Should New LPN Do Per Diem?

[organicbeauty]

Hi Everyone,

I come on this board alot to read info but this is my first time posting. I am a new LPN Grad and I've had my license for about two months now. I went to school and got my original license in Ohio. I just relocated to Charlotte, NC and have been here a little over a month. I have been applying to jobs everywhere but I am not getting any response back. It seems like all the jobs I see they say you must have experience...but how will I get experience if nobody wants to give a new grad a chance? This is so discouraging...well I also applied to a staffing agency and they called me today about some per diem work. I was debating it because I thought I would need experience to do this type of shift. I was talking to my mom and boyfriend and was thinking I should just take it when they call again. I am just very nervous since I have never worked as a nurse before and my experience is only during clinicals and preceptorship during the last month of school, but nobody else is calling and I have been thinking just review my assesment skills and things like insulins and have a little "cheat sheet" and give this a try? Any suggestions and tips would be greatly appreciated!

[jplpn07]

I went from nursing school right into agency work and being a new nurse it was the best decision that I ever made. The experience that you get is priceless. I worked in 10 different facilities over the 2 yrs that I was with this company. My first day as a nurse was on a subacute unit and the keys were handed to me with a wink and good luck. It took me a while to finish my morning med pass but with the help of the CNAs I got it done. There are many nurses in these facilities that will take you under their wing and assist you with things, and never be afraid to ask if you don't know something. Clinicals and facility work are 2 totally different things. You have to find what works best for you out on that floor and before you know it you'll be a pro.:)

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I went from nursing school right into agency work and being a new nurse it was the best decision that I ever made. The experience that you get is priceless. I worked in 10 different facilities over the 2 yrs that I was with this company. My first day as a nurse was on a subacute unit and the keys were handed to me with a wink and good luck. It took me a while to finish my morning med pass but with the help of the CNAs I got it done. There are many nurses in these facilities that will take you under their wing and assist you with things, and never be afraid to ask if you don't know something. Clinicals and facility work are 2 totally different things. You have to find what works best for you out on that floor and before you know it you'll be a pro.:)

Thats what the nurses who orientated me said. I am starting to feel comfortable with my med pass and getting a little quicker finishing. Its been 4 months and I am still not 100% comfortable with every aspect of my job, but I am getting there. I don't expect to be comfortable. I go and I do the best I can. I try to leave the work worries at work.

When I did my first med pass on my own the CNAs were awesome(and they always are). They helped encourage the residents that didn't want their pills. They let me know who was crushed, pudding, applesauce, ice cream etc.

Back to the OP- Even if you do decide to go agency out of school. It depends on the facility you are placed in. Some nursing homes are terrible and I've had clinical in a few that were bad and some are great places to work. I don't regret starting in the facility I work in now. It is a great place to work.

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

Most LPN's in long term care facilities are in charge nurse positions. so i'm not weary of that at all. besides i was a charge CMT and never had any problems, thank God! we were taught charge nurse skills throughout our LPN program and at the end we had a leadership course that really prepares you for the charge nurse role. so i don't doubt my ability to do the job, but i am a little nervous though. :)

We all have a leadership course regardless of designation, however I don't care if it's a new grad RN or LPN, I still wouldn't consider either one capable of being charge with no experience at all, I'm 2 years in with almost a year in the ER and I would just now start to feel comfortable with my rapid assessment and triage when something went wrong, and in a LTC something WILL eventually go wrong, it's the nature of the beast so to speak. Most LPN's I know that are charge and ADON of LTC facilties have more experience in nursing than I have on this earth and could most likely have run circles around me on the med/surg floor. Charge isn't about initals, it's about experience IMHO.

[Jules A, MSN]

I think much of it depends on the capabilities of the new grad as well as the environment. As politically incorrect as it might be to point out, all new grads are not created equal and if the agency knows the person is a new grad and they are willing to provide a bit more support it can be a good situation. In any event if it was between trying it or not working there is no contest, imo.

[Nurse_Tricia, LPN]

I think much of it depends on the capabilities of the new grad as well as the environment. As politically incorrect as it might be to point out, all new grads are not created equal and if the agency knows the person is a new grad and they are willing to provide a bit more support it can be a good situation. In any event if it was between trying it or not working there is no contest, imo.

Well, being in the business for many yrs. I can almost tell you without a doubt that the facilities that she would have been placed in would not have been informed of her new grad status. And how much support can the agency offer unless they send their DON to the facility to do the training of the new grad for several shifts. And any facility that is buying the services of the agency, being a nurse, is expecting someone to come in and get job done and not be responsible for training. They are normally short staffed as is, being why they are paying high price for temporary help. If an agency placed a new grad in a facility I was in charge of, I could tell you they would loose their contract. Liability, Liability, Liability.

[Jules A, MSN]

Well, being in the business for many yrs. I can almost tell you without a doubt that the facilities that she would have been placed in would not have been informed of her new grad status. And how much support can the agency offer unless they send their DON to the facility to do the training of the new grad for several shifts. And any facility that is buying the services of the agency, being a nurse, is expecting someone to come in and get job done and not be responsible for training. They are normally short staffed as is, being why they are paying high price for temporary help. If an agency placed a new grad in a facility I was in charge of, I could tell you they would loose their contract. Liability, Liability, Liability.

Point well taken but fwiw I started out as a Per Diem nurse, the facility was aware, and while I didn't get the incredible new grad orientation programs I have read about in disbelief, everyone was very helpful and I feel I was able to pull my fair share of the weight very quickly.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I certainly understand both points of view...being a new grad that is afraid as well as knowing that most facilities will just throw you in the wolves.

However, there are other sides as well. There are some facilities that do offer some sort of orientation for agency staff...they are short changed, for sure, but, nonetheless, they may offer a day or two of showing the paperwork. Usually, they did this for people who are agency, but are also ones that they expect to return to the facility because of the contract. IF and I mean IF they do give a few days orientation, then, I would come in for it and on the very first day, let the facility know you are a new grad. If they show some support, then, that is may be a chance worth taking, if not, then, RUN. And, I would certainly ask Maxim what sort of support they give new grads. I worked for them also, doing home care. They were nice to me...I had only been a nurse for three months, and when they offered a home care case, the RN told me everything I can expect, allowed me to independently call the client's mother (this was a pediatric patient), who allowed me to come to the home with their regular nurse there to see how to do the trach care, the emergency equipment, MAR, etc... It did work out.

My personal opinion is that if the facility that is taking you on shows signs of supportiveness, then, consider it, but if not, then, run for the hills. Unfortunately, the only way you'll know is when you get there. Another thing is that I have seen some agency nurses who had no med-surg background come to my hospital...what one did was ask if she can come a few days extra with no pay to become more acclimated to the facility. They did allow that. My hospital did show some level of support by allowing her to come on her own with no pay. Sometimes, we have to become a bit creative to make lemonade out of lemons.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I know you have probably already made your decision but i just wanted to add. i have done agency before and its tough stuff. at our agency as a nurse you got one hour of orientation. I definately would not go on that route as a new grad. Good luck!