I have been an LVN for 7 years. I was 22 when I started & I will be 29 this year. I know I'm not old but I feel like maybe I should pursue another career or something. I just had another baby & I am exhausted. My husband has been amazing & has taken the night shifts so I get to sleep at night.
I find myself being super tired in the morning if I get less than 8+ hours of sleep. If I don't take anything to help me sleep I don't sleep well. If I do take anything to sleep I am groggy the next day. I am usually dying for a nap & hoping my son will let me sleep for at least an hour, if not more.
This leads me to my question. Should I pursue the bridge program? If I'm this exhausted now, what will it be like when I'm in school & once I start work? Will my body be able to handle the long nights of studying & the 12+ work shifts?
I constantly feel like I'm on the verge of a seizure (I have epilepsy & bipolar disorder) & thankfully I haven't had a manic or depressive episode yet (knock on wood!).
What do you guys suggest? My mom is so gung ho on me studying to take the TEAS test to get into the bridge program but right now I feel like the walking dead & I feel like I shouldn't have a reason since I sleep at night.
Nursing isn't a glamorous or even desirable profession IMHO. But if you do decide to continue just know there are lots of less physically stressful nursing jobs out there both for RNs and LPNs. Clinic work, school nursing, insurance work, case management, telephone triage, etc all offer better schedules and less 'running.' After doing 12 hour hospital work for 7 years I found I always felt tired (and unlike you have no family). Now that I'm on a M-F schedule I sleep awesome, have more energy, have a better social life, have more energy for sports and outdoor activities, AND get holidays and weekends off! I make less money but cannot imagine going back to the irregularity of hospital shift work. You could also transition to another non-nursing healthcare career that isn't as stressful.
Better shot at an admin type job with an RN license. For that matter, better shot at a wider array of jobs, including those that would be better for your health.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Nursing isn't a glamorous or even desirable profession IMHO. But if you do decide to continue just know there are lots of less physically stressful nursing jobs out there both for RNs and LPNs. Clinic work, school nursing, insurance work, case management, telephone triage, etc all offer better schedules and less 'running.' After doing 12 hour hospital work for 7 years I found I always felt tired (and unlike you have no family). Now that I'm on a M-F schedule I sleep awesome, have more energy, have a better social life, have more energy for sports and outdoor activities, AND get holidays and weekends off! I make less money but cannot imagine going back to the irregularity of hospital shift work. You could also transition to another non-nursing healthcare career that isn't as stressful.
I've been a nurse for so long I don't know what else I'd do or what else I'd like. To get a job off the floor, I'd need to become an RN, need to get my bachelor's degree & gain experience.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Better shot at an admin type job with an RN license. For that matter, better shot at a wider array of jobs, including those that would be better for your health.
OrganizedChaos, congratulations on your new baby! I always enjoy reading your posts, you seem like a very sensible and pragmatic person and I know I would like having someone like you as a colleague. You can start the bridge program, you are right, there are more opportunities once you have your RN. But do you have to start it soon or can you wait awhile? If you're feeling pulled thin, why not wait awhile till you are feeling better? Case management is a possibility or you could go into clinic or urgent care once you have your RN. I think these positions are more family-friendly. Congratulations again!
I dont know what medication you take for your epilepsy and bipolar disorder, but do you take them at bedtime, or in the morning? If you take them in the morning, could you switch and take them at bedtime instead? Might help you sleep better at night and be less groggy during the day.
You do have a lot going on right now. Maybe ask yourself why you want to become an RN. If it's something you want to do, I believe you have the brain power for it--you're already a nurse after all. You know the nursing school drill. I have no doubts that you can do it. I think it's also ok to be nice to yourself right now. As you already know, nursing school is demanding. You aren't any less of a nurse for sticking with LPN for one year, a few years, or even the rest of your life. You are a Nurse So if you want to go back for experience with different jobs that you may need an RN for, go for it in your own time--but maybe let yourself rest a bit first. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that you're feeling a lot of pressure to go back to school. Don't go back because some people make the RN seem like the end all be all that everyone should obtain. Take the pressure of those letters off your shoulders, and then ask yourself what Chaos wants.
I also had my gallbladder removed less than 2 weeks after having my baby. So not only am still recovering from having my son but from having my gallbladder removed;
God bless your poor body, no WONDER you're exhausted!!! I agree w/all the PP, just wait until you're ready. Going from 1 kid to 2 is really hard, and it takes a while before you get in a groove and stop feeling like you're chasing your tail all the time (you do get there, trust me).
Maybe go part-time or prn. I just recently took a prn position because I reached a point of super exhaustion and I am not pregnant. I do have a 4 year old though and I am finishing up my bachelors. My husband thankfully provides the benefits. Money is great but if your health starts suffering you may force yourself to a point of not working at all. Good luck! I think it is different (you will have more energy) when you aren't caring for small children or your kids are grown and gone. I considered what people thought until finally I looked deeply into my situation and chose to do what works best for me. It is okay to listen to opinions but do what works best for you, because you have to live with your choices.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
OrganizedChaos, congratulations on your new baby! I always enjoy reading your posts, you seem like a very sensible and pragmatic person and I know I would like having someone like you as a colleague. You can start the bridge program, you are right, there are more opportunities once you have your RN. But do you have to start it soon or can you wait awhile? If you're feeling pulled thin, why not wait awhile till you are feeling better? Case management is a possibility or you could go into clinic or urgent care once you have your RN. I think these positions are more family-friendly. Congratulations again!
Thank you! Awwwww, you're so sweet! No there definitely isn't any rush. The bridge program isn't going anywhere & will still be there when I am ready. I really shouldn't rush into school because then I wouldn't do as well as when am I am ready.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I dont know what medication you take for your epilepsy and bipolar disorder, but do you take them at bedtime, or in the morning? If you take them in the morning, could you switch and take them at bedtime instead? Might help you sleep better at night and be less groggy during the day.
I take Zoloft for my bipolar disorder. I just switched to taking that during the day because I am afraid it is giving me insomnia. I take Topamax & that is BID so there is no getting around taking that just in the morning or at night.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Hi Chaos!
You do have a lot going on right now. Maybe ask yourself why you want to become an RN. If it's something you want to do, I believe you have the brain power for it--you're already a nurse after all. You know the nursing school drill. I have no doubts that you can do it. I think it's also ok to be nice to yourself right now. As you already know, nursing school is demanding. You aren't any less of a nurse for sticking with LPN for one year, a few years, or even the rest of your life. You are a Nurse So if you want to go back for experience with different jobs that you may need an RN for, go for it in your own time--but maybe let yourself rest a bit first. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that you're feeling a lot of pressure to go back to school. Don't go back because some people make the RN seem like the end all be all that everyone should obtain. Take the pressure of those letters off your shoulders, and then ask yourself what Chaos wants.
I want to become an RN because I want more job experience. I can get more jobs as an RN vs. as an LVN. I also screwed up working as an LVN. I was offered a hospital position right out of school (I wasn't diagnosed bipolar at this time) but I turned the position down because I saw I could make more money in PDN than in the hospital. Little did I know how much PDN sucked & how unstable it was. So I jumped from job to job & have a horrible job history & I feel this is my chance to start over.
I know I'm still a nurse but I can't land a decent job. Especially with my long hiatus.
foggnm
219 Posts
Nursing isn't a glamorous or even desirable profession IMHO. But if you do decide to continue just know there are lots of less physically stressful nursing jobs out there both for RNs and LPNs. Clinic work, school nursing, insurance work, case management, telephone triage, etc all offer better schedules and less 'running.' After doing 12 hour hospital work for 7 years I found I always felt tired (and unlike you have no family). Now that I'm on a M-F schedule I sleep awesome, have more energy, have a better social life, have more energy for sports and outdoor activities, AND get holidays and weekends off! I make less money but cannot imagine going back to the irregularity of hospital shift work. You could also transition to another non-nursing healthcare career that isn't as stressful.