mLPN79

Thanks for all the replies :)

Hi emenhiseramRN, Yes the charge nurse is an RN, and generally a good one as well. I just wonder if I was really getting my point across but I don't think I could have made it any more clear than saying " I am really concerned about this patient. Looking through her graphics record, there is no other entries of her having O2 levels below 92% and this patient is quite somnolent". I feel my assessment was not taken seriously and I sure hope I charted accordingly!! I guess may have dealt with the problem accordingly but I still feel as though there was something else I could have done.

Hi all, I have a question which I feel is a stupid one but I just need some confirmation on something that happened today at work. As an LPN, when there are changes in a patients status, we are to make the charge nurse aware, correct? Then from there the charge nurse gives the action to take?? Today I had a patient take a downhill turn (had an increase in an analgesic).I made CN aware of what was going on and told her I was concerned and asked if Dr should be contacted. CN was not concerned,only saying her condition was probably due to medication. I kept assessing patient, charting observations, etc. and when a resident came onto unit then CN decided to report my findings. Low and behold that patient required O2 and continuous O2 monitoring (respiratory depression due to medication). I feel this was not taken care of in a timely manner and wanting to know what I could have done differently. I didn't want to step on CNs toes, especially after hearing her get after a coworker for calling a doctor without asking her first. Any feedback??

I would like to know as well.....I've been casual on psych and in rural for 3 years now and never hear back. I'm going to take my chances and start cold calling, can't hurt anymore than not getting anything at all.

Bonnyville is ok as well and there has been more postings for there than where I currently am.

I'm in Cold lake as we speak, seeing if its somewhere I think I could live. I don't know what to make of it. Definitely a far cry from city life.....the lake looks nice though :)

To add to what Fiona said, LPNs where I work are given bigger patient loads with a mix of stable and unstable patients. Whereas there are times when the RNs only have 3-4 patients who don't have any complex issues. Tell me, how is it right to give an LPN an assignment more complex than most of the RNs are and then sit there and demoralize us?? We may not have all the theory based knowledge but for that we make up in skill. The bullying needs to stop somewhere.

Well said, Fiona.....

Ok thanks! I'm in Central Alberta, so same thing everywhere as far as getting a job goes. Fiona, I was watching the news the other day about the new health care model....not safe at all! It's worrisome for the care of clients/patients and also for the LPN profession. I've been noticing that some of the LTC's here are now going from LPN/ HCA to RN/HCA. Job prospects aren't good anywhere but I hope to have better luck elsewhere. I've heard as far as living in the city goes, to stay on the West side or south. I know Millwoods is a definite no! How about the newer areas like Windermere or near the UofA such as Belgravia? I guess I had better go make myself more familiar with Edmonton first. My spouse works up near Cold Lake so the kids and I are taking a trip up to bonnyville to see what it has to offer. Maybe we end up moving further north, who knows! Wherever I apply and get an offer I guess is where we shall go :)

Hello, I am considering relocating to Edmonton due to the job prospects of where I am now. Although I am born and raised Albertan, I am not overly familiar with Edmonton as I am with Calgary, and am wondering what the best areas of Edmonton are to live in and which hospitals would be the easiest to commute to. I know that's a silly question as there is no such thing as an easy city commute! What are your recommendations?

Glad to hear things are looking up for you :) I live in Canada so wages and costs are quite a bit different but when I had to have all 3 children in care, it was costing me $600-$800/mo for the one full time and $800/mo for the other two needing before and after school care adding up to $1400-$1600 a month in childcare costs and very little government subsidy towards it!! Now all three are in school and my oldest can be home alone for a short time so i only have two requiring before and after. I've been working casual since I graduated 3 years ago and have not really advanced in my career. Ive been "stuck" working in psych and would realy love to get back to med/surg. the hospital i work at is so cliquey i dont stand a chance (or at least thats how it feels). Hoping things start looking up around here as well! All the best to you and I agree with the others, I would stay away from the MIL!!

I am in a similar scenario where I have not been able to work all summer due to no childcare! It is so hard o find people you can trust and those who are decent caregivers. I'm waiting for school to resume so at least I can put one of my kids in before and after school care. We had my step daughter watching the kids for 7 months while she lived under our roof doing nothing for herself. Then she moved out and decided that she quit one day hours before I was due to work!! You just can't trust or rely on anyone anymore. Sorry I'm ranting a bit on your thread! But I can somewhat relate to your difficulties. Wish you all the best :) keep your chin up!

I'm just becoming more frustrated the longer I sit and do nothing. I am considering moving to a larger city or north in rural nursing but that does not mean I will land a different position. I think I'm just going to bridge over to RN via Athabasca and cest la vie to Alberta!! I feel I'm not going to get anywhere here. Maybe I could be of use in the maritimes.......

Hi jamd11, Thanks for the response :) yes I have been applying for other positions within the last 2 years. It is challenging times in Alberta to get a job, let alone in the health authority of where I work. I was "let-go" from the surgical position due to (as the manager described) lack of skill and time management.....whereas I actually felt it was due to bullying, but that's neither here nor there as this experience was 2 years ago now. I believe what some of the issue here is that we have HR going through all the resumes and deciding who gets to go through. One can apply repeatedly for a position until finally being accepted for an interview. Many people are telling me to cold-call the units but, if I displease the wrong manager I may mess up my chance of having an opportunity. I guess I will just have to hope for the best and keep up with in services and courses to enhance knowledge.