So frustrated with new LVN training!

Published Feb 26, 2009

800 Posts

Specializes in Dialysis.

Have been a PCT for over 3 years. Just got my LVN license and am now in "training." So far my training consists of stuff I already know. I know it is good to review how things are done, but I am basically in "new teammate" classes, for ppl new to the company. I am sitting through 40-hour weeks (2 of them) of new-hire classes: what is dialysis? What is the history of dialysis? Who is our company "mayor?" what does he do? What do the kidneys do? Really basic stuff. I must endure it because I am considered a newly licensed teammate. Psssh.

In a perfect world, my clinic would have enough ppl in staffing to cover the floor so I can sit in the conference room and trudge through my 30+ hours of computer classes, workbooks, and P & P review. But reality is the opposite. I have to try and do bits and pieces of my "learning" while on the floor, taking care of my 4 patients. Today, I had to leave the floor for 4 hours to sit in on a web conference. I caught some passive aggressive comments from my teammates because hey had to "take over" my patients. Well, I am just so sorry! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your situation. I much rather would have been on the floor, learning how to access CVC's and calculate meds and put orders in the computer. Instead, I sat in on a program that teaches nurses, new to the company, how to use our computer system. The computer system I have been using for over 3 years. yawn.

Sorry, I just feel like I am being shafted on my training, so far. I know the company, I know the ins and outs. What I DON'T know is how to access catheters, how to draw up meds and push them, how to do dressing changes, how to do assessments. When am I going to have time to do this? I have pts every day! Monday, I was rushing to get my patients on so I could rush to get my computer stuff done. "Hey, come watch me put on this CVC. watch what I do..." I don't have time! You gave me 4 patients!

We just don't have enough staff to cover the floor. And I actually get to hear it from my boss, too! "Our productivity was shot last week because we had to bring someone else in to cover while you were in your classes." This is my fault? It's comments like that that really aggravate me.

I feel like I deserve the same training time as anyone else would. Just me and my preceptor, going along and putting on catheters, then taking them off. Doing a full day of assessments, nothing else. But this seems highly unlikely, downright not gonna happen.

Thanks for listening. Pray it gets better!