mspetite

Hi, I have been a nurse (LPN) since 2006. Working on either subacute floor or sometimes long term care floor. I'm feeling a bit burnt out. I have been taking the pre-requisites towards my RN. I'm at the point where I can begin applying to RN programs but recently I have found that I have an interest in becoming PTA (physical Therapy Assistant). I understand that it would be more of a lateral move then an upperwards move. I feel like I would be happier having more one on one time with patients verses rushing around trying to tend to 21+ or sometimes 30+ pt's- making sure all meds, tx, paper work etc is done and it would be a different type of stress. The PTA's that I work with, seem really happy in there job etc. I would have no weekends, holidays and my hours would be more flexible during the day. I'm sick of waiting for my replacemtent to stroll in LATE or not show up etc. I guess I don't want to feel like I am making a mistake. or going backwards. Pay wise, would I be going backwards? Is this a bad career choice at the age of 35? or since I have worked so hard to get my LPN - should I just go for the RN, since I will have more choices in jobs with that? what to do, what to do..... Thanks - sorry if this post doesnt make much sense, had another very hard stressful day at work.

Hi, I have been a nurse (LPN) since 2006. Working on either subacute floor or sometimes long term care floor. I'm feeling a bit burnt out. I have been taking the pre-requisites towards my RN. I'm at the point where I can begin applying to RN programs but recently I have found that I have an interest in becoming PTA (physical Therapy Assistant). I understand that it would be more of a lateral move then an upperwards move. I feel like I would be happier having more one on one time with patients verses rushing around trying to tend to 21+ or sometimes 30+ pt's- making sure all meds, tx, paper work etc is done and it would be a different type of stress. The PTA's that I work with, seem really happy in there job etc. I would have no weekends, holidays and my hours would be more flexible during the day. I'm sick of waiting for my replacemtent to stroll in LATE or not show up etc. I guess I don't want to feel like I am making a mistake. or going backwards. Pay wise, would I be going backwards? Is this a bad career choice at the age of 35? or since I have worked so hard to get my LPN - should I just go for the RN, since I will have more choices in jobs with that? what to do, what to do..... Thanks - sorry if this post doesnt make much sense, had another very hard stressful day at work.

:) thanks for your message. I havent called yet but will, Ive been waiting to find out my lab results to see if anything was abnormal.

Thank you NJnursing and thank you turtlesoup. I am kicking myself now for allowing it. I know better. It just makes me really upset that instead of him being up front and saying Im not suppose to do this, he said is was ok because it was my own blood/vein etc... and instead of questioning him I allowed it ugh!!! like you said too late now. I will let you know what happens.

Hi, Ive been working as a nurse (LPN) since Sept. I work on a subacute floor. We (nurses) do not draw labs because lab people come over to do this. I don't know how and I am not trained on venipuncture. My husband and I were upgrading our life insurance and the company sent over a nurse to our house Thursday evening. He tried to draw blood from my RIGHT arm with a reg sized needle and failed, therefore he took out a butterfly needle and tried with my LEFT arm and little blood came but not enough to go through the tubing to enter the vial.He did not have anymore needles left but that used butterfly needle from my LEFT arm. So he said do you mind if I draw again from your RIGHT side (with that same needle that was used for my left) then said " it's ok because its your own blood , not like its some random needle". Even though a little voice in my head said NO I let him. I talked to a lab person at my company the next day to ask about it and they said that he should have never done that because once he pulls it out its contaminated. Which I know from doing injections etc... SHAME on me! I should have stood up for my self and brought that to his attention even though I was exteremly tired and even though he had no other needles to use. And now that I have had days to absorb this I really feel even though he asked me ahead of time if it was ok what he did was unethical because he said that it was ok because it was my own blood" He knew I was a nurse too, so I am a little ashamed... My right arm really hurts but does not show any signs of infection so far. How should I handle this? Should I call this nurse and be honest and tell him how I feel? or should I call his company and let them know what he did, there are many people out there that he may do this to, that really do not know any better and think its ok. Or should I take it as a lesson learned and leave it alone???

4-6 weeks orientaton is much better. I bet your first week was scary, it's probally much different then what we were use to in school. But atleast this time will allow you see how how the nurses pull it all together etc how they manage. Please update me on how things are going :)

Ok, I recently passed my boards and just started to apply for LPN positons. I went on an interview yesterday to a long term care facility and was told I would only get two days orientation one of the two would be clinical related. Also, I would have 27 pt's on the long term care and If I filled in for subacute floor I would have 33 pt's. Most of my fellow students got jobs where they would have 4-6 wks orientation as a new grad and any where from 10-20 residents/patients. What are peoples thoughts about this? one day orientation and the ratio. Is this unusal or common for places to do that?

Thank you - that helps alot, wasnt sure exactly what they look for in one for nursing.

Hi, I recently graduated from LPN school and took and passed my boards. I'm currently sending out my resume to places. I believe I am the only one out of my gradauting class that has waited this long to start my job search - everyone else jumped on this months before graduating. During those months I kept hearing people speak about having a portfolio. Is this recommended?? and what sorts of information should we have in our portfolio? Thanks :)

rorae- Congratulations!!!! that's great news.

Thank you..Yes - I can breathe now.

I know when you go under the section that says forgot username or password? it just gives you numbers to call, that happened to me last week, I was thinking it would just send an email with the info. I really hope you can find out today.

HOTGAL73 - How soon can you know your results in your state? Try to get together with a friend to just talk it out and hang out etc.. I found that helped me the day that I took it. Try not to look up questions like I did - that made me feel worse. I feel your pain. I'm sure you did just fine. If you walked away too confident then I would be worried.

ShanLPN- Thank you - Yes, I'm on a high right now. It's so funny how we walk away from the test just really not knowing how we did. rorae - I found out online and I was shaking as I was putting in my credit card number. Take a deep breath... Let us know how you did.

tcdaniels - I passed!!! :)

I Passed !!!! :)

I Keep finding myself going on to see if my reults are ready - I know that they say not for 48 hrs but I just keep hoping that they do an oops and give it to us early...lol. :)

rorae - I also took my nclex-PN yesterday and will find out on Sunday. Isn't the wait awful? my exam stopped at 85 questions too. I had the priortizing questions, infection control and labs. Our teachers also said to deal with pain first - I think only if there ISN'T any ABC'S patient issues. So basically the same thing that your teachers stressed. Are symptom questions lower level questions? I remember getting a couple.

tcdaniels - Congratulations!!! You should be very proud of yourself. I was thinking of you before I went in to take my test. In my state you have to wait 48 hours for the quick results.....the waiting is awful. The computer shut off at 85. I left feeling confident until I looked up a bunch of stuff and know I got them all wrong So I don't feel like I will be passing.

EricEnfermero - I think your very correct about trying to learn more in one day. Ive actually tried to sit down and study and at this point, nothing is sinking in because of feeling nervous and anxious etc. Relax I will :)

tcdaniels - My test is at 9 but they say to arrive for 8:30. Yes, definetly try to remain calm ( I have to take my own advise-lol). I have a habit of reading a question and think its asking one thing, when its really asking another. So I'm going to have to go really slow and we both will just have to do the best we can. We should chat again either tomorrow or sometime over the weekend for support :) Lots of luck to you!!!

Congratulations ShanLPN !!!!!! Thank you for your encouraging words :) tcdaniels - me too. I was perfectly fine up until today. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Is your test a 9am too?

All of a sudden I'm in panic mode and I do not feel as if I am prepared enough to sit for the boards. For the last 2 weeks or so I have read from the NCLEX-PN practice test and review for about 1 hour a day ( a chapter a day). I took a 2 day review course last month, the woman said not to study for 3 days before the exam and as an adult learner only to study for an hour a day. So far a handful of students from my class have gone and passed - all in which studied even the day before. It's too late for me to reschedule, I would have to repay etc. Is there anything I should really review before tomorrow morning that will help me feel more prepared? or should I just focus on relaxing at this point? Thanks :)