I'm bored!

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Hi. I'm a new grad. I'm a LPN and graduated this past June. I work in a LTC. I've been there for about a month. I didn't want to work in LTC but it was about the only job I could get. The facility is nice and I like the residents. I'm surprised how nice it is but, I'm soooooooo bored. I pass med, do assessments and paperwork. What should I do??? My area doesn't really hire LPNs in the hospitals. I'm in school taking pre reqs to become a RN but it will be at least a year before I can get into a program. Should I stay in the LTC until I become a LPN or should I work in a doctor's office? Or should I commute 2hrs in order to work in a hospital as a LPN? HELP!!:confused::confused::banghead:

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If you worked in a doctor's office you would be seeing different patients so it might spice things up for you a little bit. If you can't find an office job I would probably stay at the LTC facility until you obtained your RN. Those two hours of commuting will add up, especially considering you're going to school as well.

Regardless, good luck in whatever you do and kudos to you for continuing your education! :)

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

If I were in your shoes I would try getting into an office position if it was closer to my home. At least you will get more patient contact with patients and physicians in a more busy environment. If not, then try to get to a hospital. I know that a lot of people start off in LTC but I personally do not recommend it. I think that every nurse should start off in an environment that is busy where he/she can stay up on new ideas, medications etc and hone their skills.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

I find it to be interesting that you are "bored" in LTC with all the tasks there are to be done. I'd leave for an MD office job if you're bored--better hours usually and you might find it less boring while you continue your education.

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Have you thought about home health,it lot's of driving,but the pay is usually great.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I say stay where you are and let that be a sort of laboratory for you while you work on your RN. For instance, you can certainly spend time doing head to toe assessments, listening to breath sounds and heart sounds, etc. At least you would have less stress there while you study.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I knew an LVN who became an ER tech. I'm not sure what additional requirements she had to do, EMT I believe? Maybe something like that would spice things up for you a bit.

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Specializes in psych,maternity, ltc, clinic.

I think most people become bored at work for one reason or another. Ive never had a job that dint bore me at one time or another. If you take an office job, its days monday-friday. You current job will provide more flexibility while you are getting your RN....

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Specializes in PMHNP.

If you work at a clinic will they be flexible with your school hours? Most ft clinic jobs are during traditional office hours, which might be nice but wont work if you have am clinicals once you are in the RN program. I wouldn't drive two hours to work and go to school...way too much work. Are you bored with the work itself or are you bored because there isn't that much to do? If you are bored because you get done with everything early then could you try to spend some 1:1 time with some of your patients, such as talking or playing a quick game of cards? When I did my clinicals at the clinic it was way more boring than at the LTC or TCU, because I had so much to do.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

You've only been a nurse for a very few months and you are bored? What kind of facility is this? I was still learning how to do my job at that point in my career. Have you been assessing your patients? their meds? any effects of said meds on said resident? are you checking skin daily, making sure they are plenty hydrated, updating treatments? If there is nothing else to do, how about looking at their diets, weights, and any nutritional supplements to see if they are getting what they need, not enought or too much? Are you noticing that any residents are acting differently than before? More socially isolated? More easily agitated? Why? What has been attempted to change the situation? There is way more to nusing in LTC than passing meds and assessment sheets. In fact, it's the tip of the iceberg.

I'm really not trying to be a hard nose, but trying to challenge you that there is a lot that you can do to keep from being bored at work, especially when you are new and probably don't have the skills to do the above as quickly as a more experienced nurse. Really look at the reason you are bored. It may be that changing jobs is the answer, but it may be that you need to challenge yourself a little more at the job you already have.

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Wow...I have been an RN for 6 years and I just started a new job at a LTC facilty..I am so busy..All the orders, labs, xrays, Skin checks..tons of Dr.'s. I am pooped. What type of facility do you work in?

I just thought I'd add..I am not trying to sound nasty..I am just really curious. I am so busy and I have worked LTC for awhile now

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