[BayouLPN]

Hi everyone. I am LPN in LA. Had my license for about 1.5. Starting working in LTCF because the money is more. Since that time, I have come to love "my people" and love being a nurse. BUT, I am so stressed and can't let go of the job when I leave. I am too close to the res. I, also, have forgotten 99% of the nursing skills I learned in school. I can put a foley in and do peg meds and feedings and wound care. Boy, I am good at wound care. (love it actually). My injections are mostly insulin and ppd's. Very rarely we have IM ABX and a couple of B12 once a month. NO IV's at all. So, after much thought and the presence of 3 pregnant nurses and 1 pregnant ward clerk...I applied with a local hospital for their Birth Center. Mom & Baby nurse with training for 2nd nurse in L&D. This facility, also, has a surgical unit for women and overflow of ambulatory men from the big house (main hosp). I am so Scared that I can't see straight. All of the nurses that I was introduced to were RN's. I am afraid that they will not like having to train an LPN. Esp. for stuff that I am supposed to already know. OH YIKES...I need some words of encouragement.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Hey Bayou,
I can relate. I'm also starting hi-risk antepartum and post partum to segue into L&D in just a couple of weeks. I am a new grad RN tho w/ only as much experience as you claim since my first job out I was on an Onc/Heme/Hospice unit. Death and dying and sad and sick. But I adored my pts and they adored me. I just got hassled by the unit nurses and huge pt load they tossed at me right fr the start.

I think given your many talents, and experience you will be fine!!! What is it you think you won't get? I'm going to have to certify in NRP, FHM, possibly PALS/ACLS, and EKG along the way as well. That's what has me nervous.

So what exactly is it you think you have to learn that you don't already know? Nursing skills lost? Sounds to me like you've had them all along (ref: what Glenda said to Dorothy in Wiz of Oz)


Hugs!
Chloe
RN-BSN, BA

[BayouLPN]

Thanks so much for the Pepper-Upper. Had my first day today. I really enjoyed it. And everyone was so nice. They went out of their way to make me feel welcome. Even the Cheif Nursing Officer welcomed me in. Our facility just broke a record...155 births this month and counting...beating the competition by almost half. I found out I will be training for post-partum, antepartum, nicu, scrub tech for sections and other surgeries. Gonna be completely rounded out. Just can't do some things like labor by myself or set up PCA pumps. Now that the first day is over...I am so excited and ready to learn, learn, learn. AND...my old boss left a message today...she is not mad I left anymore and does want me for PRN. So, I get to keep my maw-maws & paws-paws, too. Life couldn't get any better than this right now.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Oh Bayou!!!!
Fantastic news. You just put my first smile on for me and it's the end of the day. You rock gal! I am just elated with warm fuzzies for you. I'm kvelling!!!!


Chloe
RN-BSN, BA

[BayouLPN]

WhoooHooo, you can totally be my cheerleader anyday. Not even my husband can make me smile like this. PMA all the way. Finishing my 1st week at the Family Birth Center. Still lovin it. I think once I get my basic skills, planning & implementation down, This will be my niche. I took care of one baby/momma by myself yesterday and she was a doozy. Interstitial cystitis and drug seeking rolled in to one. I survived her though and learned how to d/c them today. Also, got a fresh c-section in. Had myself a ball today. YEAAAA
Hope your job is going as well as mine. I have to do ACLS/PALS and FHM, too. YIkes.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Oh Bayou,
I'm not even near your expertise. I'm still trying to get my license endorsed 1000 miles north of here and finalize my life into little boxes and compartments to begin in a whole new life far far away from here. If it all makes it in time, I'll be starting orientation on Feb 18th. If not, mark your calendars for March 17th ! ZOIKS!!

But in case I forgot, RAH
Chloe

[BayouLPN]

You are going to do great. It is 90% personality and attitude. Sounds to me like you have "it". Moving far away can be scary. I am 600 miles from home. Nobody in the bayou but me, my husband, and our 17 y/o who doesn't claim us most of the time. hehehe. It gets scary sometimes, but we have made it for the past 5 years...even survived Hurricane Rita here. I want good experience because my husband will retire before I can...AND I AM GOING HOME. A promise he made me after we moved what was left of our stuff out of the rental house we were in before the hurricane. I come from a small town in north AL and need lots of good experience if I want to land something decent there. I hope you like New York. That was a dream of mine years ago. Still want to visit one day. I think you will do great there. Good Luck.......bayou

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

And to you Bayou!!! Good luck to you m'friend!!!!!

(p.s. My home will be upstate NY between Saratoga and the capital. It's absolutely gorgeous up there. I cannot wait to start the job I've been waiting for!!)

Chloe

[Tweety]

Good luck! Just make it clear that your skills are very rusty and that you need orientation. You'll learn on the job just fine. These types of jobs tend to have good orientation.

Show professional enthusiam and a willingness and eagerness to step up to the plate and learn and put your fears aside and you might be surprised that they respond and are happy to teach/work with you. Don't use the excuse "I haven't done this before, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm scared I'll mess up....", think it, but don't say it out loud...LOL. Rather approach with confidence..."talk me through it as I need to relearn, I know it will come back to me if you help me now....."

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Thanks Tweety!! Those are definitely words of advice I'll have to use OJT

Now keep your fingers crossed that my license endorsement paperwork arrives in time to actually start orientation!

Chloe