NurseK523

Hello! I am currently a brand new LPN and have been offered a job opportunity to work in the ER, can you go into detail about what you did/didn't like? I know you mentioned this briefly in your post but I would love to hear more.

Hello all, in need of some advice! So I have been working at a LTC for the last month and I am just starting to get my feet wet with a routine, med passes, treatments etc. No admissions on the floor as it's the same people each day. And I am really enjoying it here. An opportunity has presented itself to me where I would be able to work in the ER at a hospital less than five minutes from my home. I am absolutely thrilled about it! The idea of variety every day sounds so exciting, and I know I would learn a lot working there. I know it will be stressful, I know it will be hard but I am 100% up for the challenge. I guess what I am asking for here is what factors helped you decide what position was the right fit for you? I want to go back to school in the very near future to get my RN so I know the ER will be wonderful for that. But there's also a great opportunity for me to get comfortable in this LTC facility to figure out a routine, notice small changes in my patients and being able to help them to the best of my ability. But at the same time...I don't want to get so comfortable that I don't accept new opportunities and challenges, if that makes any sense? Have you ever worked in the ER as a brand new LPN? If so what was it like for you?

That's what I was doing for a while but the interest that has been accumulating is ridiculous. I struggle to make the minimum payment on three cards as it is now. But...right now my focus is school and that's the most important to me. It's just overwhelming and frustrating. But I know this isn't forever.

Hello all, I need some advice. I am currently in an LPN program and have only 11 months left. I am ecstatic, but also overwhelmed. I am about $11,500 in credit card debt and no matter what I do I can't seem to get ahead. I work 16 hours a week, because I study seven days a week. I refuse to sabotage my study time because not passing this program isn't an option for me. I try to pick up extra when I am on break, and such but that's not enough to pay off that much debt. I am very concerned about how much more interest I will accumulate over the next 11 months with this credit card debt. I have tried to apply for a debt consolidation loan and even a card with a balance transfer option but I don't qualify. I have no idea what to do. I've canceled netflix, disney+, adjusted my phone plan/bill to save money you name it and I don't have a car payment. I've also tried selling a some of my things but again, a little money only does so much when you owe almost $12.000. Has anyone else ever been in this position with school? What did you do? I know I can work a lot more when school is done, but I don't want to fall into the hole even more as time goes on. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

I just joined this community about two weeks ago and I wanted to take the time to announce.... I JUST GOT MY ACCEPTANCE LETTER TODAY! I START NURSING SHOOL OCTOBER 28TH!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I've been working as a CNA for TWELVE years, tried going to LPN school years ago but never got past the entrance exam. I killed it this year in my nursing school interview and the director of the program said she loved my essay! I am so ecstatic and euphoric. My current job of almost four years said they don't adjust our schedules to accommodate school but I don't care. Nothing will stand in my way anymore. Just wanted to share this with you all! So happy and proud! ❤️

Thank you very much for your input! Yes I certainly love what I do for work but...feeling this way on a regular basis is to say the least, exhausting. I look more forward to my days off rather than the days I have to come into work, because I just feel so...off. That's the best way I can explain it. I am exhausted after every shift, because I give so much of myself. My patients deserve that. But there's nothing left for me. I have no energy to do what gives my life meaning, and even when I'm off, all I want to do is stay in bed. I have been working as a CNA since 2007, I took my time with deciding about going to nursing school because I wanted to be sure. I want to be a nurse because I want to do more for people who need help, when they are in my care...but the way I feel now, all I can think is "How would that even be possible?" Thank you again for your input!

Since when are nurses required to do vital signs in the hospital? Isn't that what CNA's are for there among other things?

There is nothing like burnout, I am currently experiencing this myself. There is also nothing like regret either, but your mental health comes first. Think about the last time work felt rewarding for you, and than go back to when you feel burnt out. Does that rewarding feeling outweigh the bad? I have been working in Hospice for four years now and every night before I come to work I dread it, I feel like all I do is sleep and all I can think is "life isn't meant to be lived this way." I always focused on how rewarding the job was, but the burn out feelings I am experiencing are taking a toll on my life and mental health to say the least. I think when that begins to happen it's time to look at other options. Change is scary, but there's nothing worse than staying somewhere where you aren't happy. Also how badly would you want to work in the ER in the future? Is there a way you could secure solid references for the future if you want to go back? That would certainly help. Sorry I had to rant too, but I hope this helped!

Hello All, I have come to this website for years reading about so many topics and input I decided tonight it was time to make an account, and ask for some input because I am currently going through what feels like a rollercoaster of emotions and I'm unsure if this has to do with working nights, or something else... A little info. I moved south four years ago, and I have been working nights ever since 2007. Including when I moved here four years ago. I currently work for Hospice, and I work 3 twelve hour shifts one week and 4 twelve hour shifts the following week 7pm-730am. I feel like all I ever do is sleep and go to work. Even when I am off I am exhausted, it takes everything in me just to get out of bed and do anything, even things I enjoy (classic signs of depression I know) But I still feel very happy when I am with my significant other, still enjoy doing things together and when I do what I love it makes me happy. I'm just so...tired all the time. I am also more irritable than ever when it's about two weeks away from that time of the month for me...again I have no idea if this has to do with working nights, if these are signs of PMDD or what the heck is going on. I get irritable as I said, sad, angry all for what seems like such minor inconveniences... All I know is this isn't me. I love what I do for work, but lately the idea of being cancelled for a shift sounds so much more appealing than coming into work. A year ago I was working 5-6 shifts a week, as I had a goal I was working on reaching. I was driven and nothing was standing in my way. What happened? Where did that fire go? This breaks my heart all at the same time because I have SOOOO much to be grateful for, and I am constantly telling others "find the silver lining.", "there's good in every situation even if it's bad." So...I'm sort of feeling like a hypocrite. Everyday something is bothering me and bringing me down. I want to go back to when I focused more on feeling good, and the things and people that made me happy. Again, what happened? I am 32 years old, I find out in another week about being accepted into nursing school, but I don't know how I could be successful while feeling this way, something has to change. I know that more than ever. I can't live my best life while feeling this way. I have made an appointment with my doctor to have blood work done, and discuss these symptoms with her and see what to do next. Just trying to find out if anyone else has experienced anything similar to this while working nights? I am tempted to switch my hours ASAP because part of me is certain that not getting enough sleep is affecting my mental health. Is the night shift just finally catching up with me? Thank you for your time and any input is appreciated!!!