Hi everyone! Today was my first day working as an RN. I finally landed a job in a nursing home and I'm so happy with anything at this point. I'll be honest, I dont like the facility.It has an extremely strong odor, unlike anything I've ever experienced before. All the windows are closed shut and you can smell bleach and other chemicals as the janitor is going by. I got a bad headache at work. Everything in this place is old fashioned. Charting is paper only and all the RN's are over 50 yrs old. The pulse oximetry that I had to do on some of the residents is inaccurate. It showed me that the pulse ox's were in the 80's. When I was hired, my boss came up to me the next day and asked, "So when are you taking the NCLEX?" She asked me this after hiring me and after I showed her my license. I had RN's call me on my Emergency contact number and ask me to work without me having orientation yet
The place is also dirty. Even the nurses station is messy- there is old equipment everywhere, dust bunnies and 10 yr old candy. I'm not sure how long Im going to work here, but should I get insurance?
I currenlty don't have CPR or insurance or a drug book when Im giving these meds.
It sounds like you're setting yourself up for a lawsuit. As a healthcare provider, you shouldn't be working without CPR. I suggest you go take a BLS for healthcare providers class asap. If something happens to a resident and you don't do cpr correctly...guess what happens to you. Whether or not you take a cpr class or not, you'll be held to the standards of your license. Also, (please know I'm not trying to be mean), you have no reason to give a drug that you know nothing about. There are too many resources out there that you can utilize. You don't have to carry a huge drug guide...get a pocket one. You have a pda or a smart phone then download an app about medications. You need to know about the meds you're giving...common side effects and adverse reactions. As a nurse you are licensed to pass meds...even if the doc orders it.. the nurse is the last stop between the patient and a med error. Would you give propanalol to an asthmatic? Would you give a patient lipitor who says that the med gives him muscle cramps, etc? Would you give ativan to a lethargic patient? Please use your resources....for your sake and most of all for the patient's sake. They make these resources like drug guides b/c no one can memorize everything. Also get Liability Insurance. Your job won't protect you.
P.S. Look for another job. A facility that hires a RN w/o CPR isn't about patient safety.
I think OP meant that she tested her own 02 sat and it was also in the 80's? and not likely that all the residents she checked would be in the 80's? At least that is how I read it. I agree that it is best to carry your own insurance.
himilayaneyes
493 Posts
It sounds like you're setting yourself up for a lawsuit. As a healthcare provider, you shouldn't be working without CPR. I suggest you go take a BLS for healthcare providers class asap. If something happens to a resident and you don't do cpr correctly...guess what happens to you. Whether or not you take a cpr class or not, you'll be held to the standards of your license. Also, (please know I'm not trying to be mean), you have no reason to give a drug that you know nothing about. There are too many resources out there that you can utilize. You don't have to carry a huge drug guide...get a pocket one. You have a pda or a smart phone then download an app about medications. You need to know about the meds you're giving...common side effects and adverse reactions. As a nurse you are licensed to pass meds...even if the doc orders it.. the nurse is the last stop between the patient and a med error. Would you give propanalol to an asthmatic? Would you give a patient lipitor who says that the med gives him muscle cramps, etc? Would you give ativan to a lethargic patient? Please use your resources....for your sake and most of all for the patient's sake. They make these resources like drug guides b/c no one can memorize everything. Also get Liability Insurance. Your job won't protect you.
P.S. Look for another job. A facility that hires a RN w/o CPR isn't about patient safety.