krazy_coconuts

I'm a new LPN just a month off orientation on an intermediate care unit. Reading other's posts about their experience as a new nurse, I know my feelings of major anxiety and incompetence is normal... but does/did anyone else feel a little disappointed with nursing when you were new? I worked for over three years as a CNA on a similar unit at a different hospital, so I feel that I entered this profession with realistic expectations, but I still drive home in a daze at the end of each shift thinking "what am I doing? And am I making a mistake?" I'm still busting my butt in school finishing up my RN, so I guess I feel that all this hard work better be worth it in the end. (Am I delusional?) I don't think I would leave the profession, maybe I just haven't found my niche? I think that some of the problem is the hospital I work at. I'm not too impressed with it, and am planning on going elsewhere once I finish my RN in February. *Sigh* Sorry this is so long. Any honest feedback would be appreciated :heartbeat

You'll do great! I'm 2 weeks into my first LPN job. Every shift I walk around with butterflies, but I feel a little more confident everyday. Congrats on the new job!

I think it depends on your situation. I would say if you're going to school for nearly 2 years, get an RN. If weekend school is the only option for you (because of work, family) then go for the LPN.

Hey, congrats on graduating! I recently passed my boards (in May) and am just starting my first nursing job! Good luck on the NCLEX, and try not to sweat it too much. You'll do fine. Do you have a job lined up yet, or do you know what area you want to work in?

Hey everyone! I'm a brand new LPN and just landed a job on a cardiac stepdown unit :heartbeat. I worked for three years as a cna/ tele tech on another stepdown unit so I'm familiar with a lot that goes on, and I feel really comfortable reading teles...but other than that I'M TERRIFIED! I feel clinicals didn't really prepare me to work as a nurse. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but will I seem really incompetent because I've never given an IM or inserted a foley? I get a three month orientation (more if I need it), and my manager wants me to spend the first couple weeks shadowing in the ICU to develop my critical thinking skills, so I think I'll be given enough time and opportunity to hopefully firm up my skills and learn a lot. I guess my question is this: Is it normal to feel so nervous and unprepared? Do you feel you got a lot out of clinicals?!? :redpinkhe Thanks in advance!

I worked for IHC for 3 years as a PCT and the pay definitely sucked! BUT if you are close to getting your LPN I would look for a CNA job on a unit that will let you work as a LPN once you have your license. (if possible) Unfortunately, hospital LPN jobs are far and few between...if you want to work at a hospital, a foot in the door will help.

What is your position? If you're a nurse, you'll need a year experience before most agencies will hire you. If you're a CNA, you can most likely get a job with no experience. The nice thing about staffing agencies is the flexibility, you can make your own schedule, and they do pay more. I worked for a staffing agency a month before I landed a job at a hospital (as a CNA), and I kind of felt like I was being thrown to the wolves. One day I would be working on the med/surg floor at Salt Lake Regional, the next I was sitting for a neuro patient at the U, and it was a little intimidating and frustrating because every unit is different so I always felt lost. Also, not everyone was so helpful and friendly to the agency CNA...so it was a little hard. That was just my experience though.

Hi. Congrats on the new job! I worked as a CNA on a tele floor for over three years. My day to day tasks (morning shift) included: Q4 vitals, glucose checks, showers/ baths & beds in the morning, we did some dressing changes (PICC and JP), everyone was daily weights and strict I/Os, passing out and picking up trays, DC'd foleys and IVs. On my unit we also had the option of getting tele tech certified, and if your unit offers it I HIGHLY recommend you do it! Its interesting and a lot of fun, and I don't know if you're in NS, but knowing tele is a huge advantage in school! One less (somewhat difficult) thing to study for. Anyway, don't be nervous and have fun! I love cardiac patients!!

I am halfway done at Ameritech. No one that I know of has had a difficult time getting a job after graduating from that school. My advice to you: Work your tail off in clinical, offer to do and observe as much as you can. I feel we are slightly disadvantaged as far as clinical hours go (the remaining hours are made up in a human simulator lab). This doesn't mean you won't get clinical experience, just be extra assertive to get as much hands-on time as possible. Make a good impression during your preceptorship (last semester). If the manager and preceptor are impressed with you, you pretty much have a guaranteed job, if you want it, when you graduate. Best of luck to you whatever you decide!

Yes, IHC does have a nursing program. It is completely paid for (minus the books) and you have to commit to two years in the urban central region (IMC, Alta View, LDS or TOSH) when you are finished. Its a good program that goes through the Salt Lake Community College curriculum, but its very competitive like everything else. You also have to work for IHC a minumum of 24 hours a week during school, but the good thing is the program is divided into 6 semesters with only 2 classes per semester, so working is doable. The program is two years long and it goes through the summers. I'm not in that program, but I've worked with many people that have gone through, and they have seemed to be happy with it...as happy as you can be with nursing school.:icon_roll Best of luck to you!

I wear hair in a ponytail and minimal makeup. I do take a little tube of cheek stain with me for a mid-twelve hour shift touch up though, I think a little color on the face makes a big difference and I don't look quite as tired as I feel. For those of you that wear mineral makeup, where do you get it/ what brand do you use?

Just curious, is it due to lack of nursing staff or are they just trying to save a buck?

I'm seriously considering moving out to NYC next year when I graduate NS (from out of state) and was wondering if any prior medical experience is helpful in landing a job. For example: 3 years CNA/tele tech, 8 months pediatric LPN... will these jobs help somewhat? Also, what about getting ACLS and PALS before applying? I'm just trying to see what will maximize my chances. Thanks;) P.S. Any other suggestions? Like getting volunteer experience? Maybe I'm a little paranoid...I just don't really know what to expect.:uhoh21:

Hi. So I'm in semester 2 of nursing school and just beginning clinicals. This semester I'm doing them on Saturdays at a small community hospital, and at orientation this past Saturday we were told we probably weren't going to be able to have many opportunities (if any at all) to observe surgeries since it will be the weekend. This really bummed me out since the OR really interests me. So I was thinking that since I currently work at a large teaching hospital I may ask an OR nurse if she/he wouldn't mind me shadowing them for a day. So here's the question: do you mind being shadowed? Or is it a pain in the a$$ for you?

Hi everyone! I graduate nursing school next year with an ADN, and I know that most hospitals prefer a BSN...so do I have a chance? I know that beggars can't be choosers and I may not have my first pick on a specialty unit (ICU), but what about if I do my preceptorship in the ICU? I know there have probably been a million posts like this, but any responses would be helpful! Have a great day!

Hey akowens congrats on graduation and the job offer! I'm now in semester 2 at Ameritech and have enjoyed the school as well.

Hey everyone. I'm finishing up my first semester of nursing school (finals next week :uhoh21:) and today we were doing skills pass off. Well, through the course of the day we had about three people leaving the skills lab sobbing, apparently after being told they were not going to be passed off on a particular area. We've also had a couple of instances throughout the semester when an instructor has told someone they "probably shouldn't be a nurse". This doesn't seem right to me. I understand that it is in the instructors' best interest to produce intelligent, competent nurses...but is it necessary to tell someone they aren't "cut out" for the job in their FIRST semester? What do you think? I just wanted some opinions.

Not too old at all! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at all of the "non traditional" students you will find in nursing school. I've got a fifty-something retired FBI agent in my class, and I being 27 am one of the "young ones". GO FOR IT!!

I've actually heard the same thing: Once you go OR you never go back.

Hello! I am very intrigued with the idea of working in the OR and will definately do it sometime in my career. So here's the question...for any of you that have started out in the OR as a new grad then moved to another area, did you find it to be a hard transition? You know, not doing the whole "one year of med-surg" thing?

Hi Ethereal, I've worked for IHC for about three years and have really enjoyed it. There is a new trauma 1 hospital opening the end of October that is STATE OF THE ART if you're interested. Also, there will be a seperate women's tower if you're looking into L & D. (And FYI, the Salt Lake IHC hospitals are the only ones in Utah that have Magnet status) Best of luck to you!

I feel your pain...we have to take the ERI too.

I'm sure there has already been a thread like this, but what is the craziest , goriest :barf01:, most shocking :uhoh21: thing you've ever seen in the ER?

Hi Liason, I'm in the second semester at Ameritech and have been really happy with it. The cost is 38,000 (which I know sounds like a lot) but if you're in the situation I'm in...had one more year of prereqs left and wasn't crazy about waiting an additional two years on the SLCC waiting list, its completely worth it!! Anyway, I hope that helps and let me know if you have any more questions- best of luck to you!

I love it! It's SO true!!