Could my license be at risk?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Since I had no luck finding a lvn job, I have registered with a staffing agency for work. The type of work for a new grad with no experience for them is working as a school nurse. Which I don't consider it as a school nurse but basically, what I will be doing is follow a student (with some type of condition; for example, diabetic, epileptic, etc) around school, monitoring or giving the kid his/her med. I will only be filing in when they need someone and if a case do come up, I may be considered for the job which is for the entire school year. It doesn't pay much but I am desperate for a job, anything to get my foot wet working as a lvn. The thing is that my husband doesn't want me to take on something like that because he is afraid I may lose my license quicker because I am on my own with the child. So, have any one of you worked doing something like that? And do you think that my license is at greater risk doing that type of work? I would appreciate any advice or suggestions!

I graduated in Dec. got my LPN License in Jan. sent out many résumés no responses . Went to 2 LTC facilities in person handed in resumes nothing. One facility I wouldn't leave my dog there turned me down due to no experience. I wound up in home health care, not what I was looking for, but it's a foot in the door. You really are not alone, I am one of a team of nurses, my patient is a child...the parent is very up on things teaches me a lot. I was trained by an RN. I am in process of getting my Medicaid Provider Number, therefore no agency. Pay not bad - 25 per hour, it's a start. Am looking into insurance.

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Specializes in Geriatric.

Just want to share. I am presently night shift in a LTC in Georgia. I now realize how I ended up here. God's will. Neglect of the Elderly. With that said, I am actively advocating for them. I would like to add employees to that. Always gonna have workers with their heart into it but also got peeps who just don't care. Poor Management is always the reason. Done the Manager and I do know it is a difficult Job. As with any job you still must do it and do it right or hand it over to someone who will. I mean this time it's human lives we are responsible for.

To my disappointment, no changes are happening.

I know when I go back in to work tomorrow night after 4 off I will encounter more UTI's and another death and skin ulcers etc.........

Please Please Just need more to talk too. DO I QUIT?

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I agree with everyone else. You'll have your RN case manager, the child's family, the written plan of care and possibly other nurses on the child's case to support you and answer questions. Make sure your Case Manager is readily available by phone and do not do anything you don't feel comfortable enough to perform safely. There are agencies who will send out less-than-qualified people. Take it upon yourself to know exactly what you will do if any type of adverse event happens.

The only thing that concerns me is the use of the words "quicker" and "faster" when discussing losing your license. Sounds like it's a foregone conclusion, and just a matter of time before the inevitable occurs. Best wishes!

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Thanks all for all the thoughts and advices. Lets see how it goes and if I even get called in for the assignment.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

Sounds like a good deal, in my opinion. Think of it this way: We've all gotta start somewhere. You can say that you've experience with insulin and b/s management. You get to work on your assessment & observational skills. You get to hone your charting. You get to practice interacting with doctors and such. You learn how to advocate for your pt...because you're 'it'.

It's kind of LTC...'cept you only have to pass meds/manage/observe/chart and do paperwork/generally care for ONE pt.

...as opposed to, like, 40? Unlike LTC, at least you don't have to deal with 'politics', wacko family members, you leave after 8 hours AND...you don't have to be bothered with 'that damned phone' in the nurse's station.

You're also creating a specialty because, with this pt, you can now say that you have experience with Peds AND 'Special Need' pts. You also have experience in a school environment. You could definitely swing that into a school nurse position. There's a need for nurses with those credentials. Where I live? HH/agency are forever posting for pedi jobs!

Just review the chart and have a plan of what to do in case of low b/s, seizures, etc...

I don't believe that any experience is wasted.

I did HH hospice and it was just plain scary. I was a ver-y new nurse. I rec'vd no training. I had no real support. The facility even told us (new nurses) to not tell the families that we were, in fact, new. I was just scared and not for fear of 'loosing my license' LOL

I just felt like I was doing a disservice to the family member and the actively dying pt. I was afraid of making a mistake or guiding them through the process badly. I didn't want to look incompetent.

I made good calls. I did a LOT of pt education. I had enough sense to troubleshoot and notify the 'change of status'.

I get picked at (playfully) by the senior nurses at my LTC for being very 'by the book', but that's what saved me on those house calls. Trust me. When you lack exp? It's the only thing that you've got to hold onto. If a new nurse doesn't (at least) have 'book knowledge', they're just gonna be a--ed out.

Some agencies do train. One of my coworkers works for one. They train, have company vehicles, bags and iPads to the nurses for charting and such. You need a year of experience to get in, though. Almost there, ya'll. Almost there. LOL

To me, you just really have to be on top of your poo when you do HH/agency. I'm still new so take that into consideration. However, I can't tell you how many times I've contacted a provider to notify of a status change and had them say something along the lines of, 'So...what do you think we should do'...?

LOL

Huh?

The first time, I thought, "Uh...that's why I'm calling YOU, Mr/s MD or NP? How ironic?!"

Like, 'Maybe I sound confident but I've only been a nurse for 4 whole days. So, uh, yeah...I'd really like to hear your plan of action.... Thanks for the vote of confidence, though." LOL

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Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

I worked as a substitute in the school cafeteria, and as a teacher aide. The cafeteria was only when needed and I didn't get very much work because there were several other applicants as well, so I eventually quit. I was a full time teacher aide until the position was eliminated.

I applied as an LPN at a school, but never submitted the application, because I became very ill.

I was also a school bus driver for 15 years, so I do have a lot of experience with being around school children of all ages. One of my passengers had MS.

Concerning home care, I am the recipient of care from two different homecare agencies. If you apply at a state agency, you will make more money than if you work at a private agency.

As the recipient of their care, I teach each caregiver about my needs, and I am currently very happy. I know that the nurses do wound care, prepare medications for the clients if they need it, and consider that seniors are a lot like children. What I mean by that, is that many have several physical needs including med preparation, although I am able to prepare my own.

Also, it takes some time for a child to open up to you, because you are new to the child. But once you gain the child's trust, the child will co-operate with you, and will express his or her needs.

I hope this is helpful for you.

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