Scared to be an LPN.....

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OK here's the dillemma: I graduated in june 2004 from nursing school. Our ATT for the NCLEX did not arrive until august. tested 2 weeks later and failed. Waited 45 days(paid $275 lol), and passed finally in November. :)

I looked high and low for a job. Agencies won't hire inexperienced grads, newspapers had little or no ads, and even went to many job websites. So, I said to myself that it was prob cause of Christmas, and that many other employees want extra hours.

January 3 I hit the pavement once again.....sometimes going to 8 or 9 places a day. Even traveled 45 mins.-2 hour drive times (to apply at facilities, hospitals, ect....) and still, nothing. :crying2:

Finally! I got a position at a LTC facility near my house(5 mins). I start my paperwork and physical next week, however, I won't start working till the following Monday.

The reason I am scared to be a nurse is: I have been out of school and NCLEX free for several months now, and I feel like I have forgotten everything I learned in nursing school. I feel dumb, like when I hear other LPN's talking about certain meds, I just give a blank stare b/c I don't know what they're talking about. :stone

Did anyone else feel like this? I am REALLY excited to finally be working(and my gas company will be too!), but I'm scared I'm gonna screw up BIG time. :uhoh21: Any insight will be helpful!!!

Thanks(and sorry so long)

Debbie :rolleyes:

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First off, I believe everyone(!) is scared-to-death fresh out of school/ taking their first job, so don't be so hard on yourself!:) I'm sure you will be trained for a while--and Meds is what you primarily do as an LPN in LTC. I got myself a great drug book: Springhouse Nurses Guide 2005 (Lippicott; $36)

It will all come back to you and you will be ok--just never stop learning! get your books back out, and read up on stuff you "misplaced" somewhere in your brain...

All that stuff is still there :yeah: Congrats on your job!!!

you ARE the :nurse: ! :balloons:

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

:sofahider Hi, I am scared also and I graduated in December! I start my first job as an LPN next week in LTC. The only advice I could give would be review material from school and go over your med and pharm book. Good luck, you can do it! :yelclap:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.

I'm sure you both will do well. Most LPN jobs these days are in LTC. I did LTC for about 6 years. Review you hypertensives, know digoxin and coumadin. A lot of the LTC's nowadays have CMT's who do your meds and you just give narcotics. That leaves time for assessments, and treatments. Also go over your stages of decub's and best treatment for each stage. Your biggest problem, or atleast mine was the repoir you have with your CNA's. You don't want to be a push over, but you need to make sure they get their work done and in a quality fashion, you also want to help them out when asked. I can be in a middle of doing a nurses note, and if someone needs help transferring or lifting I have stopped, and gone to help. Because it will in the long run, make the resident more comfortable, and secondly let the staff know you are not afraid of getting in there and helping out. Then they in turn are more likely to come to you when they see a change in condition. I followed a nurse who would not assist her staff at all. So while I would be waiting for report, her CNA's would come to me and say "______ has had two diarrheas." But they had not told the other nurse, because they felt she was non approachable. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. It can be a lot of fun. :)

Congrats on passing. I'll be sitting for RN boards in December.

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thank you for the replies! i went out this morning and bought the 2005 drug book(lippincott's). i'm feeling more excited than nervous now(i even bought new scrubs and a new stethoscope! :)). at least i'm not the only one who feels like this!!!!

thanks! :balloons:

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Specializes in LTC, sub-acute, urology, gastro.
OK here's the dillemma: I graduated in june 2004 from nursing school. Our ATT for the NCLEX did not arrive until august. tested 2 weeks later and failed. Waited 45 days(paid $275 lol), and passed finally in November. :)

I looked high and low for a job. Agencies won't hire inexperienced grads, newspapers had little or no ads, and even went to many job websites. So, I said to myself that it was prob cause of Christmas, and that many other employees want extra hours.

January 3 I hit the pavement once again.....sometimes going to 8 or 9 places a day. Even traveled 45 mins.-2 hour drive times (to apply at facilities, hospitals, ect....) and still, nothing. :crying2:

Finally! I got a position at a LTC facility near my house(5 mins). I start my paperwork and physical next week, however, I won't start working till the following Monday.

The reason I am scared to be a nurse is: I have been out of school and NCLEX free for several months now, and I feel like I have forgotten everything I learned in nursing school. I feel dumb, like when I hear other LPN's talking about certain meds, I just give a blank stare b/c I don't know what they're talking about. :stone

Did anyone else feel like this? I am REALLY excited to finally be working(and my gas company will be too!), but I'm scared I'm gonna screw up BIG time. :uhoh21: Any insight will be helpful!!!

Thanks(and sorry so long)

Debbie :rolleyes:

Debbie - everyone is nervous when starting their first nursing job, whether you're fresh out of school or as in your situation. Your facility should have you on an orientation period where you "shadow" another experienced staff nurse (hopefully you don't pick up too many bad habits!) so you get to know the routine. In my facility we orientate new nurses (especially new grads) from 2 weeks to 1 month, then the new nurse will do a med pass and treatment pass with a supervisior. Doing notes and other paperwork comes with experience, hopefully you'll luck out and work with a good staff that will take the time to stress to you how important good documentation is. You can take notes on what the diagnosis is for your patients and review your books at home to feel more comfortable and there are quick reference books that are easy to carry to work with you. Remember - do tasks the right way (not the quickest way), your skills will get better only with experience and EVERYONE is a new nurse at one time. Good luck!

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Specializes in M/S, Foot Care, Rehab.

Wow, exciting and scary, you'll do GREAT! I've been an LPN for 1 1/2 years. I can't believe what I've learned in this time and didn't even realize it when it was happening!

Don't worry about your knowledge base. Every job is special in its own way and requires knowing certain things. When you don't know something, a disease or med or treatment, do some reading on it. Usually there's decent reference books at the nurse's desk, or refer to your old school books when you get home.

Be open, and learn from others (good and bad!) And don't spend too much money on scrubs until you work a few shifts and know what kind you need/like, haha. I've spent lots of money on cute scrubs and then realized I needed that third pocket, etc....

Good luck!

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I have been an L.P.N. 35 years LOL.I worked in LTC ,until a few months ago I went to work in a ER.I was scared too.I thought I had gone :uhoh21: crazy but as it turns out I have a lot to offer.The important thing in LTC is like someone said make your staff feel comfortable.Yet do not be a push over,because your CNA's can make you or break you.Also get to know your famlies ,believe me this will make your job a whole lot easier.The drug book was a great ideal,plus I sign up for a pharm. class.every couple of years.Good Luck.LTC can be very rewarding.

Retired but still working LPN

Sondra

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

:w00t: I spoke to my director today, she is having me shadow with another LPN, thankfully, for my orientation. I did not start the thread, but thank all of you for your input. You were in our shoes at one time and you know what it is like. Now that I have my schedule, I am less nervous about it. I think getting to know the residents will be the toughest part. Oh, and maybe my first med pass! :chuckle

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Don't worry the residents will get to know you.The Med pass will be scarey the 1st time but then you will be able to do it in your sleep.Good Luck with this exciting new adventure you are on.

Sondra:p :flowersfo

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