Is LVN licensure possible (or probable) for an unmedicated schizoaffective? (California)

[Seagull01]

I'm trying to figure out a training program that will suit me, and my doctor actually recommended I go to LVN school, saying the stress factor shouldn't be too important in an office job like at his practice.

I still have to figure out whether this is something I truly want to pursue, but I should know if it is a waste of my time due to my disability and my lack of interest in regular medication.

I have troubles with focus due to voices and anxiety that comes from living with them. I probably need to work at a mostly slower pace.

From what I understand of the duties for those who work in clinics and private offices, it doesn't seem like it would be too aggravating. I am fine one on one mostly. My doctor made it so like most of the day's work was done on the computer.

I would probably avoid hospitals simply due to the fact they seem more hectic and stressful.

But again, will there be a point at all in trying to become an LVN? Is there a good chance that the psychological report will take into consideration my whole lifestyle and management system, or will they just throw me to the wolves once they see I don't take any continuous medication? (I say continuous because I don't so much have a problem with meds on an as needed basis, meant to be taken sporificely in extreme circumstances.)

Also I want to note I was on medication for four years. It never made a difference. My psychiatrist said herself I was running out of options. Why poison my body with something that doesn't work? If it makes me an unreasonable threat in this job so be it, I'll find a different career path.

[caliotter3]

What other career options are you considering and what does your doctor say about your suitability for them?

[Seagull01]

At the moment, I'm actually leaning towards solar panel installation, and maybe electrician in the future. General maintenance has been another interest of mine. Conservation biology I think is an area I'd really enjoy, but I'm just not in a place where I want to pursue all the schooling for that.

I haven't spoken extensively about it with my therapist in all honesty. My career counselor said she thinks it would fit me when I brought it up, but she also said RHIT might be preferable for me since I would have more solitary work.

The doctor that brought all this up is my general physician, and I think it might be a combination of trying to be helpful and staffing shortages. He brought up the LVN thing a few years ago. And just recently he also mentioned they are hiring when he brought it up. Anyway, I felt a bit awkward having an extensive conversation about it in that setting, I was really just getting blood work results, so yeah.

I think my biggest issues will be being pushed to move too quickly, and overstimulation in the environment. That includes crowded areas. But I also feel that if I have a job that allows me too move around and use my hands more I will be better able to ignore voices and avoid as much stress. It helps to get outside of my head. That's one reason I have a heavier focus on construction related jobs, because they seem to put me more into the world around me. Where areas I can do stuff on computers and work with files, but I'd have to contend with more hallucinations floating around at the same time pestering me and essentially trying to provoke me or make me angry. At worst I might get a little snappish with people, though the tendency is reduced with strangers, and the brief sort of one on ones like in my doctor's office might be perfect as it also gets me out of my head, but I'm not going to have to maintain an extended focus (for lack of a better term I tend to float around lengthy conversation. I am there but flittering in and out, and paying complete diligent attention is impossible.)

Catheter insertion and removal as well as patient bathing are two things that will provide stress, as sex and nudity are two huge things that the voices manifest and driver me off the wall with. Just reading up on the process of inserting a catheter made me squirm and start to second think this as a good option. I might be able to do surgery things if I were free to grimace all I wanted, but of course that's not exactly hospitable to the patients. I am under the impression this would be avoided more in a private practice office. Wounds I am not so concerned about.

Sigh. I'm in a slight tricky situation in regards to really having a productive lengthy conversation with my therapist or psychiatrist. I'm technically medically noncompliant. I have discounted rent which rests on my compliance with doctor's orders. Which has quite frankly scared me out of having any meaningful conversations with them over treatment. I am quite interested in therapy, but insurance doesn't cover multiple agencies, which is fair enough, but doesn't put me in a position to be able to thoroughly work with a professional. My emotions are so caught up in my symptoms, it seems to me any conversation will inevitably lead to getting my meds adjusted. So I avoid talking. I've been trying to utilize CBT to varying success, but I've been suffering from a lack of structure in my life, and in the process I've lost myself a bit. I did better when I put myself on a schedule and so work or not I intend to do that again.

I could probably see an independent person and pay them myself long enough to get a more rounded opinion and discussion of what is going on.

This is the first time in my adult life I've really been prepared and interested in trying to be self sufficient. I'm probably going to stumble a bit as I try to get used to it. And I may well need to just do part time work for awhile and see how it goes.

Actually, this solar panel installation thing is interesting, if I volunteer and complete one full installation, I am open to join their training program. It gets me into the work right away and I can back off if it won't suit me very easily as well. So that seems like a good low risk thing to try out. And it feels secure if it does work out. Pay is good and seemingly low risk of automation replacing it in the near future.

[Floor_Nurse]

Honestly, nursing can be kind-of hectic and fast paced, especially for LPN nurses. If being "pushed to move too quickly" is an issue then perhaps you should consider what you're getting into here. As you read the comments here at A.N., you'll see that some people love their jobs as nurses while others have regrets.

[caliotter3]

When I was involved in the construction trade, I found it to be forgiving for people with certain types of problems. However, in spite of claims to the contrary, women find a rough road unless they are the foreman's wife or girlfriend. The union won't help.

[Seagull01]

Yeah, I mentioned that to my general practitioner and his words were "well look at them, they mostly sit on their butts all day" with a laugh.

But I am aware that there will be busy times, and also, that I may not be able to control what employment is available or would hire me at that. My attempts to find a more low key position might end up futile, and then I might have issues.

I might shelve this for now, and read more about the position and maybe in the future it could be an opportunity.

[Wuzzie]

I'm just going to come right out and say it. Your desire to to work towards a goal is commendable but, no, I do not see how nursing would work out for you in any way, shape or form without getting your disease completely under control . A nurse with auditory hallucinations is a risk that no facility would be willing to take, especially if they cause you to become "snappy". Your doctor does not understand the type of training involved to become an LVN nor does he understand what nurses actually do. Your career counselor does not understand the significance of your disease. You have an excellent grasp on your triggers and you articulate very well those things that would be difficult for you and I'm truly very sorry to sound so negative but I do not see nursing working out well for you and fear it could send you into a tailspin. You also seem much more interested in the solar panel installation job. I've never done it so I can't speak to it's appropriateness for you but I do a lot of construction and find it to be very stress relieving.

[Seagull01]

Rough how?

I've heard horror stories of verbal and sexual abuse in trades like fire fighting, do you mean similar to that?

[Seagull01]

That's fair enough, and understandable. Thanks.

[elkpark]

That's fair enough, and understandable. Thanks.

If you use the "Quote" button in the lower right corner of another poster's post, we can see to whom, specifically, you're responding. Like I just did. :)

Welcome to allnurses!

[caliotter3]

Rough how?

I've heard horror stories of verbal and sexual abuse in trades like fire fighting, do you mean similar to that?

Precisely. After a twenty year career in the military, I had no desire to put up with daily sexual harassment, threats, and constant general harassment, both on and off the job. I drew the line when someone started playing 'road rage' with me on the way home from work, and I ran out of alternate routes. The foreman, the job superintendent, and the Union supported the male workers' rights to harass me at will, so I decided unemployment was better. I had been accepted to and was awaiting a start date for the apprenticeship.

[Scottishtape]

I can garauntee you that LPNs do much more than just sit on their butts. It is not an easy job. When you're not physically running, you're mentally running.

I will say that of all the jobs I held as an LPN the office setting was the easiest, but that doesn't mean it was easy. It was a very busy office and I worked 12 hour days, 5 days a week.

Not only that, but LPN programs are tough. At least, the one I did was very rigorous.

I agree with Wuzzie. If stress exacerbates your illness, then I do not think LPN is the route to go. I'm sorry. It's just such a precarious position to put patients in.

I do think there's something out there that will suit you, I just think a little more research into other areas would be beneficial.