Lynker

Many credits are permanently complete, including things such as English and sometimes social sciences? Look into it!!

When I was an LPN (A little over a year into my career), I got a job in 2021 as a general COVID vaccination/post-watch nursing role. It paid well. I was there for about a month at the time. I was vaccinating, and for some reason, the patient got an immediate hematoma, although they were fine. I also accidentally talked to the state on "what they could do better", which included better training. A few days later I was fired. First time I ever got fired from any job, and it took a huge hit on me. Immediately after, I got a job at a pediatrics doctor's office, wanting to see if I wanted to do pedi. I lied, saying I wasn't fired from this job, and they took my word for it. However, a nurse from the other job apparently knew me and told the manager that I was fired. I got talked to about that. A few weeks later, I was fired AGAIN. This time for just not acclimating to the job, and the had a pretty crappy and rude preceptor which I got switched due to this. After that, I was never fired again. I also became an RN last year, became an ADON in a SNF, and a month ago I left that job for a Unit Manager job in a SNF and I'm happy. Being fired and messing up, even making big errors does not define your career. I promise. I've been a nurse collectively for 7 years this upcoming September. I've had my highs and lows. You will too. It's okay!

Hi! I'm a little late to the party, but I just stepped down from an ADON/SDC/IP position into a Unit Manager position, both in SNFs. I can answer some questions if you like!

I can relate to this a lot. I can share my story. I became an LPN in 2019, through a 10-month program. Graduated in August. I immediately went into LPN to RN school in January 2020. Passed the semester, two to go. COVID hit. In second semester, I failed. Then I had open heart surgery in January. I took that semester off and went back in September of the following year (2021). I passed second semester, and went into the final semester in January 2022. I met my best friend to this day in this class. I ended up failing every single exam, including the final this final semester. I already knew it was coming, but I was depressed, naturally. I took some time to keep working as an LPN. I eventually reapplied to a new school in 2023, and got in for the next year (I got waitlisted), so I joined in May of 2024, into a short Summer pharmacology course, then two semester after that. You know what happened? I passed all three semesters. I became the LPN to RN Representative for the class. I only failed ONE exam the entirety of the program. Achieved cum laude. Was awarded the LPN to RN award by the staff. I graduated with my RN in May 2025, and it will be a full year as an RN this month of June 2026. I didn't give up, despite such deep failure and shame in failing out so many times. It's embarrassing, time wasting and feels useless. But it wasn't. I used all my previous knowledge to do extremely well at the last school, and used a lot of my LPN knowledge over the 6 years of being an LPN in my program. Please don't give up. There are so many options. Have you considered doing the LPN program, and then bridging into RN like I did? I think it'd be a good choice, as they tend to be much shorter, 10-12 months. Usually 3 semesters. My point here is just please don't give up on your dreams. I am happier than I ever could have thought. I am an RN Unit Manager on a rehab floor in a SNF, and I'm extremely happy and make amazing money. You got this!!

Have you ever been to college, do you have any gen eds done? I would also consider an LPN program. They can be as short as 10 months like mine was. I made up to $50/hr as an LPN, right before I graduated with my ASN (ADN). Just something you may not have considered.

I was an LPN in LTC and rehab for over 6 years. I supervised in that entire time too. Did all three shifts, and even 7-7 overnights. I have severe ADHD as well, and I feel your struggles. I loved SNF work, especially LTC. After I got my RN, I started on a medical (surgical) floor, and I liked it... for like 3 months. I went so downhill it was scary. I did get a good, long orientation in a new-grad RN residency, and I learned a lot in the hospital. But even with 4-6 patients compared to 20-25 residents, it was a LOT. You are in patients' rooms for a long time in the hospital. IV and PO antibiotics every 2-4 hours, a lot more precautions due to different conditions (I had an ACTUAL tuberculosis patient in the hospital! And lots of COVID, c-diff and the flu). Lots of pain PRNs, depending on your population (I worked in a big hospital in an area known for LOTS of drug overdoses and addiction), lots of charting in Epic. There were many, many unbearable nights where I didn't sit down from 7pm to 1-2am in the morning. I just couldn't do it anymore. after 4 months in the hospital, one week in a psych hospital due to my depression from it, and a month in the outpatient neurology clinic (they treated me like I was stupid when I didn't even learn the job yet...), I just quit effective immediately and got a job as an ADON/IP/SDC in a new nursing home. It's a LOT of work, but I do make a more money than I did in the hospital, and regardless of stress I am happier. I'd rather have the same residents daily, with new admissions and discharges on the rehab unit often, rather than going into work every day not knowing if you'd get the same assignment, patients, med and treatment scheduling, etc. They are more acute in the hospital, they can crash at any moment. One night, a withdrawing patient off of opioids, had a BP of 200/100 and I was FREAKING OUT. No one really seemed to make it a big deal but me. But hey, they have seen it more than me. I'm absolutely NOT saying no to trying it, what do you have to lose? :) I just want you to see both sides. I think it's a great opportunity, especially for an LPN, as med-surg jobs are harder to get in certain states in that role. In MA and NH, they rarely use LPNs for hospital-based jobs aside from clinics and urgent cares. Go for it! But remember: SNF = (mostly) stable, more residents/patients with a lot to do. Med-surg = less-stable, can crash at any time, less patients with a lot to do. It won't change based on amount of patients, it will just be balanced differently! Good luck, and I will be here as a bouncing board for you! :)

Hi! I was a supervisor as an LPN myself, now an ADON RN in another facility. What kinds of questions do you have? What kind of tasks? Weights, meals, talking and communicating with the CNAs, etc? You have an upper hand, as you were a CNA before being an LPN. How much do you know about these CNAs? Are you new to the facility? What shift/s do you work? How many floors/units/CNAs per shift? All of this matters :) I worked in a very large facility as a 3-11 supervisor, as well as an average-sized one as the LPN 7a-7p supervisor on weekends.

I was actually voluntarily hospitalized for depression/SI at my old job. Afterwards, I got a new job and they didn't even mention it on the background check, as far as I know. You'll be fine.

Stay home for as long as you can! I did my LPN while at home, and did my RN after I moved out. Both had their perks, but saving money is key. If loudness is a problem, live at the library! Good luck on your journey!! Also, get your CNA ASAP!! It'll help you in the long run.

I wouldn't waste your time trying to get back into a regular RN program. Go for LPN to RN, and fill in the gaps yourself. You'll finish faster that way. If you're ever unsure of something, look it up or ask. You can do it! You became an LPN for a reason. Don't waste it.

Yeah haha, that was me. I agree with you. OP, are you using your 6 rights of med administration?

Question I'm honestly not sure the answer of: Can someone be section 12'd for low blood glucose levels and refusing treatment, which is technically causing harm to self? Similarly to suicidal ideation or self harm in a facility setting?

I have made a few med errors, all while an LPN admittedly. I'll never forget my first... I was training in a nursing home, in my second month. I got all the correct medications.... but gave them to the wrong patient. ?‍♂️ Included Eliquis as well as about 10? other oral meds. Luckily, we called the doctor and she was totally fine. I have made some minor mistakes in between, nothing I can really think of notably. Not many tbh. My last both as an LPN (About 5.25 years in) and an RN (so far) was the same thing.... It was my first day doing agency while finishing RN school, in a building new to me. I was doing 3-11. I was passing meds all fine and dandy until the end of the shift, a little before 10 I believe. I got patients mixed up and accidentally dosed a patient twice, if I remember correctly. I either gave the same patient's meds twice, and didn't give it to the other patient, or I gave the one patient his own meds AND another patient's meds. They were demented, and this one I especially felt bad about. There was no one to report to, and I hid it under the rug. I regret it extremely. I worked on that floor many times after, but the patient was fine even weeks later. It still haunts me. As an RN both in the hospital and now in the nursing home again, I have not made a med error. That being said, I haven't been on a cart at my current nursing home job as I am the ADON. I think overall that we are human, and even when we learn from our mistakes, we still make them sometimes. It happens. You don't have something happen just once and automatically never ever do it again. Give yourself grace. I know how it feels to make med errors, and it sucks. It sounds even worse with how you've described your errors. But we all make mistakes and luckily your mistakes haven't costed a life. We are human. We are not perfect. And when I come across my first med error with a nurse at my new facility, I will treat them with grace and find the root problem and how the problem happened. I think that's the best way to approach this. Continue to learn from your mistakes, no matter how little. To err is human.

I wouldn't worry too much. Just focus on getting that permanent license!

Can you tell us what state you're in? If I'm understanding correctly, you let your provisional license for Medication Aide lapse before you took your boards? I'm not sure of the technicalities behind it, but it sounds like you might have to work as a PCA until you get your permanent license.