[Rockstar]

I've read a lot of negative about the nursing field in this forum and for a while it had me rethinking my choice of career, but I followed my heart and I am in love with my job. I'll be starting an LPN program in January, but I was just hired for a job to take care of severe MRDD residents in a home. I LOVE IT!!! I was nervous because 99% of the people have physical deformities and I felt bad staring, but after the first few hours past I fell in love with them. Despite popular belief, they have a LOT of personality. All in the first day I changed their diapers, tried to help them reach their set goals, fed them, showered them, talked to them, watched American Idol with them, and sang one of them to sleep.

My job is the BEST home ever for non ambulatory MRDD infants, children, and adults. We treat them like they are our own family. They have special wheelchairs, great beds, rooms that look need and clean (i wouldn't mind living in it!!!), a huge supply of toys, a heated swimming pool, a playground with swings for the wheelchairs. We have lots of staff who help them work on goals that help them learn how to do things such as learn to communicate better, learn to feed, bathe, dress, brush their teeth, etc. We send the adults off to work and they get paid to do these skills. We give them as normal of a life as possible and they do a GREAT JOB. There are only 48 residents that range from ages 8 months to 47 years old, but the place looks like an expensive hotels and the staff treat them like family. My co worker kisses them goodnight and tucks them in. I love the nursing profession. It's perfect for me.

[jesssko]

Wow! What a wonderful facility. Your job sounds so rewarding. Will you be able to work there as an LPN or RN? I would work forever in a place like that.

Jessica

[jillyk*rn]

KUDOS TO YOU!!! YEAH!!!

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I've read a lot of negative about the nursing field in this forum and for a while it had me rethinking my choice of career, but I followed my heart and I am in love with my job. I'll be starting an LPN program in January, but I was just hired for a job to take care of severe MRDD residents in a home. I LOVE IT!!! I was nervous because 99% of the people have physical deformities and I felt bad staring, but after the first few hours past I fell in love with them. Despite popular belief, they have a LOT of personality. All in the first day I changed their diapers, tried to help them reach their set goals, fed them, showered them, talked to them, watched American Idol with them, and sang one of them to sleep.

My job is the BEST home ever for non ambulatory MRDD infants, children, and adults. We treat them like they are our own family. They have special wheelchairs, great beds, rooms that look need and clean (i wouldn't mind living in it!!!), a huge supply of toys, a heated swimming pool, a playground with swings for the wheelchairs. We have lots of staff who help them work on goals that help them learn how to do things such as learn to communicate better, learn to feed, bathe, dress, brush their teeth, etc. We send the adults off to work and they get paid to do these skills. We give them as normal of a life as possible and they do a GREAT JOB. There are only 48 residents that range from ages 8 months to 47 years old, but the place looks like an expensive hotels and the staff treat them like family. My co worker kisses them goodnight and tucks them in. I love the nursing profession. It's perfect for me.

I work in a prison and I have some coworkers that kiss the inmates goodnight Seriously, that is awesome that you love your job. Not many people can say that. Hang on to that job!

[DR2004RN]

Good for you that you love your job!!! I too work on a contingent basis at group home for adults with MR/DD. I work as a residential assistant though because the nursing staff does not do any direct care and that is the part that I enjoy the best, the direct care. I work as an RN in a hospital making good money, but I wanted to remain with the group home because of how much I LOVE MY RESIDENTS!!! I know the feeling you describe, we too try to make their lives as "normal" as possible. We go to movies, dances, shopping, camping and just about anything else you can think of. Our home looks like a home, and we too are affectionate with our residents. I am so happy for you that you are so excited about this job. It sounds like you will give your residents awesome care. They will be lucky to have someone like you who is so happy to be there taking care of them. Good luck to you, keep us posted.

[Rockstar]

thanks everybody. i think i will be able to start as an LPN once I graduate next year. It's a great job. I could be in a bad mood, but once i get to work they cheer me up. I've bonded with many of them. There is this woman who is self abusive. She's always biting and punching herself. I've figured out to make her stop. Nobody else knows how to make her stop. There is another girl who can't smile. Well.. that's what they told me, but I can get her to smile. There is this other boy who does these crazy belly laughs whenever i play with him. The nursing field is great. It takes a certain type of person to be able to do the things we do.

[VivaLasViejas]

Congratulations to you! It's always nice to hear about people who find wonderful nursing positions---they ARE out there, we have only to look for them and not settle for less.

Your job sounds like the perfect position for you, and that's only good news for all concerned---especially your residents!

I can so relate to your feelings........after nine years as an RN, I've finally found the right job for me as well (I'm the health services coordinator for a 42-apartment assisted living community). I'll spare you the details of my last few jobs; suffice it to say that I truly appreciate what I have now because of my past experiences.

[Schmoo1022]

Awesome!! I love hearing things like that!!

[NickiLaughs]

Yeah, I like working with DD too. What sucks with my company though is that they also own an ALF and send me there most of the time. I keep asking them to put me FT at the DD Group Home...no luck yet, and I've been asking for 3 months.

[mysticalwaters1]

That is nice to hear! I'm in the process of searching for the right job for me. Sometimes I take a break from this board b/c of negativity. Not being nasty it's a hard job and I've vented here too but I got to a point it's depressing so it's nice to hear something good!