HI50

Thank you fMushymash for your post! I also agree with your point of view about nursing being a difficult profession that fosters the "love-hate" relationship. Most of us "REALISTIC" nurses have this feeling too. I have often wondered myself, if I wouldn't be happier, less stressed and have a better quality of life as a wallmart greeter. With that said, just when you feel like nursing isn't for you, something amazing happens where a patient, family member or boss gives you a compliment or a thank you, then it makes it all worth while! For those of you out there suggesting a "change of profession" please be realistic! Nursing is HARD and so is life. We all have our good and bad days and sometimes we just need to vent and feel understood. Please hone into your compassionate side and be a nurse to your fellow nurses! Just listen! OR get off the thread if you dont like it! Either way, you have a choice.

Maui, HI. LPN for 2 years, LTC about $20hr. Cost of living is thru the roof. Our 2bdrm condo could be on the market for $325,000. Milk=$7.00gal, gas-$3.66 gal,2 plastic bags of grocery $55.95, living next to the ocean=PRICELESS

Hi, I moved to Maui from MN right after I took the nclex. You do not need to take the nclex again for LPN you just have to get in touch with the HI board of nursing and pay a fee of 180.00 to transfer your license. This was after I recieved my MN nursing license. Hope this helps you. I would reccomend getting your license in the state you graduated in, in the event you dont LOVE it here you can go back to CA and not worry about transferring your license again. Carry a dual license. Just a thought, good luck, you will probally love it here! :welcome:

Shot of Tequilla always does the trick for me right as the 1st symptoms of colds starts.:angryfire

Gotta ask.......What is "groppa"??

I have worked with several MR patients and it can be a little more frustrating than your usual geriatric ones because of thier lack of understanding when explaining things to them, and behavior problems. The best advise is to provide concistancy, routine and be patient with them because they don't usually understand whats happening to them. Don't be afraid and talk to them like human beings. It is very rewarding when you are able to develope a trust and bond with them. Good luck to you.:welcome:

Wow........................you guys must work in the same place I do! It is absolutley RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never knew nursing would be this way, if I had, I think I would have signed up to be a mortition. We have 2 LN's on each unit in the day for 42 pt's and 1 LN in the eve. for 42 pt's and 2 LN's in the noc for 124 pt's and you can bet that the LN's on that shift call in from time to time and you can kiss the fantasy goodbye if you think the DON or ANY supervisor would come in and support you if you were short. AND they don't want us to say were SHORT we need to say "challenged". Yeah not only are we physically challenged but now mentally and psychologically challeneged too! I also think that if we are in a position of shortage and we pick up the workload of a nurse who is absent we should be compensated for those extra pt's and the risk of our lisence. Do people abuse your "call in sick policy" as much as they do in my facility? Pray to God for some justice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have worked in LTC for about 2 tears oops I mean two years. FREUD! Here are some of the most common ones we use......................Digoxin, risperdal, ativan,lopressor,morphine,zyprexa,clonopin,iron,flomax,tums,colace,sennagen,atenolol,cardizem,ablilfy,albuterol,advair,mom,bisocody, arnesp shots,calcium,hyralizine, potassium, kayexelate,oxycontin, roxicodone, percocet, vicodin,ultram,celexa,cadura,nitropatches,sprays and SL. micalcin,actonel,lipitor,tamiflu,copaxone, The list goes on but these are the 1st that came to mind and very common in LTC. Hope this helps you.

Dear Emma, Here are some messages to live by. God bless you and your family during this very hard time. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself 'I have lived though this horror, I can take the next thing that comes along'. You must do the thing you think you cannot do! No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ....................Eleanor Roosevelt. Stay strong, we are all rooting for you.

Hello Kat911, I was wondering what city you life in? My husband and I may be relocating to Austin/converse/or San Antonio area. Any info would be great. I'm an LPN in Hawaii and have 2 yrs geriatric exp.

Hi there! I'm an LPN in hawaii and am thinking about relocating to Texas, San Antonio or Austin. For those of you who work in these areas know if the LPN liscence transfers to LVN when I would get a liscence in Texas or is there some extra steps I may need to take? I realize that both types of liscences are the same the initial are just different. Also, any information on rate of pay would be greatly appreciated. Also are these good areas to live?? Thanks for any tips>

Does anyone out there work as an LPN in the San Antonio and/or surrounding areas? I may be relocating there and wanted some information about good places to work and pay rates. My experience is long-term care and (almost) 2 years under my belt. Any information is greatly appreciated. :monkeydance:

Don't burn bridges! Politics are everywhere in nursing and will always be a focus of disagreement. If you are certain you want to become a nurse don't let a few instructors take you away from YOUR goal. Try to understand where they are coming from too, someone above them may be the SOURCE of the "politics" and they too have a job to do and laws to abide by within the school! Keep in mind, you may need them for a refrence in the future. Good luck.

I work in Hawaii and started LTC 1 year ago $17.60 and now making 19.01. (as LPN) The cost of living here is very high, and you have many pt's. Although this is one of the top paying facilities!