This is too hard!first lvn job don't know if i can handle it

Nurses New Nurse

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I got my LVN a couple of weeks ago and immediatly got a job at what I thought was a nursing home...but the nurses refer to it as a "skilled nursing facility".....and I feel like my job is SOOOO HARD. I don't know if there is something wrong with me or what but I have never had so much stress and anxiety in my entire life....

I have to work a double shift tomorrow and I am scared out of my mind. I will be taking care of 32 patients. Each patient has a G tube and a trach. Everytime I finish one task, I am running like mad to the next task....G tube med pass twice a shift...PO med pass twice a shift...accu checks twice a shift...not to metion heparins (sorry spelling) during the day shift, and g tube dressing changes every shift....and GOD FORBID i get a new admitt...that hasn't happend to me yet. I know that my documentation/nurse notes SUCK I just feel like there is NO TIME....I am constantly distracted with patients that need suctioning...or their feeding runs out and i need to switch out the feeding/tubing or water...or CNA's needing a break or to get supplies out of the med room for which I have the key....also they gave me a huge book to take home and somehow teach myself how to get certified in IV's...

my schedule is double shifts every saturday, double shifts every sunday...this weak I started RN school that is during the week. for now, i am lucky to because wednesday and fridays i have no school or work which gives me time to study and relax. school is really easy for me right now, hope it stays that way....but WORK...omg WORK is sooooo so scary i am afraid that i am inadequate and that maybe this job is too hard for me and i need to find a new one....

does anyone else think that i need to start searching for an easier job? are there easier jobs for lvn's? i like a challenge but this is just freaking me out that every night before a shift i get this knot in the pitt of my stomach.... i'm not lazy, i like to be busy, i really do....i just feel overwhelmed like how can one person do all of this? i'm deathly afriad of making an error....or like i will forget something....or get in trouble!

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Wait , are you saying you have 32 trachs and 32 g-tubes ? By yourself? Seriously? That's just stone-cold crazy!

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sorry let me clarify...i was misleading.....about 90% of my patients have g tubes and 85% have trachs...i do have the help of a resp. therapist but he/she floats to a diff. hallway over half the time the RT is not available because they are helping someone else....

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No, that's o.k., I was just trying to be sure......those numbers to me are just completley TOO MANY patients for one nurse! I once worked a unit with only 25 patients, 10 were g-tubes, 3 trachs, probably 10 IDDM patients, and I ran crazy all the time. I mean there were days when it all went o.k. but .....my gosh! You are being asked to work in an unsafe unit, in my opinion. You absolutely are NOT inadequate, that is just a very unrealistic work load for one person.

I am just so sorry that your first nursing job is so awful. There are other jobs, even in today's job market, where your patient assignment will be much safer and saner.... congratulations on passing your NCLEX exam, and I really hope you can find a job that is better for you. That's just crazy! I don't think I could've returned for even one shift after my first day there. You deserve better...please post again to let us know how it goes for you.

Take care.

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Specializes in Home Care.

There is no way in H E double L that I would work that job as a new LPN.

If I was in your shoes I'd quit now and find something else. I wouldn't be putting my pn license on the line.

There are jobs out there, you have to spend the time searching and you need to be picky.

Find a facility that offers new grad orientation, fewer patient load and lower acuity.

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