KareBearKarez

Thanks RNBear- That was exactly the direction I needed! No need to apologize for tone, your post was very professional and a huge help. It has helped me recognize my own disconnect so I can address it. Thanks again for taking the time.

Thanks, Pasta. I certainly do document. It frustrates me how reliant I am on someone else to achieve the best results for my patients.

Hi everyone, Like many posters have said, I have been lurking on this site for awhile. The info has been invaluable and gives me a sense of community. I now need some advice. I am a new LPN and I go to school full time for the RN program so I can only work on weekends. This has really limited my experience. Almost a year ago, I was hired as charge nurse for the 3-11 shift at one of the nicer LTC facilities near me. At my interview I was very honest about my lack of experience and concern for being a charge nurse. My director of nursing assured me that there would Always be someone to answer my questions and teach me” Turns out, the only person is the Nurse Manager who is alone and covering multiple floors. In the past I have called her to point out high temps, skin tears, low SPO2 sat, whatever and her go to answer is Don't you think we can leave a note for the next shift?” To protect myself, I always document thoroughly and indicate she was made aware. Last week, I showed her a large, grey macerated area, from pressure on a patients heel and she dismissed it as as little pink”. It is now wide open and infected and she claims I didn't point to exactly where it was so she never saw a blister” Additionally, I do not know what paperwork to complete for these items because she dismisses everything so all I do is document and pass it on in report. This is a new world for me and I don't know how to address these things and I don't know how independent I can be of her. I only know I have a responsibility to my patients. I make myself sick when I work because I have so little experience and I fear I will not know what to do when the inevitable crisis occurs. By the way, I love nursing. I'm not posting to complain, I just don't know how to grow stronger here for the sake of my patients and my license. This cant be unique, how does everyone else do it? I appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!