So, I got a position at the VA hospital and I am trying to conceal how upset I am about the position. I won't have any "real" LPN experience during this job. I feel like I am going to be a high paid CNA. I will be working the night shift and we don't do much. They have 2 RN's who do most of the "nursing" and I have just paitent care. I really wanted to work at this place, and now I feel like I might have made a mistake. I know there is always the option to go into day shift after a few months, but I am just dissapointed.
I guess I almost feel jelous of all of the people who are working in LTC and have to pass meds, and do all of these interesting things. Then there will be me, who has nothing...
It is completely the shift as far as LPN duties. We have the RN's who do all pills and I think they do treatments. They actually have 1 or 2 CNA's that work at night. Nights is usually where they put all of the new highers, and the night LPN's are usually desperate to change shifts after 5 months. If I worked day shift, I would have pills for 1/2 the unit, and 5 patients that are usually independent. Not as heavy as the LTC facility nurses.
I am going to go in with a smile, and a yearn to learn! Even tho I won''t do most of the skills I have learned right away I know in July 1/2 of the LPN's are going to be RN's and I will be able to move shifts!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
It is completely the shift as far as LPN duties. We have the RN's who do all pills and I think they do treatments. They actually have 1 or 2 CNA's that work at night. Nights is usually where they put all of the new highers, and the night LPN's are usually desperate to change shifts after 5 months. If I worked day shift, I would have pills for 1/2 the unit, and 5 patients that are usually independent. Not as heavy as the LTC facility nurses.
I am going to go in with a smile, and a yearn to learn! Even tho I won''t do most of the skills I have learned right away I know in July 1/2 of the LPN's are going to be RN's and I will be able to move shifts!
Thank You everybody for letting me vent!!
Angela
You'll be cool. I suspected it was the shift. There really isn't a reason to hire an LPN if they don't have clinical skills in their job descriptions. I do hear that the VA is not as heavy as the regular hospitals or nursing homes, which is a great thing!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Are you still working at nursing homes?
Yes, I'm still working in the nursing home setting. I work two 12-hour night shifts per week over the weekend, and get paid for 32 hours under the Baylor Plan. In addition, I love the fact that I only have 15 patients during night shift at this particular nursing home. I have finally found a place that overstaffs on nights.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
yes, i'm still working in the nursing home setting. i work two 12-hour night shifts per week over the weekend, and get paid for 32 hours under the baylor plan. in addition, i love the fact that i only have 15 patients during night shift at this particular nursing home. i have finally found a place that overstaffs on nights.
wow...15 patients in a nursing home??? you hit gold!!!. how's school these days?
Hang in there, l left the VA to go to a non profit hospital and had to take a pay cut, you make the job and our vets deserve good nurses, make it work for you!:loveya:I miss my vets.
Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.
I also believe that less is better. I work in a clinic, and there, the LPNs and RNs have almost identical responsibilities except that we don't triage patients, can't take charge and a few other minor things.
On the floors in my hospital, most of the LPNs just administer medications and do bedside care. To be honest, I LOVE it when I work per diem (the only hard part is getting there). I don't have to call the doctor (unless I really HAVE to), I get no phone calls, not many interruptions from supervisors looking for the charge nurse, doctors making rounds, calls from radiology (and goodness knows who else), no paperwork, no notes, just my MAR and me. I wouldn't change it for the world, to be honest! I get to learn, observe and interact at my own pace. I write notes on my pad about what changes to report to the RNs, write down their responses and have more time with the patients. Maybe it is just me, but, they can have the rest of that madness.
Will you at least be giving medications or treatments? Are there any CNAs on the floors? Do the LPNs that work other tours have more to do (and if so, will there be an opportunity to switch over, eventually?).
I am with others. Civil service positions (especially the VA) with decent benefits are very hard to come by. I also hear that the VA pays better than most other hospitals. I'd keep it for now. You may see the difference between how stressed out you may be compared to others and be a happy you have less to deal with. Good luck!
Sometimes I wish the hospitals in my area still did Team nursing vs primary care. Don't get me wrong I generally like being my pt's primary nurse, but I would love to be able to pass meds and do pt care all night as opposed to calling docs, paperwork, calling lab, calling supervisor, calling families, etc.
AngelaLPN08
76 Posts
It is completely the shift as far as LPN duties. We have the RN's who do all pills and I think they do treatments. They actually have 1 or 2 CNA's that work at night. Nights is usually where they put all of the new highers, and the night LPN's are usually desperate to change shifts after 5 months. If I worked day shift, I would have pills for 1/2 the unit, and 5 patients that are usually independent. Not as heavy as the LTC facility nurses.
I am going to go in with a smile, and a yearn to learn! Even tho I won''t do most of the skills I have learned right away I know in July 1/2 of the LPN's are going to be RN's and I will be able to move shifts!
Thank You everybody for letting me vent!!
Angela