cant_not

As a male, and as a nurse, I can tell you that this situation would make me entirely uncomfortable. I’m with you about feeling wired about the male nurse doing all that rubbing, barehanded, especially. I would report it. This guy may be getting off in some weird way. You never know who people really are. When I was working LTC, and I was the only nurse in the building, every time I had to do an assessment on a female resident (or a male resident for that matter!) I ALWAYS made sure that a female aide was in the room with me. Not only to make the resident a little more comfortable, but to cover my own butt. You never know what people are gonna turn things into. I would defiantly speak to a ‘higher’ up about this. But I would do it very confidently. I would not mention this to other coworkers. You never know, something like this could have been reported before and just brushed off. I think his actions are very inappropriate.

I know exactly how you feel. I’ve only done agency once, and only worked for about 4 days. I hated it. I felt so inadequate, and every facility does things different, so it’s hard to fulfil your commitment/contract to the facility and agency. I would suggest trying to find a job that would work around your husbands schedule. Or maybe one that offered day care? I wouldn’t suggest anyone going into agency, I HATED it.

I’ve been a nurse for two years, always wanted to work in a hospital but in the area I live in no hospitals use LPN’s anymore. So I was basically stuck with choosing between a clinic or a long-term care facility. I chose to work LTC because the pay tends to be a bit better. I’ve worked in 4 different nursing homes, and all were horrible. There’s entirely too much paper work, and here in KY–they consider an LPN to be a ‘charge nurse’ when there’s no RN in the building, and I just don’t feel that we’re equipped to run the whole facility, ya know ? I hate nursing homes. Dodge ones that reek of urine when you walk through the doors. Check and see what they evaluation from state was. Umm, I can’t think of much else right now. But I wouldn’t advise anyone into going into LTC. I’ve actually heard some nurses that I’ve worked with in LTC say the only reason they work there is because some hospitals don’t have aides, and they’re not gonna clean up BM. I hate those kinds of attitudes. I would just totally suggest dodging LTC period.

I'm thinking of finishing my RN up via the internet through the college network. I actually have a cousin who did it, and she passed her RN NCLEX the first time, so I'm really interested in this. I called and set up an interview with a recruiter in my area. While I was on the website I looked over some of the other degrees they offer and they have a Respiratory Therapy degree that you can obtain via the internet. How would something like this work? I mean with no prior education, how would you understand and be prepared to take boards? Do RT's not have clinicals and whatnot? http://www.college-net.com/independence.asp

I’m posting this message in an attempt to answer a question for my younger brother (he’s 18, high school senior.) He’s currently enrolled in a CNA course offered through the local High School. Anyway, he applied for an LPN program that starts this coming May, so he’ll be starting a few days after his High School graduation. He asked (in healthcare) what the difference was between being Certified in something and being Licensed in something was. I’m not really sure how to answer this question. I am currently an LPN, working on my RN, and I’ve never really understood this, and it’s never been addressed in my studies. I’ve always heard nurses go and on and about "I’m not going to do this.. Or that.. I’m not going to take my chances and loose my license." One time an aide said something to that affect, and our RN supervisor said something to the effect of " You need not worry about that dear, you’re certified, not licensed." So what’s the difference really? Thanks in advance.

I think you may be overreacting a little, but you’re granted that right. I as a nurse take no offense to it. When I was an aide I used to hear nurses say they hated aides, never bothered me.

I’m originally from West Virginia, and back there LPN’s could not supervise other LPN’s, nor could they be in any kind of director position. I currently reside in KY, and the Unit Manager at a facility I worked at recently was an LPN, I thought it was rather weird, because she had authority over RN’s that worked on my unit; Which is totally backwards if you ask me.

When I was an aide I worked in a 180 bed facility, and they were ALWAYS short, and I got a call almost every day to come in. I love doing overtime, but I got tired of it really quick. I just stopped answering my phone. Haven't encountered it as a nurse, yet.

If you’re not required to be certified, no you won’t need to take the test. Call local nursing homes, a lot offer CNA classes (that’s usually how they stay staffed.) Also check into vocational schools. Training can sometimes be done in as little as two weeks. My mother used to teach CNA classes, and some were 6-8 weeks long. Depends on how many hours your state requires as well.

I have no intentions of reporting this lady, as I cannot afford to get kicked out of my apt, and I absolutely refuse to live in on-campus housing. LoL. I was just really curious as to how this particular situation.

I HIGHLY doubt that there is. CNA is pretty much hands on in the clinical environment, and you’ll need to do procedures in front of your instructor and be checked off on them in order to even be eligible to take the certification test. I was an aide before I went to nursing school. It’s great experience, hard work though.

I didnt think so. But as I previously stated, my grandmother was actually grand fathered in, but she did recieve a license.

I had applied to two different schools when I first decided I wanted to be an lpn; first school was 3600, and the school I ended up going to was 4500 (this was a private institution, they didn’t accept any form of finacial aide other than WIA through the local unemployment office.) And from my understanding, to get approved for fin aid, your program must be accreditted and approved by the state bon and nln. Correct me if I'm wrong. Oh, and also, both of these programs were in rural West Virginia (southern wv.)

My grandmother was actually grand fathered in, but it took 4 years (4 years for what it took me 11 months to obtain!!! lol) This was in the late 50's, and from my understanding there was a huge shortage of nurses in the area she was raised. Also, she was trained by RN’s as well as Doctors on how to do procedures, and also had to take tests pretty often. So I guess it really was like school for her? This lady is insisting that she’s an grand fathered LPN, even though she doesn’t have a license. She has worked for this doctor for 30 years she said. I was just curious.

ahhh... I hate to out-right say this, but if you ever work in LTC you’ll see nurses do this a lol (if she actually did fake the vitals) I wouldn’t recommend it, I’m no ‘whistle-blower’ but I’ve actually reported people for doing it. The reason they are called ‘vitals’ is because they are VITAL..... I can’t stress that enough. Also, she could really get into quiet a bit of a trouble falsifying charts. My aunt actually got caught falsifying blood sugars; her license was suspended for 6 months, and she now works under a disciplined license (some employers wont hire you with this on your license.) It prevented her from going on to get her RN, she applied to two different programs and both denied her acceptance because of this.

Hello everyone, I have a question for anyone who can answer. I live in KY and my apartment is over top a doctors office (the doctor is also my landlord.) I’ve been having really bad problems out of my wisdom teeth lately; and it’s getting even worse now that the cold weather has arrived. I can’t get into a dentist until next week, so I went down stairs to talk to the Doctor to see if he could call me in a script for an antibiotic for the infection, and something for the pain. He had his ‘nurse’ do it, no problem. Anyway, while I was there the nurse and I got into a conversation– She convinced me into getting a flu vac while I was there. Anyway, She’s familiar with me on several levels –Not only is her boss my land lord, he is also the primary care physician at a facility that I worked at recently. To make a long story short - I was talking to this lady, and she was asking me how school was and everything, and I told her that it was tough and what not. (I’m an LPN, going to get RN eventually) She said she never went to school to become an LPN, that she was ‘grand fathered’ in. I said "Oh, so you trained under someone then got licensed? She said "No, I never have received a license." Can she legally call herself a nurse? And also, can she give injections and whatnot? I’ve seen her give shots for the Doc when he made his rounds at the nursing home. Also, not that this matters, but her name badge said "Kathy... LPN" I’m not saying in anyway that she’s not fit to do her line of work, my grandmother (merely 70) was actually grand fathered in years ago - and still works as an LPN, however she did receive an actual license. So don’t think I’m trying to insult this lady in any way, shape or form. Just curious about it.... Thanks in advance

LPN's can actually do more than medical assistants, and have more job opportunities. A Medical Assistant is trained basically to assist the Doctor in a Doctors Office. LPN's learn everything that MA's do, but LPN training is a bit more through. You can be a charge nurse in some states as an LPN.

My first week of LPN school was pretty uneventful and easy for me. I was already a CNA (took cna and home health aide in high school) and already knew about everything that was covered in Fundamentals. But about 2-3 months in, it got VERY intense.

I don’t think you’re over-reacting at all, and I think the situation should be investigated throughly; specially since you stated that it has happened on more than one occasion. Most facilities I have been at wont tolerate this sort of thing. I actually know a lady whose a nurse as well, anyway, her mother owns an assisted living facility in which she helps run. They had a nurse to steal a package of pills (blister) and it was reported to the police as well as the BON, and she was arrested and served time over this. I would look for employment elsewhere. I mean if you keep reporting this to management and nothing is ever done, there's nothing else you can do.

This was a very small facility, one of the aides that was making all these accusations, was the DON and Administrators sister. It’s a very tight-knit type of place, most of the employees are related to one another in some form. Very small town too. The aides/nurses attitude toward me had always been very negative. I come from a pretty civilized part of the world, and well, lets just say that ‘cow tipping’ is not my choice of weekend activity. I was basically stressed out with school, and went there, did my job (I admit that I never went above and beyond at this particular facility. But, I did do my job, and filled my job description fully.) I never really reprimanded the aides for anything. I always told them that I wasn’t their supervisor when I was charge nurse, but I was the person in charge, and there ever was a problem, to come to me. I always tried to help out on the floor as much as possible. There was only one incident when I reported a problem with patient care issues; I was doing a treatment on this gentleman’s back, and I noticed feces on his draw sheet; covered with baby powder to hide it. I noticed this several times when I did treatments/assessments and I did report it, and there was a HUGE in service about it. And another thing, I hate to bring sexuality into this, but I’m gay. And that was really looked-down upon there. Everyone seemed to be 60 years behind times.

Thanks so much for the advice you guys/gals. I'm going to start seeking a lawyer first thing tomorrow. I just hope I can find one! I live in such a rural area.

Hello, I am in quiet the dilemma here and would like any advice that anyone could offer. I was accused of abuse at a facility that I worked at back in June. The charges were being brought against me by some of the aides that didn't care much for me. They were totally false. I didn't think much would come from it. Anyway, for standard procedure purposes, the DON and Administrator called Social Services to do an investigation. Social Services investigation lasted about 3 days, and they found me guilty of the charges. Followed by Social Services were inspectors from The Inspector Generals Office; and because these employs were clinging so tightly to the story that they had first told, The Inspector Generals Office also found me guilty. The charges range from one count of physical abuse, and 3 counts verbal abuse. I am currently employable, and have absolutely no restrictions on my license. However, The Inspector Generals office is submitting my case of abuse to the BON and they're going to decide if it was indeed bad enough to revoke my license and put me on an abuse registry. I've never been so scared in my entire life. I spoke with the lady over my case at The Inspector Generals Office, yesterday. She said that she was going to mail me a copy of the investigation and after I looked over it, if I decided I didn't want to loose my license that I could request a hearing before the BON and the Inspector Generals Office. She said an attorney would be helpful, but not required. She also said that I should bring some witnesses. What should I do? I'm so scared. All my life, all I ever wanted to do was be a nurse. My mother was a nurse for years before she passed, and my grandmother (merely 70) is still a floor nurse. I'm so scared. I'm in a rutt. I moved down here (Kentucky.) To pursue my RN and was just working part time at the facility where these charges were brought against me; I only worked there for 4-5 months, so I really don't have any "witnesses" that I could take to this hearing with me. Also, I withdrew from the RN program in Aug, I thought I would take some time off and let all this die down for awhile, I'm still eligible to go back whenever I want (it has to be within the next 2 years, though.) But, I really don't want to go back with all this going on. I feel terrible, and there's NOTHING I can do about this situation. NOTHING.. Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

I would say anywhere between 16-24/hr. Depending on where you work. Now, if you like hospittal work, and you're able to do a couple 12-16 hr shifts in a row, you may check into a hospital that offers a 'weekend warrior' type of deal, I hear you can avg 34/36 hr.

I was/am an aide, I know how hard it is. At a facility I worked at recently, the DON brought her dog to work every day, "for the residents." Anyway, when they dog decided to use the bathroom (usually on the floor) she made aides clean it up.

Um, if you cant handle "whining" I dont think you'd be able to handle being an LPN. Specially not in LTC. You dont always have aides to answer your lights and whatnot, and you're gonna have to go into a room sometimes and move a water pitcher for Ms Smith because it's two inches to the left, and she likes it sitting right in the center of her bed tray table. Unless you could find a supervisory position somewhere, I really dont see any job in nursing being strictly bussiness. And regardless of whether you choose to believe it, you cant always pick out the whiners. You'll have some that whine constantly, then actually end up having something wrong with them.