LPN Doubts

[whittwhitt]

Could you tell me what the daily routine of an LPN is at your hospital? I was going to message a few LPNs or RNs on here but I can't private message yet because of the 15 post minimum ...

I'm 5'1" and was wondering if that would prevent me from getting hired. I've read posts on here that it didn't matter and most of the time LPN's got other people to help them move patients when needed.

But the main thing I'm concerned about is the stress. My life is already very stressful at the moment. Neither of my parents work so I've really only got one chance to chose the right career and be able to take care of myself. I was wanting to do the LPN to RN bridge when I get older, although being an RN would be more stressful, but I think I could handle it after I become an LPN and make enough money for me to have something to fall back on. But an LPN doesn't have nearly as many stressful situations as an RN, right? From what I've read, they do injections, help patients with day to day needs, and change bandages. Basically I don't want to be completely responsible for someone's life at the moment and put more stress on myself, especially since there's so much already on me succeeding.

I was thinking about being a dental hygienist and then becoming a dentist later on if being an LPN would be too much for me. That would be something less stressful and less physical and would also still be a health care career. Basically I want a health care career that makes good money but doesn't involve too much stress/responsibility.

I've already taken all of the classes needed for the LPN program and am going to apply to take the NLN-PN in July this year, then hopefully start the course in January. If I was going to go into the dental hygiene program it would take about a semester to take prerequisites and then two years for the course (I believe, if you're able to take classes during the summer). But if dental hygiene was something I would be more comfortable with then it would be worth it of course.

I've switched many times by the way. I started college wanting to be a vet assistant then switched to LPN then switched back to vet assisting then back to LPN and now I'm having doubts about being able to be a good LPN ... so any help would be much appreciated!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm 5'1" and was wondering if that would prevent me from getting hired.

I'm also 5'1" and have been a nurse for 10 years. The first four years were as an LPN. Being short will not prevent you from being hired because most people are not tall.

Could you tell me what the daily routine of an LPN is at your hospital?

Here in the U.S., the vast majority of LPNs don't work at hospitals. Employment at a nursing home, home health company, private duty, jail, prison, clinic, doctors office, group home, adult daycare, hospice, or rehabilitation center will be likely.

[whittwhitt]

Thank you for the help!!

[Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm 5'1" also. I worked in nursing home/subacute environment. There were CNA's and hoyer lifts for help. In private duty homecare you many be on your own, however I would request an orientation to see if you can handle that patient first.

[whittwhitt]

Thanks!!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I would figure out what you want to do before you pursue any further education. Maybe shadow in a vet office and/or a dentist office for a day? You should know most LPN's do not work in the hospital. There are a few that are hiring them for the floor, but that is the exception not the rule.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

But the main thing I'm concerned about is the stress.I was wanting to do the LPN to RN bridge when I get older, although being an RN would be more stressful, but I think I could handle it after I become an LPN and make enough money for me to have something to fall back on. But an LPN doesn't have nearly as many stressful situations as an RN, right?

Basically I want a health care career that makes good money but doesn't involve too much stress/responsibility.

Nursing school can be quite stressful. I've had very few LPN positions that were not stressful, and the ones that weren't stressful paid poorly. I would talk to people in the job fields that you are interested in and do some more research into what each entails before spending money on a lot of tuition. If possible, try to shadow someone, although that opportunity may be harder to find due to HIPAA regulations.

[mc3, ASN, RN]

I agree with NurseSpeedy. LPN's have jobs that are just as stressful, so be careful making that assumption. Nurse jobs are stressful jobs; it's just part of it. Are there less stressful nurse jobs? I don't know..I'm a School Nurse and this job is pretty darn stressful!

I'm wondering if you really knew what the job entailed before starting nursing school, so if you decide to change do your research. In any event, you're still young! Before you put any more money into continuing on to the RN program, I'd give your current job a year. You'll see if it's what you want to spend the rest of your life doing. Be honest with yourself! It's not wrong to decide if this isn't what you want. If you don't like it, I'll bet some of the skills you learned could be used in another career.

Good luck!

mc3:nurse:

[Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN]

LPNS and RNs alike are completely responsible for the care they provide, their nursing duties and are both held to standards of their nurse state practice act. We are nurses and are treated as such by the boards of nursing.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

Good luck! I was an LPN for a long time,...LPNS do a lot of what the RNS do, although not everything. In some places, LPNS do 95% of the what the RNS do and then some things are assigned to LPNS that the RNS may not do as well. It depends on the place you work and their policies and roles for the LPN. It's tough work, but I loved it!

[nolanurse88]

I'm a LPN in a hospital and have the same full responsibility as the RNs for my patients. I do admissions, teaching, meds, their daily care, make calls to the doctors, give IVPBs. Whenever I have an IV push or need the blood spiked the RN will do it. They also sign my tele strips. Overall just don't go in thinking it's any less stressful than for RNs. Now this may be different in another area of nursing.

[whittwhitt]

Thank you! I think I'm more interested in doing something with less direct patient interaction. I was looking into billing/coding or transcription, but I'd want something that's not a desk job. I've been doing research on radiologic technicians, surgical techs, and MRI technology for about a day now. I was looking into surg tech and found out I would be extremely interested in helping with surgeries. Possibly a first assistant as well.

Do you know of any other jobs in a hospital or small clinic that are "behind the scenes"? Surg tech, rad tech, and sonography tech are the only things offered at my technical college that fit that description. I think any others you'd have to become an LPN or RN first and then specialize in something technical?