Is it still worth it to become an RN?

allnurses Guide · Jan 22

nursingcand said:

I'm a newly graduated LPN. The job search has been awful since I got licensed. Chaotic understaffed nursing homes seem to be the only place that hires LPNs. Nobody wants to work at nursing homes. They have such a hard time keeping nurses that every nursing home will work with up to 10 different recruiting agencies to try to find nurses. I have seen 1 nurse to 40 patients and even a time where I found a nurse in charge of 80 patients.

My job training was literally just 3 days- which is far insufficient for a new grad. I knew I wouldn't be ready for the job in just 3 days so I just quit. The work environment was utter chaos, plenty of things that posed risk to my license. I barely had time to eat lunch. I just never realized how mistreated and unsupported nurses are.

I would never worked in understaffed conditions. Having to rush as I pass out meds just scares me so much and gives me so much anxiety especially when I'm new and not sure where certain medications are. It freaks me out. I only have 8 hours to pass out meds to so many people. I feel like I'm being set up to fail.

I tried to get away from the understaffing by going for home care. But it didn't work out because I was just too inexperienced to be left all alone with a patient for 12 hours a day.

Right now I am working at a wound care clinic where they're trying to push through as many patients as possible through the clinic in order to boost revenues. I see as many as 20-30 patients a day, overworking everyone. As stressed as I am, I can't leave this job for because there just aren't any better nursing jobs where things are slower paced, where nurses are treated correctly.

I plan on going for my RN next year , in hopes of better job prospects. But currently, seeing RNs are leaving the field in droves too, I am having doubts.

I know not all jobs are at the bedside but... the pay for case management / clinic nursing jobs are really very low. I would need to work 2 jobs to support my family.

Can any experienced nurses provide some guidance ?

Some of what you describe is unique to Skilled Nursing/Nursing homes. In 20 years I have worked under some challenging conditions and there are days that I come home seriously wiped out. Still I have never regretted getting my RN. My original career choice was to be a Rodeo Cowgirl but there is no money in that. Nursing is one of the oughest jobs you can do but it has afforded me a decent income, allowed me the stash enough savings to consider retiring in the next couple of years once my son is finished college and law school. So yes from my perspective becoming an RN has been worth it. Some may disagree but that's my 2 cents.

Hppy

ponderingDNP · Jan 23

nursingcand said:

I would never worked in understaffed conditions.

?This is where you are mistaken...if you work as a nurse.? Even when fully staffed on paper, call-outs happen; vacations happen; retirements happen. So try not to think along the lines of what you will not do, and focus more on what is more manageable for you. I will tell you that unless you remain on the job long enough to establish a routine and get to know the residents, you will never get a strong grasp of how to work long term care or manage chronic conditions. Granted, long-term care can feel and be overwhelming. But these are supposed to be stable patients for the most part, which is what a new grad needs to aid in becoming proficient in medication administration, glucose management, hypertensive control, etc.

If you return to LTC setting, get a listing of all the diabetics and accucheck times for your assignment. Get a listing of tube feeders, crushed meds, what residents are more likely to fight every pill you try to give them, etc. Put it all on one sheet and make copies so that you will have that list readily available every day. That helps to organize a lot of the chaos. Wherever you go, (whether it's LTC, or acute care, outpatient, wherever), you are going to be responsible for managing the chaos on your 8 or 12-hr experience.

>>>>>>If you do a quick Google search on this website for long term care checklists, flow sheets, SBAR forms, or something along those lines, I'm pretty sure you will find something to help organize your shift from day to day<<<<<<.

I am also sure that there was at least one resident at that nursing home who was as frightened as you were and wish you had stayed to help him or her adjust to the new environment.

You are afraid of what you don't know and that is very understandable. But you have to stay long enough to turn the unknown into a known. I have been in your shoes even as an experienced nurse. I started out as an LPN (24 years in that role). Every new assignment to a new facility (or even a current facility but a new unit) sometimes makes me feel like a new grad all over again because of lack of knowledge of policies and procedures, location of equipment and supplies, unfamiliar faces with unknown names, and most importantly, location of the restroom!! And yes, as the world progresses, I still encounter medications that I have never heard of before. Look it up and keep it moving!?‍♀️?‍♀️

Just this morning, a colleague walked up to me and noticed my clipboard (the kind that is attached to a closed compartment). She said, "wow, I haven't used one of those in years"! I said to her that this was why she had to take a screenshot of my cheat sheet when it was her time to do charge.? I, as the newer employee, should have been asking her for information. She has been at this location for nearly 10 years, whereas I am a transfer in as of two months ago. I may be a member of the Crusty Old Bat club??, as they call it here, but some of my outdated-but-tried-and-true habits are still making headlines as they save the day.?

I am not ashamed to walk around with more than a cellphone and a stethoscope on my person. I am not trying to audition for the next Nurse Jane, ER, or Greys Anatomy episode. I want only to have what I need to take care of the patient so that we both can make it safely to a full payday. (I throw this in about payday because if the census drops for whatever reason, so does the paycheck after a cancelled shift).?

You won't be a new grad forever. But don't make it a habit of quitting at the first sign of trouble. It will be a shame and a negative impact to your nursing journey to no longer be considered a new grad while having no experience to speak of. Potential employers will look closely at and down on that.?

dsaprog, BSN, RN · Jan 23

I'm an RN and can't find a job outside of nursing homes either.

allnurses Guide · Jan 23

dsaprog said:

I'm an RN and can't find a job outside of nursing homes either.

Have youtried dialysis, psych and outpatient surgery?

athey1999 · Jan 31

Hello. I have been an RN for nearly 21 years, all in the acute care hospital setting. Nursing is a terrific job, especially if you are a people person. It is also one of the most versatile professions out there. There are so many different things you can do, which can't be said for a lot of professions out there. You're sure to find something that will become your niche. Don't give up on pursuing your RN because you will find something that will work for you. Everyone does. And then when you decide it's time to move on, you can find another opportunity. That being said, it is challenging to be an LPN. I myself have never been one, but I do know a lot of acute care hospitals are no longer hiring them, as they are increasingly wanting BSN trained nurses. That's why getting your RN will be very important for you in order to unlock more opportunities. But the question is what to do in the meantime in the way of a job? Sadly understaffing is a sad fact of nursing. I would be willing to wager that no nurse in existence has ever not experienced understaffing. It's stressful and, depending on the circumstances, it can be outright dangerous. But unfortunately it is part and parcel with nursing. You likely won't find a place that doesn't have understaffing to some degree. I think you need to try to look within other venues that are not long-term care. I know you said you did a wound care clinic, but try to look at other places like outpatient centers, dialysis, clinics. They can offer a little more managed situations than nursing homes. Nursing is tough and there are a lot of challenges. The important thing is to stay the course and don't be in a hurry to quit because of certain situations that will arise. The key is to find a situation that is not outright dangerous. Keep looking and you will find something.

feelix, RN · Jan 31

Don't. You found out what nursing is about. Do not invest any more in it. You can still become a pharmacy tech/pharmacist, occupational therepy tech/ OT, physical therapy tech/PT, speech therapy tech/ SLP and so on. Keep working while you go to school and save your sanity.

Patricia Ordnung · Jan 31

I was an LPN in skilled facilities for many years. I loved it, but things were different back then. Staffing shortages were not the norm they are today. For a variety of reasons, I completed my RN. I've spent the last few years in community health nursing, and it's a great fit for me.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jan 31

I've been a RN for 25 years and a CRNA for 20 of those. There are so many different kinds of opportunities with a RN license. If one doesn't fit you, try another. LVN/LPN jobs are the low man on the assignment schedule and jobs. You will have many more opportunities as an RN, better assignments and with extended education, the best opportunities. Don't give up. It's worth it. No matter where you live, you will find a job.

Calliecat · Feb 13

Have you considered private duty through a home health agency. You just take care of one patient. It most likely would be a pediatric patient. I never in my life thought I would care for kids but it wasn't that bad. I even went to school with two of my clients. It was actually fun. I know nursing home works is hell, I did it as an LPN. I also worked in two different surgeons office and liked that. I encourage you to pray about. Best of luck to you.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Feb 14

I've taken a few shifts in LTC and that is the trenches baby. Major fixes are needed there. Having your RN gives you a lot more opportunity so I do recommend it. I feel like hospice LPNs have a really good deal. If you felt unprepared in home health though, I feel like what you probably need is some mentoring and some time to build confidence. When you interview be up front about that. Tell them you are looking for a job where someone can take you under their wing for a while. Like if you went to home hospice, maybe they could pair you with an RN case manager until you're confident.

I would rather hire someone who needed some time to get comfortable and was open to learning than someone who felt like they knew everything. So it's a plus for the right position.