Anything else I can do besides bedside nursing?

Published

Hello everyone,

I just graduated an LVN/LPN program and wanted to know if there is anything else I can do besides bedside nursing. I dread having more than I can handle and I don't want to take it out on the patients. The other day I was working as a CNA and a lady coded on a different hall, and I could tell the nurse had been crying. The patient died and was a full code. This scares the daylights out of me to be in a situation where there are tube feedings, dysrhythmias, c/o SOB, etc., and can't check on the patients. The constant choking and moaning almost makes me want to shy away because of the liability.

Does anyone know of a fun job for nursing, LVN/LPN?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/trauma, IV, CEN.

If you enjoy patient interactions, a job in a physician practice is usually a great job for LPN's. You have lots of specialties to chose from, OB, peds, family practice, etc. Unfortunately all jobs can have their stressors, however acute care and SNF's are known to be high-pressure. If those things scare you, that may waver with time and experience. But the beautiful thing about nursing is you have options, and not all jobs are as stressful or "life and death".

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Physician's office, home care (one of my grandma's home care nurses was a LPN), or private duty nursing. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are a lot of jobs nurses can do. Think beyond the traditional (though some do need an extra course or two):

Educator (Public Health or Post-secondary)

Research (assistant or associate)

Politics (union)

Occupational nurse

Doctor's office/clinic

Consultant/Case Manager

Discharge Planner/Patient flow Coordinator

Liability Claims

Professional nursing association (support staff)

Etc., best of luck!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice, LTC, public health, occupational health.
nrsang97 said:
Physician's office, home care (one of my grandma's home care nurses was a LPN), or private duty nursing. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Yeah, but in home care there will still be tube feedings, SOB, vent/trach.....

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Aunt Slappy said:
Yeah, but in home care there will still be tube feedings, SOB, vent/trach.....

But only one patient at a time- not 30 or more!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Hospice.

I'm a plasmapheresis Nurse in a plasma donation/processing center. The position is called a Physician Substitute (Phys Sub for short) according to the FDA and involves the intake, assessment, and monitoring of prospective and returning/established donors, in addition to interpretation of lab tests, consultation with the Center Physician (in person weekly and by text/phone the rest of the week), and treatment of reactions or adverse events.

I love the challenges of my work, the donors who become like family, and the level of responsibility for an LPN-level Nurse. The pay is pretty good, too!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Cataracts and retina clinics

Outpatients

Day Surgery

School vaccination programmes.

It all depends on where you live and work.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have lost motivation to be a nurse. The morale where I work is so low. No respect, no anything. They are always 'desperate', and if you say you can't work you're basically given a guilt trip. Being a new LVN, I'm sure it won't be better.

I don't understand, I am always first to respond when someone is complaining of chest pain, SOB, if there is a code (which has not happened on my unit), I am first to respond (even if it is on another unit, when there is limited staff). I drop what I'm doing to go. While everyone else just walks slowly, not apparently concerned.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.
fibroblast said:
Does anyone know of a fun job for nursing, LVN/LPN?

Nope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
wheresthecharge said:
There are a lot of jobs nurses can do. Think beyond the traditional (though some do need an extra course or two):

Educator (Public Health or Post-secondary)

Research (assistant or associate)

Politics (union)

Occupational nurse

Doctor's office/clinic

Consultant/Case Manager

Discharge Planner/Patient flow Coordinator

Liability Claims

Professional nursing association (support staff)

Etc., best of luck!

For LPN prepared nurses though? I've only heard of RNs and most often BSNs in public health, for instance. Same with research. So not to be a Debbie downer, but I think the opportunities are more limited and the OP should know before leaping down this rabbit hole of a career.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try detention centers in your area.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion