Curious aspiring nurse

nlb0101 · Jul 24, 2016

First off, I recommend that you find a nurse to shadow. Also, there are several types of degrees for nurses so I would encourage you to look into the cost and length of different programs in your area. Are you willing to go further and get your ADN or BSN or is LPN enough for you? Personally, I recommend going for RN.

As for charting...I can only speak as to my experience. I'm an LPN so I've been stuck in long term care facilities. Each facility has its own standards for charting. Some facilities require you to chart everything under the sun, others not so much. For instance, in the last facility I worked, there were always several patients who got vitals done every shift. So you charted those vitals, their general condition, etc. You also charted every blood sugar you obtained in 3 different spots. Charting could take anywhere from 30 min to 1 hour total, depending on any emergencies, deaths, etc. In the facility I work in now, most nurses only chart on patients that have serious issues going on and some nurses didn't even chart then. This has become an issue as you need to be able to follow up on what other nurses have done.

As for stress...I've only worked in nursing but I would say the stress is a completely different type of stress than factory work. I'm not in any way saying one profession is more stressful than another. I'm just saying there are different types of stress and some people tolerate stress differently. For example, in my current facility, there was one nurse in particular causing a lot of trouble. Never documenting, showing up late or not at all, not following up on things, not passing meds or doing tube feedings, etc. She got away with this behavior for several months because the director didn't want to do anything about it. Then all of a sudden two months worth of narcotics on a patient went missing. That nurse stormed in cussing and threatening people. We all had to go for drug tests. She then walked out on a 16 hr shift that she specifically requested. So we were scrambling to cover for her. She was still allowed to come back. She showed up the next day, again signed up for another 16 hr shift and then didn't show up for it. She was finally fired. Now there are only 2 full time nurses and one PRN nurse for the facility, not nearly enough for full 24 hr coverage.

In nursing you will have to deal with difficult patients, difficult supervisors and difficult coworkers. You will see people at their worst and there will probably be times you will question becoming a nurse. I'm at that point now. I'm just hoping to save up money to be able to continue my education so I'll have more career opportunities. I'm tired of the drama that often accompanies working in long term care. Just one opinion since I noticed nobody had replied yet. If you do choose to become a nurse, I wish you luck.

aeronursenj · Jul 24, 2016

It all depends on the day, shift and how well your time management is. I can say from my own personal experience (not anyone else, nor is mine the "official" one) you will have all of it. There will be times when you will sit a lot (depending on census), times when you are on your feet all day. Standing and walking is most of your day and eating a snack is usual but depending on the day you may not. I have had days where I have not been able to eat a lunch but hovered a granola bar, where as there have been other days I was able to sit down for a full 30 minute lunch and even caught up on email. Hope this helps.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2016

I work in an ICU, so the most number of patients I've ever had to chart on was 3 -- if I transfer one to the floor, and get an admission in his/her place. It really depends on what's going on; if I have two patients who are stable, or one patient plus an empty bed, I can get it done in maybe 20-30 min. If I have patients who are unstable and on lots of drips, and I write several narrative notes, it might take 1-1.5 hrs. Drips (continuous IV medications that are adjusted based on patient condition) I always chart in real time; assessments can be entered when I have the time.

I usually sit while charting, unless I'm actively monitoring the pt at the bedside -- then I'll stand and do some charting at the workstation in his/her room, as I'm watching the patient and monitors. But most of the computers are situated at the main desk and in hallway alcove desks. So yes, designed for sitting. I stretch my feet whenever they hurt.

I'm one that usually makes time for a meal break. If I don't get one, usually I go an have a snack as soon as I give report, THEN come back and do the charting I didn't have time for during the busy shift. Never ever clock out before you finish your work! We aren't supposed to eat at the desk, but around midnight I might enjoy a contraband drink while I chart.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 24, 2016

I constantly hear that nurses stand all day, does this apply while charting? Or do you get to sit down while charting? Do you take that opportunity to eat a snack if you haven't gotten to eat lunch?do you stretch your feet while charting? How long does charting take you?

Depends where you work & where a computer is available. If you have to chart on a computer with wheels, then you will have to stand. Generally though you get to sit to chart. No, I never snacked when I was charting. I didn't want to get the chart dirty & I'm too involved in charting to eat. Yeah, you can stretch your feet but you aren't sitting for long. When I worked LTC I would have to stay after work & chart. But it all depends on what you're charting on. It might just be a quick documentation that you have meds or something that will take longer, like an admission or discharge.

quazar · Jul 24, 2016

The amount of standing/walking you do depends on your specialty and unit, and how well you organize your time as well as your patient load. As for charting while standing, again, that depends on where you're working. As for snacking while charting, no. Absolutely not. Keyboards are one of the most contaminated areas in the hospital, and the thought of touching one of them and then putting food in my mouth makes me a little queasy. *shudder* http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/fskeyboardhygie.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23405516

Wiitchazel · Jul 25, 2016

My plan was to start off as stna to get some hands on experience eventually get my bachelors work for awhile and then go for NP

Buyer beware, BSN · Jul 31, 2016

My plan was to start off as stna to get some hands on experience eventually get my bachelors work for awhile and then go for NP

All the minutiae you have heard about the job is correct.

But I'm not certain of how relevant this information is to you at this time. You will hear a lot of biased opinions that may or may not fit into your burgeoning nursing world-view and that's OK; and all part of the exploratory process. Everyone's motivation to become a nurse is different and in my opinion they are all valid. When I decided to go to nursing school, my motivation was to get out of my mother's dank and dark basement and take my six month old son and wife and try to earn a living wage. Along the way I was told by at least a few nurses who were experienced and had credible credentials "what the hell do you want to become a nurse for?" "The work is hard, you work weekends and holidays, often at night, and the doctors treat you like (expletive)." So when I hear, usually women say, "I always wanted to be a nurse,"I thought that it was a blessing to definitivly know what your calling was. Mine at the time was to find a way to turn guitar playing into a living.

So there is no dyed-in-the-wool way to go about it only to say that necessity is the mother of reinvention. Do become a nurse, but try to come to that reality in a careful and informed way. These days due to what's been called the tuition arms race, the cost of a nursing degree is a crime. In my day it was actually affordable even at private schools. The loan payback was to. There was a lot of state and federal support of nursing education making this so. Today many for-profit loan mill schools like the University of Phoenix or South University charge upwards of $100, 000 or more for a BSN and that's if you able to do it in four years; many students take six. That's a crime. Especially if done on high interest federally backed loan money which most students are constrained to do.

So my point is this. You are probaly biting at the bit to leave the factory behind. You mentioned it's stressful; but don't think of nursing as in any way a means to relieve that stress. Out of the frying pan into the fire is the expression. You have to have a plan that first and formost takes into consideration cost. Collegescorecard.edu.gov is a good starting point. Look into all available public and community colleges. They have waiting lists but to save $80, 000, by not being involves with the for-profit mess, you'll be able to have a life past a lifetime of paying off loans.

Remember nursing can be a way out but at today's absurd tuition prices it's a way out of one quagmire and directly into debt peonage which I almost wouldn't wish on the devil himself.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

Do what you. Can afford, there are some hospital based LVN/LPN, SCHOOLS, THAT THE COST OF SCHOOL IS DISCOUNTED, or free, for a comittment to work there, like 2 years etc...these situations are found in rural areas as SE Texas, 30miles from my farm, in Woodville, Texas Tyler Co.Hospital, has a very reputable LVN program.....when. As DON, in LTC, I always would seek their new graduates......there are upward mobility nursing programs, bridging LVN/LPN to RN......some hospitals contribute to that upward mobility cost...... LVN/LPN are finding it harder to land those hospital jobs, again, geographic location helps.....needs are. Easier met rural underserved areas......try to achieve your goal, with minimum dept.......respiratory therapy, physical and occupation therapy assistants are attractive health care options..... Do your homework, and make sure which ever way you go, that market is not saturated.....best wishes, please keep us informed of your progress.....