Job Hopper

[1Sharon1]

So...I have been an LPN since 2013. I have had 8+ LPN jobs since this time. Most of these jobs have been in LTC. I have tried to enjoy the jobs and I'm told that I'm doing a great job at each one, but I hate them all!! We are always short staffed and it is so embarrassing to admit a new resident and then a day later have to explain why this person is not getting the care they deserve! I'm so fed up and feel that every place I go is the same. Should I just quit nursing?

[Sour Lemon]

Should I just quit nursing?

If you just inherited a small fortune, then quit. If you have another degree in something highly marketable, look for something in that field. If you need the income and have no other marketable skills, sleep on it ...then wake up and go to work.

[prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP]

What about trying a different setting. They have Hospice, Home Health and the pay is better and normally you can make your own schedule. Also what about a doctor's office or clinic?

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

8+ jobs in 3 years!?! I wonder if you aren't quitting before settling into a job and getting in to a routine, You may want to step back and look at your expectations versus reality. Also, your quitting so soon contributes to the staffing issues. In my area, LTC is experiencing extreme shortages. I have gone from being employed by one to working via a staffing agency. Now I work where and when I want to. I go in to places and fill in the staff when they are short handed.

But, first, check your expectation and what reality is. You need to figure out how to come to terms with the reality before you will find satisfaction in a job.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

LTC is not for everyone. I would try another setting. Depending on your area you might be able to do private duty nursing, corrections nursing, physician's office care, hospice, etc. I wouldn't quit before you tried something else.

[ottersloveoysters]

Is there a reason you keep going back to the same setting? There are many other places to look for work. Also, what questions are you asking in interviews? Do you ask about staffing ratios? Employee retention? You can also ask the interviewer "how long have you worked here?", "what do you like about working here?" or "what would you change about this facility if you were able?". Find out the scoop before you take your next job.

[NuGuyNurse2b]

what about getting RN and going into acute care?

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

I had two long term care jobs. One less than three months, the other that I moved to was at a top 100 places in the state to work. I hated both of them, I stuck around for three years and finally left after it was apparent I was being pushed out. I moved to pediatric home care, with a side of camp nursing for about eight years. Now I'm getting ready to move into dialysis. Try a different setting and try and lay down some employment history of more than a year or your gonna be very hard pressed to explain your work history.