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

Not all schools have such a stringent gpa requirement. You have two things to remember. If you want something bad enough there's always a way. And smaller schools have lower requirements. Keep looking. Rural programs, associate degrees, even going LVn/LPN to RN later are all options. Oh, one more thing, breathe. =) This is your first test in a long line of them.

I do 10-6a Mon Tue 10-7a Thu and 11-7 Fri and Sat. In general I tend to go hit my favorite breakfast place on the way home "Einsteins" where there's a great walking path just behind it. It's just a quick little 15min walk but by the time I get home I'm ready to go to bed. So, in response to your question, I get up about 6:30p to enjoy a little family time and I'm in bed by 8 or 9am at the latest depending on errands needing to be done. (no children in the house) Good luck and be aware that some people don't adjust well to night shifts so be kind and drink lots of water at first!

Remember that your past experiences in school also count as experience. Clubs, volunteer stuff, things like the NSNA. It looks great if you can put memberships n your apps like that you re a student member to the ANA, NSNA, and any other nursing organization which shows you have a passion for the field. Volunteer work at shot clinics as an LVN is great especially this time of year and typically you CAN get paid for it too. School stuff that you did like that taking vitals on the elderly to help teach them about heart disease is experience...it all counts. Don't assume you have NO experience. You have been in school for at least a year and a half getting that experience already and if you can put it into words and list those clinicals and such, use it to your advantage. There are positions out there for you. PS: LVN/LPN home health is a great start for new folks like we older people and they will make sure you know what you're doing and you'll have study time. With Peds you only get one patient too.

OMG, you're paying them for that? There are nurse residencies all over the country that pay you for the same thing. Thus the competition. That's a scam if I've ever seen one.

I picked up a job for a home health group as an LVN. They trained me to work overnights on a kid with a vent, GButton and trach. Great hours for me and pay. I'm about to finish my RN and when I get my NCLEX done I get the standard raise at least. Try checking your home health agencies. You have skills. It's a start and many will let you warm up there then start prns in hospitals with back up. They won't leave you hanging.

It's the silly psych wards I hate! I swear they say and do things while A&O X3 that they know they can get away with simply because they have a history of bad days now and then! And they do get away with it. The physical part is the worst!

Baylor is college and a hospital in TX who supposedly enacted this plan first. =)

I went through 2 years of CNA, 2 years of clinicals and now 2 years of LVN and am about to finish and go back to the the hospital where it all began. Personally I grew up with a neat freak and I've never been one. Not out of rebellion though, but out of common sense. Mom even agreed with this much. If you see dirt, wash it. Clutter is nasty. Clear it. But grime is grime. No need to treat it special. I don't even sort my laundry! If it can't handle mixing I don't wear it. Scrubs especially. And as for freaking out in my house, forget it. I figure I'm slowly making my immunsystem and those I live with stronger by exposing them bit by bit. Of course I protect them and myself from the big nasties. I'm no masochist. But wearing shoes in my house...I do... and I don't want to see your socks either.

I believe there's a law about documented disabilities and acceptable measures having to be made for them so employees can continue to work. If you are fired for something seemingly unrelated (you called in sick one too many times)and its fishy you can still sue assuming you can fight it and say they're just trying to get around the obvious(the don't want to put up handcap ramps for you or let you work the day shift). It's done all the time. Of course, here in TX that doesn't seem to matter but everywhere else you're golden. =)

Oh we got it going on! Austin is a liberal town in a conservative state. Funny thing is its the seat of a government very proud of its history. So proud in fact that you'll almost never see the USA flag flown without the Texas flag beside it, and just as high, as is our constitutional right due to being a country for 10 years first. FYI, every 7th grader can tell you that much. South and Central Austin is where you'll find all the little small businessess unique to Austin like Antonelli's Cheese Shoppe, Banannarchy, Armadillo Christmas Bazarr, and of course my favorite Amy's Ice Cream. North Austin is a bit more like what you'll see in Dallas or Houston, but our vibe is still laid back. We are a hippy town with a distinctly civilized urban appeal. Oh, we are a no smoking city too. Bars, businesses, etc. You should see the Dellites walk across their acerage to get to the sidewalk to smoke!