need some advice...

[newlvngrad]

Hello everyone! I just need some advice on what to do, so here it goes; I have family that lives outside the US, and its very important to me to be able to visit them at least twice a year for four weeks at a time. The ticket out there is very expensive so it is not worth it to just go out there for less than four weeks.My parents are getting older and I really want to be able to visit them more often. So my question is, is anybody else in my situation?? Where they have to have the time off, and if so, what kinds of things can you work out with your boss or offer them to be able have that time off. I asking for too much?? I really hope not, this is very important to me, so if there is anyone out there in my same situation that was able to work something out or knows of something that I can do please let me know, I am pretty much desperate. Thanks so much!

[jlcole45]

I can tell you that most will consider 8 weeks off during one year excessive and probably not exceptable. Most jobs only give 2 -3 weeks off with pay. Talk to your employer. You will never know unless you ask.

You might consider working PRN or do travel nursing - that way you can set your own schedule. Do you have any work experience yet as a nurse? Most travel and prn jobs will require at least one year full time experience,

If you don't have the experience, then you will just have to suck it up for the first year or two. Work a few extra shifts to pay for the expensive ticket and only stay a week. By the way, most of us have family who don't live next door. This is a global village, so you may not find much sympathy.

I have one question. Do you really want to live in the US if your family is so important to you?

My last piece of advice is as soon as possible go back to school for your RN. The pay is much better, the job market is better, and you will have much more flexibility in your schedule.

[newlvngrad]

I can tell you that most will consider 8 weeks off during one year excessive and probably not exceptable. Most jobs only give 2 -3 weeks off with pay. Talk to your employer. You will never know unless you ask.

You might consider working PRN or do travel nursing - that way you can set your own schedule. Do you have any work experience yet as a nurse? Most travel and prn jobs will require at least one year full time experience,

If you don't have the experience, then you will just have to suck it up for the first year or two. Work a few extra shifts to pay for the expensive ticket and only stay a week. By the way, most of us have family who don't live next door. This is a global village, so you may not find much sympathy.

I have one question. Do you really want to live in the US if your family is so important to you?

My last piece of advice is as soon as possible go back to school for your RN. The pay is much better, the job market is better, and you will have much more flexibility in your schedule.

Hello, no I do not have much experience. I worked in a hospital for a couple of months but did not like it, didnt like the stress and passing meds, this is why I decided to move on to clinics.

I am very happy being an LVN but thanks for the advice. And yes I do want to live in the US, I would just like to set my own hours. I understand that most people dont have their familys living next door, but I am not most people.

[PurrRN]

Truth is what it is. You are not likely to find an employer who is going to accomodate your two months off each year requirements. Sounds like travel nursing is going to be your best bet.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Travel nursing, per diem nursing, and working Agency probably is your best bet. I worked with a nurse, an LPN, that worked overtime for an agency part of the year and took long periods of time to go to the Ukraine, so it is possible if you're an experience nurse.

I do agree with the poster that says that finding a new grad LPN that will accommodate your schedule is going to be difficult, if not impossible and that you might have to suck it up and work a year, so you can find a per diem or agency job that only hires experienced nurses.

Good luck!

[jlcole45]

I am very happy being an LVN but thanks for the advice. And yes I do want to live in the US, I would just like to set my own hours. I understand that most people dont have their familys living next door, but I am not most people.

I am guessing English is not your first language because I think you misunderstood me. What I meant was that many of us have family that are located far away and require expensive air travel.

No you are not most people, but then again no one is. I wasn't comparing you to anyone - again you misunderstood me.

I will say that we all have our personal responsibilities that we have to bare, but we also have to work. It's a tough balancing act.

In the US, it is not customary for a full time, benefited employee to take off 8 weeks vacation - especially not in nursing. You made the choice to come here go to school and work as a nurse, now you have to pay your dues.

There is no easy answer. If you want to keep your job then you are going to have to do what the rest of us do - take 2 weeks vacation. You can ask your employer if you can take a leave of absence (without pay). I'm not sure that will work but you can at least ask.

If you really want to set your own schedule then

I would recommend that you start talking to agencies and travel companies now to see how much experience they require and to see what jobs might be available.

You have to decide what is more important right now - job security and working in a job you like and spending less time with family, or spending a long holiday with your family but losing your job.

[newlvngrad]

Hey tweety thanks for the info, I know that as a new lvn I cant really ask for much, my plan was to ask if there was something that we could work out, maybe there are other nurses out there that have done this, thats all I wanted to know. When I say work something out I mean , for example, not get any pto, or benefits, or work extra days whenver they need me. I dont know if thats totally crazy , im just throwing it out there, maybe its not possible, but thats why I am here and asking. Thanks again for the info.

[newlvngrad]

Hey tweety , I forgot to ask you, besides nursing homes and hospitals where else do agencys send you?? I dont really want to work in a hospital or nursing home. I tried working in a hospital and did not like it. I am interested in home health but I know you need experience to work home health, so whats left?? DO you know of any other per diem positions besides hospitals and nursing homes?? Maybe clinics?? thanks!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Hey tweety thanks for the info, I know that as a new lvn I cant really ask for much, my plan was to ask if there was something that we could work out, maybe there are other nurses out there that have done this, thats all I wanted to know. When I say work something out I mean , for example, not get any pto, or benefits, or work extra days whenver they need me. I dont know if thats totally crazy , im just throwing it out there, maybe its not possible, but thats why I am here and asking. Thanks again for the info.

It never hurts to ask for what you want. You never know, you just might get it.

Hey tweety , I forgot to ask you, besides nursing homes and hospitals where else do agencys send you?? I dont really want to work in a hospital or nursing home. I tried working in a hospital and did not like it. I am interested in home health but I know you need experience to work home health, so whats left?? DO you know of any other per diem positions besides hospitals and nursing homes?? Maybe clinics?? thanks!!

I'm not familiar with where Agencies send LPNs, perhaps they do send them to clinics and doctors offices, but I don't know.

Let's see you're a new grad, needing over 8 weeks off a year, don't want to work in a hospital or a nursing home..............maybe a school?

Good luck. I think you're going to have a tough time, but hopefully you'll find something that works for you.