Mid-Life Crisis: My Autobiographical Account of My Career as a LPN

lpnpgh123 · Jan 9, 2013

Mid-Life Crisis: My Autobiographical Account of My Career as a LPN

Ever wonder if you arehaving a mid-life crisis? I am in the throes of one! I have foundmyself questioning if there is a difference between having a mid-lifecrisis, and having a "nervous breakdown." Over the last fewyears, I have definitely questioned my sanity!

I have been a LPN foralmost 19 years. In that time, I have worked many specialties: LTC,Doctors' offices in various specialties, staffing relief agencies,home-care, and addictions. I have learned an enormous amount in allof these positions. Some things have been positive, and some thingshave been negative, but I have definitely learned a lot.

At the beginning ofmy nursing career, I worked LTC. I was in this position for aboutseven years. As time wore on, the patients were getting more acute.We were dealing with dementia patients who were frequently settingoff bed and chair alarms, as well as a population that were basicallymed-surg patients. Except, on a true med-surg unit, a nurse would notbe responsible for providing care to 30-60 patients (depending onwhich shift was worked).Being perpetually short staffed and theincreasing acuity of the patients made me fear for my license.Realistically, I could not provide the appropriate care, and itfrightened me. After seven years in this position, I accepted aposition in a doctor's office specializing in geriatrics and primarycare.

My mid-life crisisbegan several years ago. At the time , I was employed in anotherdoctor's office setting. It was a very large practice thatspecialized in Diabetes and Endocrinology disorders. I startedfeeling restless in my position. Nursing politics, healthcarepolitics, and office politics were all starting to wear me down.Unrealistic expectations and time constraints that made me feel Iwasn't able to provide good care were other contributing factors. Ibegan to feel like I was working an assembly line, and could not keepup. There was also a coworker who overtly and covertly causedconflict among multiple disciplines. Her manipulations did not bringout the best in a lot of staff, myself included. There was highturnover in this office, and since I was the primary person whotrained new hires, I was feeling more and more unfulfilled. To seesomeone that you have trained leave after six-twelve months isfrustrating. The place became a revolving door. So, after eight yearsin this particular position, I decided to move on.

I accepted a positionin an OB/Gyn office. Boy, was I in for a rude awakening! Out of thefrying pan and into the fire! Two weeks after accepting thisposition, I found myself fighting tears, and knew that it just wasnot a good match for me. Not long after that, a family member wasdiagnosed with a rare cancer. I used that diagnosis, citing thefrequent doctor's appointments and impending surgery that she wouldneed, as my way out. This position lasted all of six weeks! I do noteven include this position on my resume.

The bills certainly donot pay themselves. I did not even have another position lined up. Itwas a huge gamble! I began working several staffing agencies. Oneagency assigned me a home care case, which I still do once per week.The other two agencies sent me to various LTC facilites, or wellnessclinics. I enjoyed working the wellness clinics. But between thethree agencies, the hours were inconsistent. While I was grateful forthe flexibility that working agency provided, which allowed me totake my family member to her various appointments, I began lookingfor something with more consistent hours.

I found myself workingpart time in an outpatient drug and alcohol facility. While it issomewhat monotonous, it is not a bad job. Everyone has an easy goingpersonality, and our director truly does attempt to make youfeel valued. My gripe is that I am utilized at or near full timehours, but not receiving the full time benefits, and vacation accrualof a full time employee. I have discussed this with my supervisor.The result of the conversation was unsatisfactory. Because of thatconversation, I am once again, starting to look for a full timeposition.

Not only have Idecided to make some different career choices, I have also decided tofurther my education. I am still trying to determine what I want tobe when I grow up. Via a correspondence class, I obtained RMSR (Registered Medical Sales Rep) certification. I am finding itdifficult to get into this field because I do not have salesexperience. I have, however, had a couple of interviews in thisfield. That is a start, at least! It seems LPN's are often looked onas the pariahs of the medical community. So, I am thankful that I atleast had the opportunity to interview for these positions.

While attending thelocal community college, I have declared a different major threetimes! At first, I was going to pursue my RN. But my disenchantmentwith nursing made me back out. I then decided to change my major toBiotechnology. While the hands on research does interest me, and Ilove the science aspect, I would like to get into research in adifferent capacity, not necessarily working in a lab. Now, I'vedecided to get some business management classes under my belt. We'llsee how long it takes for me to declare yet another major. Prettysoon, I may likely be the most educated person without an actualdegree! Yes, I am currently enrolled.

Keeping my resumeupdated is beginning to feel like a full time job! The frequentchanges, and life altering decisions reinforces my mid life crisis.While I still may be unsure of what the future holds for me, I amattempting to enjoy all of my experiences. I will continue to strivefor career fulfillment and advancement.