Working as a LPN in a Nursing home!!!

cherokeesummer · Nov 1, 2004

Hmmmm....the med issue is concerning to me - its tough if you are trying to do all the pt. rights, but without identification of any kind. The nursing home we did some clinicals in last term didn't have id bands on but they had patient pictures on the MAR. I wasn't giving meds then so I don't know what other options for ID they had.

I would suggest giving it a week, see if you start to feel better - maybe even a month. If not, you could try to go back to the other job.

I don't work in nursing, I work in HR, but I'm in schoolt o be a nurse. I left a job that I had for three years for a job with less pay but better benefits and the first 4 months I wanted to go back. I almost went back twice but finally decided that I should stay where I was while in nursing school. I finally feel better with my decision but it took awhile to get used to a new job.

Sounds stressful, I will send good thoughts and prayers your way.

3kidsmomma · Nov 1, 2004

Hmmmm....the med issue is concerning to me - its tough if you are trying to do all the pt. rights, but without identification of any kind. The nursing home we did some clinicals in last term didn't have id bands on but they had patient pictures on the MAR. I wasn't giving meds then so I don't know what other options for ID they had.
I would suggest giving it a week, see if you start to feel better - maybe even a month. If not, you could try to go back to the other job.
I don't work in nursing, I work in HR, but I'm in schoolt o be a nurse. I left a job that I had for three years for a job with less pay but better benefits and the first 4 months I wanted to go back. I almost went back twice but finally decided that I should stay where I was while in nursing school. I finally feel better with my decision but it took awhile to get used to a new job.
Sounds stressful, I will send good thoughts and prayers your way.

I know that is just it only some have pictures in the Mar and others don't so I could only do the 6 rights on the ones that had the pictures. I even gave my Meds late "super late" becuase I had to try to figure out what the heck I was doing becuase each section is set up in a team and the rooms are split up in such awkward ways. This is really no organization and that is what is throwing me off!!

Chad_KY_SRNA · Nov 1, 2004

Our facility uses polaroids of the pts. on the dividers in the MAR. It helps a little. Once you know everyone and get a routine then you should be a little happier. I won't promise that it is all going to get wonderful but it will be tolerable. I am still a CNA, I am also working full time on my ADN. It was mean of them to stick you on the floor alone.

purplekath · Nov 1, 2004

It really does take TIME to settle into aged care. The first week or two can be a big shock to the system and can lead you to wonder whether you even want to be a nurse. But then something magic happens - you begin to get to KNOW the patients you nurse. You find your "groove", and you build relationships. Please don't give up until the first few weeks are over :-)

Justmeandmycat · Nov 1, 2004

I in desperate need of help! Last year in Nursing school and this is what happens to me.
I just finished my first year in nursing school and got my LPN license! I thought great I could find a job and work as a LPN. Well I got one job in a hospital which they treated me like a cna and got crumy pay for it. I explained to my boss that I was leaving gave her a 2 week notice and she insisted that I talk to her before I leave! However, since I was so caught up in my med&surg class which was tough I couldn't make an appt with her right away. But when I did she was unable to talk to me, so when I spoke to her over the phone I told her and she told me I hope you find what you are looking for! We'll got a job in a local nursing home in my area and on the first day it was HELL!!! :angryfire. I had about 40 pt's who had at least 10-25 different kind of medicines some had more. I had no help! None of the patients there have ID bands on them nonetheless do they know their name. I goofed and gave the wrong med even though I did the 6 rights 2x's improvising as much as I could. The cna's only do personal care on patients and not vitals so they could really be of no use to me except tell me who was who as far as patients. I was so aggravated and told the ADON that I didn't think I was gonna come back. She told me it will get easier once I get to know the patients, but all I could do was think about my LPN license all day and worry what if I forgot to do this or That. I did the best I could!! I don't want to quit this job and look for another one because it would look terrible if I put that down on my resume. I love being a nurse and I love my patients all types but when I left that job I thought to myself am I really cut out to be one!! Or am I the only one that feels that way!!! Many of the other LPN's I work with and even my ADON said it will get better!! They said I have to pace myself! and I understand that but then I won't be able to give could care. I had at least 25-30 patients and one nurse told me that was the easy side. I was devasted. This job pays more money but is risker. Now I feel like a big jerk that I left my old job and not on good terms with my boss to go make more money and fear each day I go to work that I may loss my license.
I feel trapped and it is consuming me!! Does anyone have any advice!!

Listen to your instincts. It sounds like they are screaming at you. Stay out of the nursing homes because you're right,there is a tremendous risk. If you screw up and medicate the wrong patient for example your LPN license will not only be screwed up, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot on your way to getting your RN. And then you'll have student loans and no way to pay them back. That's the trap no one tells you about. After you get your RN and you feel more confident and experienced then try a LTC. If you're desperate for that warm and fuzzy feel good feeling in the meantime, you can volunteer - I'm sure some old lady would appreciate it. Those are my two cents.