How to Escape LTC

[mejajo02]

It took me years to finally finish getting my LPN training due to life circumstances. I thought once I got to be a nurse everything would just fall into place, but it has been a complete disappointment and a nightmare. I must escape LTC. It is draining my passion and soul for nursing. I tried psych (with adolescents) and decided it was not my niche. In the area i live the only jobs for LPN's are in LTC, and any other jobs are scarce or hard to find or want a 1 year experience. I don't think i am going to make it in LTC for a year. I love working with the elderly, but i am tired of having 40 plus patients, heavy med passes, dealing with adminstration its just too much. I have tried working the dayshift, nightshift, prn etc Its all the same, I am just frustrated i need a change. Any tips on how to get out of LTC and how to get a job in other areas for LPNS??

[AnieleiLPN]

Continue to be the best nurse you can be while still at your current facility, polish your resume, and apply for other jobs you see. A lot of offices take LPNs. Even if the description for an opening asks for experience, apply anyway sometimes they take other experience such as CNA, clinicals, etc and getting a good review from your current job over someone with a year of mediocre experience. If they want to hire someone else the worst you'll hear is "No". Say thank you and keep trying; eventually it will happen.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Where I live dialysis clinics, doctors offices, corrections and home care all hire LPNs. Only home care really pays as much as LTC, though. (at least around here)

[amoLucia]

Could it just be YOUR current facility that's such a downer for you? Maybe another facility?

[cyde]

wish i could trade ya...i have no job... what about working in a dr. office?

[Blackcat99]

In my area, they usually only hire full time LPN's for clinics, private duty nursing and LTC. The best paying jobs are in LTC so I stay in LTC. Yes, LTC is totally stressful and frustrating day after day but it's nice to have money to pay the bills. When I did private duty nursing I was always low on cash and then my patient would get sick and go into the hospital and then no money would be coming in at all. I would rather have "job stress" than "financial stress".