bringtherain

Anyone else graduating in December? I'm starting final semester clinicals at the end of the month. All I want is to graduate and pass boards. I am an LVN right now and there are just no jobs for LVN here. I am afraid that when I graduate there will be no new grad RN hospital jobs. I currently work for 2 different home health companies and there are no hours. A few years ago there was a shortage, now there is over saturation. Anyone else worried they won't get a job?

So, I am in the program and have 5 years to finish. If I cant do it in 5 years then geeze... I dunno. Anyone else in this program? What do yall think about it?

Yup. Me. LVN home health nurse. I spend 6-8-12 hrs a day at a home with a kiddo. We care for them, play with them, give them their treatments, watch cartoons with them - and give them all the attention they need since they are not able to go out in the world much. (some pts are restricted to home, others do get to venture out, and others can venture out but mainly to drs appts) We care for and stimulate the child mentally and physically and read them books and all that good stuff. it is a good job, and good money. Sometimes it does feel like a baby-sitter but it is fun at times - and its better to have home care - rather than them being in the hospital all the time. :]

Congradulations :] it is a lot of fun to work in psych.

Also, do not show them fear - even if you are intimidated by them. During a psych crisis you need to be quick to act because things can easily break out into a code (fight) You are the nurse, you are in charge and not them. You are here to help them. You need to be able to make quick decisions about PRNs or the choice to restrain or seclude. Be ethical, and be SAFE. Pt saftey is FIRST. Worry about the details later. Also, practice communication, ideas for coping skills, and verbal de-escelation. When a child is holding a chair in the air- ready to toss it at you - clear the room, and TALK to them. WHY are they upset. What can you do to make them calm. What do they want? How can they achieve what they want without throwing the chair. And pay attention to them. There will be some that just want attention, but you will learn to see who really needs to talk or not. Sometimes a pt will act out violently because they didnt get attention or someone to talk to when they needed it - sort of "look, i have your attention now - now you have to listen to me" And be positivie! It really is interesting and fun at times :]

be openminded - compassionate - yet firm. Stick to the rules. Some pts will try and split staff and manipulate. Treat them respectfully, but remember - there is a REASON they are in the hospital. They are not well, as normal as some of them seem. Do not be trusting of them - because the second they see you trust them, they will run with it. Encourage participation in group activities. Some are there because they are there under warrent or the family had them admitted. They feel like they should not have to do any of the activities. This gives them a feeling of superiority over the other pts. This can be harmful. It may also cause them to become more isolated and depressed. Once they start participating - they will learn the other pts - and gain coping skills.

I know as a pediatric home care nurse - I am there to help care for the child when the parents are unable to meet the pts care requriements. They have other children to tend to, or they work. I understand - that is why I am there. But it seems like, with some of the pts I care for, their parents just dont seem to *parent.* Example: Child wants to come out of the room (where they have to stay most of the day) and play with siblings. Being siblings, they get in a fight - and then parent tells child "quit fighting and go with the nurse." And so, it's back to the room we go - and the child is upset. They never seem to come in to spend time with them. Even when they are there all day, do not work, or have no other children to care for. They just go on living their lives - going out, or watching TV or doing whatever it is they do - and the child and I are in their room. It's like another little world in the room. Secluded. Once in a while, they pop in and say "hey" but then leave again. Some of the kids get really excited - then crushed when the parents come "in and out" Others don't seem to care at all. It is like there is no attachment. They are more used to the nurse caring for them, that they are more attached to the nurse than the parent - and the parent has seperated themselves from the child. does this happen because the nurses are there all the time, and they were never given the opportunity to properly bond and care for the child - or is it because they enjoy the freedom the nurse gives them? Sometimes I want to say with some of my able patients "hey, lets go to the park today" or "He does not have to stay in his room all day, he can come out and play or watch tv, too!" And rather than redirect bad behavior - they have the nurse re-direct - and simply ignore. *sigh* I know - it is one of the things you have to get used to as a pedi nurse, it's just sad when the child feels so alienated from their own family. At least I am there. :] I will watch cartoons with them, and read them stories - if they won't.

For as long as I have been a nursing student - I have wanted to be a pediatric nurse. Now I can proudly say "I am!" I work with children 4+ in a psychiatric hospital setting, but recently got a job with a pediatric home health agency. I love it. I love the patients. I love the work - I just love it all around. Kids are so amazing and strong. When they are faced with challanges they seem to stare them straight in the face and go at it with all they have. They inspire me to be the best I can be and live every day like they do. With childlike faith that they will be OK in the end - even when they know they wont be. I am go proud and happy that I finally have made my goal. (now if I can only get that whole RN thing on a roll, haha)

to work at a psych. hospital! I hear that a lot. The truth is, you *do* have to be a little nuts to work at a psych. hospital, but even crazy nurses need work too! :] It isnt that we are *crazy* we have just seen so much, that we are kind of immune to it. Pt. just cut herself with her sandal - assess it, clean it, call the dr. Pt has wrapped a towel around his neck in scuicide attempt - call a code - de-escelate as per proceedure. Then - the shift goes back to normal - groups - activities - as if nothing has happaned. Yet the staff is all aware and watching - just incase something breaks out again. We have sympathy with everyone. We try our hardest to understand. We have seen the homeless drunk, crack head in the same unit as the rich wife that is soon to be divorced. We have seen the kids who were sexually abused by family members, and kids from rich homes, but their parents are never around. We see people in all walks of life. And we know, and understand, it is not our place to judge. It is *our* place, as nurses to be supportive, and understanding of whatever walk of life the patient is going through at the time, and try to put ourselves in their shoes. yes - even the pt that hovers at the nurses station and wants to be "in" with the staff, or the pt that comes to the station every 5 seconds requestiong a PRN for anxiety or pain on a 10/10 scale - with so much relaxedness in his tone of voice you think to yourself "you've got to be kidding me" We see the kids who will throw chairs, flip tables, need restraints, kick, bite, curse, and call you everything under the sun in a horrible meltdown - only to have them come up to you and say "I sowwy nurse - I be good now" and then sit and color at the table and draw you a picture (which you hang so proudly on the wall) I love working in this feild. I love the understanding and compassion it teaches me. I love the stories I hear - the success of after being admitted they were able to stay sober, and even the frequent fliers that often call the hospital their second home. You never do have the same day twice!

woah cant read all the replies right now but I would say yes, that would be great :] My son has autism

im sorry that you did not pass. but keep your chin up! get ready for the next go-around. :]