NURSET2007

Is it difficult for a LVN to find work at Kindred? I constantly see positions for LVNs in Texas but they do not seem to be filling them. Hiring freeze? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

And that really sucks! A change needs to be as evidenced by the numerous Group One post on All Nurses. Even still I can't believe there is NO nursing shortage whereas several facilities are always running on low staff, esp the ones who affiliate with Grp 1. Just speaking from talking to HR myself.

I cannot believe that"Group One" still exists when there is such a nursing shortage. Even moreso that idiot companies will even still give that company business. Its ridiculous to punish someone for something that they did 5+years ago, especially when they may not even be a nurse yet. To me I feel that ultimately our patients will suffer from some of these companies stupidity, by turning good nurses down for jobs just because they quit a job without notice, etc. That makes me want to pack up and run fast from the DFW area. It has to be illegal. and the DFW area seem to be the only ones to go along with this foolishness, so far. You cannot say that Group One is a good indicator of a potential employee, especially since it seems to be the employees not caught by Group One who have done terrible things on the job, but yet those are the ones that are given jobs. :angryfire Soon the DFW will have no nurses if this continues. I cant see staying at a job that I feel is unsafe out of fear of Group One, that is just ridiculous! Im sorry just needed to vent. Please share your stories.

Yes, the VA does, but you must be weary of a place that offers that much of a sign on bonus...... money isn't everything.

If you want you can PM me and we will chat.

Are you sure you want to work at the Dallas VA??????

4-6 14hr days a week? Did they mandate overtime? I can they make you work those crazy shifts?

Do you guys find yourselves working 7 days a week in home health? If you are full time, how do you balance your work schedule so that you have a life?

I am in the South DFW area. I do understand the politics of it. But is the work that bad that people quit after orientation?

Thanx guys for all your input. I guess that I was just trying to be too nice, and now that I am sick of it, its all a big shock! But your right kids gotta get fed. :wink2:

It depends on how far out the patients are, and how long it takes you to get in do what you need to and get out. If you stop and gossip with each patient you will never get done. If paid per visit then thats it, nothing extra over the time you are expected to be there. and your paperwork is usually meant to be done at home or at the office. Unless you like driving, I would try and take patients close to home.

when you start with a home health company full time, how do they go about giving you patients? all at once, a few at a time? my company is not a good example since i may get 1 patient every 2 weeks if im lucky. also if you start a new company should there be an "orientation visit" to acclimate your self to the company or is it all the same? any tips or additional info is welcome. thanx!

Thank You for that, I did not sign any such claus. I just didn't know if 2 months + was ample time to "build my patients up" as they put it.

I applied to Davita in the DFW area and nothing, its hard to inquire about my application since there is no set HR dept. I am an LVN with med/surg experience but no Dialysis experience. Does anyone know how they go about their hiring? I want to go into something other than "Hospital work". Also do they work 8, 10, hr shifts, and any tips would be appreciated!

I am a LVN who has journeyed out to the world of home health! I love the flexibility, and autonomy, but dislike the paperwork. But anyway I left the hospital because I could not do the 12 hr shifts anymore due to my kids. I am with a company and I have only 3 patients, averaging 7-9 visits per week, And I am supposed to be full time! So I applied to another agency elsewhere and its like they have a problem with it, saying things like well you agreed to be fulltime, even though I was passed up on numerous occasions to get new patients. I have been with them over 2 months. Should I try and stick it out with this company or go elsewhere?

Yes i would like to find out about this program also.

How long did you wait to get your ATT to go take the exams?

Hey do you guys think that its do able to complete 2 Excelsior Nursing Exams per month? I am soo ready for my RN, and I want to try to beat the show down between the TX BON and Excelsior. Your opinions are greatly appreciated!

Well txspadequeen921 at least you beat the mess that is going on between Texas BON and Excelsior. Why is it sooo hard to become a RN?????

Congrats! I have 2 questions. How long do you actually seem to take your tests, 160 quest rite? Is it usually reccommended to take 2 exams in one day? I thought someone said that your brain is probably too tired after the first one. Thanx! :)

I have to disagree with you KW TX because I have worked with plenty of nurses from the traditional setting, BSN, MSN, and sorry to say that they have been (my opinion + a few others) for the most part UNSAFE on the floor, have absolutely no idea how to manage in a crisis, nursing tasks, etc. The traditional RNs and LVNs great! because we mainly work the floor. But why is that? Because BSN nurses are drilled more on the didactic aspect of nursing and not clinical importance. Just as you said, Its one thing to complete theory classes but another to work on the floor. Not quite verbatum but you get the point. Not to say that all BSN, MSN nurses are not equipped to work the floor but just my opinion from my 8+ years hospital experience, and a few other collegues. Please don't down play Excelsior College because you may be working next to one of their excellent grads very soon! and that will entail that your working conditions are adequately staffed, what might not be if Excelsior is taken away from Texas. And I do think that it is a heck of a lot harder to complete Excelsiors program than a traditional program.

Yea well from wat I have seen there is too much "red tape" in place to just send someone home. Thats when everyone suffers.

If you can go straight for your RN you will thank me later!

i went to dni, it was ok it is accredited and all but of course the classes that you take do not transfer anywhere and none of these schools have a lvn to rn program. but from what i hear it has totally changed since i was there a few years back and may have changed for the better or worse. there seems to be an abundance of applicants to the "cheaper" community college programs so yes, dni, concorde or platt would be your best bet if you really wanted to get in somewhere and do what you gotta do. and it will cost you, $18,000 and up. but there is financial aid. my suggestion to you is, if you can just go thru a traditional program thru el centro or something and get your rn. because as i am finding out, unless you have a 3.5 or higher gpa you are going to have a hard time bridging to rn in the future. welcome to texas!

It really depends on where you live but I think that we all go thru it. It is a double standard, there is such a need for nurses yet when you go to apply you get NO bites! For the most part I was prepared for this because I was told in LVN school that we would probably only get jobs in LTC, hence the great pay but terrible conditions, mostly. my suggestion to you is obtain addt'l certifications as an LVN to make you more marketable and go for your RN unless you love LTC. But I know for me I love the hospital setting, so thats what I'm doing. Hospitals rather have vacancies than to hire LVNs because for some reason they look at us as a slightly higher CNA or on the same level. and that SUCKS! but use that to your advantage to progress further. Good Luck!