Unsafe Nursing

Published

Specializes in Informatics; Labor & Delivery; Med-Surg.

I am a new grad LPN. I just started my 1st nursing job at a new facility on Tuesday. Tuesday was an all day orientation in the classroom. Wednesday, I had 3 hours in the classroom watching videos and then the remaining 4 hours I was suppose to be following a LPN. The nurse I followed showed me a couple things, but she pretty much just checked the meds off and had me to give them to the residents. The DON had me scheduled to orient 2 night shift days on the floor. Then on my own after that. I just dont feel comfortable. I am a new grad with no nursing experience and she wants me to orient 2 nights and set me loose.

I left her a message telling her that I am not comfortable and that I dont feel it is safe. I have actually left 2 messages within the last 6 hours. I am scheduled to orient one Saturday and then on my own on Sunday. I feel comfortable with going in and orienting on Saturday. But if I dont hear anything back from her by end of the day, I will call out on Sunday and resign on Monday. Do you feel that is too harsh. I feel that im being thrown to the wolves. I know that nursing is a field in which you must be able to adapt to situations quickly and hit the ground running. But I dont feel this is safe.

Does anyone has any suggestions or comments, I would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerly,

New frustrated LPN :banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

Is this a LTF ? Were you aware of the length of orientation upon hire?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The hospital I work for requires a minimum four week orientation for all new nursing hirees (LPN/RN, new grads or experienced), and if the orientee or preceptor think additional time is needed, the orientation will be extended up to an additional 8 weeks.

You got, what, four days total?

I'd look for another job, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I travel and I get 3 whole orientation days on the floor plus I have 16 years experience. After 3 days I still have questions.

Find another job and don't look back. This sounds scary. Next interview, ask about the orientation period and make sure it is written into the contract you sign.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I hate to go against the majority of responders but I don't like the idea of walking away from a position.

Have you not been able to reach the woman by telephone? If so, document this in an email - as a matter of fact, document as much as you can by sending an email to her with everything mapped out. Make copies so you have something to fall back on if she decides to make a deal out of it with the nursing board.

Protect your license (at all costs) even if it means you have to have an attorney write her a letter (should cost about $300 - BUT - it puts you in the clear).

You want to show that you tried everything possible to do the right thing. Good luck and keep us posted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quit. They're unsafe. That's not enough orientation. It's your licence on the line. There is a nursing shortage. Vote with your feet!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

This seems to be fairly typical in the LTC facilities I have worked in. In the facility I work in now I got 1.5 days of orientation after the classroom/paperwork but then I have 14 years of experience under my belt. As a new grad it's totally within your right to ask for more orientation. I would do as you're doing and ask for me, but if they can't accomodate that it's time to move forward to something else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Informatics; Labor & Delivery; Med-Surg.
Is this a LTF ? Were you aware of the length of orientation upon hire?

Yes, it is a LTF. But it's not easy at all. The responsibility that is on a nurse is a lot. Anything that goes wrong would fall on me because I would be the only nurse covering the unit at night.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Informatics; Labor & Delivery; Med-Surg.
The hospital I work for requires a minimum four week orientation for all new nursing hirees (LPN/RN, new grads or experienced), and if the orientee or preceptor think additional time is needed, the orientation will be extended up to an additional 8 weeks.

You got, what, four days total?

I'd look for another job, too.

I was thinking the same thing as well. I guess after I left the 2nd message stating that I dont feel its safe nursing, she called back and said that she would cover the unit with agency and I can let her know when Im ready to be by myself. But to be placed in that position, makes me question whether they really care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Informatics; Labor & Delivery; Med-Surg.

Thanks for all of the responses I received. On top of no real orientation, she wanted me to work 5 shifts a week. I thought, and thats what I get for assuming, that it was 8hr shifts. She wants me to work two 8hr shifts and three 12hr shifts a week. I also left my concerns with that in the voicemail.

She said she was willing to work with me. That I can orient until I feel im ready and that I can tell her what shifts I can work.

But I also have another job lined up. Ive learned from this experience. I ask questions and tell them what I expect now. Ive always been the type person that just takes what ever is dealt to me and deal. But I realized that if I dont speak up for myself, I can lose what it took me so long to get, very quickly, by being ignorant.

Thank you to everyone for voicing your opinions and helping me out.

Thanks,

Shawn

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

If you are not comfortable, you are not comfortable.

Period.

3 days and be told to "Go forth, may God be with you", not good.

Your license and future are in your hands. Protect them.

Another poster mentions 3 days orientation and then "Poof!". Yep, that is true for experienced travelers. New grads with zero experience - just say no.

I say don't call out and resign. Bad form. Explain your position and then part on up-front terms if you cannot resolve the situation. Just makes for good juju in the future.

Good Luck.

Practice SAFE!

;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
Yes, it is a LTF. But it's not easy at all. The responsibility that is on a nurse is a lot. Anything that goes wrong would fall on me because I would be the only nurse covering the unit at night.

I am only asking b/c I don't know what the usual orientation in a LTF for a new grad would be and/or if you had a orientation commitment in writing, I know for the hospital its 12 plus weeks, regardless, 4 days is b*ll$hit, I am sure the work is not easy, I personally wouldn't care for 30 pts myself,even if I luv the old people, and these days they are much more complex then when I started out.

I'd hit the road, you don't owe them anything, sounds very unsafe.:nono: Just pretend it never happened, you don't need to explain it to future employees or put it on your resume, you don't owe them 2 hours nevermind 2 weeks, get a fresh start, good luck!!:heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion