WertDerFerk16

For anyone reading this thinking it's "really not that bad everywhere," you need to stand back and look at the whole picture and wake up. THIS IS the new reality we live in. I've been working for a major healthcare system for 6 years now. I also have many friends and a few family members that work in the same system and other major healthcare companies in Northeast Ohio, Columbus, New York, Atlanta, Columbus, Boston...and my list goes on. It really IS THIS BAD EVERYWHERE. Here's a great example: Starting a PCNA at $13.00 an hour because the company refuses to raise the starting wage to attract more applicants. PCNA's are alone with 30+ patients on our floors, constantly. For $13.00, no one will take on that amount of stress and liability. Not to mention, how UNETHICAL it is for the staff and patients. New grad's are training with an RN and quitting 2-3 weeks after their start date because they're being thrown to the wolves and given 7 patients with high acuities with not having finished the training. If you work in medical-surgical, ICU, ED/ER, and Cardiac; you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you don't, or haven't in a long time, since before COVID-19, then you're certainly NOT paying attention. It blows...and there is no end in sight with the nurse to patient load.

I recently spoke with my boss regarding my LPN license because I graduate this Summer. She tells me "Well we don't hire LPNs but you can still work here as a CNA." I have already been looking for jobs elsewhere and I'm leaning towards a traveling role. I knew going into the LPN that they do not hire them where I work but was also appalled at how my manager 1) Said "LPN" like it's an inappropriate word and 2) thinks anyone would work as a CNA but hold an LPN license. (or any higher level of nursing) Needless to say, I told her that's a horrible idea and no one would ever do that. We work on a busy med-surg unit and I can totally see a scenario where someone would say to me "You have a license now....go give this medication really quick." ???‍♀️ So, congratulations on your RN. And ONLY work under THAT license.

Hello. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot. I feel your pain. I haven't been an LPN for long but have 5 years on a medical-surgical floor in a MAJOR, local healthcare system/corporation. I hate it. I won't sugarcoat it. We get treated like garbage; constantly short-staffed; NAs left with 18 patients and the RNs left with 7-8 patients a piece and LPN (me) left with several patients, whom have a higher acuity than I'm legally allowed to care for. I could try to chalk it up to getting great experience when I go for my RN...but this....this is downright cruel. AND, management doesn't give a crap about it.... I'm having the same dilemma right now. Do I quit, go to a telehealth/traveling agency that actually pays $20 more per hour, but leave my family for so many weeks, come home for a week or two and leave again over an over because it pays more and also supports my family better, or do I stay there, and deal with the BS because it's right down the road and I won't have to leave my family? In your situation, I would do whatever makes you less stressed and when you leave for the day, you come home happy and not miserable all the time. I guess what it comes down to is your health. I have severe anxiety, panic attacks, severe depression with bipolar tendencies (I'm on a good and even dose of each of my meds where I can function normally and it works well for me, so it's under control, and I'm doing great on those, with therapy added). Your health is more important. Period. Have you looked into getting your CRNA? You can travel, work at a pediatric surgery center or outpatient/adult surgery center, weekends and holidays off, no on-call, the benefits are way better, the pay is much much higher than an NP and you get a boatload of vacation time. ANd this type of job is more available than you think. ANd worth the effort. I hope you find what works for you. Just keep working hard. (ANd I bet you're a kick-*** nurse, too!) I know I will, eventually. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, What comes easy won't last. What lasts, won't come easy.