saintplatypus

I've been an LPN for 15yrs. I do have the desire to go on for my RN but as far as being an LPN goes I am content for the most part. There really isn't too many things an RN can do that I can't. In the state I live in (Indiana) an LPN can do almost any procedure as long as they have been educated (inserviced or shown) on how to do it. I cannot hang blood or do an IV push but just about everything else is allowed. The only things that makes me want to go back to school for an RN is the money and a better understanding of disease processes and what lab values mean. While my assessment skills are good, they would definately be improved with a deeper understanding as I could attain with more schooling. There is nothing wrong with being an LPN. For me it was the only nursing option available to me when I went to nursing school as there were no schools locally offering the RN degree. And because it took only a year of schooling, it was a quick way to get the education I needed to obtain employment and get off of the welfare system I had been on. I would never discourage anyone from going for the LPN. I have made a decent living. No regrets here.

I don't understand why the powers that be felt what you did was write up material. If they felt it was the wrong decision I could see giving you a "teachable moment". But not a reprimand. I understand their reasoning that intractable behaviors in dementia patients often is a sign of pain. But I understand your decision as well. Had you just given the Ativan they may not have even made issue at all. IMO, nurses have tough choices sometimes, and often we don't have another nurse nearby to discuss situations with to get another point of view. We must feel secure in our choices. What they did would make me feel insecure next time I had to make a decision regarding care.

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Ahhh Icy Hot, once in a while I carry that too. I like the kind that looks like deoderant stick. Doesn't get all over my hands when I put it on. You can wash your hands a hundred times and icy hot will not come off.

I worked in a long term care facility for peds with physical and mental disabilities. Was best 5 years of nursing I have experienced in my 13 yrs of nursing. Pros... there are so many they are hard to list. But I used to tell hubby I was so lucky to be able to go to work and hold babies if I wanted to. Cons... well yes non-compliant parents or guardians to an extent, but its the families who never ever come in or call or seem to give a rats patootie one way or the other about these kids that rouse anger in me. Be prepared to get attached. And you will. And when the day comes they go home, get transferred, or die your heart will break. But you will find many rewards too as you see young ones survive their challenges, exceed expectations, and go home to their folks as they should rightly do. Good Luck

What about psychiatric nursing in a clinic?? Or an institutional nurse for a factory?? Just a few ideas. Good Luck

I always carry two black ink pens, a sharpie, 4 highlighters (orange, green, pink, and yellow as we color code times meds are given), bandage scissors, and a roll of bandage tape. You might find a stray lancet, accu check probe and alcohol swab from time to time. Or a dollar bill may be in there. I often carry cough drops too as I am a smoker. Oh yeah, chapstick too. Can't think of anything else.. oh well maybe some lint. LMAO I work in LTC

I have worked where none of my patients was able to verbally tell me if they were in pain or not. Yes pain can be a subjective measure but it can also be an objective measure. Facial grimacing, restlessness, increased behaviors, all can s/s pain. VS i don't know, but a definate important part of the assessment.

Yes nights works well for some and not others. Sorry your situation seems so bleak. But you probably should look elsewhere if nights is bringing you down so bad.

Well I read this on a fellow nurses note just the other day. I guess you could call it an "allergy" of sorts. In the Alzheimer's unit we have one LOL who also has schizophrenia. She refuses almost everything r/t nursing or medical care, ie. labs, medication, treatments, etc. And every week our facility requires a weekly assessment including VS, LS, BS, etc.. well apparently when this nurse attempted to obtain VS the pt told her, "No you can't take my vitals, those electrical machines damage my brain." LOL allergy???

To answer you simply... yes I have had to work sick many times. I attempted to call in but the facility couldn't cover my shift so I had no choice but to go. Tonight is an example of this. Picked up tonight as an extra shift and have had diarrhea all night and day with stomach cramps and low grade temp. Got little to no sleep thru the night and haven't been able to rest at all today. At 6pm (4 hrs prior to shift ) I decided to call in and was told there was no one who could cover me. I asked them to try to call 2 specific nurses which they did, but neither was able to cover. If I don't go in then the 2nd shift nurse would be forced to pull a double. I can't do that to another nurse, wouldn't want it done to me. So I will go in as scheduled. I really don't think what I have is contageous so I am ok with it. I just feel like poo poo. Oops pardon the bad pun there.

No she had no business discussing the MRI results with the pt. This is MDs job. Her doing so is definately not good, but as has been said she is still learning. To come right out and directly acuse the pt of being an alcoholic.... well unless he has this diagnosis she should have never said this at all. I find this to be most offensive. Lots of people who have never taken a single drink their whole lives get liver and pancreatic disease. WTH was she thinking??? But I must agree with Steph and some others, she is a student and she is there to learn. You point out mistakes, explain why it was a mistake, explain what would have been a better way to approach the situation, and then allow her other opportunities to do the right thing. Reporting to her instructor obviously is a must, and I would report it to my supervisor as well. I would ask my supervisor to then notify the MD. And then stop, look back over the years at the stupid stuff I did as a student, at things I did or said early in my nursing career, and then think about how after 13 years I can still say, do, think, or assume stupid things today. Hmmmm dang guess what I am human.

That's crazy! In Indiana where I live, every facility I have worked has hired new grads, welcoming them with open arms. In fact, where I work now has hired around 6 new grads in the past couple months. I can't say why you are having so much difficulty, however don't give up. Try LTCs first, in my experience they are most apt to hire new grads. Doctor's offices and clinics often hire new grads. Schools and prisons may be willing as well. Good Luck and Keep On Keepin On

First of all, I have never seen Seroquel as a prn. but I reckon it could be. Seroquel is an antidepressant and is usually a routine medication. Ativan is a benzodiapine used for anxiety, seizures, and shortness of breath. The two could be administered safely together, however your patient may experience drowsiness as possible side effect. Usually with prn medication I give one, and assess it's effectiveness in about an hour. If the patient states it hasn't provided relief, I usually wait another hour an assess again. If still no relief I may give a second prn medication. I like using this method because there is a lesser chance of an adverse effect occuring, and it's possible relief could be accomplished with the first medication. But there are always exceptions, and when the patient makes a request it is often difficult to not comply because they want what they want, even if you have educated them as to why it's contraindicated. So use your best judgement, and if you make a bad decision, learn from it. And trust me we all have made mistakes and bad choices. Good Luck

I am in Indiana and here being a CNA prior to becoming an LPN is beneficial, however being a CNA for 1 year does not equal 1 year of experience as an LPN. The experience may be worth a brownie point or two, but your grade point average and any honors you may have earned will be what lands you the job. Almost every nurse that had been a CNA agrees that it proves helpful. When you have walked in the CNAs shoes you are aware of what their job entails. you know how hard they work, and you have more respect for them. And your history as a CNA will be obvious to the CNAs you supervise, as you will be more apt to answer call lights and assist them than if you had never been a CNA. So when you have this knowledge and experience, and you are supervising, you will know whether or not your CNA is performing her duties, and if she is doing the correctly and in a timely manner. Good Luck