NamasteNurse

Not to sound "old" but when you're 18, everything seems like it's forever. I have changed jobs about every two years all my working life. Now I know, that's not everyone's style, but don't say "I will be an LPN forever". If you want to sure. I know LPN's who have done it "forever" and that's their choice. The LPN program is generally less than a year in school for about a $40,000 salary. Not bad by any standards. Nursing homes are the most abundant jobs available and you will always have work. Clinic jobs few and far between with a lot less pay. So it depends on what you want. Steady income or Mon-Fri. It's definitely worth it no matter what. Being an LPN gives you that hands on experience you don't get in other areas. You get to know your drugs and treatments inside out. You have a close relationship with your CNA's which will serve you well forever. In fact, I suggest being a CNA first. Climbing the ladder gives you a perspective and respect of your peers you can't get otherwise. Look into community colleges who will take your LPN credits. My school is allowing me to challenge NU101 and NU102 for already being an LPN. ANd listen, I graduated LPN school at age 50 at the top of my class. Going to leave RN school at 57!! Never say never and never say always! Think outside the box. Best of luck!!

how did it go??

It depends...is this a Charge Nurse of a unit? Probably not, if you're brandy new. In my nursing home the charge nurse is more like a unit manager, on the day shift. All the grunt work, paperwork, dealing with families, going to meetings, writing new orders, working with the doctor. If that person whether it's Charge nurse or unit manger, they go home at 3:00. On the evening and night shifts, an LPN called "charge nurse" is the only nurse or the most experienced on the floor . The charge nurse in that situation would pass meds, chart, answer phones, be in charge of the CNA's deal with emergencies, send people out, etc etc etc....with an RN supervisor somewhere in the building to respond if you need them. The second one is most likely what you're interviewing for. Best of luck, and do not take a job you don't feel ready for! Been there done that and it is not pretty! Namaste

student loans and agency nursing. make your own schedule.

taking a LOA is NOT "giving up". You have had a severe trauma, your mind and body is telling you to rest. Get the help you need first, then you can keep on truckin.

I have spoken to our pharmacist about this and he says the dose reduction is a state mandated plan to have people on the lowest dose of psych meds that will work. He said if the dose reduction cause ANY negative effects, to call the MD and explain the situation say that the dose reduction is causing such-and-such negative s/s and you would like to try going back to the regular dose. The GDR is to test if a resident can tolerate a lower dose, if it doesn't work, ie the resident has unwanted s/s then they can be put back on their dose for another 6 months to a year depending on the state you practice in.

LOVE your GD avatar! Huge fan here! :) xoxoxoxo I too am studying for my RN, but it's going to take me 2 years, doing one class at a time so I can keep working as an agency LPN and make my work schedule coincide with my school schedule! Right now, I'm in pre-reqs, but will start nursing 3 in fall of 2014, IF I pass the challenge exams for NU 101 and 102. SO much work, and so hard! I know why you are dreading all of the work, it's exhausting, time consuming, difficult, and so much more! Even though I was the valedictorian of my LPN class, it's still hard! But I think it will all be worth it to have more options. I truly want to study holistic nursing and/or teach nursing or even school nursing, as I am 'older' and used to be a teacher! I cannot keep doing 8-12 hour shifts passing meds much longer without going nuts with boredom! Best of luck to you and keep on truckin!

Healing Hands 6555 V-neck Cardigan & Healing Hands Scrubs at UniformAdvantage.comPeaches Med Couture Gold 8658 Scrub Jacket | Peaches Scrubs Peaches Med Couture Gold 8658 Scrub Jacket | Peaches Scrubs Here's three that are more sweater-like. I know what you mean, especially in the summer when the air is on! I have Raynaud's so really have to keep warm! In school you are so limited in what you can wear. One thing I do is wear a t-shirt under my scrubs, the extra layer also helps a bit. If you're really cold, wear silk long underwear under your scrubs! Hope these ideas help!

Healing Hands 6555 V-neck Cardigan & Healing Hands Scrubs at UniformAdvantage.comere's one that is more sweater-like. I know what you mean, especially in the summer when the air is on! I have Raynaud's so really have to keep warm! In school you are so limited in what you can wear. One thing I do is wear a t-shirt under my scrubs, the extra layer also helps a bit. If you're really cold, wear silk long underwear under your scrubs! Hope these ideas help!

In NY, RN's write the care plan do the initial assessment. LPN's can update a care plan. Whoever gets the admit is stuck with it, which is why change of shift admits get the RN supes so mad! Is it days or evenings responsibility? LPN's make observations and collect data, RN's can analyze that and write orders. You should have standing orders for common meds, like maalox, mom, apap, etc. That stinks that you don't. The doctors must be frustrated as well with all those phone calls! Something's weird here....As to parameters, you're right, it should be part of the order. If I were you, the next time the doc is on the floor ask for parameters so you don't have to keep calling her/him. Best of luck, this is one tough job despite the general view that LTC is not.

LTC seems to be a hotbed for 'getting in trouble' over the little things yet they ignore the big problems, like staffing ratios and lack of supplies. I can't seem to grasp that mentality nor do I have the CYA thing working for me. I am however learning to do that as I have been written up for the the most trivial things, (like giving a res ensure w/o a doctors order!) It's not easy.

thanks everyone. I decided to tell the agency the whole story and they were very understanding and accommodating. I'm getting lots of work else where :)

great advice! I have so far been pretty lucky, but walking rounds would be a huge help! It IS hard to find things when you can't even open all of the coded doors! Thanks again..

I just started agency nursing and am finding it difficult to get organized. Walking into a new situation and being expected to pick it up and run is hard! SO, to all of you agency veterans, what can you offer as tips, ideas, anything to help me get my feet on the road and running! I want to be successful, but feel like I'm stumbling along here. Thanks in advance, namaste

Yes, the work is very physically demanding, yes they bust their butts, And, some get much higher pay. In upstate NY they start at 12/hour and I know some who earn up to 18/hour with preceptor and longevity pay. With the minimum wage at 7.75/hr, this isn't really "low pay".