LovelyPracticalNurse

I don't know what state you live in but over 20$ is pretty high for a LPN, especially right out of school. 12$ is extremly low, too (unless you work in a doctors office, thats about how much they'll pay you). I live in Ohio currently, and full-time with benefits made 17.25$/hr. Now I am working PRN and make 22$/hr. Now if you live in CA or NY or any other state with a high cost of living, then 20$/hr is about right it terms of how much you make. But it balances out to be about as much as I made as full-time due to the difference in cost of living in those areas vs where I live. Anyway, be proud that you're going to a LPN. It's awesome =)

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So one thing that I remember most about my bestfriend giving birth in a hospital was the doctor did not show up until about 20 minutes before she gave birth. I know doctors rely on what the nurses tell them etc, but it just seemed wrong that the doctor wasn't there more... I dont know, I'm probably wrong, but it seems like less complications would come up if the doctor was there more than 20 minutes of labor. So my question is... Do midwives only show up right before the birth? Or are they more actively involved during the whole labor process. I am going to be asking lots of questions =). I'm not a mommy-to-be yet but my husband and I are having a lot of conversations about it lately!

I've had strange requests before. The only time I will do what they ask is when they physically can't, as long as what they ask isn't inapropriate (like asking to hold a vibrator LOL that's a winner in this thread). When it comes to cream, if I have to insert it inside a woman, even though I am a woman, I always bring a female CNA. We have had patients with historys of molestation/rape and I do not want to trigger an old demented lady into thinking I am trying to hurt her and then have no witnesses to the situation. As for topical creams to the genital area I usually apply that myself mostly because the elderly are not so great at washing their hands :\ and it becomes a hassle. I will not put any cream anywhere unless ordered, if they have it ordered for their testicles, and want it on their member. I will let them know I have to get an order for that first. Usually ends that issue.

I love being an LPN!!! I've had many ask if I am going on to be an RN. I've never felt that anyone has asked me that because they look down on LPN''s... I think it just has to do with curiosity/viewing LPN as a stepping stone. A lot of people like that stepping stone and don't want to go further, and nothing is wrong with that! For me personally... I am getting my RN. I first was a CNA, now LPN soon to be RN and eventually BSN, MSN, APRN. I feel like each title is a stepping stone to the next, and it seems like most nurses whether they are LPN's or RN's are in school always trying to futher their education, so people tend to ask about education a lot. I have had patients ask if I was their nurse, and I would say yes, and they would be confused because my badge doesn't say RN. I would simply explain the difference. Some would say "So you aren't a full fledged nurse". That can kind of get under my skin but at the same time it's *technically* true, as a LPN I do have restrictions to care, while a RN does not. Or when a patient asks me to get the "nurse" so they can have their PICC removed, because they know I cannot. Anywho.. be proud of what you are whether it's CNA, CMT/QMA, LPN, RN, RN-ADN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN, APRN or Phd in nursing!

Good luck!!!

AHHHHH. Alright, glad to get that out of the way. I guess this is a little vent. I just need some positive words from understanding people! I am not perfect. I triple check everything I do, I work hard, I do not take any breaks despite lunch automatically coming out of my check. But in the end.. I'm not perfect and there is one person who seems to enjoy reminding me. This person has written me up at least 6 times in the last year. I've only been a nurse for a year, and she is the only person who has ever written me up. It's mostly over stuff that didn't not effect a patient in any way. For example, not filling out an Incident Report to her liking (even though the way she likes them written is incorrect, and since the meeting with corporate on how to write an Incident Report last month she has not come to me once about how I've written one, despite writing me up twice for doing it "wrong" in the past) I sometimes feel like she targets me. Despite the fact that she writes me up constantly, always pulls me aside to "talk" to me (at least once a week) about how I charted something wrong (even though I've only ever charted the way I was "taught" in orientation), should have done this instead of this, etc.. this nurse makes mistakes on a daily basis. Her charting for one looks like she is in fourth grade, she misspells simple words constantly. She is loud and says "ain't" a lot and it makes her look unprofessional. I have found orders she has taken off that she neglected to actually put in the MAR more than once; Or she put them in the MAR incorrectly. She has written a Tx order for a wound so vaguely if the nurse didn't have the patient regularly they wouldn't have a clue what they were suppose to do. In short, this person is far from perfect, just like me! But she is in a managment position. So I can't write her up or dicipline her for her mistakes. I can only pass along the fix + inform the DON, but they have been friends for over 5 years and the DON promoted her to the positon herself, so..... I'm not perfect, she's not perfect, no one is perfect!!!! Argh! Thanks for listening. Thanks for the advice. Thanks for the positive words I desperately need!