I Need Help----what Should I Do?

02nurse · Dec 11, 2008

Ive been an LVN for 6 month now. The first couple of months were horrible. I think you should give it more time to really decide if you like it or not. You could also try working in different nursing fields to see what fits you best. Just my 2 cents.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

I can sympathize with the OP, since nursing is not for everyone. You are not alone in your feelings because people abandon this profession every year.

Some other healthcare occupations include sonography technician (also known as ultrasound technician), radiographer (also known as xray technician), dental hygienist, medical billing/coder, medical records technician, phlebotomist, medical assistant, dental assistant, surgical technician, medical laboratory technician, medical technologist, cytologist, and emergency medical technician.

josinda421 · Dec 11, 2008

Ive been an LVN for 6 month now. The first couple of months were horrible. I think you should give it more time to really decide if you like it or not. You could also try working in different nursing fields to see what fits you best. Just my 2 cents.

thanks for the reply. But as a LPN, you really don't have much choices. I really want to go back to school next month, but don't know what for.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

thanks for the reply. But as a LPN, you really don't have much choices. I really want to go back to school next month, but don't know what for.

What exactly is your problem with nursing? You cannot arrive at a competent solution until you identify the problem.

Does nursing involve too much contact with people? Is it too stressful for you? Do you want more respect or prestige? Is too much "dirty work" involved? Is it too depressing or monotonous? What exactly is the issue you are having with nursing?

josinda421 · Dec 11, 2008

I can sympathize with the OP, since nursing is not for everyone. You are not alone in your feelings because people abandon this profession every year.
Some other healthcare occupations include sonography technician (also known as ultrasound technician), radiographer (also known as xray technician), dental hygienist, medical billing/coder, medical records technician, phlebotomist, medical assistant, dental assistant, surgical technician, medical laboratory technician, medical technologist, cytologist, and emergency medical technician.

thanks for the reply. But I'm looking for something I could get a bachelors degree in and health related.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

thanks for the reply. But I'm looking for something I could get a bachelors degree in and health related.

Some of these occupations do require a BS degree (such as medical technologist, ultrasound technician, and cytologist). In addition, they are all "health-related."

josinda421 · Dec 11, 2008

What exactly is your problem with nursing? You cannot arrive at a competent solution until you identify the problem.
Does nursing involve too much contact with people? Is it too stressful for you? Do you want more respect or prestige? Is too much "dirty work" involved? Is it too depressing or monotonous? What exactly is the issue you are having with nursing?

Well, it's toooo stressful. From passing out meds, to calling doctor for this and that, paperwork after paperwork, running from here to there, standing my feet hardly getting a break just to sit down, worrying if I've done everything correctly, hoping nothing goes wrong with the resident so I don't have to stay till 2 or 3am. It's more so of the mental stress than physical stress that I'm dealing with and it makes me want to quite.

neygray · Dec 12, 2008

Well, it's toooo stressful. From passing out meds, to calling doctor for this and that, paperwork after paperwork, running from here to there, standing my feet hardly getting a break just to sit down, worrying if I've done everything correctly, hoping nothing goes wrong with the resident so I don't have to stay till 2 or 3am. It's more so of the mental stress than physical stress that I'm dealing with and it makes me want to quite.

If that is stressful to you, then being an RN isn't your answer either, because it is basically the same. You should look at your local community college and see what programs that they offer in allied health. Good luck!

jadey1 · Apr 7, 2009

HAHA...I've been an LPN for 5 years, 2 in Geriatric Long Term Care, which is what it looks like you're doing. I tell myself EVERYday that I don't want to do this, anymore. I love my job. I love my residents. I just hate the stress, being away from my family so much, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, having no life, dreading going to work everyday, getting off of work, only to think/talk about work, till I go back to bed. I know it's hard BUT, it DOES get easier. I feel like we're living parallel lives.

My first day, working long term care, the nurse I was orienting with kept saying, "You're not coming back, tomorrow, are you?" I'M STILL HERE! In fact, I struggled for a few months with deligating my time and paperwork, but after I got my routine down, I got so good, I even surpassed her, and got promoted to Skilled, then surpassed the Sr. Skilled nurse and became Desk Nurse. You get what you put into it, and what you want out of it.

If you want to stay in the field, but don't want to do hands-on patient care, go back to school for Medical Administration. You can be an Administrator, which is the "Big Boss" of a facility, above all the other nurses who're moaning and groaning, just like us. lol Just keep in mind, the more people that are under you, the more responsibility you have. You have to answer for every wrong that the people under you do.

P.S. I've decided to go back to school, this summer, get my RN, then go to Law School, so I can be a Health Care Attorney. This experience is going to help me a LOT! You're never too old to better yourself and be happy.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 7, 2009

There is Health Education, Respiratory, Physical or Occupational Therapy as well, if you still want some hands on.