n_babegurl

Imoved from In. to Ky. I contacted Ky BON and applied an received a temp. permit ,held it for amt. of time noted then received Nursing Licenses. Now I just renew them every 2 yrs. at $50 and initially it had cost approx. 150.00. There are also continuing Education classess in Ky.. Hope this has helped!!

I was fired Jan. 14, 2004 and have only had two jobs since then, working approx. 8 months since that day.A situation that will haunt me the rest of my life.This not only has affected me, but my family also. I went from making 80,000.00 a yr., to 1,800.00 (the first year) and 10,500.00(this last yr.)I've been a LPN for 8 yrs. now ,:uhoh21: and Love my job, no matter how stressful it may get.I take pride in what I do and feel I do A Very Good job at it.I am eager to learn something new everyday.This was in a LTC facility that has approx.85-95 res. at all times. Also having rehab. pt's. - oncology- alzheimers-and skilled pt's..We had been (we will call it CHALLENGED),short staffed for approx. 3 months. Maybe not everyday but at least 4 out of 7. It was getting so bad at times that family members would be helping pass the breakfast trays, not just their family,but others.We followed our chain of command, and was not gettin results. We worked long hours and at times past the time able to work in a 24 hour time frame.Administration started to tell family's that we were the reason why pressure wounds had increased State had entered several differant timesand still we remained CHALLENGED.One morning I was passing meds when a family member needed help and got very angery because the CNA had informed her that her mother would have to lay in feces.Because it was a state law to wait till after serving all res. on the floor and they all have been fed.This is has always been a issue everywhere I've worked. This is a dignity issue,and that res. has the right to be clean and dry.I had 44 res. with two CNA'S and a QMA and another LPN.After I started med pass ,lights where a buzzing, res. were yelling, trying to get up, wanting to go to restroom,alarms going off,and phone ringing.I was at my last straw. "WE"I, and 5 CNA's , 1 QMA, 1 other LPN. spoke breifly, and decided enough was enough. "WE" decided to notify the Media, TV and local newspaper. They meet us at front doors . Making sure a cna and/or nurse was on floors at all times.We discussed the poss. of being terminated,but proceeded. Only being out there approx.5 minutes the DON had been informed of what was taking place.She then asked us if we were on the clock? WE informed her we were on break(1st. 15 min. break). She then proceeded to tell us we could all clock out and go home. I asked DON if she had just fired us on camera, and she said "YES". Media was told to leave or police would be called. We were walked to time clock. I informed ADM. that the supervisor would not count narc's with me and I needed someone to count with so I was not charged with adbandonment.We were all sent cert. letters stating "we would all have to sign a paper stating we would not walk out and abandonment the res. AGAIN and we would come back with NO stipulations.Well 5 of the employees signed. One we never seen again and I sit here now telling my "Whisleblowing"story.I was NOT signing a letter that was stating I adbandoded my pt's. We were contacted by the United Steelworkers of America". We meet with them and informed of our rights and decided to let them help us and file charges against BHNRC to the NLRB. We have won the case twice and continues in appeals court at this time. The NLRB ask for back wages,are jobs back,etc..$) hrs. a week with 10 hours overtime a week (related to past work/an amount of hours I had been working.)Its been two and a half years. The ADM. was fired immediately and the united steelworkers proceeded to do what they do. There has been two union campaigns,losing them both.We had NO intentions of unionizing.We were only trying to make the staffing ratios a issue and have them corrected.We were only trying to help our pt's.,trying to get more help.Also covering our own "ass". When we have "in house " wounds,and getting lectured dly on how to prevent them,and it was the staffs neglect,we decided to take a stand for our rights, let alone the pt's rights.My lie has been affected termindiously!!We were accussed walking out,trying to unionize,and basically marked or blackballed from nursing.!! (that is how I feel I was labeled.)I moved in another state even,but still follows me to this day.It's not like I can get around it. I worked at that facility for the past 4 yrs on and off . I moved away then returned three times.Why would they hire me back if I was such a bad employee?I had also worked for their sister facility in another state,during my 8 yrs.of my nursing career.{FYI:I had went thru a divorce 4 yrs. ago and have moved several times related to financial problems.}My three sons an I went from 80,000.00 a yr(combined wages)to like I said 1800.00 a yr..I dont't think the public realizes how this has and is affecting my family?I recently had started my 2nd job since 1-14-2004, worked for approx. 2 an half months. Then one day before clocking in was informed ADM. needed to speak with me. I was then told by a corperate employee I had lied on my applications. he said, I had failed to give info on 2 of the facilities I had worked with.and they all three were sister facilities.I did not realize when applying they were an EXTENDEDCARE Facility, which had been changed/sold to or whatever. I informed him I had put my last approx.5 yrs. experience down,and which one of them was BHNRC. I ask if DON had checked my references?Because this was falcility where it all took place.He then told me she did check them and nothing was said. Well the following week she was fired!!!My intentions were from the my heart, I was thinking of my pt's.rights to be treated as humans. to be treated how you would want your Mom ,Dad, Grandma/grandpa or son/dtr. to be treated.So when DON's , ADM.,staffing cord.and etc.look at my appl. or me they see a trouble maker, a threat to them, a unionizer and someone who is not reliable.Someone who might walk out. NOT!!! I AM A HUMANBEING WITH RIGHTS,A DAMN GOOD NURSEAN A EXCELLANT WORKER!I LOVE MY JOB. I LOVE DOING FOR OTHERS ,I LOVE THE CHALLENGE(OF NURSING NOT STAFFING). WILL I EVER WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE??? SOMEONE PLEASE WAKE ME.ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS??iT IS SUCH A SHAME I SIT HERE WITH A NURSES LICENSESDOING NOTHING WHEN THE SAME OL' **** IS HAPPENING IN YOUR TOWN.

You summed that up very well;except you forgot ,no breaks,no releif if someone calls in,working 12-16 hrs+.I to LOVE my job. I've worked in LTC for 8 yrs now and take pride in what i do.I to have a prob. with nurses that think we babysit,that think we are stupid when having to send a res. into ER for something minor.Then we get a nurse thats never worked LTC ,they're alright till they get stuck doing a job thats for 3 nurses!! They're use to 1-5 pts. were in LTC you may have 15-40 pts.;somebody has to do it and it takes us Special Angels in white!!!

First of all let's not let your curiousity kill the cat.You IVP lasix over a 2 minute period ,monitoring VS and labs , especially ones potasium level, which if to elevated can cause cardiac arrest. I also live in the real world were LPN's are able to do such things as IVP's, draw blood from C.L's,start IV's (if cert.)insert G/T's, N/G's, TPN/PPN(while adding the needed insulin and vitamins).We change CL drsg's,Trach care ,PCA pumps,Nephro tubes. We do it all except hanging blood,then like they said the RN signs it off.Also working in LTC, there will not be access to monitors and such.If I was in a place were LPN's were being utilized as CNA's ,I would MOVE!!!!!Most LPN's are capiable of any task or Dr's,order given to them, let alone writing the order. Most LPN program's go to school during two summer sessions the first year an one the next year. Often it is said we (LPN's) only have 1 year schooling, WRONG! You have prereq., then most are a year and a half., LPN's get alot more clinical hours!!! I ,myself have 5 yrs. of college with an AS.in Science,and my LPN. Having everything out of the way for my RN but had ran into some family issues, so got into LPN program. Which I am grateful for.Vincennes IN. LPN program is excellant.I have the knowledge and courage to do almost anything,given or put in front of me. Im very proud to say I am an LPN.Also 99.9% LPN's know if they were not sure on an IVP duration of time to be pushed , then we look it up in our good ole' drug handbook,also that is why we are taught to double if not triple check calulations and such. We have our Pharm.any time we need their expertise. I've been a NURSE for 8 yrs. in LTC and I LOVE IT!!!!! OH and VERY GOOD at it!!!

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