Stressed Out New LPN!!Will it get better?

SCRN1 · Dec 15, 2006

Hugs!!

I'm sure most, if not all, of us have felt that way once we were in the "real world" of nursing. You do learn a lot in nursing school as a student, but like they say...you relearn it when actually working as a nurse and you learn even more than you learned in school. It takes time and you will probably continue to learn more for as long as you work.

Since you didn't get much of an orientation as a new grad where you're working, would you consider working at a hospital instead? At least for a year or so? Then you could go back to the LTC after you've perfected your skills and feel more competent if that's really where you want to work. In a hospital, you're likely to get a lot more training and be able to orient for a lot longer.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2006

Hugs!!
I'm sure most, if not all, of us have felt that way once we were in the "real world" of nursing. You do learn a lot in nursing school as a student, but like they say...you relearn it when actually working as a nurse and you learn even more than you learned in school. It takes time and you will probably continue to learn more for as long as you work.
Since you didn't get much of an orientation as a new grad where you're working, would you consider working at a hospital instead? At least for a year or so? Then you could go back to the LTC after you've perfected your skills and feel more competent if that's really where you want to work. In a hospital, you're likely to get a lot more training and be able to orient for a lot longer.

Wow, only 6 days!! Have you considered speaking to your ncm or admin that you dont feel comfortable on your own just yet? Request a longer orientation with a preceptor? If they wont accomadate you on this then I'd start looking elsewhere that does provide an adequate orientation. I'm sure you are feeling overwhelmed at the moment. If possible as the previous poster recommended see if you can find a position in a local hospital Most give 6 weeks up to one year of orientation/preceptorships. Six days would make me shake in my shoes as a new grad.

BJLynn · Dec 15, 2006

It will get better, eventually. When I first graduated, I got a job in LTC and I got five days of orientation. Two days on first for paperwork, then three days on the wing they started me on. Then I was on my own. I stayed at that job for about six months. It did get to the point where I was semi-comfortable (I had some great co-workers). The job I'm at now I got a six week orientation before I was thrown out on my own. Boy what a difference in how I feel about my job satisfaction!

Unfortunately in LTC, short orientation is the norm.

licky288 · Dec 16, 2006

Hugs!!
I'm sure most, if not all, of us have felt that way once we were in the "real world" of nursing. You do learn a lot in nursing school as a student, but like they say...you relearn it when actually working as a nurse and you learn even more than you learned in school. It takes time and you will probably continue to learn more for as long as you work.
Since you didn't get much of an orientation as a new grad where you're working, would you consider working at a hospital instead? At least for a year or so? Then you could go back to the LTC after you've perfected your skills and feel more competent if that's really where you want to work. In a hospital, you're likely to get a lot more training and be able to orient for a lot longer.

Thank You for the advise I would love to go to hospital unfortunitity where i live they are not hiring LPN's in the 3 surrounding hospitals i live near they are trying that all RNs only.....I will keep trying for now...Im glad im not the only one to feel that way and since im just starting.....Thank you all again for the info.....