only one on that hallway, and this was during the day shift. At the end of the day I didn't get my charting done, but managed to keep up with signatures and verifications when it came to meds and narcs. They called me in later that week, but I had an interview for a full time job at a clinic...and I told them I couldn't come in. I haven't received a call from them since.After having that experience, I'm hoping not all LTC facilities are like that because they are the one of the few areas hiring LPN's.

I'm struggling here as well. I live in the Cartersville area and have been branching out as far as Atlanta, Rome and Rockmart for a position and no go. I put in over 30 applications online within a few days and sent out my resume to several places for various positions. It does get depressing after awhile, but as of late I am taking a break from putting in applications and regaining composure so it doesn't get to me. Trying again later this week.

I usually wear just solid colored scrubs, but I do try to personalize my gear with stuff that relates to my interests. I am a HUGE Nintendo Nerd so my badge holder is a Mushroom from the Super Mario series.