I'm a new LPN (3 months) new. I have tried just about every LPN position there is except for office work in my short time. Employed Per Diem everywhere.
I left a great job in a totally different career and I had hoped to make a difference by being a nurse.
I knew the pay would decrease a lot, but never knew the back breaking work it entails.
The responsibility of a human life, passing meds, meds, meds, with no time for a pee, a sip of water or just to get off your feet for 5 minutes.... somehow, I find that abusive and cruel and more importantly.... low pay for the amount of work to be done, the infections and disease we face everyday.
I had my first day alone in an LTC after 3 days of training. I was put on an unfamiliar floor and barely finished my meds and treats on time. The night shift nurses were totally rude and nasty, they asked what kind of training I got. Well, I told them I will not be back in the morning. I cannot deal with rudeness after I gave it my best try.
Not sure why this is such a low paid field. Not even sure why nurses don't want other to succeed into helping them out.
I have not found my niche and perhaps this was the wrong career for me to pursue
I am totally discouraged....
If anyone has suggestions, I'd really appreciate it... kind of need some ideas or a booster shot
oh wow...I thought I was noticing things that no one else was. clients make complaints about various things, the nurse mentor literally kept moving - no time, they always say that - more meds to do..... I was really upset, even spoke to higher ups, it was taken in shock, but I know it will continue. Right then and there, I decided....I never want to go into a LTC myself
Thank you for your reply...It helps, this was a job I was referred to by an agency. It wasn't direct to the facility. I was given 3 days of training on one floor and set out on another unfamiliar floor. If I had more exp that wouldn't be bad. The facility was desperate for people. My company sent 15 and only 3 stayed, so that might have been a bad sign right there ? I really need to figure out things, I can understand the rudeness of the families. I was probably like that when I advocated for my mother. I cannot understand the rudeness of other nurses. But, I think that is a case of mismanagement. All I kept hearing was and even from clients on my rounds....she must be AGENCY (not she must be new)...because I was slow on the meds I applaud you for your advocacy, I would be the same and I can quickly see it falls on unheard or uncared ears.
I would stick it out if you can, at least to get the return on the money it cost to get the education and the money you forfeited while going to school. I am sorry those people were rude to you. As a nurse in a hospital, I have had patients be rude to me, admin brush me off for not having my BSN, and CNAs mouth off at me. Unfortunately those attitudes can be everywhere. I agree with others - case management removes you somewhat from the cog-in-wheel feeling, but it's not a total respite. Case managers deal with very sticky situations and you will see and hear some things that may shock you. I would try to put in a year at LTC and then take your experience and move on. Where I went to school jobs for LPNs were abundant. There was a special heart center in the town that employed lots of them. You may like a doctor's office or urgent care center better. But the market for LPNs is not as demanding everywhere, so you may have to move or make peace with what is offered where you live. Most of all don't lose heart. We all have days where we're like "Seriously???!!"
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
thank you guys
in my old profession, rude comments and nastiness was not tolerated. To be rude or unprofessional was to be documented on your employment record. It was monitored. So, I'm finding this is a whole different world. To me, I find it sad. It reminds me of a factory job I had coming out of high school, it is the same mentality and thinking. I would have expected nurses (especially) to be a little more humane being that they chose a profession to help and care for people.
I grew up with a mother that came in and out of cancer hospitals. I admired the nurses there, they seemed truly professional , kind and compassionate. Well, at least that is how is seemed. They always had a smile and looked like they loved their job.
I didn't leave my other job for the money. However, my hat is off to all of you that work under these conditions and don't get paid enough. I will stick to that, you do not get paid enough for the work you do. One of my RN,BSN case managers only got paid 5.00 more than me. I do not think that is right either.
I'm thinking about going back for my RN, it's only 3 semesters. But, then I think, I'm stuck in this same situation and environment but getting paid a little more. I'm at a cross road since I have enough credits to get an associates in health science ( don't know what I can do with that) or continue to the RN program.
I miss the corporate atmosphere, the professionalism, the team building.
If you are looking to make a fair living don't do it in LTC. AS an RN with over 10 years experience I got paid $7.00/hr below industry standard in my area and was still the highest paid nurse in the building. I left that position as soon as a better one came along. AS a LPN your options are limited unless you get more education or an RN. As for ride co-workers they can be just as bad up the food chain. Don't let then ruffle your feathers. The worst ones are either burned out or bullies and bullies feed off your response. I had one just like that who started bIt&*ing as soon as she walked through the door. I just said hey no one died or fell on my shift - have a nice day.
Hi Holly2422, if I don't see your ID, I swear that I wrote this post. I don't have any advice for you but I want to let you know that I am on an identical path as you are. I too chose leaving corporate and going to nursing so I can make a difference in people's life. After 3 months of work in LTC, I am disappointed by what I have seen. It is not the residents but the co-workers. At my first place, nurses had clicks so they didn't welcome a new nurse so after training, I received 0 hours of schedule time . The 2nd place, things got weirder. this place couldn't never hold on a DON that stay long enough then I found out that ADON who were promoted from CNA hates when nurses report about CNA not doing their job. She did not want to listen to any opinions of nurses if they did not have experiences as CNAs. She would try to overrule nurses and doctors when emergency situation arise. It was a dysfunctional place. And it made me re-evaluate the reason that I came into nursing. Lower paid, unprofessional attitude and politics. I can go on and on. So I thought I am going to just give another place one more try and in search of RN program currently. The other comments provided great idea for you. A RN program will ensure you get a bit more paid, more freedom to do critical thinking and you will have more areas of nursing to choose from if that's your true passion.
Good luck to you :) we will try it together.
I'm a new LPN (3 months) new. I have tried just about every LPN position there is except for office work in my short time. Employed Per Diem everywhere.
I left a great job in a totally different career and I had hoped to make a difference by being a nurse.
I knew the pay would decrease a lot, but never knew the back breaking work it entails.
The responsibility of a human life, passing meds, meds, meds, with no time for a pee, a sip of water or just to get off your feet for 5 minutes.... somehow, I find that abusive and cruel and more importantly.... low pay for the amount of work to be done, the infections and disease we face everyday.
I had my first day alone in an LTC after 3 days of training. I was put on an unfamiliar floor and barely finished my meds and treats on time. The night shift nurses were totally rude and nasty, they asked what kind of training I got. Well, I told them I will not be back in the morning. I cannot deal with rudeness after I gave it my best try.
Not sure why this is such a low paid field. Not even sure why nurses don't want other to succeed into helping them out.
I have not found my niche and perhaps this was the wrong career for me to pursue
I am totally discouraged....
If anyone has suggestions, I'd really appreciate it... kind of need some ideas or a booster shot
I work in one of the LTC facilities that is actually pretty good. That being said, the pay is well below what the local hospitals pay and even a little lower than the other area LTC facilities. Every now and then I think about jumping ship, but then remember that the grass is not always greener and at least I get pretty darn good benefits where I am.
I guess my point is if you really enjoy LTC there are decent facilities out there, keep looking until you find one. If you are not committed to LTC, look at other options including going on for an RN if that is possible for you as it should expand your employment opportunities s lot.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
LTC can be pretty brutal but you are not stuck in it as an LPN there are other options. I spent two years in LTC as a CNA then after my LPN I worked in LTC for 6 months before I knew I had to try something else. I have worked in allergy/ENT, family practice, and occupational health. I recently return to LTC PRN while I finish out my RN and it's manageable only going in a few times a month. I would go for your RN, there are more options like informatics/insurance/case managers if you are not keen about floor work. But there will be nasty people wherever you go, nursing is a stressful job, and it can bring out the worst in people as a result.
You most certainly must have thick skin in this profession. I would suggest returning to school for a BSN. It isn't any less brutal, but the pay is better. You can make over 100k with hard work and some time. Good luck!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Again, it is all about the perspectives we bring to the table...
Prior to entering nursing I worked in the fast food industry, retail, personal care, and manufacturing. My gigs included McDonald's, Target, the 99 Cent Store, a United Cerebral Palsy group home, and a factory that produced Charmin toilet paper.
As many of you imagine, these work environments were not the most professional or classy. Since my frame of reference was limited, nursing home jobs seemed like a cakewalk compared to many of my previous non-nursing positions.
It's not that I'm glad someone else is feeling the same as I am...but that I'm not alone in feeling this way.
I do not understand how this attitude is tolerated. It is not the same as corporate. I went back to school to question the chair of nursing, she said to go on to a higher degree, the environment goes with the education level.
I'd have to say, I found this same attitude when I worked for a factory straight out of high school a gazillion years ago, I never forgot that feeling of not being a part of a the team.
It could be that they seasoned nurses did not want you to be part of things because they were covering for each other and you, the outsider might not go with the program. Whatever it is, should not be tolerated by management.
As far as pay (for other responses I received) , I can see some think it is all relative and yes, starting a pay at 20-27 an hour can seem like a lot and acceptable (kind of reminds me of Tom Hanks response to getting his first paycheck in "Big"). But, in all fairness to all of you, what is expected with the massive med push, treatments and documenting and no time to really keep up with it, is not good.
This leaves room for error's, medication administration is the largest area of mistakes in nursing. The responsibility of carrying someone's life in your hands alone is worth more than 20-27 an hour. It's not only the pay, but a lack of staffing.
Sadly, I made double to triple the pay, and for doing way less and with less responsibility. I never thought nursing was going to be sitting on my behind, but I also didn't think I'd be put into dangerous positions and given a time limit to do it
well for now, I'm back in school working at more education and applying for more jobs
I felt the same way in regards of the working environment that I had so I am going back to school for my RN this fall. Working in a hospital environment or home health care may achieve your goal to care for someone with a better quality. Sadly, I feel none of the residents get enough time with nurses or CNAs everyday but I know that I cannot change the understaffed conditions in LTC. It is happening everywhere.
I hope you will find a job that is not so badly understaffed so you may have time to really experience caring for the residents besides med pass and treatments.
Good luck to us, the newly changed career nurses. :)
thank you firefly...
It's not that I'm glad someone else is feeling the same as I am...but that I'm not alone in feeling this way.
I do not understand how this attitude is tolerated. It is not the same as corporate. I went back to school to question the chair of nursing, she said to go on to a higher degree, the environment goes with the education level.
I'd have to say, I found this same attitude when I worked for a factory straight out of high school a gazillion years ago, I never forgot that feeling of not being a part of a the team.
It could be that they seasoned nurses did not want you to be part of things because they were covering for each other and you, the outsider might not go with the program. Whatever it is, should not be tolerated by management.
As far as pay (for other responses I received) , I can see some think it is all relative and yes, starting a pay at 20-27 an hour can seem like a lot and acceptable (kind of reminds me of Tom Hanks response to getting his first paycheck in "Big"). But, in all fairness to all of you, what is expected with the massive med push, treatments and documenting and no time to really keep up with it, is not good.
This leaves room for error's, medication administration is the largest area of mistakes in nursing. The responsibility of carrying someone's life in your hands alone is worth more than 20-27 an hour. It's not only the pay, but a lack of staffing.
Sadly, I made double to triple the pay, and for doing way less and with less responsibility. I never thought nursing was going to be sitting on my behind, but I also didn't think I'd be put into dangerous positions and given a time limit to do it
well for now, I'm back in school working at more education and applying for more jobs
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The responsibility of carrying someone's life in your hands alone is worth more than 20-27 an hour. It's not only the pay, but a lack of staffing.
$27/hourly represents $54,000 yearly if one works 40 hours per week. $54,000 exceeds the average household income in the United States, including the two-income households.
This is darned good money for an LPN with a diploma or certificate that took 9 to 14 months to earn. Many people with master's degrees wish they could earn this salary.
Moreover, the lives of the frail elderly are not valued in American society. Certain groups of people (the aged, the developmentally disabled, the mentally ill, the obese, the poor, alcoholics, drug addicts, ex convicts, the chronically ill, migrant farmworkers) are ascribed a lower value by society as a whole. Thus, nursing specialties such as LTC/SNF, addictions, psych, corrections, dialysis, developmental disabilities nursing, and migrant community health are often seen as undesirable, even by others in healthcare.
So when you discuss carrying someone's life in your hands, the cold reality is that the lives of most LTC residents are viewed as expendable by many facets of our social fabric. The proof is in the pudding: Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates are too low to fund adequate staffing in the LTC/SNF setting. Who conjured up these reimbursement rates? A government who does not really care about the aged...
holly2422
24 Posts
oh wow...I thought I was noticing things that no one else was. clients make complaints about various things, the nurse mentor literally kept moving - no time, they always say that - more meds to do..... I was really upset, even spoke to higher ups, it was taken in shock, but I know it will continue. Right then and there, I decided....I never want to go into a LTC myself