LPN's: How did you decide where to work?

n8isgr8 · Sep 1, 2004

I need career advice, please, please!! I have 2 1/2 weeks until I complete my LPN program and I am stumped as to what field to work in. I have several options available to me (all of which have expressed interest in hiring me): a couple of med-surg floors in a large hospital an hour away from me, various long term care facilities, the med-surg wing in the rural hospital 6-minutes away from me (place averages 13 pt at a time), etc.
My dilemia is this: I'm 32 years old and really, really need to settle with a job and stick with it. But I see pros/cons with every option. For instance: the med-surg floors at the larger hospital will keep me challenged, provide wonderful training opportunities, and I'll never want for overtime. But on the other hand, there is no time to "get to know" your patients because you're so busy, the pay is less than LTC, and I'd have to drive 2 hours a day.
I like every area that I worked in during clinicals. I have no "thing" that grosses me out in particular, so I can handle everything from trachs to colostomies. It would be easier if I had an area I just absolutely could not stand! I guess I just need some advice on how you went about making up your mind. It's been 10 years since I went looking for a job. And back then, I settled for what I could get and made the best of it. Who ever knew it could be so stressful when your skills were so highly in demand!?!

I would take the hospital that is close to your home, in that case you will surely find it easy to stick with could be home in an emergency and with a pt load of only 13 pts thats great and will give you time to really know your patients good luck!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 1, 2004

The way i determined it was that i got assigned to the OR in clinical. Have been addicted ever since.

Roozeyk · Sep 4, 2004

I need career advice, please, please!! I have 2 1/2 weeks until I complete my LPN program and I am stumped as to what field to work in. I have several options available to me (all of which have expressed interest in hiring me): a couple of med-surg floors in a large hospital an hour away from me, various long term care facilities, the med-surg wing in the rural hospital 6-minutes away from me (place averages 13 pt at a time), etc.
My dilemia is this: I'm 32 years old and really, really need to settle with a job and stick with it. But I see pros/cons with every option. For instance: the med-surg floors at the larger hospital will keep me challenged, provide wonderful training opportunities, and I'll never want for overtime. But on the other hand, there is no time to "get to know" your patients because you're so busy, the pay is less than LTC, and I'd have to drive 2 hours a day.
I like every area that I worked in during clinicals. I have no "thing" that grosses me out in particular, so I can handle everything from trachs to colostomies. It would be easier if I had an area I just absolutely could not stand! I guess I just need some advice on how you went about making up your mind. It's been 10 years since I went looking for a job. And back then, I settled for what I could get and made the best of it. Who ever knew it could be so stressful when your skills were so highly in demand!?!

I would at least try to get a year of Med/Surg under your belt as a new LPN and go from there.....there is so much you will learn...especially for someone who is undecided about what specialty they think they might like....Some people know exactly which area they want to work in right off the bat...for others...it just takes a little exploring time.......Best of luck to you!