Training new LPN's/RN's

[lifeisgood2012]

Not sure if this is the right forum or not. Would love some feedback on this. I am a brand new nurse, recently graduated - had a bear of a time finding a job because of my "lack of experience" - when I did get a new job in LTC, I was let go during my orientation period because they found another nurse to take my shift that had more experience and they even told me "We had forgotten the time it took to orient a new nurse" in so many words. I had made a med error yet it was an error that may have been "common sense" to a seasoned nurse and not to a new grad - to the point that I have talked to half a dozen nurses about it, seasoned and not seasoned, and all but 2 have made this same error and at MOST been written up - otherwise no action was taken.

With that said - where are new nurses supposed to get training? Eager new nurses, who want to learn the ropes, who are doing this because their faith led them here, where do we get our training? If LTC isn't going to do it who is? I know some of my new RN friends have preceptors in the hospital setting - but getting a job in a hospital setting as an LPN is like winning the lottery - its highly unlikely. I still apply to hospitals when they have LPN openings - but I have only had interviews in LTC.

I really want to be a nurse. With every fiber of my being. I want to learn how to do it right -- I want to be the kind of nurse my faith has led me to be. And I do not know where to get training at. I wanted to stay at my last job for as long as possible - I learned so much in 2 months - but I am so gun shy now to go through orientation anywhere because I am afraid I am going to get terminated because they find someone with more experience than me.

I know we all started out as new nurses. Please provide me with some direction. I have even considered going to RN school so I could get a job in a hospital - but to go to the LPN RN bridge program I have to have a job as an LPN - and to do it without that bridge I need to get my Med Aide/CNA license and have 90 days experience - so in the interium of that please tell me what to do - tell me how to get experience. I can only read so much, study so much - hands on is what helped me the most. Is there a secret password to some secret society where I can go and get this magical training for 1 year? I will ask questions, I will be there on time or earlier, I will study my procedures every day and night,, I will jump in and do it myself and have you explain to me how I am doing it wrong so I can learn - please give me a chance. Thanks for your time.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately you have entered the job market as a nurse, when there is a surplus of nurses applying for the same job. Why hire someone who doesn't know anything, when you can hire someone who does?

I wish you the best, but it's going to be tough beating out the candidate with experience.

Most new grads work at a job for a year and then move on. Employers know that and hire accordingly.

[lifeisgood2012]

Well, all I know to do is to keep persisting. Everyone at one time or another

was a new nurse. When I become a seasoned nurse (which I will) I will never forget this

journey and hopefully I will be in the position to help brand new nurses who are eager

to learn and jump in with both feet with this career. :)

When I get another job in nursing (which I will in short order - I can feel it! :) ) I am not

going to move from that job for a long while. When I find a group that is patient enough

and willing enough to take the time to train me to be the nurse my faith wants me to be

(which I will in short order - I can feel it! :) ) I am not going to do them (or myself) the disservice

of leaving after I get a year experience in. That's not how I am.

Thanks for wishing me the best - I appreciate it. :)

I will just need to shine brighter and have a better attitude than the seasoned nurses I am up

against. I am up for the challenge. I didn't work this hard to get here to be overlooked. :)