MacNinni

You may want to consider doing agency work, once you have enough experience. It allows you to pick and choose what you want for a schedule, and specialty. Also, it pays better. Agencies offer health insurance, too, of course at a higher rate. One I recommend is Diversified Staffing Group. They have offices in Boston, Natick, Worcester, Providence, RI, Manchester,NH, and Portland, ME. You can see them online, too. I am still employed by them, even though I am on a travel assignment in Florida now. When I go back to New England, I'll begin working for them again. Good Luck.

The nurse who told you green is green is right. It is experience that counts. If you think you have a problem, consider all the LPNs with YEARS of experience who do incredible work for so much less than the rest of nurses. Also, consider our teachers. They make pittance compared to the staff nurse!!!!! Now, don't misunderstand me, I believe in furthering one's education, and remuneration for it. But, the degrees are just door openers. Experience is what counts. And, down the road the BSN and Master degrees will reward you ---- if you gain that critical experience. I am an ADN nurse with 11 years experience in nursing. I am a mature, professional nurse, who was a newspaper and magazine editor for 20 years before going back to school for nursing. Now I am combining my two careers. It's working for me. Everyone has different goals. However, the most important one in nursing is caring for people. Along with that, comes experience. I have no trouble earning between $70-$80,000 a year as an ADN. Maybe locale is part of your financial problem (I'm from New England, where the pay is considerably better than what you describe), but, you have a more serious problem. Do you really want to be a nurse??? Cause it's not easy. Good luck

I'm not sure whether your question is for Grandma or yourself. If you think Grandma is being neglected, contact the local Ombudsman, the person who is an advocate for patients. Grandma's facility should have that number available to you. If you are concerned about working in a facility like the one you describe, you should be. In these times, of nursing and aide shortages, no use of restraints, etc., your concern is warranted. There are simply too many patients for too few caretakers. Accidents are, and will continue to happen. I suggest you further your education and remove yourself from that possibility. But, at the least, really search for an employer that provides somewhere near the correct amount of staffing members. Good Luck

Some hospitals do the training: check with your human resources dept. Also, check with a guidance counselor at a local high school or community college. Good Luck

PS. I have worked at Brigham & Women's, Faulkner, Cambridge, Whidden (Everett, MA), MetroWest Natick and Framingham, University of Massachusetts Memorial, etc. I have done all of these, except The Brigham, through local agency. And, over and over, for years.

I am a New England nurse, with licenses in ME, NH, MA and CT. I have 11 years experience as an ADN. I have NO PROBLEM finding work anywhere. There is a nursing shortage. ADN or BSN is never discussed. MA pays the best. I could work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if my body could handle it.

Hi! I have worked for several years with teen, adult and geri psyche patients. I have found that all respond better to seclusion. When upset, the chaos of the unit about them is too much to handle. Of course, there is someone to provide 1:1 at these times.