Changing Careers

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 9, 2011

no, i do not think you should change careers unless you have some experience or training in a different field. otherwise, i think you should graduate with your bsn and get a nursing job away from bedside if possible. gl!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 9, 2011

Hate to see you let go of all that valuable education and experience. May consider getting out of LTC

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · May 9, 2011

LTC sucks and is notoriously understaffed. Not that hospital's are that much better, but. . .

deelpn85 · May 9, 2011

Try changing jobs...

LTC made me think about my career choice as well. I used to work LTC Psych. had to deal with lots of BS from dealing with lazy staff to being short staffed and doing 2 peoples jobs etc.... I would always stress about work even on my days off. it was horrible. i would even get calles on my days off to deal with work situations. i finally decided to look for another job and applied at a clinic.

I was an LVN at an OBGYN clinic. I loved it! the stress was still there, but when it was time to go home.... i left work at WORK. made me see nusing in a whole different light.

I really recommend lookng for a new job. Maybe a differnt LTC facility or even a different specialty.

good luck to you. Keep going for your BSN :)

Conhecer · May 9, 2011

Your job sounds really though and I'm sure other nurses would agree. You seem to be a great nurse and I would advise you to persist with nursing, due to the following:

- you are trying your best to do your best

- you have not quit yet

- you have consulted your supervisor

- you are seeking advise here

My first job in the medical field was as a CNA at a nursing home, I quit after 3 months and reconsidered nursing. Later on, I got a job as an LPN at a different nursing home, quit after 2 months. I have worked in different settings and I have had wonderful jobs. It sounds like you just need to find something different.

Aymese · May 9, 2011

If I were you, I would get out of LTC. It sounds like autonomy is important to you. I have always found this easier to achieve while working in critical care. You will have 2 patients (usually) to focus your care and attention on. I imagine it to be much more rewarding and satisfying than LTC. Can't imagine having that many patients. I definitely understand your concerns about safety and liability.

novairene · May 10, 2011

Thank you for all of the responses so far. I agree with all of them. As a LPN I am really limited to LTC (thanks to JACO). I hate that all LPNs abilities have been compared to the that of a MA or over-educated QMA (no offense intended). I have former classmates that have already completed their ASN following their LPN and they agree that LPNs should and can still do many hospital positions.

This attitude has spread to families of the LTC patients I have. I had a family member that had never met me before come to me and demand that a RN replace me to care for her husband first thing in the morning. She rolled her eyes when she saw my badge and asked for a "real" nurse.

As a BSN student, I am committed to never treat LPNs in my future this way.

Anyway, I think I am going to try home health care. I applied at a few agencies today. I really want hospice and that is why I decided to get my BSN instead of continuing the ASN program I was admitted to.

I am amazed that the patients I have are often discharged from facilities/hospitals where they were one of 3-5 patients for a nurse and where CNA ratio is not much higher than that.

I often wonder why the nurse that assessed them decided that "we" could handle them with the ratios we have (I know-money!!). They are on their call lights constantly (and usually for valid reasons, but we cannot handle 5-7 lights at a time when there are just 2-3 of us) and we provide substandard care compared to a hospital with lower ratios and more nurse time per patient. Many are only a few days post-op, critical diabetics, on isolation, etc.

Even our facility Dr. has discussed the decrease in care since he started there a year ago when the facility opened. He agrees with my frustration (the conversation was initiated by him, not me). He believes they are just putting "bodies in beds" for a check and does not like the acuity of the patients we are admitting.

In home health I may take a pay cut, but it is worth the autonomy and increase in my ability to do my job properly. Keep the replies coming!!! :nurse:

alphabetsoup · May 10, 2011

Some of this sounds like the same routine from my old days romping in LTC. Except for the higher acuity. Very true though, hospitals are under pressure to discharge patients and those patients enter rehab/LTC in not the best of health.

Other than supplies/organization (you can be the solution in those cases) and staffing (not within your control), would you ever stay? At least 2 of those issues are easily correctable.

bsveillon · May 10, 2011

Thank you for all of the responses so far. I agree with all of them. As a LPN I am really limited to LTC (thanks to JACO). I hate that all LPNs abilities have been compared to the that of a MA or over-educated QMA (no offense intended). I have former classmates that have already completed their ASN following their LPN and they agree that LPNs should and can still do many hospital positions.
This attitude has spread to families of the LTC patients I have. I had a family member that had never met me before come to me and demand that a RN replace me to care for her husband first thing in the morning. She rolled her eyes when she saw my badge and asked for a "real" nurse.
As a BSN student, I am committed to never treat LPNs in my future this way.
Anyway, I think I am going to try home health care. I applied at a few agencies today. I really want hospice and that is why I decided to get my BSN instead of continuing the ASN program I was admitted to.
I am amazed that the patients I have are often discharged from facilities/hospitals where they were one of 3-5 patients for a nurse and where CNA ratio is not much higher than that.
I often wonder why the nurse that assessed them decided that "we" could handle them with the ratios we have (I know-money!!). They are on their call lights constantly (and usually for valid reasons, but we cannot handle 5-7 lights at a time when there are just 2-3 of us) and we provide substandard care compared to a hospital with lower ratios and more nurse time per patient. Many are only a few days post-op, critical diabetics, on isolation, etc.
Even our facility Dr. has discussed the decrease in care since he started there a year ago when the facility opened. He agrees with my frustration (the conversation was initiated by him, not me). He believes they are just putting "bodies in beds" for a check and does not like the acuity of the patients we are admitting.
In home health I may take a pay cut, but it is worth the autonomy and increase in my ability to do my job properly. Keep the replies coming!!!

I know we're not supposed to get upset with patients or their family members, but that just burns me up. I had that happen to me. This guy who didn't know me did the same thing. I told him I had been caring for his mother for about 7 months, but he wouldn't know since he only comes around when he needs her to sign more papers to steal her wealth! Yes, before I finish this story, I had consequences, and no longer work there. Anyway, I got sick and tired of the mess. The only people's whose opinions really matter are the patient. But no one cares what they think. I told this so-called man, when you go to nursing school, and you pass the boards, and you gain all of my certifications, then I will ask for your opinion concerning my capability in practice. Until then, you are ignorant, self-righteous and disgusting.

It's not so much about defending myself, my credentials, as much as the frustrations over this stupid healthcare system. Always fussing over petty crap and never attending to the REAL issues!

novairene · May 10, 2011

Some of this sounds like the same routine from my old days romping in LTC. Except for the higher acuity. Very true though, hospitals are under pressure to discharge patients and those patients enter rehab/LTC in not the best of health.
Other than supplies/organization (you can be the solution in those cases) and staffing (not within your control), would you ever stay? At least 2 of those issues are easily correctable.

The only way I would stay is if they increased the CNAs or hired other staff (i.e. servers for the dining room). I am not asking for them to give us more nurses. I understand that can get to be expensive. But I am sure that they can hire some other positions so I can actually do MY job.

As for the supplies and organization, during my meeting with my DON I asked if I could come in for about 4 hours and reorganize and try to develop a better system that would increase productivity and patient care. She said "That is what unit managers are for".

They worry about the cost of EVERYTHING. My previous career was in management, so I know all about that. However, I am upset because a lot of our patients are private pay. Not that I care for them any different, but they expect things to be better if they do not use medicare. I heard one family get upset last week when they found out that there were medicare beds (I guess they were not even told they had that option).

I also heard that a unit manager (salary) sent home a nurse (hourly) so they could decrease their labor expense for a bonus.

So, no, I will probably not stay much longer. I thought I finally found a company that cared more about providing care than money, but I was wrong. I feel so bad for my patients and their families.

novairene · May 10, 2011

I know we're not supposed to get upset with patients or their family members, but that just burns me up. I had that happen to me. This guy who didn't know me did the same thing. I told him I had been caring for his mother for about 7 months, but he wouldn't know since he only comes around when he needs her to sign more papers to steal her wealth! Yes, before I finish this story, I had consequences, and no longer work there. Anyway, I got sick and tired of the mess. The only people's whose opinions really matter are the patient. But no one cares what they think. I told this so-called man, when you go to nursing school, and you pass the boards, and you gain all of my certifications, then I will ask for your opinion concerning my capability in practice. Until then, you are ignorant, self-righteous and disgusting.
It's not so much about defending myself, my credentials, as much as the frustrations over this stupid healthcare system. Always fussing over petty crap and never attending to the REAL issues!

You want to know the funniest part of that story? Later that day, the wife found out that I am junior in a BSN program (I think a coworker told her). She changed her tune and was being "over nice" to me. She was very interested in my future plans as a RN and talking about the weather. So she would rather have a RN student care for her husband than a LPN??? It was crazy.