Is it as bad as everyone says it will be?

Nurse Lynette, BSN, RN · May 26, 2012

Ive been an LVN for 5 years and I adore my job! Ive never ever came close to hating a single day in nursing. That is the honest truth. I am starting an LVN to RN bridge progam on June 4th which I am very excited about, but I wont lie, I have felt sentimental about leaving behind my LVN status. Thats how much I love it! In the last 5 years I worked at a rehab floor in the hospital, a day surgery center, home health, family practice, ER, and most currently Urgent Care. Ive loved all of it and learned so much!

Ella26, BSN, RN · May 26, 2012

Hopefull1-

Congrats on your journey and becoming an LPN. I am an LPN, next month it will be 3 years. I am currently in a mobility program LPN-ADN, I will be done if all goes well this december. I have only worked in Chem Health and Allergy and Asthma. The latter for 2 years on June 1st, it was my first full time position. I think nursing is what you make it, and I think the nurses that hate nursing or their job, just have not found their right nieche of nursing. I knew right off hand that long term care was not for me. And I didnt want to be on hear saying I hate it also. I just feel like the nurse to patient ratio in LTC is unacceptable and not safe and puts your license on the line. Now, I have not worked there before so I am not sure but from what I seen in my LTC clinicals that is too much stress trying to pass alot of meds to 35 patients in like 2 hours. That does not sound pleasant by any means, or being the only nurse on the floor and being responsible for all those patients. I did not work this hard to put my license on the line like that. I think LTC would be more rewarding if they had better staffing to start. But it seems they are chronically understaffed. This is just my speculation/opinion. Any how I would say my job is easy and I do not dread having to go to work at the allergy and asthma clinic (M-F only no weekends). I room patients, take vitals, give allergy and asthma injections, give neb treatments, do PFTs, put on allergy/skin testing, refill meds per protocols, do food or drug challenges. I feel I know what is expected of me and I know how to do it. Now, I do not work and the Chem health facility any longer (they got rid of all their LPNs and hired all RNs) but the only thing I dreaded about that position was the hours, they were 12's. So 7am-7pm or 7p-7a. Plus my full time job so I would work on the weekends there. I would say that working there was like being at a psych and jail facility at the same time. My patients were completely the opposite of the allergy patients. We dealt with criminals, drug addicts, they would come in with frost bitten limbs, post er wounds (they were intoxicated got stabalized at the hospital and sent to us). Diabetics that were not eating and checking insulin but just drinking all day so out of control blood sugars. Mental health issues, beahvioral health issues, we gave IM droperidol for out of control behavior. So I got to do wound dressing, give insulin, have seizure precautions because anyone at any time basically could fall out with a seizure mostly from heavy drinking and treat people with valium for alcohol withdrawal. So to answer your question use your clinical to kind of decide what area you want to go in, of course if you go to family practice or internal medicine you will get alot of everything. And I know you might not get your pick of jobs with the current economy. But if you already dont like LTC ike me for example I never applied to them. I would have rather gone with out a job than work there just to make money because if you dont put your heart into it, you will be stressed, grumpy and the patients will know that and they may not get their best care because your really not into it. And I do not think its fair to our patients, they deserve better than that. I like my job and I get complimented all the time from the patients and the doctors I work with that Im a good nurse. I do not feel I would be able to give my 100% in an area of nursing that I do not like.

conroenurse · May 26, 2012

WELL, I've been a nurse for 30 yrs and there are days that I LOVE my job, and days that I just wanna go be a McDonald's clerk because I just don't want to be responsible for anything or anyone.

I went into nursing almost by default because I wanted steady work and was single mom with 4 girls, but I was a people person, so worked out.

There is a reason why you went to school and that is why you are there. Just remember ALOT depends where you work, what type of work, hours worked, etc. If you find yourself somewhere you can't care for, change it. DO get that one yr at least of Med/Surg. YES IT"S HARD, but WOW WHAT A TEACHER.

Nursing is not a job that is easy, and is ALOT of responsibility regardless of where/what you do, but it is a excellent career for anyone that helps you grow as a caring human person and can't say the pay is REAL bad, though like everyone else I'd like MORE MORE MORE MONEY. LOL

Nursing does have ALOT of "gallows" humour, but stop and think abt it, ALL THAT RESPONSIBILTY, PEOPLE CAN DIE ON YA, or not get better, hey there are just "THOSE DAYS".

Good Luck.

Nita

hopefull1 · May 26, 2012

Thank's for the replies and advice ladies..it does make me feel better to hear it!:) I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed that I can land a position somewhere that I will enjoy working and learn alot while I'm at it!

mamakel123 · May 27, 2012

I've been an LPN for 12 years, was a CNA for 15 before that. I've been doing home health for 10 years, and I absolutely love it. I've had jobs I hated, too. It depends on your employer, and your co-workers. I've been happiest when I took jobs that allowed me to further my knowledge, employers who wanted me to learn. I am truly happy with my current employer and intend to stay with them until I retire. This company sets a very high standard, so that means everything is done right. I would recommend getting onto a med-surg unit for a year, if you can. It will give you excellent experience, lots of mentors, and a wide range of exposure to various patient care areas. Good luck!