RN training newly hired nurse.

[Olga]

Hello,

I am a new nurse, at my first job not even 2 months. This is LTC. They hired more nurses and gave me buddy-up. My own orientation was 7 days. I have a lot of residents so I did what other nurses did when I was orienting, I told her to help me. I was there, taking meds for one resident and told her take out meds for another. Next day they call me downstairs and say that she gave wrong medication. (that was bedtime med). And also that she was practicing under my license. I got in trouble because I didn't supervise her properly etc. I did not agree that she was practicing under my license... she is not a student, right? Or wrong? The resident is fine (it was cholesterol drug). Does this go on my license record? Anything I should do?

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

She has her own license so yes that is a flat out lie. She does need adequate supervision but it sounds like this place doesn’t have the staff to provide a thorough and safe orientation. I wouldn’t take a “buddy” anymore if I were you.

[JKL33]

You are practically brand-new, you have received a non-orientation orientation, now you are (not) orienting another victim, and are also in trouble and are being given wrong information by people who are either completely ignorant of the basics or else just devious/underhanded.

I would find a new job ASAP and tender resignation notice as soon as the new job is secured. The bottom line is that we have some role in teaching others how to treat us, meaning what we tolerate is what we will get. Leave or fully expect more of the same.

[kp2016]

Student nurses practise under the license of the licensed nurse they are working with. Licensed nurses are always practising under their own license and are personally responsible for the care they give. You are fine, unless you signed her medication sheet (which you should never do unless the other person is a student) this is 100% the other RN's mistake.

Many people who don't actually orientate new staff mistakenly think that because there is two of you, you should be able to easily manage your usual work load or higher. They completely fail to recognize that explaining every step / every rational and answering endless questions actually takes a lot of time.

I would guess your employers are actually annoyed that the new person's mistake makes it obvious that they still need supervision and management can't move onto assigning the two of you a full workload each with you effectively managing/ directing the workload of two RNs.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

You need to get out of there.

[JKL33]

Quote

Many people who don't actually orientate new staff mistakenly think that because there is two of you, you should be able to easily manage your usual work load or higher.

Ah-this is no mistaken understanding. It is flat-out "We do not care about orientation. You have a license and can work as a nurse. But in order to prevent you from walking right back out the door we'll let you work alongside someone for a couple of days."

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Were you properly oriented to being a supervisor? Can someone in the agency demonstrate that you were signed off on that?

The Six (or however many) Rights of Medication is the individual nurse's responsibility. As in - you got that in nursing school. We shouldn't have to supervise your administering medication after you passed your nursing boards unless there's a reason to do so.

Best of luck.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

6 hours ago, kp2016 said:

Student nurses practise under the license of the licensed nurse they are working with.

This is not accurate. The only person who practices under your nursing license, is you.

Even if you have a student, you are expected to provide/oversee the care for the patient and are responsible for that care. But only you are working under your license.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

6 hours ago, kp2016 said:

Student nurses practise under the license of the licensed nurse they are working with. Licensed nurses are always practising under their own license and are personally responsible for the care they give. You are fine, unless you signed her medication sheet (which you should never do unless the other person is a student) this is 100% the other RN's mistake

This is a misconception. Student nurses do NOT practice under the license of a nurse. They learn under an exception to the licensure requirement.

“Nursing Practice Acts include statutory language that specifies what are called exemptions or exceptions to the requirement for a nursing license. Typically, practicing nursing as a student who is enrolled in an approved nursing program is one of the exempted (or excepted) practices. The nursing student is accountable for his or her nursing actions and behaviors to patients, the instructor, the facility and the nursing program.”

https://nursing.iowa.gov/faq/do-nursing-students-practice-under-their-clinical-instructors-nursing-license

OP, this is not a place I would want to work. There is no excuse for someone as new as you to be “orienting” someone newer. Huge red flag that should be heeded

[Olga]

Thank you all for your replies. I did put in my 2 week notice even before this happened. I have couple of days left. I just don't want this to follow me somehow.

7 hours ago, ruby_jane said:

Were you properly oriented to being a supervisor? Can someone in the agency demonstrate that you were signed off on that?

No, when they asked me to sign paper that says I failed to supervise, this was my response.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

• Good for you Olga, wishing you the best in your next position.

[stockmanjr, BSN]

Common LTC situation. I recently had a recruiter try to sell me hard on LTC but was "Honest" with me that I would only get two weeks or orientation then I would be supervising LPNs and CNAs. She claimed of course as a flat out lie that they do all the work. I passed on that opportunity. Sounded like a dumpster fire that I didn't want anything to do with.