florianslove

24.48 per hour as UM in South Florida LPN for 7 years

Congratuations. That's quite an achievement. Good luck in your new career

I did start anti-depressants after nursing school, not during. I really feel my issues were not related to nursing, though the stress surely exacerbated it. My meds allow me to lead a full, happy life in and out of nursing. I still have trouble setting boudaries when I'm not working. My husband gets upset because I accept calls from my unit at all hours (I'm the unit manager). But I did the same thing when I was a home health nurse. I feel if I can learn to set boundaries, maybe I wouldn't need the meds, who knows?

Mara: As usual a great post. I really look forward to them, you are funny, intelligent and someone I wish I worked with. Keep up the good work

Good luck, sounds like a great place, keep us posted Roxann

since I've found this site, I'm in love. I've found inspirational stories (yes, you Marla) and a wealth of inormation. I check it at LEAST daily. Thank you guys, nurses ROCK:yeah:

You are never too old. I didn't discover nursing until late, I became an LPN at 40 yrs old and work with many who started late and are excellent nurses. If you didn't go for CNA, LPN or RN you would still be as old as you would have been had you gone for it. GO FOR IT. Best of luck.:heartbeat

Marla: A great post, as always. How about, No, I am really not paid to clean up your ****. An actual statement by one really challenging resident. Roxann:yeah::redbeathe

I joined the navy right out of high school, spent 4 years there, then had secretarial positions, went back to school in my late 20's, got a bachelor's in political science (thought of law school, but being a single mom with no law schools in my immediate area forgot that idea). Was offered a graduate assistantship at my university, took it and studied for my Master's in health administration. Became a staffing coordinator for a nursing/CNA staffing agency, made great money, really stressful though. After talking to a lot of the nurses I placed I decided to go for my LPN, graduated at 40. Am now a Unit Manager in a long term care facility, love it, love nursing and only wish I would have started earlier. Sometimes I feel my previous education was a waste, but it does help me with day to day decision making and problem solving at my job now. Nursing is where I belong. Also, my 24 year old is an LPN going to school for her RN. Very interesting stories, have a great weekend.:redpinkhe:redbeathe

Congratulations. Best of luck in your career, way to go:yeah::yeah::yeah: Roxann

My first job after getting my license was in LTC. It is really challenging but you can learn a lot. I always carried a nurse's drug book with me for reference, it really helped. Remember the 5 rights, and do the best you can. A good friend of mine once said "if you do the right thing, you'll never be wrong". Just try your best, pay attention, and remember you are there for the residents. Roxann:yelclap::redbeathe

Just today we had a 96 year old whose family wanted hospice, "I don't want mom going to the hospital for blood tranfusions", hospice consult, yes we're going to hospice, now say, mom's not the same. Our medical director, who seems afraid of his own shadow, ordered stat CBC's and other blood tests. In the mean time this lady had a severe hypotensive crisis, BP 70/40, unresponsive, O2 sat of 84% on oxygen. Bottom line is we sent her out 911, this poor lady will most likely be intubated, have a blood transfusion and a myriad of other tests. The daughters' can't let go. The patient is ready to let nature take it's course. However, our MD is afraid of his own shadow and will do everything possible to cover his **s. All we can do is wait and see what happens to this poor lady. Roxann

Michele Malkin is a crackpot. Read up on her, see what happens when she goes to forums and gets asked any questions resembling reality. She runs off the stage and hides. This was probably the worst example you could have picked, please become more informed, right now if this is the kind of stuff you're using to make your argument against President Obama's health care reform, you really don't have a leg to stand on. Reasonable debate and discussion, not fear mongering is what we need to solve the very real health care crisis in this country. Thanks for listening. Roxann

I'm licensed in Pennsylvania and Florida. I graduated and passed by boards in PA, but moved to Florida. I kept up my PA license because I have tons of family there and you never know, it was just a matter of filling out a form and sending a check, no testing. Goood luck, Roxann

Relax, the first month or so is the hardest. You will get faster and more efficient as you go. My first job as a nurse (which now seems sooo long ago), I wanted to quit after the first week. I didn't, seven years later I've done LTC, home health, and am now Unit Manager for two wings of our LTC/rehab facility. You will be fine. One more thing, take your pee breaks, they are important:D:D Roxann:heartbeat:yeah: