I need a pep talk

Is there anyone out there who is tired of being asked" Can you give shots?", or " You don't give out the medications though right?". I am. We work along side RNs, and get paid less, respected less, appreciated less. We do all the work they delegate out to us, ( sometimes because they don't know how, or have passed it off so many times they forgot).We work short staffed (all of us,LPNs, CNA,s and RNs)We miss our childrens'first day of school, their field trips, soccer games. We send our kids to school sick, hoping that they make it through the day, because our job doesnt allow us to take time for our own sick family.We work EVERY HOLIDAY KNOWN TO MAN, because we HAVE TO. We don't have time to use the bathroom. We eat out of vending machines. We risk our health by exposure to God knows what disease or virus is around the corner. Our patients hit, kick, bite and spit at us. We can't take a vaction because there is no replacement. We work weekends. We risk being sued by working in unsafe conditions- patient /staff ratio, areas od incompetance. We leave at the end of the day feeling that we haven't even broken the tip off the iceberg. AND WE MAKE THE SAME PAY AS THE CASHIER AT DUNKIN DONUTS, OR WALMART. So tell me again? Why is there a nursing shortage?

[mustangsheba]

Hi there, Darlin': I'm an RN but I'm going to answer anyway. When somebody questions your ability to pass medications, tell them you are trained so you have expertise in passing meds. RN's also get questioned about whether they know how to do things. It happens to all nurses at sometime. I expect even doctors are questioned because so many of them look like they are in middle school. The worst part is the compensation. None of us gets what we're really worth. You are appreciated. Most of the time, I can't tell what little letters are behind the names and I don't care as long as we pull together.

[jamistlc]

Originally posted by Kris10lnC:

Is there anyone out there who is tired of being asked" Can you give shots?", or " You don't give out the medications though right?". I am. We work along side RNs, and get paid less, respected less, appreciated less. We do all the work they delegate out to us, ( sometimes because they don't know how, or have passed it off so many times they forgot).We work short staffed (all of us,LPNs, CNA,s and RNs)We miss our childrens'first day of school, their field trips, soccer games. We send our kids to school sick, hoping that they make it through the day, because our job doesnt allow us to take time for our own sick family.We work EVERY HOLIDAY KNOWN TO MAN, because we HAVE TO. We don't have time to use the bathroom. We eat out of vending machines. We risk our health by exposure to God knows what disease or virus is around the corner. Our patients hit, kick, bite and spit at us. We can't take a vaction because there is no replacement. We work weekends. We risk being sued by working in unsafe conditions- patient /staff ratio, areas od incompetance. We leave at the end of the day feeling that we haven't even broken the tip off the iceberg. AND WE MAKE THE SAME PAY AS THE CASHIER AT DUNKIN DONUTS, OR WALMART. So tell me again? Why is there a nursing shortage?

I am at a loss for words! you said it all and then some. Feeling a bit stressed? We both know it will only get worse before it get better for most of what you posted, I hope we survive. I look forward to the day when the say I need a nurse and mean me! I have heard all that stuff too as a LPn in 11 years. The time is close for the shortage to make LPN's a more valued assett of the Nursing team! And the public preception will change with that need for relief within the ranks of Nursing. I know you sound frustrated please talk and vent with a trusted friend who may know what you are talking about for you own health and well-being.

Peace,

Jami

[LPNer]

I've been an LPN since 1977, I hate to say it but it won't get better. On the other hand, you WILL FIND WAYS to get along with it!

All nurses have been asked or assumed they can or can not do "something." It's frustrating but you will learn ways to give a quick, complete and non-judgemental response to inappropriate questions.

A common question I get is from pts. "Why did that other nurse come and put something in my IV?" (LPNs in Ohio can not give any push meds) I tell them nurses have different job functions and one of "Mary's" functions is to give the IV push meds.

I believe I am preventing my pt from getting the idea they have less than a real nurse while at the same time completely explaining why I did not give them their morphine.

The Docs at our hospital don't even worry about who can do what, excpet one and we just won't talk about him, we can all take their orders and ensure that those orders are carried out and/or question those orders, rare but it does happen. If I can not carry it out, I simply get someone who can but I do see to it that the order is carried out. That's what a nurses job is, and LPNs can always do that.

HEHEHE come to think of it, I am delegating a chore to the RN! LOL OH, it's all symantics!

You will find a way to get along with it, even if by humor, as in the above paragraph.

[pnanas982]

Boy I dont know what to do now I really wanted to go to school to start a career in nursing now Im kind of scared. Well maybe not so scared. Should I put this off. I have two beautiful girls one is 8 and the other is 5. After reading some of the posts now I question myself and ask you how hard is it? School, work, and everything else tied in with nursing. Im going to be 28 and really want to start a second chapter of my life for myself. Any input guys?

[catzy5]

Boy I dont know what to do now I really wanted to go to school to start a career in nursing now Im kind of scared. Well maybe not so scared. Should I put this off. I have two beautiful girls one is 8 and the other is 5. After reading some of the posts now I question myself and ask you how hard is it? School, work, and everything else tied in with nursing. Im going to be 28 and really want to start a second chapter of my life for myself. Any input guys?

Don't get discouraged by what you read, I am not an LPN so I can't really respond to the original post, other then saying every proffesion has its ups and downs and days where you just want to pull your hair out. I get no acknowledgement now as a Mom and am very very underpaid for what I do lol. I think if you want to be a nurse and something you have wanted for a long time then go for it. I think its great to get an idea of what some of the ups and downs are there are plenty of messages on this forum that give you both sides ups and downs and you can make a pretty good decsion if this is right for you, judge your personality think about what you can and can't handle and go from there. I had been reading another message board it was so negitive there was so much lpn bashing and rn lpn disputes I got really discouraged mainely I noticed later from one person ruining the tone of the board, I later foun all nurses and I find that there is a much much better attitude here and I feel I get a better understanding of what its like being an lpn even when people have bad days.

catherine

[LVN'06]

Boy I dont know what to do now I really wanted to go to school to start a career in nursing now Im kind of scared. Well maybe not so scared. Should I put this off. I have two beautiful girls one is 8 and the other is 5. After reading some of the posts now I question myself and ask you how hard is it? School, work, and everything else tied in with nursing. Im going to be 28 and really want to start a second chapter of my life for myself. Any input guys?

Do not let this get you down. Some times Nurses need to blow off steem. No matter what profession you go into there will be times when you are burned out. I am not a working LVN yet, I just graduated and am waiting on my temp. license. I have a three year old son. It was alot of hard work and late nights studying But I made it in the top of my class and graduated with honors. You can and will do it. The key is to listen to the lectures and study study study. Good luck!

[luvmy2angels]

And I just answered a post this morning that asked "Are LPNs considered to be real nurses?"

I feel your pain!! Although I am a new LPN I have been in nursing for 18 years and understand what you are saying!!

[pnanas982]

I wanted to thank those of you who have encouraged me to persue my education in nursing. What a insperation you have all been. It looks a bit brighter at the end of the tunnel. I love this web site!!! Thanks again!

Crystal

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

AND WE MAKE THE SAME PAY AS THE CASHIER AT DUNKIN DONUTS, OR WALMART. So tell me again? Why is there a nursing shortage?

Cashiers at Dunkin Donuts earn $6.75 hourly. Wal-Mart clerks earn $8.00 hourly. I, as a new LVN, earn $18.50 hourly. Nurses will never become rich in this lifetime, but there's no need to over-exaggerate the low pay.

Oops! I just realized that the original post is over 5 years old!