Any LPN's now RN's in this forum? I've got a question

NCcardiacNurse · Apr 22, 2009

i'm currently an lpn in ltc. im only 24 with 2 yrs experience. im in a 3 yr bsn program right now...just one more to go. i feel too young, or i feel like people think im too young to have someones life in my hands even though im very capable. and even with one more year to go, i have been feeling the same way you are. buuttttt, i also felt that way going from cna to lpn. switching to any new job and/or new position no matter what it is, is very scary. dont give up. i think it will be a wonderful opportunity and experience. plus it will broaden your knowledge. dont let something like that hold you back. ltc is ok, i love my job, but it gets old after a while. there is so much more out there and so much more opportunity. im right there with you. GOOD LUCK!

NC Girl BSN · Apr 22, 2009

Aw, Change,

I think is okay to to be afraid. You are venturing out of you comfort zone and its causing you to second guess yourself. I was a CNA before I because an LPN so all I know is Nursing Home for 15+ years. I was terrified to leave the nursing home. I think the one thing that made it better was all my coworkers and even my bos encouraging me to leave and venture out into something different. Well as I go through orientation this week,I am at peace and its just a conformation that I am doing the right thing.

What I did was go PRN on my nursing home job and start full-time at the nursing home. That way if you I don't like the hospital, I can go running back to the nursing home. I felt so much better after my boss said I was always welcomed back at the nursing home. This gave me the confidence to move on and I feel so much better about the whole experience.

I wish you well whatever you decide but I think you will always regret not giving the hospital a try. Nothing is ever set in stone. I also wanted to ask, why did you get your RN if you wanted to stay at the nursing home? Are you considering administration? Keep us posted.

changeofpaceRN · Apr 22, 2009

I wish you well whatever you decide but I think you will always regret not giving the hospital a try. Nothing is ever set in stone. I also wanted to ask, why did you get your RN if you wanted to stay at the nursing home? Are you considering administration? Keep us posted.

Thanks NC Girl.. in response to your question.. I had always pictured either home health, ALF, or being in some sort of case manager or supervisory position. I am getting my BAS in Health Administration starting in May and plan on getting maybe a Masters in Public Health.

I pictured community or school nursing too~ help pregnant teens or teach about STD's ect or even getting a teaching certification and teach LPN's one day after more experience. As I handed in my 2 week's notice at one of my jobs, the DON offered me a supervisory position so I don't know. I also updated my info with a HH agency and they set me up to come in and chat with the manager (I had been inactive with the company but they just reactivated me). I also plan on moving in 6 months to an area about 4 hrs away form here so I don't want to get a bad name with any company. I just want to run screaming:bugeyes:

Jules A, MSN · Apr 23, 2009

There is a huge need for wonderful nurses in LTC if that is your niche I salute you. I'm sure you are more than capable of doing medsurg nursing if that is what you want but I know for myself that just wouldn't make me happy. Good luck.