New LPN

luv4nursing · Nov 23, 2005

hey there, we should get in touch! I just graduated with my LPN in Sept. from Orlando Tech. Do you go to SCC? I know they dont require thr 1000 hrs experience for their new grads. Is that how u got to go directly into the transition?

I ran into the same problem about employment. I want to work in the hospital bc thats where u learn and use your skills most, but they really dont hire LPNs and if they do they want them to be experienced. AND the pay is terrible, I was told by a Tech at ORMC they made more as a tech than some LPNs(I guess depending on shift differencials, etc). I just decided that Ill bite the bullet and work elsewhere until I get my RN in a year or so. Ive decided to probably go thru Excelsior College for my RN. I dont want to wait until next year to start at Valencia or SCC.

Im currently working in Pediatric Home Health with ChildrenFirst and Im loving it. I just hope I dont get spoiled and lazy from the one on one thing though. They also have facilities where you would have maybe 3 children assigned to you, that would be more of a hospital pace. You may want to look into that. good luck and PM me if u want!

pedinurse05 · Nov 23, 2005

hey there, we should get in touch! I just graduated with my LPN in Sept. from Orlando Tech. Do you go to SCC? I know they dont require thr 1000 hrs experience for their new grads. Is that how u got to go directly into the transition?
I ran into the same problem about employment. I want to work in the hospital bc thats where u learn and use your skills most, but they really dont hire LPNs and if they do they want them to be experienced. AND the pay is terrible, I was told by a Tech at ORMC they made more as a tech than some LPNs(I guess depending on shift differencials, etc). I just decided that Ill bite the bullet and work elsewhere until I get my RN in a year or so. Ive decided to probably go thru Excelsior College for my RN. I dont want to wait until next year to start at Valencia or SCC.
Im currently working in Pediatric Home Health with ChildrenFirst and Im loving it. I just hope I dont get spoiled and lazy from the one on one thing though. They also have facilities where you would have maybe 3 children assigned to you, that would be more of a hospital pace. You may want to look into that. good luck and PM me if u want!

I worked for Children First for 5 years! It is a great place to work. I gained so much experience that is helping now in my current job(I recently relocated to Southern California). I am currently employed at a major children's hospital in Southern California on a peds ICU unit. The experience you gain there will really be helpful in the future if you plan to do peds in the hospital. Believe it or not, it was working at Children First that really helped me get prepared for the clinical portion of Excelsior college. I never worked in the group homes but rather worked in individual homes with the vent kids. Best wished!

Missy

luv4nursing · Nov 23, 2005

I worked for Children First for 5 years! It is a great place to work. I gained so much experience that his helping now in my current job(I recently relocated to Southern California). I am currently employed at a major children's hospital in Southern California on a peds ICU unit. The experience you gain there will be vaulable in the future if you plan to do peds in the hospital. Believe it or not, it was working at Children First that really helped me get prepared for the clinical portion of Excelsior college. I never worked in the group homes but rather worked in individual homes with the vent kids. Best wished!
Missy

Missy,

what a small world! Yes, I LOVE working for CF so far and its funny bc I was actually worried I would lose my skills in this setting but you are right it would be a good preparation for peds in the hospital. In that setting not many nurses are comfortable with dealing with changing trachs/g-tubes, and vents! I actually think I do want to work in peds as an RN (possibly NICU or PICU) so Im glad that this experience will help me! Im also relieved u say it helped u with the CPNE!

flwannaB · Nov 24, 2005

Is there a location in the Tampabay area? My fear of seeing children suffer has kept me from wanting to go in that area. Is it something you get use to?

Missy,
what a small world! Yes, I LOVE working for CF so far and its funny bc I was actually worried I would lose my skills in this setting but you are right it would be a good preparation for peds in the hospital. In that setting not many nurses are comfortable with dealing with changing trachs/g-tubes, and vents! I actually think I do want to work in peds as an RN (possibly NICU or PICU) so Im glad that this experience will help me! Im also relieved u say it helped u with the CPNE!

luv4nursing · Nov 27, 2005

Believe me, it freaked me out at first too but you develop a bond with these kids in no time. You just have to realize that there are kids like that out there whether you want to face it or not so if u have the ability to care for them and bring a little sunshine to their lives then why wouldnt you? I love kids so I think of it as they are kids like any other kids and they need extra love.

I am much more able to work in this area than LTC. Its not that I dont like the elderly bc I do, its just I cant handle having 30 or more patients and worrying about losing my license bc of what goes on in most facilities. I feel that nurses are stretched too thin in that area and the pay is more but it still doesnt compensate for what you have to do in return.

good luck to you! CF is pretty much Orlando and a little bit north of here, but Pediatric Services of America (PSA) is all over so check them out. Also you can start with kids who arent that sick until u get comfortable and work your way up. For example there are perfectly normal kids who maybe just had a bowel obstruction so they have a G-tube. Also, there is a daycare center where u can work where kids go that arent so sick they need home care but cant go to regular daycare bc they arent equipped to take care of special needs kids. That is supposed to be pretty cool, you may enjoy that.

good luck to you!

pedinurse05 · Nov 27, 2005

Believe me, it freaked me out at first too but you develop a bond with these kids in no time. You just have to realize that there are kids like that out there whether you want to face it or not so if u have the ability to care for them and bring a little sunshine to their lives then why wouldnt you? I love kids so I think of it as they are kids like any other kids and they need extra love.
I am much more able to work in this area than LTC. Its not that I dont like the elderly bc I do, its just I cant handle having 30 or more patients and worrying about losing my license bc of what goes on in most facilities. I feel that nurses are stretched too thin in that area and the pay is more but it still doesnt compensate for what you have to do in return.
good luck to you! CF is pretty much Orlando and a little bit north of here, but Pediatric Services of America (PSA) is all over so check them out. Also you can start with kids who arent that sick until u get comfortable and work your way up. For example there are perfectly normal kids who maybe just had a bowel obstruction so they have a G-tube. Also, there is a daycare center where u can work where kids go that arent so sick they need home care but cant go to regular daycare bc they arent equipped to take care of special needs kids. That is supposed to be pretty cool, you may enjoy that.
good luck to you!

Yes, you are right Children First is primarily Orlando. They also have a Brevard location. The Day care they have called PPEC (prescribed pediatric extended care services) is in two locations now. You must be an RN to work there. They have RN's and CNA's only that work in teams together. I started at Children First many years ago and worked with the vents right away after some training from RT. They always have a clinical nurse and RT on-call if you have questions. They have some great cases. I also worked for PSA and loved it too. PSA pays a little more and there clock in system using the telephone is better. Another agency that has pediatric homecare cases is Maxim. They also pay pretty well. Good luck with CHildren FIrst and Excelsior.

Missy