[PatriciaInCA, LVN]

Hi, I need advice..here is my situation, as short as I can make it :-)

I am an LVN. I graduated from an accelerated course in 1990. I never worked in a hospital or clinical setting..went straight into home health care. In fact, went straight into a desk job as an intake coordinator for the first few years. Pay was awsome, but it hurt my 'reinforce what you just learned in school' needs. Stopped working as a nurse for a few years..became a pre-school teacher :-). Went back to nursing 5 years ago, back to home health care as a night nurse on a very simple case where, in all honesty, minimal skills were needed. Stayed there 4 years, then was off 6 months, then back on different case, again a simple one with minimal skills needed. Now that case may be ending & I am feeling trapped. I feel like I have forgotten most of what I learned in nursing school. Yes, I have gotten by, but have always felt insecure & am afraid to try new cases..because I may not know what I need to. I have looked into LVN refresher courses in my area (Southern California), to help me regain my skills, but they seem to be impossible to find. Working in a hospital setting is not practicle for my family situation. (plus my lack of current skills)

My question: WHAT ELSE IS THERE???? What else is 'nursing related', yet would not require a lot of nursing skills? I have even thought of becoming an EMT, but the pay is so bad compared to LVN's! I LOVED my OB rotation in school, and Surgery was good too. I have considered ER work, but highly doubt there would be anything I could do there. What can a currently licensed, yet minimaly skilled LVN do for a living that is health care/nursing related? I prefer nights over days, but could do either. Can't do weekends because I have kids. Suggestions anyone?

Thanks...
Patricia

[cursenurse]

you could try LTC. that's where many LPNs get their start just out of school. that's the first job i had as an lpn and felt like i knew nothing!

[Kirstie04]

Hello. A clinic might be a good choice and they have awesome hours. You may think you don't do much in a clinic but that's not always true. I work in a dermatology clinic and we do a type of skin cancer surgery called MOHS, and I get to do alot. Anyway...Just something to think about.

[BRANDY LPN]

You could also check and see if there are any refresher courses offered in your area, your SBON should be able help you find one.