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Discussion

what is it like being a nurse?

Hello. I narrowed down my career choice to lpn or surgical technologist. I really want to be a nurse but I need some information. I have heard that nursing school and being a nurse is hell. That is what is stopping me. Could you please tell me what it is like, really like, being a nurse. Like what do you to daily basis? In hospital settings, nursing homes, home health services? I really want to know what exactly do lpns do. Is it really horrible and tough? Also, what is nursing like? and the clinicals? and the last thing, what is the base pay or hourly pay? I live in ohio at a smally city. I live in middleport ohio which is close to gallipolis, athens, and parkersburg west virgina.

Thank you very much if you answer!:)

Featured Replies

  • Expert

Hi and welcome,

While being a surge tech is the coolest job in the OR other than a first assist its my opinion that you will have more options as a LPN. The pay and opportunities for LPNs really varies depending on your area.

I hated LPN school, the RN program was a bit better but still pretty close to the hell you asked about, lol, however I LOVE being a nurse. There are definitely many times when I feel overworked and frustrated with all the responsibility, short staff and lack of supplies but that doesn't for one minute make me think of quitting nursing. My patients are incredible, most of my coworkers are great and the pay in my area is very good. Whats not to like about leaving work and feeling like you actually made a difference in someone's life even if only a small difference? I never understand the people that belittle nursing and yet don't find another way to make a living. Life is too short not to do something that I enjoy.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jules

Hi, Being a nurse is not as sweet as you would think, I do love it, but hate all the paper work you have and no time with the patients. I have been on my job right at 2 months , the nurses that have been there don't like me because I tryed to do as we were taught not what I see, so far in this two months, one lpn and one cna have lost there jobs because I refused to let them be lazy on there jobs. So watch out and try not to let the older nurses change your ethics

I love being a nurse. I work in LTC and I have 26 residents. My day consists of passing meds, md appts., tx's, charting, and putting a smile on 26 people. At first, its not an easy job, very stressful. You will learn your routine. I think what fancyme50 may be speaking of is nurses know that (at least in LTC) you can not get your job done if you dont take shortcuts and figure out some kinda routine. But the problem is some older nurses like to force that on new nurses not realizing they will figure out their own way. You can still keep your ethics, just find a way to be efficient. Im pretty sure surgical techs make more money in my city, but you will have more opps with nursing. Hope you choose nursing!! :) BTW, I too, live in Ohio but a much bigger city, cincinnati.

I, too am wondering about becoming an LVN. Is there a lot of unsafe lifting expected? I have bad knees and an ok back - not good not bad. I have learned some body mechanics and they helped, but I still have bad knees even if I keep my back straight. I suppose I could get knee braces - do they help a lot? I have all prereqs and have been in RN school but had to quit because of my family. I just never spoke to them anymore, and it wasn't worth it. (I know, maybe I should've at least finished the semester, but I was ALOC all the time and didn't think of it.) But there are programs that are shorter or part time for LVN where I live, and I'm considering it. Another concern, in nursing homes, do you wipe butts all day? I don't mind a little, but all day? Or do the aids do most of it? I don't feel above it all; it's just not my goal in life.

Thanks, Nancy

I, too am wondering about becoming an LVN. Is there a lot of unsafe lifting expected? I have bad knees and an ok back - not good not bad. I have learned some body mechanics and they helped, but I still have bad knees even if I keep my back straight. I suppose I could get knee braces - do they help a lot? I have all prereqs and have been in RN school but had to quit because of my family. I just never spoke to them anymore, and it wasn't worth it. (I know, maybe I should've at least finished the semester, but I was ALOC all the time and didn't think of it.) But there are programs that are shorter or part time for LVN where I live, and I'm considering it. Another concern, in nursing homes, do you wipe butts all day? I don't mind a little, but all day? Or do the aids do most of it? I don't feel above it all; it's just not my goal in life.

Thanks, Nancy

Yes, nursing is very strenuous on your knees and your back. You lift, you wipe, you do it all. No not all day, but if thats your concern with nursing, I wouldnt do it. You'll find there are alot more gross things other than wiping a butt or two. Sometimes Id rather wipe a butt then deal with some of the other stuff. But, you get use to it all. Nothing really bothers me anymore, except vomit :( But as far as physical demand, you will bust your butt. Just my opinion from my experience.

I work in a nursing home and I have never wiped a butt or lifted anyone, they have CNA's that do all that, I just pass pills and do blood sugars and paper work.

  • Expert
I work in a nursing home and I have never wiped a butt or lifted anyone, they have CNA's that do all that, I just pass pills and do blood sugars and paper work.
However, there might be times when the CNAs are so understaffed that you might need to step in and help them "wipe a butt," "lift someone," or "feed people." The vast majority of nursing home LPNs, myself included, have had to do some of the more earthly tasks at least a few times.
I work in a nursing home and I have never wiped a butt or lifted anyone, they have CNA's that do all that, I just pass pills and do blood sugars and paper work.

I've worked geri day programmes, post partum, gynie, surgery and have wiped poop in all of them.

The rule has always been who finds the poop, cleans the poop. We have one NA for 30 post op patients.

And let's not talk about ostomy bags...

I work in a nursing home and I have never wiped a butt or lifted anyone, they have CNA's that do all that, I just pass pills and do blood sugars and paper work.

I agree with TheCommuter...this may not be the case all the time, and I want to offer friendly advice...don't say this to the CNAs. Many would become very resentful if they are made to feel that "CNAs can do all that". While it is true that this is their primary job, nurses learned this in their first semester for a reason. In addition, nurses are hired in plenty of places where there are NO CNAs at all. When that happens, who else is going to do it?

I work in a nursing home and I have never wiped a butt or lifted anyone, they have CNA's that do all that, I just pass pills and do blood sugars and paper work.

How can you be a nurse without assessing your patients? Your statement is not only very unprofessional, but gives the completely wrong idea of nursing.

If all you do is pass pills, do paper work and blood sugars, how do you know if your patients have any skin breakdown, pressure sores or if the "aids" are doing good mouth care? What about doing range of motion, turning and positioning every 2 hours, etc.......

I sure wouldn't want you as my nurse or one of my loved ones nurses. Sad, sad attitude and practices.

Babs

How can you be a nurse without assessing your patients? Your statement is not only very unprofessional, but gives the completely wrong idea of nursing.

If all you do is pass pills, do paper work and blood sugars, how do you know if your patients have any skin breakdown, pressure sores or if the "aids" are doing good mouth care? What about doing range of motion, turning and positioning every 2 hours, etc.......

I sure wouldn't want you as my nurse or one of my loved ones nurses. Sad, sad attitude and practices.

Babs

Little harsh, but I def agree. I sure would NOT wanna be one of her cna's. This goes back to the debate of actually havingto work as an aide before becoming a nurse. Not all, but clearly this nurse needed to, maybe she would appreciate it a little more :nono:

Very true, and yes I do help my CNA's when time allows, But I was stressing that nursing is not all about butt wiping.

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