Midwest4me

I Believe that you should always be properly oriented to a new position. You should be properly provided with the equipment that you will need. It is also the agency's responsibility to provide all of the information that you need to properly care fo...

I became a nurse in 1985. Yes, same core nursing tasks: patient advocacy, questioning MD orders when needed. Seemed we had more autonomy back then. As an LPN I answered to the RN of course but my delegation of tasks to CNA was more accepted where as ...

In Oregon with a state department, making $4800/month, 58,000/year. Not bad for a nurse with 30 years' experience. My first year (in 1985) as an LPN I made $13,920.

I live in Oregon, make $4800/month so around $30/hour, state agency. Been a nurse over 30 years. I believe new nurses start around $3100/month.

I live in Oregon, make $4800/month so around $30/hour.

Totally understandable. You are venting and here we SHOULD be able to vent! This is my first post in over 5 years(just got away from reading posts...nursing now over 30 years and sick of it) BUT I felt compelled to give my input on the necessity of a...

Our psych hospital has about 650 pts. Each ward has about 25 pts. Staffing: 1-2 RNs, 1 LPN, 3-5 techs. This is NOT enough staff as we provide activities(like on-grounds walks, yard, gym, fitness, some off-grounds passes)--especially when a patient ...

We don't wear scrubs at our psych hospital; we wear casual clothes like jeans and t-shirts. My keys are attached to a lanyard; the lanyard is attached to a carabiner and the carabiner is hooked to a belt loop of my jeans.

I agree. I wish I'd just finished my Masters degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology back in 1985 instead of returning to nursing. Too late now: no $, no desire, too old, and too close to retirement.

I believe that nurses should remember that spiritual needs are very important aspects of the patient's total healthcare. If a nurse is NOT of the same belief system as his/her patient, then get the designated "leader" of that belief system in for con...

Congrats! Now for the advice: Be prepared for constant interruptions during med passes, when on the phone with MDs, doing treatments. Often you are understaffed and need to help the CNAs or take on a patient or two yourself as well as do your nursing...

You've indeed shown tons of perseverance! Continue to keep your chin up and positive thoughts going. Since this economy is so poor, keep the CNA job(s) until you land an LPN job. Keep in mind, too, that most nurses don't land a day job right away so ...

Thanks, Elladora, for sharing that. I think I need to memorize that! Our ward has been "high" lately....seems the patients' degrading, verbal abuse is on the rise(which I have ALWAYS taken personally--and even more so as I age.... I am more sensitive...

Go to GoodWill and invest in some jeans, t-shirts(inexpensive clothes). Then when you have to take a patient down and seclude him, or deal with those violent patients who throw feces on you, you won't be ruining good clothes.

Our patients in the psych hospital have many medical issues too. However, primarily, we deal with strange behaviors, verbal/physical abuse from these patients. Sometimes they're hallucinating; most often they are not. It's a VERY CHALLENGING field an...

I've been a nurse for over 27 years; most of that time was in LTC, some in a medical office, last 8 years in mental health. If I were you, I'd stay put in the medical office. Medical office basically has banking hours, weekends off, holidays off, no ...

Well, speaking from a Christian point of view, IF you apply and IF you get the job, my guess is that God is truly LEADING you TO that job! He has reasons for all He does. May you hear His voice in the choices you make!!!! :)

Street clothes are common at our psych hospital in most areas. Some RNs still wear scrubs in the geiatric wards. Most RNs, LPNs in the forensic areas wear street clothes(jeans, t-shirts, etc), Clothing from Good Will stores is best since it won't mat...

Not all LPNs work in LTC or medical offices. Many work in psych hospitals, hemodialysis clinics, home health. We may be a dying breed so to speak but we're NOT dead yet! Also, some of us LPNs have advanced degrees(BS, MS) whereas many RNs have only a...

I am sorry you're going through this. Alas, in our mental health hospital, the administration runs things much the same way. I imagine many psych facilities(as well as others) operate this way. The supervising nurses get away with verbal abuse toward...

Don't remind them to call you. If they want to plan a scxond interview they will call YOU.

Our "therapy" at our mental hospital consists of many, demeaning things. In the geriatric program "treatment hall", I've witnessed the patients making a "quilt"; this is accomplished by selecting various colored duct tape and putting on a large (36" ...

I sympathize with you, SuperStarLPN. I worked in it for 5.5 years until I had to get out of it. Very challenging but rewarding work BUT the noncompliance(and there IS a lot of it) gets tiresome...yet I would probably be the same way periodically if I...

There isn't any recourse at our facility. It's understood that we hire on with the understanding of the "potential"(which is actual, not potential) violence(which includes assault, rape, etc); because these criminally ill patients are mentally ill; t...

While LTC is definitely much more stressful(and more distasteful) than clinic nursing, you use your nursing skills much more as well as more time management skills in LTC. It might behoove you to get a little experience in LTC since you are brand new...