Should I go back tomorrow morning or not??!

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Specializes in geriatrics, adult, medsurg, postop.

Any advice at all would be helpful!

My situation: I started a LTC prn position as RN this week. I have never worked in a nursing home as a nurse before, and I told the hiring manager this. She said I'd get as much orientation as I needed. (I didn't expect much more than a week.) I do have prior hospital experience.

Well, on my second day, when I was just supposed to be doing my first med pass, (I don't know any of the residents,none of the employees, how to use the phone, where anything is, including charts, resources, etc.) they had a call off and instead of the nurse manager working one of the wings, like she was supposed to, she did chart review somewhere in the facility while my preceptor was taken to another unit and I was left to fend for myself. Needless to say, I was trying to do the best I could, but I did make a lot of mistakes based on not knowing where things were and also not knowing policy, etc. Even the d.o.n. came up to say she was sorry, but since no one offered to help me, I don't see why she bothered.

Anyway, I get the impression that the staff here is overworked and not supported well by management. I told them I may not be back, and they said that they would understand if that was the case. Since they hired me on the spot, I assume they're pretty desperate for help.

I am supposed to go tomorrow morning for another orientation day but truthfully, I'm angry and worried about losing my license at this kind of place. Am I over reacting? Or should I follow my gut?

Sorry this is so long, but I started this prn job to try and find an area in nursing to call "home", and I don't think this is it!

Please reply back asap, anyone with advice!!!

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So sorry to have to break this news to you ,but this is your welcome to the world of LTC. You can go just about anywhere in LTC and find the same exact scenario. Sad isnt it?:o

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Specializes in geriatrics, adult, medsurg, postop.

Well, thanks for responding to my question, ingelein. I kind of had that same thought, but I was hoping I was wrong. I know it's my choice whether I stay or go, but I'm really leaning towards just not going back.

I don't wanna be a quitter though, and I'm embarassed.

But thanks again... I just want some advice from those of you out there who have been there.

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Specializes in cardiology-now CTICU.

no way, no how, nuh-uh. if that's how the second day of your orientation went, how do you think the rest of it will go? if they were that deaf to your pleas for help as a brand new employee, i doubt they will suddenly grow a conscience. i would not do it if i were you. or me. or anyone. just say no.

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not going back would be understandable

but the items that you've listed can be solved: you can get to know the residents by name in a few days, you can get to know the staff as well,

you can learn how to use the phone, you can do a search to find where things are, etc

If this is a job that you would still consider, why not arrange to spend a couple of days making your own orientation (if they won't pay you for the days) - that way you don't get caught up feeling responsible for doing the "job" - you spend YOUR time getting the part of the orientation that you should have.

It would be great if they would pay you for orientation days, but I had also been hired (in the past) for casual relief employment and was told that my orientation would be on my own time (unpaid).

Just an idea.

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They did not live up to what they promised you.

You do not owe them anything.

It would be acceptable to not go back.

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I'm not a nurse, just in pre nursing but when I graduated Massage school some years ago I went to work in a place that was pretty much as you describe. My solution was I called some of the people I went to school with and got them hired on.

Fixing a place with a crummy enviroment from lack of staffing has to start with someone.

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I know it all seems so bad, orientation didn't work out as it was planned, not one person assisted you in this situation. However, you are a nurse, and you went into nursing because we honor caring for the whole patient. How do you think the old people that have no choice, feel. You know you are a gift to them. Think of them first, do all the right things even if it takes you into overtime. Although, I think tomorrow is going to be a better day. It is really hard to make a judgement of a place with one day. I say give it one more chance.

Remember why you went into the nursing home in the first place, and think of ways that once you get your job down, how much fun you will have knowing the new personalities that are living there and how you can improve their environment.

I loved the nursing homes, even when we were really short staffed, and that was a multitude of times and half. You just go into teamwork mode, and do the best you can, it is amazing how it will all workout. I say stay...as time goes on you will be a HUGE BLESSING TO THAT PLACE! You'll be glad that you did.

No bad mouthing the place, positive thinking, and positive intentions, will bring everything you need and want.

Best Wishes! You can do this...

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Specializes in geriatrics, adult, medsurg, postop.

thanks all of you for your support and opinions. they are all valuable and welcome. I'm so glad nurses and other people like you all are out there when times are tough!

Bless this site!

-Nicole (luckyduck)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

Please update us. I was just now reading your post. I am so sorry you had to go though this. Do you think they would let you "shadow" a nurse for a day, even if it was on one of your off days? That would be an excellent way to learn the routines and where things are located. It sounds like the patients are probably suffering the most from their lack of staffing. I dont understand why places run like that, its a shame. Here at the LTC, the patients lack care in such dramatic ways. My great-aunt, who is 100 years old, is left in her urine and not bathed half the time. My family has to go there about every other day to pitch a fit to get things done. And its because they are so short staffed. Please let us know what you decide and how it went.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
I know it all seems so bad, orientation didn't work out as it was planned, not one person assisted you in this situation. However, you are a nurse, and you went into nursing because we honor caring for the whole patient. How do you think the old people that have no choice, feel. You know you are a gift to them. Think of them first, do all the right things even if it takes you into overtime. Although, I think tomorrow is going to be a better day. It is really hard to make a judgement of a place with one day. I say give it one more chance.

Remember why you went into the nursing home in the first place, and think of ways that once you get your job down, how much fun you will have knowing the new personalities that are living there and how you can improve their environment.

I loved the nursing homes, even when we were really short staffed, and that was a multitude of times and half. You just go into teamwork mode, and do the best you can, it is amazing how it will all workout. I say stay...as time goes on you will be a HUGE BLESSING TO THAT PLACE! You'll be glad that you did.

No bad mouthing the place, positive thinking, and positive intentions, will bring everything you need and want.

Best Wishes! You can do this...

Posessing a nursing license does not mean one has to become a martyr or stay in a situation that is dangerous and could compropmise one's license. Are you actually a nurse? It doesn't say so in your profile.

If the OP makes a serious mistake due to lack of orientation, you can bet that won't matter to TPTB or the BON.

Folow your gut, OP If your gut is telling you to get out, then get out. Any facility that leaves a new employee to fend for herself after just one day does not operate in an ethical manner. I can almost gurantee you that if you stay, you'll be back and posting about dangerous/unethical pt. care situations. Don't complromise the license you worked so hard to get.

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What happened and where are you working now?

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