1st nursing job, what to do?

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Specializes in LTC, home health, FQHC clinic.

Okay so im 19, i became an LPN at 18 and I am enrolled full time in an LPN-BSN program at a local university. I got hired at a nursing home locally and will start monday april 16th. I am so nervous! It has been almost a year since i graduated and i am afraid that i may have forgotten everything! What things should i take to work? What should i be on the look out for? Im a little worried because i know the nurse who is orienting me was a senior my junior year in LPN school and she just barely passed. They are only orienting me 5 days then im off on my own. Any advice would be awesome. Especially any advice on boosting my confidence! I was up at the top of my class, but book smarts and hands on are so differant! Help Me Please! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in ER, tele, vascular.

Review material from school, make sure you know your "normal values" BP, HR, RR, labs if applicable. Get up early or the night before get your stuff together and put it by the door (stethescope, drug book, pens, keys, lunch, scissors, whatever you used in clinicals). Get a good nights sleep and don't worry about your preceptor barely passing. There are many book smart nurses that have no common sense or skills when interacting with pts. Say a prayer and think about the positive impact you are going to have on someones' life because you are going to provide care for them that they are unable to do for themselves.

Go in with a positive attitude and self confidence ( you made it thru and LPN program right?).

Those are my words of wisdom, hope they help.

God bless,

Craig

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Hey, I'm a 19 year old male LPN. Glad to hear there is another teen-age LPN out there! Good luck with your new job, I just got my first job on a med-surg hall and I start next week as well. Just remember that you have prepared yourself well and that you will succeed, and a prayer helps too! Good luck, Justin.

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Specializes in ED, Rehab, LTC.

19 year old LPNs? Wow, you must have had a program in your high school or there was no waiting list at LPN school! There is one high school in my state that trains LPNs, I wish I would have known about it sooner.

I just started my first job in LTC about a week ago, so I can't give any advice... Good luck!

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