Updated: Jan 4 Published Jan 3
nursingcand
81 Posts
I became a licensed LPN in NYC in November. Since then, I have trained a day in a nursing home then left because it was utter chaos there. I felt like I would never be able to keep up with all the tasks. So I switched to doing home care because I didn't want to deal with the under staffing. It didn't end up working out because these agencies do not provide training but even if they did, it would only be 2 days training- which would not be enough for a new grad especially if I'm dealing with someone's airway (trach and ventilators).
So now, I'm stuck in a bad place. The nursing homes are too busy and stressful for me. Nursing home nurses are also too busy and burn out to provide me with decent training. The nursing home I was sent to , only provided me 3 days of training with a very burn out, impatient nurse who hated her job. But then I'm also too inexperienced for home care. A lot of these home care agencies don't want to train me more than 2 days because it would cost them too much money. A lot of parents also don't want me practicing on their precious children. I asked the home care agency if they could put me with less risky patients such as G tube patients without respiratory problems. But they told me that it would be very difficult to find such cases.
Bayada home care has a nurse residency program which sounds perfect for a new grad like me but their pay is worse than awful. I have to save up to move to Illinois to start RN program next year. With their terribly low pay, I won't make enough to save up for tuition.
So at this point, I feel like I don't where to go. I would never have imagined that my job search would be this bad. I've been unemployed for 2 months since I passed the NCLEX. The more time I spend unemployed, the more paychecks I'm losing.
I specifically don't want to work at a clinics pushing papers around on the desk all day because I want to learn the important skills for nursing such as head to toe assessments. But it seems like nobody wants to offer new grads sufficient training.
kbrn2002, ADN, RN
3,930 Posts
You are absolutely right that Home Care isn't the best employment setting for a new nurse. If you think you would like that field look into it again when you have a little experience and feel more confident in your practice.
To get that needed experience start looking for positions in smaller LTC facilities, it would still be crazy but possibly not as chaotic as a larger building. Also, look for positions in assisted living or memory care. I can't say it's going to be an easier or better learning environment than LTC but it should have a slightly slower pace and lower level of resident acuity.
Unfortunately, it seems most LTC facilities provide a very limited orientation but some do have a longer orientation period than a few shifts. A couple of SNF in my area have a 2-week orientation for experienced LTC nurses, 4 weeks for experienced but new to LTC nurses , and 6-8 weeks for new grads so those facilities do exist. They are just few and far between but not impossible to find.
londonflo
2,987 Posts
Quote But it seems like nobody wants to offer new grads sufficient training.
But it seems like nobody wants to offer new grads sufficient training.
You are new to the profession and your knowledge base and practice base is limited. I am so glad you realize this! You want to be able to make important decisions that are life threatening for your patients. Frankly you have a limited education even for being around stable patients. If you wish sufficient training, (which is what you NEED) and want. Go to a sound BSN program. Be prepared it is tough work.....TOUGH
Quote A lot of parents also don't want me practicing on their precious children.
A lot of parents also don't want me practicing on their precious children.
Isn't this a snide remark? every child is precious but those who have complicated disorders are more precious. How do you think these precious children reach the age you are seeing them? Mom and Dad staying up all night, watching them through days and nights from the moment they were born? Loving them so much they sacrifice EVERYTHING to ensure the child stays alive. The child that smiles at them with a twinkle in their eye, grabs a cloth with tiny fingers, responds to music, coos when they are cuddled. These are miraculous to a loving parent.
You need to go back to trying to be a CPA.