[aguirre]

I currently work in the Operating Room. I was a Surgical Technologist for 9 yrs. I went back to school and I am an LPN now. I work in the O.R. and still scrub in and enjoy my job very much. I scrub and assist on Ortho cases which I absolutely love. (work 8 hr shifts, call 2x week)

I am married to an Active Duty Soldier who is not home at the moment. I just saw a job posting at my hospital on the Ortho floor. They need an LPN for 12 hr shifts. I am so confused, I feel it in my bones that I would absolutely love working on that floor, but at the same time I love my job in the O.R. I know it would be hard work, but am not scared of it. I would be able to take care of patients after their surgery.

I guess my question is how do any of you make it work? I know I am not single, but I feel it when my husband is gone. I guess when it comes to helping out with the kids. dropping off at daycare and picking up, watching them on weekends if I am working. I am pretty funny about who is watching my kid have a hard time trusting anyone.

Some background, graduated July 2007, passed NCLEX-PN Oct 2007. I haven't worked on the floor. I want to continue on for my RN. will be taking Microbiology this summer, and higher A&P in Fall 2008. I still don't feel like I am a nurse.

Our hospital helps out with tuition assistance, book reimbursment, stipend program if you go on to school for your RN.

Please help, need advice.
Miah

[Jules A]

Hi,
I would guess that since you are still in a similar environment as when you were a tech that is part of why you don't feel a whole new radical difference now as a nurse. I have heard that it is neat to see the patients as they recover from what you have done in the OR so you may really like floor nursing. If you are going back to school soon it might be a good idea to stay where you are if you are still happy with your job. I'm not big on a ton of changes all at once especially since you are very likely to be doing single handed child care also. Perhaps you could float to the floor PRN when you have some extra time? If this doesn't sound good then go for it! That is the beauty of being a nurse...and yes you are a nurse.

[pagandeva2000]

I went through a similar situation where I am an LPN at the same place (hospital clinic) I worked as an aide. While I do nursing functions, such as medication administration, teaching, etc... I still didn't feel like a nurse because I didn't pay my dues on the floors. But, I have weekends, holidays and decent hours. I have side jobs as a vaccination nurse (which I do most frequently) and home care (slowed down in this, lately). Now, I am trying to start working per diem elsewhere. At one time, when a person used to introduce me as a nurse, or say "Hey, there is a nurse", I used to look around and say to myself "ME??"

I came to the conclusion that nursing is so varied and most nurses master most at the practice they are in, and the practices are all so different, that you can never include all. I am STILL a nurse. I agree with Jules, though. If you are going back to school soon, I would stay put until I finish. As you know, school is stressful enough. At least if you can predict within reason what circumstances and who you work with, that can take the stress off of school, which, again, will take up a great deal of time and energy. Once you get your RN, you'll have more choices to select. Good luck, though!

[aguirre]

Thank you for your replies. You are right in saying by my being at the same place where I was a Tech I would feel like that. Some people I work with do call me a nurse, the others see me the same.

I guess it would be better for me to stay where I am. I know they will work with me with my schedule.

Thanks,
Miah

[pagandeva2000]

Cool! I know how it is to work in the same place, because I work with many of the aides that I worked with when I was one. It took some time for them to respect the fact that now, I am a nurse. Some of them were resistant to my orders, so to speak. It is getting better, though.

I think you made the right decision, to remain until you become an RN. At least you know that these people will work with your schedule and understand a bit when you have to take off for exams, study for NCLEX-RN, etc. Best of luck to you!

[Super Nurf]

I didn't realize that 12 hour shifts were posted, where I work we only do 12s in either an emergent situation, if a lot of staff are out on leave, or just if someone on the next shift calls in sick and they can't find a replacement. 12s are hard to do, especially if you have children, and if the ortho floor is anything like the one I've worked on, I'd stay where I was. Could you work there a few days to get a feel for it before you jump in?

[aguirre]

What are the shifts like where you work? The shifts on the floors at my hospital are 12 hrs. I think that would be a bit hard. I guess if they aren't clumped together it won't be so bad. I believe they do self scheduling.

Someone has mentioned per diem work, just don't know how it would work for my being precepted.

Miah

[Super Nurf]

We are only scheduled 8 hour shifts where I work, I can't imagine doing 12s on a continual basis, though it probably is something that I could get used to if I could do 3 of them a week, I'd have more time off. I did them once doing the 7p to 7am shift, and that was a bit too much for me as I'm not a night shift person anyway. Wouldn't 10 hour shifts be interesting?