blueberrybon

Hi Lovely... I don't check this site very often... sorry.... Well I'm still loving it... I'm working 4 10's now which is tiring but worth it. Yes, it's going well... I'm much more comfortable now that I've settled into the job. My casting is getting better all the time, and confidence is key. I hope you have figure out what you're doing. It's pretty exciting when you're planning your carreer, isn't it? Good luck to you! Blue

Jahra, Thanks for the link... I did suscribe to Orthopaedic Nursing magazine... interesting.... Yes, I'll take advantage everywhere I can... I love consistently learning new things...

Well, I've switched jobs once again. I managed to stay with Occupational Medicine for 3 years, but found that over time I wanted more hands on with patients. I stayed with the same employer, but switched specialities to Orthopedics. Let me just say: I love it! There were many great things about Occ Med; (health fairs, flu clinics being my favorite part of the job) but most of the job involves paperwork and dealing with patient worry and anger in regard to their work related injuries. But the new job.... it's in a clinic... I do lot's of post-op staple and suture removal, pre-op informing, casting, splinting, dressing changes, etc. And I love it! I'm and LPN and cast tech... I'm just finishing a 5 week training time in our clinic's cast room... I have become quite good at short arm and thumb spica casts and splints, short leg casts and the like, but haven't done the specialty stuff yet like the munster cast... I'd have to say the hardest thing is the CTS and other hand surgery related stitch removals. Some of the surgeons use the TIGHTEST stitching technique... It is almost impossible to get under the stitch with scissors (even the smallest surgical ones). I've started using an 11 blade which works better, but sometimes patients are so sensitive that it's extremely difficult. I'm certain that over time I will become quite proficient and knowledgeable in this new field. I hope to be able to go to conventions (because that's my love in life; travel, even if it's across town) and gain knowledge, confidence, and skill, benifiting me, my employer, and my patients! Anyway, I'm loving it, and just wanted to tell the nursing world... Blue

Just noticed this thread. Yep, it's every year (for LPN anyway) and yep again, it's renewed on your actual birthday... Blue

ok, this was from a couple years ago when I was working at a nursing home. One of my cute residents would wheel herself up to my med cart every morning and say: "Can you tell me where my room is?" in a very southern drawl. Each and every time I would say: "you bet Mrs X, I'll show you in just a bit, can you wait right over there for me?" She would say: "Well, alright dear... I'll just wait over here". A few minutes later: "Can you tell me where my room is?" She was so cute. Another lady, let's say Mrs. Y would continually ask me: "When is this train going to stop, I think they passed up my destination". I would say something reassuring like: "Don't worry Mrs. Y, your stop will be coming up." Then I'd pass her in the hall a little later and she would grab my arm and say: "Don't you think someone should find the conductor, I think we've gone too far... I need to get off this train." Well on this particular day, I'm getting my cart ready when the two ladies happened into each other. They were within my ear shot, and here is the conversation in all its glory: Mrs. X wheels herself up to Mrs. Y and asks: "Can you tell me where my room is?" (in her wonderful southern drawl), at which Mrs. Y answers: "Are you kidding, I don't even know where this train is going, I need to get someone to stop the train!" I was having the best little giggle while getting my cart ready that day!

Chelseymarie: 1) congrats on becoming an LPN, and 2) i hope your future job is just what the dr ordered. I have visited San Antonio once and LOVED the area, especially the riverwalk! Good luck to you...

I work in a regular run-of-the-mill nursing home. A resident today was yelling down the hall for someone to help him. I don't know this fella because I work on the opposite hall (on call mind you, so I don't know many of the residents). Any way, he's yelling, so I went down to see if it was anything I could do. "Can you take off my shoe?" pointing to his right foot. I take off his shoe and set it on the floor next to him. He proceeds to loudly proclaim for all to hear: ""Who the hell took my shoe!!!" Alrighty then....

Evecel, I'm in the running for the exact same job description, hours and all. If I hadn't checked to see where you are, I would have thought we were competing for the same position. You are in NJ right? I'm in Washington state. It'll be interesting to see if we both get the job. I think I'm finding out today. Blue

Hey I'm "Spankin' new # 2" ... I'm in the same boat, except I'm considering a position in a cardiology clinic. The doctor I would be working for does everything that has to do with the heart. I've been an LPN for a year now, but know almost nothing about the cardiovasular system. There are so many aspects of the speciality. I also have not in my year of nursing had the opportunity to do blood draws or IV starts, both of which are part of the job. In the positions I have held thus far, there are always lab technicians to do those skills. My concern is that I'll be walking into a position which has always been held by an RN. They are considering RN or LPN since the position has opened up. If I take it, I'll be the first LPN like I said, so the DR has been working with RNs for almost 30 years. My fear is that since I'm a mere LPN and one with no cardiac experience AT ALL, what might I be getting myself into. I am envisioning doctor and co-workers alike rolling eyes and mentally wondering how I ever landed the job. The major selling point for me is 1) no more weekends 2) set schedule 3) ability to focus on an area of nursing 4) see patients regularly (somewhat) and build rapport I work in LTC right now and though it pays better, I see many other benefits that outweigh pay. I don't want my uneasiness to overshadow my decision making. But I remain uncertain. Blue

Hi Aimee. I have another friend who spells her name the same way. What's new since you posted this? Are you working in a clinic somewhere? I hope things are working the way you wanted them to. Sounds like that area of Alabama is a scary place to work/live. Blue

let us do the online dance of joy! :anpom: keep us informed please. urgent care will probably be interesting. and of course once you have your perverbial foot in the door, you'll land a more steady schedule if you end up wanting one. have a great time orienting!!! blue

Well, I see I'm a little late on answering this in any semblence of a decent time frame. But this is the first I've seen of it. Well, fresh out of LPN school, I got a job at a pediatric Drs office. It was mostly MA work, but I liked the fact that the dr was willing to teach or voice her ideas about things more as a collegue than my boss. The main thing I did not like about peds is that the majority of the job was giving scared children injections. Many of the scheduled injections were 4 shots at one time, so I had to hold the child down and give 1, 2, 3, 4 as fast and efficiently as I could. All the while getting the intense stare down from the parent who obviously hated it as much as the child. I have a whole new appreciation for the MA or nurse in this particular position. Of course the rapport you build with families is wonderful and that is what I would consider the best part of the job. But the injections got to me and I was only able to deal with it for nine months before I decided it wasn't my cup of tea. Now I'm in LTC and realize that may not be the right cup of tea for me either. Maybe I'm not a tea drinker at all... bite my tongue. I'll just switch to cocoa... what type of nursing would that be? Good luck to you, let us know what happens! Blue

Wow, what an ordeal! You are a cup half full type of person aren't you. They say that your type of personality is the kind that can get through the tough diagnosis' more successfully than the cup half empty sort. You say the inability to land a job thus far must have been for the best. That is a cup half full mentality. Another person would have said; "First I can't find a job, now this! What's next?" But you are choosing to take what comes along as it comes and go on from there. I may not be thinking of all the angles, but I think the prospective employer should know your situation so as to see the type of person you are, which sounds to me like the kind of positive personality that anyone would benefit being around, co-worker and patient alike. Not to mention that you will have first hand experience in a medical diagnosis and treatment that you can personally share with patients if you so choose. All my best to you. I pray you will not only find the right job, but be well and happy in it for many, many years to come. Blue

Well, by this time I would almost be willing to bet you are working somewhere. Am I right? Let us know where you landed a job, and how you like it. Blue

I'm taking care of a late stage cancer patient who is on IV Fentanyl PCA continuous with bolus (I can't remember the rate off the top of my head, it was just increased), 20 mg Methadone PO QID, a Fentanyl patch, and MS 10 mg SL Q 1/2 hour PRN. Just withing the last few days, she is needing to have a bowel movement (or feeling she needs to) almost constantly and will sit on the toilet for 5 minutes straining to the point of sweating from head to toe. She is not eating enough to even have a bowel movement and I think the sensation is from the cancer masses. She is starting to sleep more often, but for the frequent desire to use the bathroom. When she is awake, she repeats over and over "I'm in pain". I give her the MS as often as she needs it without hesitation. My question is how do I help her now? What else can I do? I feel so lost for ability to make her comfortable, I rub her lower back when time permits but am at a complete loss for words of comfort. Her husband stays in the room with her, he has a cot. I don't know what to say to him either. Believe it or not, she's a full code per her desire. I wonder if I will be on shift when her body decides to finally go, and will have to do CPR on her. If I do, I'm going to feel guilty for helping to continue her agony/suffering. Blue