I just became an LPN 2 months ago and I currently work FT 3-11pm in LTC. I thought I'd enjoy it because I really like working with the elderly. I think they're so interesting and I love hearing their stories. But my facility gave me 31 patients to myself... meds, treatments, insulins, PRNs, family member questions, doctor phone calls, charting, etc. It's A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a new nurse! There are some experienced nurses who say they couldn't handle this particular hallway. (I float between 4 different hallways, so they're not ALL this hard, but they are all challenging for me.)
We got 2 new admits last night who are verrry heavy in treatments... bad wound situation for one, and for the other, bladder scan/straight cath EVERY night at 9pm, which is the middle of my last med pass.
I'm feeling really frustrated as I try to adjust to all the differences between nursing school and actually BEING a nurse. It is nothing like you think it will be, and nothing can really prepare you for the reality of it.
My question for all you LPNs out there is... where ELSE can I work? All you ever hear about is offices, LTC, hospitals, etc. But hospitals around me aren't really hiring LPNs anymore, and if they do, the pay is comparable to what aides are making. It just isn't enough with all the student loans I have. I'm looking for something DIFFERENT. I can't hanlde 30-some patients to myself. I never get to sit or eat, or even pee! I seriously think I have the beginning stages of a UTI from it! I became a nurse to help people, not to hurt myself!
Maybe home health would work? I think I'd really enjoy the 1-on-1 interactions, but I think you need a year's experience for that.
Specializes in ER, Psych, Corrections, Preop, LTC.
Flightnurse2b, I see you are a LPN working in a hospital, I am relocating to Florida from the Northeast and have worked ER since graduating and I am having a heck of a time finding a hospital job do you know if your hospital or any surrounding you are hiring LPNS?,
mcsprint05
8 Posts
Flightnurse2b, I see you are a LPN working in a hospital, I am relocating to Florida from the Northeast and have worked ER since graduating and I am having a heck of a time finding a hospital job do you know if your hospital or any surrounding you are hiring LPNS?,