lpnin03

The other evening intake called up to medical to say there was a 28 yo w/m that felt like he was going to have a seizure. He came up to medical and I took a set of vitals, B/P: 122/78, P: 98, T: 98.1, R: 20, O2 Sats on RA: 98%. He stated that he had his first seizure 6 months ago and was put on Dilantin 300mg BID. He did not take the medication regularly until he was incarcerated on 12/27/04 (at another facility). He complained to the MD at this facility that he was having double vision. The MD told him that this was common and that it would go away. The day that he was transferred to our facility (1/3/05) he had his AM dose of medication. He refused his HS dose because of the vision disturbances. I called the NP on call just to CYA and she said to send him on to be housed and that she would see him the next morning. The next morning (1/4/05) intake called medical again to say that something just wasn't quite right with this I/M. The nurse went down and took one look at him and brought him up to medical. At this point, his body was pretty much covered with hives and his temp was up to 100.1. The NP was thinking maybe Scarlet Fever until one of the other nurses on duty remembered a very similar case a year ago. There was an I/M that had been on Dilantin for 4 weeks and developed a similar reaction. He was sent out to the hospital and they pretty much thought the I/M was going to die. So much so that they furloughed him home so that he could die. Luckily, the man recovered (and returned to jail to serve his sentence). So, the NP gave this I/M some Benadryl and we kept him in medical all day to observe him. By the time I came in at 1500 his entire body was covered with the hives. By 2230, his temp was up to 103.1, his pulse was 105 and his O2 sats were down to 93%. Needless to say we ended up sending him out to the ER. I'm not sure how he is doing now because I left at 2330. Has anyone ever seen a reaction to Dilantin like this? Thank goodness the I/M had refused his HS dose that night I brought him up to medical.

I work at a jail and we all carry them. I have it set on vibrate and I never answer it if an inmate is around. If I am in the medical unit I will walk into another room. If I am passing pills to the inmates, I will just let my voice mail pick it up. I have a small child and I work 30 minutes from my home so I want to be able to be reached if there is an emergency.

I live in VA and was in KY for a few days. I called my cell phone company to make sure that I was not being charged for roaming. When the customer service rep answered the phone I asked her' "yes, I was wondering if you could tell me if I am in roam or not?" After I said it she paused for a moment and I realized what she must have been thinking. I quickly said, "I know I'm not in Rome. I'm just wanting to make sure that I'm not being charged for roaming!" We both got a big laugh out of it!

Well, last Wednesday I got a new job at a rather large county jail. At first I was being hired for PRN work but by the time my background check came back they had a full-time position for me. I start on Monday. I am a little nervous. Not so much about the inmates (yet!!) but just about being the new kid on the block again! One of the best things about this job is that out of the 14 employees, there is only one full-time RN, one RN is PRN and then there is a NP that is also PRN. So, as a LPN I will have more responsibilities and will be able to use more of my assessment skills. I won't just be the pill pusher that I was in the hospital! BUT, the best part of the job is that I am going from $13.17/hr to $20.10/hr. I think that is pretty darn good for someone that has only been a LPN since April 2003. Jenn

I was offered a job on the med/surg floor at the hospital in my area about a month before I graduated. I took 1 month off after graduation before I started to work there. I started out at $12.70/hr and after about 9 or 10 months went up to $13.17/hr. Last Friday I was offered a job at a county jail starting out at $20.10/hr! I plan on giving my notice first thing Monday morning and should start this new job in about two weeks!! Pretty much everyone that was in my graduating class had jobs lined up before we graduated. There were a few that were still looking after graduation but for the most part no one had any problems finding a job. Jenn

How many hours of sleep do you typically get each day??

I had a patient one night and I can't remember exactly what she was in for but she has a history of Chron's. Needless to say she had SEVERAL large, loose BMs during my shift. It always took two people to get her on and off the bedpan. I went in with a RN to get her cleaned up and lucky me was on the side of the bed that got to wipe her off first. I wiped and wiped and then noticed something sticking out of her rectum. I pulled it out and it was a slice of onion! I showed it to the RN that was helping me and tried my hardest not to laught or puke. After I left her room it was all I could do to keep myself from puking. I have been exposed to quite a bit and nothing has made me feel that nauseated. As a matter of fact, I feel a little sick now!!

I am going through the exact same thing right now. I do not want my supervisor to know anything about this possible new job. She has a way of making life difficult for those that are looking else where. I asked a RN on my floor that I work closely with and knows my qualifications. I also put 2 fellow LPNs that I am very close with. One of which left his position to go work for the place I'm trying to get this new job at. Good luck!

Hello all! I am currently applying for a job at a local jail for a LPN position. There is a question that asks for me to write why I am interested/think I would be good for this position. I'm looking for some advice on some things to include other than my obvious qualifications to get their attention. Anything you have to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jenn