hppynurse2

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. We need caring individuals to take care of people. Just remember, it takes special people to care for the sick. I hope you go as far as you want to go. If you're not happy, for the patients sake pick another field. Every nurse is cut out for different fields. If this wasn't true then one field would always be full with a 20 year waiting list while the other fields are way under staffed. GOOD LUCK!

Have you ever wondered if physicians took a special course in handwriting skills???? I have. Many times I would get orders to copy onto the mars that were grossly illegible. My co-workers and I would pass the orders around trying to figure them out. Sometimes just tilting the paper to the left would reveal the answers. Sometimes turning it completely upside down would make the whole sentence clear. Am I the only nurse with this problem? or are there others? It is fun at times to make your own coclusions:trout:

LTC always have opening. The turnover rate is high. I have worked in LTC for 4.8 yrs as a CNA, and 5.3 as an LPN. I can see why no one really wants to work in places very long. I love my job in LTC but I have to deal with frequent call ins, and short staff (even though IL regulations say we're not) I have also heard concerns from my co-workers that the STATE INSPECTORS are out to get facilities to make easy money. I don't really have a problem with inspections. If you do your job right for them they will leave you alone, But there are times that you have to improvise. STATE CAN"T SEE THAT,because most of them have never worked day to day on the floor. Most LPN's are afraid State is going to take their license. Grant it they can but if you deal with them on a professional level. You'll be ok. Don't give them the old deer in the headlight look when they ask you a question. You can tell them I don't know but I will find the answer to benefit both of us. Do what they asks ASAP and they will go away I promise.:balloons:

I have worked in a long term care psychiatric facility since 1997. First as a CNA then moved up to LPN position. I couldn't imagine ever doing anything different. I work with chronic mental illnesses like schizo, bi-polar, psychotic, and borderline personality disorders. These clients have been in and out of psychiatric wards for most of their life. They cannot function out in society anymore. It's not really a physically hard job, but it can be very mentally taxing. But I love it. You do have to deal with delusions from clients daily, and learn what works for each patient. You have to be very compassionate and caring, and very willing to listen to their concerns and fears. When you develope a friendly relationship with them you can learn how to care for each individual theraputically. for example client 1 is very paranoid. They believe that someone is going to hurt them. I remind them daily that their safe and no one can hurt them. One intervention is to allow them to sit by me. Another is to stay in their line of site often. When I go to lunch I let them know when I will be back. When I get back I stop to tell them I'm back. Psychiatric care is a great field. Most nurses are afraid of this field, but it;s not that bad. One thing its like OB care. You either love it or you hate it.