[DreamyEyes]

I also posted this in the LPN forum. Any replies or advice would be appreciated!!

I am currently a CNA working at an assisted living facility. I plan on starting LPN school next fall, and I'm very interested in working in an outpatient setting/office, especially in pediatrics. I have no desire to work in a hospital (although I've heard LPN jobs in hospitals are limited, anyway) and while I have enjoyed working with the elderly so far, I do not think I would want to work as a nurse in LTC-I guess because I've heard too many horror stories.

What I'm wondering is, if you work at an outpatient setting, do you enjoy it? What are the pros/cons? And is it hard to get these kinds of jobs right after passing the NCLEX-PN? Thanks!!

[blueberrybon]

Well, I see I'm a little late on answering this in any semblence of a decent time frame. But this is the first I've seen of it.

Well, fresh out of LPN school, I got a job at a pediatric Drs office. It was mostly MA work, but I liked the fact that the dr was willing to teach or voice her ideas about things more as a collegue than my boss.

The main thing I did not like about peds is that the majority of the job was giving scared children injections. Many of the scheduled injections were 4 shots at one time, so I had to hold the child down and give 1, 2, 3, 4 as fast and efficiently as I could. All the while getting the intense stare down from the parent who obviously hated it as much as the child. I have a whole new appreciation for the MA or nurse in this particular position.

Of course the rapport you build with families is wonderful and that is what I would consider the best part of the job. But the injections got to me and I was only able to deal with it for nine months before I decided it wasn't my cup of tea.

Now I'm in LTC and realize that may not be the right cup of tea for me either. Maybe I'm not a tea drinker at all... bite my tongue.

I'll just switch to cocoa... what type of nursing would that be?

Good luck to you, let us know what happens!

Blue

[mlvnurse03]

I don't know if you are still interested but I love working in a Family Practice Office. We see all ages of patients. Young and old. We have awesome hours(8-5) and off weekends and holidays. Also there are many other perks- such as free lunches,sample meds, and free medical advise. Sometimes the pay isn't as great as hospitals. But it's worth it to me to be at home every night with my kids.

[iowasuzanne]

I am a LPN and I work for the county hospital here in Des Moines, Iowa. We have a Residency Program and I work in the family practice clinic. We take care of all ages too. The best thing for me is I learn something new each day. That is my # 1 perk, learning. They will teach anyone if you show interest. The pay is good and the hours are great. 8-4:30 m-f.
Hope that helps.( i have been a nurse since 1985 and worked a lot of places, doing a lot of things and have been at this hospital for 11 years now).
Suzanne