FutureNewYorker

okay, you talked me out of it. lol. Actually, I am ill. I'm going to have to pay for cobra until I figure something else out. One of the reasons I'm moving to NY. Got an appt with a specialist that heads research for a rare genetic disorder I've been diagnosed with. Dang. And I was trying to think of a way to use my license with less stress and within a normal circadian rhythm. Hmmmm... back to the drawing board.

True, true, And thanks about the insurance plan stuff. I never thought of that.

I used to be really good at catching this stuff, and understand it's from the rush of things. That's why I used to try so hard to catch it all. However, the nurses from the other shift started to get offended like I was trying to point out mistakes, when I was just trying really hard to cover us all... with the best of intentions. And the nursing supers started relying on me to do their chart checks, never following up my team.... on top of my already heavy work load, you know. Now I just watch out for the safety of my team and take care of what i can and let the rest go... I guess my supernurse costume got to many holes in it. Oh the joys of transitioning from a graduate nurse to and experienced nurse. hehe

Cool. Will definitely check into the VA. I should have thought of that. I'd love a doctor's office gig, though I've never worked in that area. Seems so much less stressful than working on an acute care psych floor in a hospital.

Once I get situated I'll be looking in Syracuse, Ithica, Binghamton and anything in between. Have no idea what county/counties that includes. But we can get by on his income comfortably so I can take the time to look for a good position.... which is a huuuge relief. It'll be the first vacation I've had since I got my license. lol. Thanks for the hope.

thanks for the hope. :)

I know, I hate that cuz I wanted to work at Regional. You can try the Jackson hospitals. When do you get done?

No problem. My bf actually bought that book for me as a little gift when I got the job. It was one of the most thoughtful things he could have done. I love it. BTW, you're exactly right about what to do with an elevated level, though I can remember the sx of it. Lethargy and disorientation and malaise I think. Would need to look that up. Rarely see lithium in use anymore down here actually. Too much upkeep with it and many other options these days. And I feel ya about the $15 raise!!! Sucks doing the same work for about half the pay! lol.

Blechkk. I'm just not a LTC kinda girl. It takes a special kind for that and I admire them, but choose not to try to be them. What are my chances of getting a clinic or Dr's office gig? The only way I got in the hospital down here anyway was because I have a background in psychology and they needed psych nurses. I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area and work in North Miami Beach.... but I'm a transplant too. Moved her in 2002 from So Illinois. Mid 90's!!! Geesh. And just when I was getting excited about getting a break from this heat! Thanks for the info.

Not many do, actually. Tenet Health systems facilities hire LPNs when they are in need. They hired me as a new grad LPN but mostly because I agreed to work an area most people avoid...... psych. My facility was bought by Jackson Health Systems and they kept the LPNs with no stipulations. I've heard main Jackson hires a lot of LPNs. Where are you located? I live in Broward and work in Dade.

Thank you so much for the leads. :) Do you happen to know what the payscale would be? Do you work with LPNs, even if in a different setting? If so, do you know on average what they make? I know it's kind of a no-no to ask, but if you happen to know, it would help. Thanks Again.

Hello, I'm moving from south Florida to Central New York area. Binghamton, Ithaca, Syracuse area. I work in a hospital on a psychiatric floor now. In So FL hospitals LPNs work almost exactly like RNs but get about half the pay. Do the hospitals in New York state hire LPNs? What would be a going rate? Is the job description more restrictive?

Yep that pretty much describes it except we have no secretary and we are allowed to use preprinted care plans for each dx. Other thankthat, you're on point. I'm from SoFL, you?

Thanks. but I'm not living in or near the city. Central New York. Like Binghamton, Ithaca, Syracuse... but thanks

MAn... down here there's no way a PCT or CNA could do my job... we do it all. The lpns downstairs even push some meds after taking a legal loophole class. I guess that's not gonna be the way of it in NY. While it's cool I'm not gonna be working my butt off for little pay (like here), it's gonna be a challenge working a restricted job description.

Hello all. I'm relocating from South Florida to Central NY (will probably end up in Ithaca or Syracuse). Do the hospitals in NY hire LPNs at all? If so, does anyone know what an average pay rate would be? SoFL is phasing out LPNs in the hospital settings. The only reason I got my position in a hospital was that I agreed to work the acute care psychiatric floor and they were badly in need. I'm just not a nursing home kinda gal. However I must say they work us just like RNs for almost half the pay in SoFL! We do all meds, charting, admissions, orders...... an RN just signs off on us when it's required. Can anyone tell me if the LPNs position in NY if more limited? Thanks. :)

There's a lot to remember.... i found it best to remember by class then I picked up the individual specifications as I worked. Antipsychotics are big because psychosis is the most common reason for admission. The old schools are Haldol, Thorazine, Prolixin, Risperdal. This have the highest risk of Extrapyramidal Effects. The newer ones and atypicals are Geodon, Zyprexa, Abilify.... there's still a risk, but less. Besides lithium, most mood stabilizers are seizure meds, so give them a brief review.... Depakote, Tegretol, Trileptal, Lamictal, Topamax. Know your levels for those that have them... especially lithium and depakote. Antidepressants are pretty basic. Mostly you see the newer SSRIs like paxil, zoloft, prosac, celexa, lexapro. The thing patients worry about most there is sexual dysfunction as a side effect. And remember that these cause mania in bipolar patients. Rarely you still see the tricyclics. Oh, and there's always 1 question about the dietary restrictions when on MAOIs. Anxiety meds are pretty simple, CNS depressive effects. Ativan, Klonipin and xanax are the most common. Sometimes valium. The most common sleep meds are Restoril and Ambien. The previous posters are right in that you'll see alot of HTN and pain meds. The other questions will be about safety and therapeutic communication. One of my friends even had this test where they showed a video and you had to write the 5 things the nurse did wrong... like she was wearing something around her neck, turned her back from the med cart, let the patient walk off with his med cup instead of watching him take the pills....... that kind of stuff. I'm from south florida and we carry whole teams down her by ourselves. We do meds, charting, patient care, groups.... pretty much everything. Once you get the job, if not before, pick up a lil book called Psych Notes Clinical Pocket Guide by F.A. Davis Company. It has EVERYTHING at a glance and it's waterproof and coated so you can write notes in it and clean it off with an alcohol pad.... pretty cool. Good luck.