"Easy" LPN jobs

[remrimsgems]

After doing my clinicals in LTC's as an LPN student (first semester) I realized that maybe I won't fit in nursing. I guess if I have to stay I have to find a job (after I graduate) that's less LTC type. I wonder if there are ER/OR/prison jobs/doctor office jopbs for LPN's.

Where are the "easy" jobs for LPN's? I am not scared of the fast paced ER type setting. Not scared of blood and death. I hate the constant smell of body waste and I have zero patience for it. But Other than that I can do nursing.

Any intelligent response?

[Loren2307]

I am a new grad and I did no clinicals in a LTC setting, they were all in a hospital settings. After I left KY( where I went to school) I moved to IN. LTC is where most LPN's get jobs and having no experiance in LTC really did me in. I lasted 3 weeks at my first job in LTC, I jusst now started a different job that I really like. Hang in there!! I know I am trying to as well!!

[lpndana]

Well today was my first real chance working the doctors line in my prison.

My doc was on fire, he saw over 35 patients in a 8 hour period.

I am a pediatric nurse and in our practice my doctor sees 24 patients between

8:30am and 12:30pm - if we're not double booked that is :-) Prison sounds relaxing to me

I have a friend who proudly watches TV all day at her job, and she works in an assisted living facility.

Not very fulfilling to me, but I guess it depends on what you're looking for.

[HeartJulz]

I did my clinicals in a SNF/LTC and man oh man was it a lot of work ... I was there every Sat & Sun 12 hours for 10mths. I might want to apply there after NCLEX is over because I was so used to the routine and the director of staff was awesome. The nurses there were good, too and I was amazed how friendly everyone was... it was def. one of the best places I have ever "worked" at as far as the facility, boss and co workers. Plus the facility was super clean and you never smelled the "bad aroma' some can give off... def. a nice experience. I have worked for 3 other places two solo drs and also a group dr office... so many exp. some Id like to forget... so Im hoping once I get my license I keep having positive experiences...

[Blackcat99]

I have a friend who proudly watches TV all day at her job, and she works in an assisted living facility.

Not very fulfilling to me, but I guess it depends on what you're looking for.

Wow!!!!I'm jealous. Your friend must work in a very small assisted living facility to be able to watch TV. I work in a very large one and I run my legs off every single day.

[BayouLPN]

I don't believe any job dealing with the lives of people is going to be "easy". However, Easy is all in what you like doing. I spent 16 months in a LTCF. Glad for the experience and I am still doing PRN with them. But, I wanted something different. This is my first week working in the birth center at one our local hospitals. I am training in post-partum which is mom & baby here. (easy and alot of fun), I will move on to labor & delivery (as assisting the RN) and learn to scrub for c-sections. I will, also have the opportunity to do med-surg on the women's surgical side, and train in NICU down the road. To me this sounds easy because I like it. Money is not near what I think it ought to be for an LPN...but benefits are good. As you go through your clinicals and find something you like, talk to the nurse manager of the unit. You may land yourself a job by the time you graduate!!!

[eldragon]

I was hoping to land a job before I graduated, and was told by my instructors that many classmates do, but it didn't turn out that way for me, and I was a little depressed about it.

I did my preceptor-ship at a rehab unit, and had been thinking I wanted to work there after graduation. But the 48 hours I was there, I saw so many problems going on, it really opened my eyes to the place.

Neputism, back-stabbing and overall negativity were the rules of the day there. They terminated a senior nurse, who had no previous poor performance records or warnings, so that they could hire a new grad nurse at a lesser wage and not pay vacation and holiday bonuses. (The new grad just happened to be the DON's sister.)

It really soured me on the place, and now, when I get my license, I'll be looking elsewhere.

[Nurse10-Neal]

So I was really hoping to land a job in the hospital or even pedi LTC. I did my pedi clinical at a pedi skilled LTC, lots of trachs, g tubes etc and I loved it. Though the only place near me is just over an hour away and I don't want to travel that far. I just submitted my resume (per an instructors recommendation) to a pediatric group practice in the local hospital. Even though it is in the hospital it is still an office environment. I am not sure if this is what I am going to like. I have never worked in an office environment. Anyone out there work in this setting, what do you think of your position??? Hopefully I will get a better idea if a get an interview!? Not sure what to look for?!?! Thought there was more out there for LPN then there seems to be. Don't we have a nursing shortage???

[FrustratedLPN]

I just happened to come across this post, and wanted to respond. The first thing that "jumped" out at me in the post... was "any EASY LPN jobs out there?", followed by "I have zero tolerance for the smell of body waste", and ending with "any INTELLIGENT responses?".

Whew, I suppose I'd have to begin with asking you a couple of questions. 1. Why did you elect to go into nursing? 2. Did you have any background in the medical field? i.e. CNA, before you decided to go to nursing school. 3. Are you changing careers or going back into the work field?

The responses you have for those questions would probably give insight and some clarity to your statements/questions.

After 17 years in nursing, I've never found any nursing job "easy". You might find some positions with fewer patients, lower levels of acuity, shorter hours, etc. but you will not find any jobs EASY. Nursing is a "hands on" profession. I have worked LTC/SNF, Correctional Nursing, Psych, Ortho/Neuro, and Occupational Nursing. I have been Director of Nursing Services at an Assisted Living Facility.

Noticed in a previous response, a reader stated she thought nurses in prisons/jails received firearms training...... Had to laugh at that one. Correctional nursing is NOT "prison guard". There will usually be one guard that either accompanies you on med pass, or watches you via monitor. If you happen to be stationed in a progressive prison/jail, you will have a barrier between you and the inmate, but there will still be an opening for passing meds, talking, etc. No need to even comment on some of the bodily fluids that have been thrown during this opening or the comments made. You will receive training re: riots, safety, emergency response, NOT how to use a gun. Correctional nurses are there when new inmates are brought to the jail. Whether they be drunk, under the influence of drugs, combative.. you will do an admission assessment, TB skin test, and vital signs. If they are capable of talking, you will do an intake and physical exam.

There are pros and cons to each job. There will be smells associated with each job, some more objectionable than others. Ever had excrement thrown at you? Ever had a very ill patient vomit on you? Ever been cursed? pinched? hit? Ever had to search for a missing digit, pick it up, and bag it? There is no such thing as a "glory" job in nursing, you are primarily responsible for "caring" for ill, injured, or dying patients.

At some point in your nursing career, you will unclog a toilet, clean up vomit and/or excrement, be responsible for obtaining a stool, sputum, or urine specimen. You will be exposed to blood or blood products, be coughed on, sneezed on. There will be days you will not be able to identify what is on your shoes or uniform after your shift.

Welcome to the world of NURSING!!!! If I didn't love it, I would never had chosen it!

If being of service to others is not your passion, nursing is probably not your best choice for a career.

Just my two cents worth, hopefully it meets your criteria for "intelligent" response.

[FrustratedLPN]

Amazing what "really" goes on behind the scenes at a lot of places isn't it? I was the senior nurse in much the same scenerio you described. Was replaced by new graduates for less pay.. No one seemed to mind that also means NO EXPERIENCE.

You will find your niche, don't give up or give in. The patients need and deserve nurses that care, are willing to go the extra mile, and really want to help. It can be a struggle, a long hill to climb, but it is also the most rewarding job anyone could have!

When one door closes, another opens. Yes, there is a nursing shortage, unfortunately LPN's are under-utilized for the experience and training we have.

[FrustratedLPN]

Yep. Only our "med lines" started at 5:20 AM. And I loved carried the 250lb overweight inmates down 4 tiers in a gurney after they go "man down." Very easy job !!

Only 250lbs? Sorry, had to say it!!! I've worked corrections as well, small and large facilities. It's a different world, isn't it? You forgot to mention intakes, daily/weekly sick call. One thing I learned, NEVER EVER question the charges an inmate has, whether by asking the inmate, officer, or searching on the computer. It can influence the way you perceive the inmate.

The most personable inmate you may see could be a child molester/rapist, spouse abuser, prostitute, murderer. It's better never to know. HIV is usually rampant as is MRSA and other Staph infections. Lice, spider bites, boils, addictions, psychiatric issues, mental illness, just to name a few. After all that you'd think no one would want to be a correctional nurse, wouldn't you?

Again, it has to be your passion. I loved it!