IndiKast

Personally, I'm terrified, again. Late 2008 I was 5wks from graduation and suddenly got stupid. I had a very tough and very new clinical teacher who decided I wasn't ready to graduate. She put me on probation because I wasn't thinking things through to her standards. I remained "stupid" and was kicked out of school after a second warning. No one died. In fact I saved a patient who threw a PE. But that didn't matter. I was left taking my LVN instead of an ADN through clinical hours and have spent the last two years working to prove I deserve my RN. BTW, I got stupid because I was suddenly diabetic. Not a single one of my instructors stopped to ask themselves why this A-student was suddenly not up to par. And FYI, I'm now not diabetic. But yes, I'm still scared. My final exam is next weekend. Things still happen. Suddenly. But hey, it's Nurses week! That's a good sign right?

Uh, why? The NCLEX RN and LVN and identical. There's no reason for taking the LVN version if you have a BSN degree since it is the same procedure to go through for either one. Get that RN! Get more money. You're worth it and it's an easier test with fewer questions.

There's a lot of research on Alzheimers and daily living units being done lately including something like you said but other changes are also being done besides taking down the locks. It does help. Behavior outbreaks change with fewer need for medication to sedate and psychological support like toys to carry and chocolate on the carts helps too. Be sure to mention that other safety issues should be looked into. Sorry I don't have more detailed info. I believe I saw the article in one of the major nursing journals. Maybe someone else remembers more about this specific home which has done so much specifically and others are picking it up?

Regarding your job issue: I too have been in similar situations and have discovered an easy fix. When you have background issues look into home health. You're a good nurse with a good background. Home health will hire you, place you and the only risk they take is how often can you work. I know nurses that work 16 hour shifts 3-4 days a week. It has benefits if you're over 32 hours. Pediatric will give you a single patient for the full shift. Adult will give you several patients to check on over a time span. It's worth looking into and the money is better than most other common job placements. Downside: less on the job support. Upside: less on the job drama. And remember, Breathe. Also, you haven't gotten a BON letter yet. Untill then, you're not in trouble. You're only out of work. BTW: I'm being investigated currently for totally false allegations made up by a parent with control issues. My lawyer is working pro-bono and I'm getting a new job out of the pediatric field. No, I don't even have to tell the new job about the investigation. The parents have made me crazy after a year. But you sound a bit more experienced in that regard. I wish you all the best.

For safety, I'd contact your regulatory boards just to make sure. I know that here, in TX, we aren't allowed to work under a lower license once we've taken a job in the higher one. I'm not sure how that would translate to two unrelated ones but I can see a potential for a conflict of interest there. There's a reason that people don't higher nurses to do CNA work. It's because they don't want the "CNA" overstepping her bounds when she should just be following orders instead of questioning them....etc. Good luck!

Shadowing for a day and volunteering are two totally different entities. Though I do recommend it for anyone with the spare time who plans to go into the field, for simple exposure to the runnings of a department just talk to the Nurse Manager in the Dept of the nearest teaching hospital and let them know you're going into nursing school and would like to shadow for a day to be sure you're making the right choice. I'm sure you'll have no troubles from there.

Home health isn't hectic, but its not protected. Being in a hospital or even in an LTC means the people you're caring for are expected to behave in a certain way. They don't when they're at home and trust me, this can get in your way. Unsafe environments, abusive situations and potentially your license is on the line when an angry client decides to make something up. No witnesses. It's not a good place for a young Nurse. I made that mistake and don't recommend it.

Any other state and a union would be there banging on their heads.

Tonight I had my first emergency, and I didn't do as well as I'd hoped. But after two years out of school and almost no training with my permanent private care post on his vent, I'm not surprised. So I'd like to put this here just to warn you others out there that may fall into my hole. I got out of school and needed a job, like most of us do these days. I bounced a bit from here and there because Texas just isn't very friendly to new workers in general, being a "right to work" state...aka right to fire with no reason at all...you sneezed in the wrong direction btw.... So finally I stumbled into a home health agency. Now, peds isn't big ball of string but like I said, I NEEDED the job. The agency seemed supportive and helpful. I was given an orientation with every placement. I figured my nerves were simple anxiety based on my history and I would overcome it once I'd settled into the simple night position. These kids are chronic and fragile, but not unstable. And a night nurse doesn't have a difficult job typically. Pay attention now: I got settled in my current position and when something did happen I wasn't ready for it. I now realize that my night duties have been so limited that jumping to my toes is almost impossible. Oh sure, CPR is managable. So is yelling for help. But I looked like such an idiot when it was a simple case of the vent hose being knocked loose and I didn't notice it. :uhoh3:If I worked in a hospital (which LVNs don't do here locally) this would have happened 2 weeks into my job and I'd feel dumb and be over it. But 2 years?! I feel very unprepared and I'm not even sure if its my fault. I never even have a vent class. My patient's mother is an LVN who also happens to work with vent children. She sat down after the incident and taught me what she could. Made sure I was okay. I am. The patient is, despite a minute and a half of asphyxia. So in summary, if you have to work slow nights to get by with only a single patient as your assignment. It may be a blessing and you might get your reading list knocked down a few pegs...but PLEASE, PLEASE, for the sake of your license, if you get a chance to help out on the occasional day shift or to bone up on your other skills with another illness, do so. I'm already planning on my next move. Regards.

I didn't go look it up or anything so if I'm off base, just ignore me, but when someone talks about diffusing oils the first thing on my mind are those awful perfume things in stores now with the sticks in the pools of pretty colored oil that reek of something flowery? As a nurse and a migraine sufferer all I can thing when someone says they want to put that in my environment to protect me is "I don't think so. And while I'm at...so wash off the perfume you're wearing too much of and change your smoke-stinking clothes." These people don't have a sense of smell. (tiny rant but I HATE smelly things I can't get rid of)

Never report out saying Mr. Smith had no problems. He'll be a sinch for you tonight!. It's a sure-fire curse for a new nurse. =)

In Texas I was told that once you officially hold a job under your license that you cannot revert to a previous license to work. Of course, if you haven't worked as an RN or an LPN, than you're in. Just don't overstep your bounds and make decisions based on RN training. That's the trouble you can face potentially. CNAs don't get to think that hard. =)

I would recommend consolodating to a different company, thus simply getting rid of them and the problem. That's probably what they're aiming for ultimately in a sneaky fashion anyway, but they can't come out and say so.

Austin, TX $22 hr Pediatric Home Health Care No Shift Diffs Limited Benefits (none taken - no compensation) Area Average $18-20hr in LTC No hospital jobs available to LVNs

As a native Texan I can say that lacking the protection of a Union has given companies power that many of the other states lack. We're so Anti-Union that local companies need never fear people working together for their rights. In fact, if you talk to a co-worker about something like your salary (a subject one NEVER speaks about) you could find yourself without it very easily. As employees we are on our own pretty much. You have your direct supervisor and your boss and if you have a problem, you better hope you're in good standing or you are SOL because there is no outsider to go to to stand up for you. Sad but true. Native Texan - Indoctrinated 7th grade Texas Govt (required) - Possible Ex-patriot to a Union state for better Nursing