Spoke with the manager and feeling less confident with care..

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Specializes in LTC.

I started working as a new grad RN at an LTC/SNF facility for about 22 days. It has been about a full week after my orientation, and I believe that I am progressing. But after talking with my DON today, I felt less confident and disappointed with my progression.

The DON came by today to talk about the reason why I have been clocking out later than expected. "What's going on?", "What are you doing wrong?", "What is it that you need help with?". The work day is 8 hours long, but on average, even the more experienced nurses clock out 1-2 hours after 8 hours. For me, I have been clocking out around that time also.

I understand that working overtime is bad for the financial part of the facility. However, I believe it says a lot knowing that even the more experienced nurses clock out 2 hours later. Maybe its a facility issue that should be worked on?

After the talk I felt so unworthy and useless. I have been working so hard to keep up the pace with this line of work. To my understanding, I was going along just fine. After the talk, I am thinking twice about this line of work and whether or not I am capable of working at that facility. I replied back saying that "I tried my best and was safe as possible". I also mentioned that there was a last minute discharge and some medications that I physically could not find, but was located in the other medication cart. But even then, it seemed as if my DON did not understand the situation today.

Boy it felt good to let all that out...

I plan on talking to my DON and mentioning to her what I typed here. Would this be a good idea? Any recommendations?

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Specializes in MEDICAL/SURGICAL/ONCOLOGY.

Do not feel discouraged Time management is very diffuclt to achieve when you are new to the job. You may want to ask her if she could give you any suggestions to help you with your time management. It depends on how often you are clocking out two hours late. Two hours is a long time; but not for someone that is new to the job. I have been a nurse for 25 yrs and I see that managment is trying to control the dollars. You may want to ask her if she can find a nurse that has good time management and maybe you could talk with that person. This will let your manager know that are not milking the clock. Their are some that do this so unfortunately since you have only been on the job 22 days she may not know your work habits. Remember it take 31 days for people to really learn. I feel that 22 days is not long enough for you to get your time management down. Yes, speak with her but in a manner of concern leaving your feeling out of this. This is about improving your time managment skills. Good luck.:nurse:

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

This is a safe place to vent ... but to tell her I think will not be a good idea. Why would you want to tell her that you told the entire internet world of nurses what a hard nosed, harsh, Draconian person she is?

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Darn, I wrote out a long answer and lost it... Dang! I just wanted to say to you that I started out as a new RN in LTC. I was always late getting off of my shift due to charting and trying to catch up with the massive amounts of paperwork. Every night I was so bummed because I could not get out on time. But, as time went by, I became a little quicker and on that first day that I did get out on time, I was elated! Looking back though, I should not have been so excited that I finished my paperwork. My focus should have been that I was happy that my residents were PROPERLY cared for, which they were even when I got out late. The residents were (still are) my priority, the paperwork would always be there (which is why I was always late). I was slow with treatments and meds. I was in awe with the other nurses who could zip up and down their halls and have everything done, nothing to do but chit chat at the nurses station. Even had one tell me how fast she could get up and down the hall when I tried to get advice on how to become more efficient. I was bummed to say the least. Now I know I would rather ensure my resident's safety than worry about the day's latest gossip at the nurses station. You will finally find your pace and your rhythm. It takes time and 22 days is not enough. You are brand spankin' new! If you are wanting to visit with your DON again, put together an action plan. Instead of saying you get get through because of this and that and stopping, list hings you are doing to correct. As the above poster mentioned, speak to the other nurses, they were all new once too. Take advice with a grain of salt. Remember the residents. Ask your DON for advice when you can't identify a solution. If it is because of new orders at the end of your shift, the next shift should be assisting. Nursing is 24/7. If your shift ends at 10 and you get a new med order at 2150, there is no reason why the next shift cannot assist. We are all here for a common goal, the residents - not ourselves. If you get behind because of circumstances beyond your control, ask for help - it is not a sign of weakness on your part. It is a sign that you are a good nurse caring for your residents and can identify a problem instead of letting it get out of control. Sometimes we just can't get through everything. Don't give up. You will get through it! Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Come one you hardly had any time on orientation and you have a lot of patients to care for I'm sure. It's probably impossible for you to get out on time when your new and even the experienced people have trouble because they are giving you too many patients. She just wants to pressure you to clock out early and work off the clock. That is not legal and could cause you more trouble, but management likes to pressure people even when it is totally unrealistic expectation. Your not doing anything wrong!

Then they wonder why there's always such a turnover in nursing! Good luck to you, hang in there. It's not you, its management trying to intimidate you into working off the clock.

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I feel your frustration! I am a new grad LVN working in a SNF facility. We have a "no overtime" policy without "prior approval"...and the people you have to call for approval never seem to respond. I've asked those nurses who have time to chat at the station how they get it done, what's the trick? The answers scared the crap out of me! I've had nurses tell me to just not give "non-essential" meds to speed up my time, but initial that you did!?!?! Really??? Last time I checked if it is prescribed by the doc then there is a reason. I've spent some time finishing up loose ends off the clock, but I am also starting to push back a bit too. If I really am doing everything I can to get it done, get it done right and provide the best care for my residents possible...then shouldn't I be paid for my time? At the end of a shift I had a resident with a high BS...paged the doctor who didn't call back, passed it on to the next shift...charted all that...and now they want me to ammend my charting to say the doctor called back with no new order. I'm not doing it...the doctor didn't call back on my shift. I can't bring myself to provide false documentation...if I get fired over it then so be it. :nono:

I know I am getting better with my time and getting it all done. Just keep plugging along, but be careful on what you are willing to compromise on. For me I can't compromise my ethics, but I can surrender my nice, neat handwriting just a bit! ;)

Good Luck!!!

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Twenty-two days into the job and you are as slow as the long term workers? I would not be so quick to have these little "soul searching" talks with the DON. Don't give her ammunition. Instead, devote your time and effort to thinking of ways to streamline your work so that each day or two you clock out a little earlier. It takes about one year to get it down and the DON knows that. But keep up the self-deprecating talk and she will have help in finding a reason to get rid of you before your time.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
I feel your frustration! I am a new grad LVN working in a SNF facility. We have a "no overtime" policy without "prior approval"...and the people you have to call for approval never seem to respond. I've asked those nurses who have time to chat at the station how they get it done, what's the trick? The answers scared the crap out of me! I've had nurses tell me to just not give "non-essential" meds to speed up my time, but initial that you did!?!?! Really??? Last time I checked if it is prescribed by the doc then there is a reason. I've spent some time finishing up loose ends off the clock, but I am also starting to push back a bit too. If I really am doing everything I can to get it done, get it done right and provide the best care for my residents possible...then shouldn't I be paid for my time? At the end of a shift I had a resident with a high BS...paged the doctor who didn't call back, passed it on to the next shift...charted all that...and now they want me to amend my charting to say the doctor called back with no new order. I'm not doing it...the doctor didn't call back on my shift. I can't bring myself to provide false documentation...if I get fired over it then so be it. :nono:

I know I am getting better with my time and getting it all done. Just keep plugging along, but be careful on what you are willing to compromise on. For me I can't compromise my ethics, but I can surrender my nice, neat handwriting just a bit! ;)

Good Luck!!!

I just want to say "Bravo!" ... it's really an eye opener when you're asked to do something illegal isn't it ... then something goes wrong and you're hung to dry. Never give in, always stay true to yourself. In LTC and all areas of nursing our integrity is often tested. In the end the truth should win but doesn't always. If we compromise our values then we have failed.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

There is never enough time. Sometimes I would get out on time and sometimes I would not. After a year it was the same thing. Usually it was because there is just so much charting to do and so many people to do it on. Not to mention all the other things that go on throughout the day.

" What are you doing wrong?" What kind of DON would start a sentence like that? It takes time to get time under control.

2 hours past time is a bit much to have to stay unless something major happened, but you won't always be like this.

This is not about poor patient care! Don't forget that part and don't compromise your care for the sake of the clock!

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Specializes in long term care - MDS.

Very, very scary that you were asked to falsify a record. I'm not sure who's request/suggestion that was, but corporate should know. An untrustworthy nurse is not one i'd want on my team. Remember to take out your own because if a company ever gets sued, they sue the nurse responsible. Don't let them say you are "under their insurance umbrella" hogwash! It's very commendable that you are questioning these things and proof that your ARE a good nurse. there will always be that reality shock after school, but it looks like you chose the wrong place to work. Remember, not only are they evaluating you, you must evaluate them. Is this the kind of company, working environment or stress you want everyday? New employers that are worthwhile will build you up, let you know how much you are appreciated, point out your good qualities. sometimes i think it is the culture now. Everything is money money money! Try a non-for-profit facility if that is a possibility. DON'T give up! We need you!! best wishes. sps:heartbeat

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

:uhoh3: Please don't tell the DON you talked about her here! I am the DON in my building and I don't tell the nurses that I post on this site. We all need a place to vent that is relatively anonymous.

Your speed will improve with time. Cut yourself some slack but don't cut corners.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... She just wants to pressure you to clock out...

Not quite.

IMO... she wants you to quit.

Her style in talking to you isn't supportive / encouraging.

Suggest you look for another position. Don't think she's on your side, and she knows you'll never consider her helpful based on her comments to you.

Find a place that appreciates you. And a boss that likes you, and wants to see you succeed. Your current one doesn't.

It's out there. Start searching and be confident it will happen.

Good luck!

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