Overwhelmed LVN May Give Up Nursing

husker-nurse, LPN, LVN · Aug 18, 2006

Oh my, what an AWFUL story!!! Are you working in a hospital in charge of 11-14 patients, do I have that right??????? If, indeed, this is your only opportunity for working as an RN, you may need to rethink this career move; otherwise, you may have to think about relocating! You are in my prayers, and, in the meantime, DEEP breaths............

MimismomRN · Aug 18, 2006

Husker, I work as an LVN on team nursing not RN. But it is still overwhelming for me and the RN and Tech. The RN's have about 8-10 patients. So I may work with two different RNs with two teams. It is very scary and overwhelming.

husker-nurse, LPN, LVN · Aug 18, 2006

Still, this ratio is the reason that I left the first hospital that I worked at. I was afraid for my license and for my patients. With that many patients, it's next to impossible to provide any quality care. My heart goes out to you; I hope someone else has better advice for you; take care and God Bless! Roxie

Beary-nice · Aug 18, 2006

See what going to part-time status does for you before making any major changes. I remember when I was a new LPN and it took me way more than 5 months just to get organized and learn time management and prioritizing. You have a lot on your plate right now. Med/Surg can be a very difficult place, I know. I am someone who physically sits down and writes down pros and cons to situations such as this. It helps me see what is there and if anything, what I can maybe do. One hates to think of looking for a new job already, you haven't been there long, but maybe you will decide that is what is best. Sounds like your pt to caregiver ratio is a little high, but when I think of places I've been and where I am now, it is about the same. I couldn't imagine tackling something like what you are doing when I was fresh out of school. I commend you for that. Hang in there and know we are here for you.

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

I became an LPN later in life also. My first job was in a small town hospital also. I felt overwhelmed from the start. Yes it depressed me totally !

I did it for a year and moved on. That year was a good learing tool for me, but I was glad to leave hospital life. Just remember that there are many places for you to work , with out the stress load that the hospital offers.

Don't leave nursing though...you've worked too hard to come this far and to go backwards. Hang in there and go find your niche ! Whatever your heart desires....ask God and He will provide for you.

bcskittlez · Aug 18, 2006

There have got to be some LTC facilities in your area.. Might even pay more..

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

Perhaps you may want to think about finding a job at a local nursing home. I am a newer LVN and just love the slow pace of the nursing home where I am employed. My patients tend to be stable and not very sick at all. In addition, my starting pay is $18.50 hourly. Nursing homes, while not glamorous, tend to pay LPNs/LVNs higher wages than hospitals. I am wishing you the very best and hope you don't give up on all the joys that nursing has to offer.

Mulan · Aug 18, 2006

Can you get your old job back?

mcdonaldgirl · Aug 20, 2006

perhaps you should do home health or (heaven forbid!) ltc. to be honest, ltc may get a bum rap, but you see the patients over such a long period, and the turn over is waaay less than hospital care.

'mac'

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2006

Hi guys, I could really use some encouragement, thoughts from you all right now. I am a new LVN and have worked five months now in med/surg at my local hospital. I am really feeling I may need to give up on nursing. I am 48 and was pursuing my RN as well as working med surg. I am so beat down, tired, discouraged I don't know if it is time for me to just give up on nursing. I live in a small town and took a job at a local hospital (not many opportunities here). I have 11 to 14 patients on a team nursing situation. Every day I am at least 1 1/2 hrs late on med passing because of so many patients. Our patients are so ill, some should be in PCU. The ratio is ridiculous even though we have an RN and tech. It is more than I can handle. I requested to go to part time (2 days a week) but not sure that will help. I am taking prereqs for RN and going through menopause at the same time. I literally have panic attacks at work when things start to get overwhelming. I waiting to be a nurse all my life and now I'm not sure I can do it. I wonder if anyone else is in this situation? Trying to make a decision. The other thing is I only make $14.99/hr at this hospital and left a legal job where I made twice that amount. For the risk they put us through I'm not sure it is worth it. I can't give my patient's the care they deserve because I am stretched so thin. Any advice would help. I respect everyone here so much.

Sadly, this sounds like a pretty typical situation. As a med surg RN in Texas, I had up to 14 pts by myself. No LVN, no CNA, no unit clerk. I made $17./hr.

This job caused me to feel like crap emotionally, physically and mentally. I'd been a nurse for over ten years when I took the job and was confident in my abilities, but this job damaged my self esteem and confidence.

I left med surg and never went back.

I went through early menopause, so I know how it feels. The hotflashes, sweats and anxiety are awful. Talk to your doc about it. Going to part time status at your job sounds like it will help.

God bless you and wishing you all the best.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Aug 20, 2006

Sadly, this sounds like a pretty typical situation. As a med surg RN in Texas, I had up to 14 pts by myself. No LVN, no CNA, no unit clerk. I made $17./hr.
This job caused me to feel like crap emotionally, physically and mentally. I'd been a nurse for over ten years when I took the job and was confident in my abilities, but this job damaged my self esteem and confidence.
I left med surg and never went back.
I went through early menopause, so I know how it feels. The hotflashes, sweats and anxiety are awful. Talk to your doc about it. Going to part time status at your job sounds like it will help.
God bless you and wishing you all the best.

My last med/surg job was just like Helllllllo described above, except our ratios weren't as high. On top of it, management was not-so-subtly trying to get rid of the older nurses by giving us the worst assignments, jumping down our throats for every little mistake or omission, and generally treating us like garbage. I'd once been a very confident, competent nurse, but this job almost destroyed my spirit AND my health---in fact, I was so stressed out that I spent most of a year being ill (I haven't been sick a day since I quit in mid-December). Of course, I got in trouble for that too. :uhoh3:

RUN---do not walk---to the nearest exit the minute you find yourself a new job. That place does not deserve you, and YOU do not deserve to be mistreated in this fashion. Life is simply too short to put up with a bad job.

I wish you all the best........keep us posted.