Lpn

[Tootsie Nurse]

I need some advice. I have worked at the same HCC for 15 years. 9 of those years as a nurse. I recently decided to try something different and started at a state hospital for sex offenders and mentally ill and dangerous patients 3 weeks ago. I'm still in training classes, but have spent some time in my unit. I will be working night shift which is what I have been doing and I like, but I have been hearing that the night shift here is very quiet and you mostly do paperwork. My concern is that it won't be enough for me and I will lose skills. My other concern is that I am used to working with the elderly and now will be with mentally ill and dangerous patients. I like psych nursing, but don't know if this is really for me. The HCC is offering my job back, but I don't know if it's too soon to give up on the state or not. I'm afraid I won't like it there and then my position will be gone at the HCC. The pay and benefits are great at the state and so-so at the HCC. Please give any advice!

[TazziRN, RN]

Talk to the night shift and find out what the duties are. Nothing like getting it from the source.

[allantiques4me]

For sure try it out!There are many good nursing jobs out there if it doesnt work out.You might be surprised.Goodluck!

[uraqt2]

i work in corrections and unfortunatly one of the downfalls is that you don't get to use a lot of your "skills"; however, when you need to use them you need to be on top of your game. i'm also a lpn and what i have done to keep my skills is work at a care center prn. granted this is not always a solution but it has worked for me and i figured what's 1-2 days a month sometimes every few months. it keeps my skills up plus how can you go wrong with a little extra $. maybe this is something that you could look into. oh, by the way sometimes change is hard but you never know it could turn out to be the best thing you ever did. good luck to you.

[gina gina]

go with ur gut feeling.all money ain't good money.trust in yo self.talk to God.if u have to watch ur back constantly due to dangerous patients then this will not b 4 u.but if u can hang with the big boys then more power 2 u n get tha $$$.my mother quit n one day becuz she had to watch her back and she told me that seeing inmates looking out of a tiny window 4 sun light did sumthin 2 her.holla back if u want 2.peace.