Need some advise....PLEASE!!

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I will try to keep this as short as possible. Here's my story. I was a CNA for 8 years then went back to get my LPN. I have been an LPN for 1 year. I worked as a CNA in a LTC facility then switched to a hospital right before nursing school. After nursing school, I moved into an LPN position at the hospital, then had to leave because we moved. Hospitals where I live don't hire LPN's so I got a job in a doctor's office. I TOTALLY HATE EVERY DAY OF WORKING THERE!

Here's the good and bad:

GOOD: pay is $14 hour plus $200 month bonus since I don't need the insurance, all nights weekends and holidays off,

BAD: the doctors are jerks, I am being trained to replace a lady that is leaving...but yet the doc calls on her for EVERYTHING...she still assists in all procedures, exams, everything...and all I do is chart checks, bring patients back, draw blood, and that's about it...not the kind of nursing I want to do. And the worst thing is that because of the hours, I am unable to go back to school for my RN.

I have to opportunity for a position at a nursing home/rehab center...but there is good and bad there too.

Here's the good and bad:

GOOD: pay is $18 hour plus $2 hour shift diff...better vacation/sick time, more opportunity for nursing skills to be used, and I would be trained as charge nurse.

BAD: the position is 3-11 which means I would not hardly ever get to see my family....but would also mean that my days would be free so I could go back to school and get my RN...which is a good thing too.

I am not really sure what to do...if you have any thoughts and/or advise...I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

I would never work for 14 dollars an hour. Especially a job I hate. But never as a nurse. The last time I made that money was in 1986. And it did not last long. You are worth so much more. Go to the other job and grow. You will not have to work, 3-11 forever. ( it's actually a great shift). Take care! Peace!

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Specializes in med-surg/ tele.

Same here... $14 an hour? Forget it. I would not stay a day longer! Besides, at least you'll get a little more hands-on while getting your RN. We all deserve to like our job at least part of the time... good luck

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Specializes in LPN.

You haven't done LTC nursing, and you would be starting out 3-11 shift as charge? Each shift has it's problems, but you will be getting the bulk of admissions, and they are tedious and long. A lot of paperwork. But, I think you will get a lot of paperwork no matter what you do.

Personally if were going to get my RN, I would do it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more time you wasted. It's good you have a husband to help with the kids. You will still have time to see them, on days off. Of course you will miss the closeness you have with your kids. You can see them in the mornings everyday. You will see them on your days off. Can you swing working part time? If you wait for kids to grow up, they will, but you will be losing site of your goal as well. Trust me on that one. My kids are finally grown, and I am in no mood to go back to school at 55. I did start my own buisness, and continue with full time nursing. But, I will never achieve the RN pay and status. I wonder how differently life would have been if I had gone for it. If you have a dream, I encourage you to go after it.

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I would never work for 14 dollars an hour. Especially a job I hate. But never as a nurse. The last time I made that money was in 1986. And it did not last long. You are worth so much more. Go to the other job and grow. You will not have to work, 3-11 forever. ( it's actually a great shift). Take care! Peace!

If you don't mind me asking...how much do you make?

As for working in a job I hate...I TOTALLY get what you are saying. I really want to leave this job. Doctor's offices are for some people, but NOT for me!

Can you give me any info on the routine on a 3-11 shift? I've never worked that shift. Thanks!

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You haven't done LTC nursing, and you would be starting out 3-11 shift as charge?

I would not be starting out as a charge nurse...but would begin training in the charge nurse capacity after 6 months of employment with the new place. Sorry, I guess I didn't actually make that part clear...was just excited about the future possibilities with them. :)

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

I think it would depend on how old my kids were and what kind of support I would have- family wise.

You could view this 3-11 positions as a stepping stone to getting your RN (which would pay off money-wise and opportunity- wise) But, it comes at a price.

Going back to school full time, working part time every weekend was the worst year ever. I missed every holiday birthday and family weekend get together. I never had a day off. If I didn't have to go anywhere, I was studying or writing papers. I got used to no sleep, getting up early to make the drive to school or clinicals. Dh got injured and had surgery requiring him to be off of work for a while, and I had a rambunctious teenager that kept skipping school and ran away from home. Money was tight.

Talk about stress!

But, fastforward, Dh is back at work, my teenager is now 18 and regularly says "I'm so sorry I put you through that. How could I have been so stupid". I have my RN. I was charge nurse and unit educator for a Tele unit. I craved more and felt I was becoming stagnant so I was able to transfer to ICU (which I love..most days:)). If i hadn't gone back to school and remained a LVN, I would have never been able to do all of this.

It will take sacrifice. It is hard but it can be done. Let us know what you decide. Good luck!

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well...to add a little more detail....my only child is 15...and he is a GREAT kid...a mother couldn't ask for better:)

my husband of 17 years is WONDERFUL. He is a great support...even did all the housework when I was in LPN school. He has been very encouraging and I know will be supportive when I do go back to get my RN.

I am very lucky:) with a great family!!!!

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Yeah, I would NEVER work for $14/hr as an RN. Well, I know you're not an RN yet, but I would never work $14/hr as an LPN either. That is such an insult, I would think. Fresh out of school, I worked in an LTC and the base was $26/hr and this is around north central Florida. The LPNs, I believe, made at least $18/hr in my particular LTC. I would advise you to leave after you've secured another job. You can work on your RN that way. I would also look into a place hiring for a different shift 'cause for someone new to LTC, that shift would tire you out--so many admissions. ugh.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

I notice folks talking about 3-11 and admissions. Do you know the type of floor you will work on? Makes a difference with admissions. Also would you have a supervisor to help if you end up on a skilled floor? Keep us posted. Peace!

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Fourteen is kind of low even for an office job. The other job pays more but it comes with a price. Since you want to advance, I would take the new job so that I could take the opportunity of going back to school.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
If you don't mind me asking...how much do you make?

As for working in a job I hate...I TOTALLY get what you are saying. I really want to leave this job. Doctor's offices are for some people, but NOT for me!

Can you give me any info on the routine on a 3-11 shift? I've never worked that shift. Thanks!

I did forget about admissions. I haven't worked 3-11 in years. But my memory on routine:

3-4 report, count, rounds. Make sure they are really alive and well!

4-4:30. FSBS and assessments on the sickest residents. Check lab results, get your INR. Order meds if needed.

4:30. Start med pass and continue with assessments as you go.

Dinner time, you may have to do the dining room. If not pass trays or at least check trays for proper diet.

Residents start going to bed at seven, do some treatments or start your notes. Assessment rounds.

8-9 finish med pass. Continue assessment rounds. Hang IV, gt feed,etc.

9-11 finish everything. You are probably still passing meds.

Now, this is generic and does not take into account, admissions, falls, elopement, need to transfer. Edits, summaries, doctors orders, PRN meds, noisy Nancy and the other 100 things that go on. You will find what works for you and your floor. At first it will seem to much, but you will get it down, everyone does. Hopefully you have a supervisor that will help with drug orders and admissions, hospital transfers etc. Just get to know and respect your CNA's. They will help you tremendously. You should have another nurse doing the other half of the floor, who will show you the ropes. Just remember to chart. Oh yeah, take a break somewhere in there, you will need it. Peace!

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