91C_ARMYLPN

I attempted to correct some of the grammar. I was too tired when I posted this. :zzzzz

I agree about being allowed to chew gum, but one must do it discreetly. Speaking about gum, this may be off topic....when I was a Army LVN nursing instructor, we were in our Med/Surg clinical rotation. Mind you, this Med/Surg floor was very busy with tons of patients, and everyone scrambling to provide patient care. I was in charge of 12 LVN students at that time. This sweet little old lady with severe dementia kept saying in a demanding tone, "Spit it out! Spit it out! Spit it out". Her voice kept getting and louder as time went on. The assigned LVN student was working frantically attending to her needs: bathing, changing linen, vital signs, etc. All the while, this poor young nursing student was constantly checking this poor old lady's mouth, and perplexed why she repeating herself over and over for at least an hour. After checking on the other nursing students, I finally went over to the her bedside, and asked her , "Spit out what"? She pointed to the young nursing student's mouth and stated, "THE GUM"!!! The chewing of the gum was driving her over the edge! The nursing student felt so embarrassed, and at last he spit the gum out. The little old lady finally calmed down, and took her nap. We were all so happy! :clpty:

"They smile in your face. All the time they want to take your place, the backstabbers. Backstabbers" Dedicated to the co-workers who eat their young and pretend to be your friend. Who sings this one? Anyway, this one sticks in my head. :yeahthat:

:balloons: It's so sad at times what the world in general has come to, and not only in the healthcare profession. I agree that mean/arrogant/cut-throat behavior is inexcuseable and it is everywhere you go today. There are so many variables why we act the way that we do when it comes to life in general....problems at home, stress, insecurity, addictions, loss of a loved one, abuse, etc. The list can go on forever. Is it right? Of course not! When I am having a bad day, I try to take a deep breath, and attempt to go forward. And, I always try to treat everyone with respect regardless if they are a janitor or CEO of a company. :redpinkhe Notice...I stated try. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. Those who are negative or on a mission to be destructive and downright nasty, I avoid them if at all possible. Wishing everyone a good day with a smile......

I just read your post! Yeah! Yeah! For that CNA!!!!! :w00t: Some people are pushed to their limits, and need to be careful about the possibility of "going postal" on you. I do not advocate workplace violence, but that psycho DON got what she deserved!

It never ceases to amaze me how rude, inconsiderate, and back stabbing people can be. Run for the hills girl!!!! No job is worth your health or mental well being. Your manager is totally unprofessional and has some serious issues to work on. As suggested from another post, seems like the possibility of jealousy, insecurity, etc. Why waste your precious time harboring on it? A work environment like that is toxic! Thank goodness there will be other opportunities for you to look into, and not have to settle for such pettiness. Do not apologize for who you are. Brush yourself off, and look forward towards the next chapter in your life. Been there, done that! Best wishes and hugs...

The nicest gift that I have ever recieved was a large bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume, from a "secret" Santa, when I worked on the ICU in an Army Hospital. I never had the opportunity to thank that special Santa...but I will never forget that special gift. It was a little embarassing to open the gift in front of my co-workers since gifts were not to exceed more than five dollars.

I love your name because it states it like it is! When you are fried and well done, (sounds like steak) it is time to move on. At least you are honest with yourself and keeping it real. I admire your courage for being upfront and to the point. Sometimes people just can't handle the truth! If you sincerely like what you do, more power to you and keep on going with it. But, if you don't, then I support those who have the guts to step aside, move on, and be happy. Because in the end, life is just too short! :monkeydance: Old nurse, young nurse, new graduate or experienced nurse.....whatever category you fall into, if nursing is not your forte it is not the end of the world. Yes, we need nurses! Absolutely! But one must come to terms when one has reached their limitations in whatever job that they are doing, and it no longer gives you the personal reward and satisfaction like it did in the beginniing. Follow your heart and enjoy what lies ahead for you. Best of luck in your future endeavor and a sincere thank you for being a nurse. Take care.... :balloons:

Wow! How can anybody live on $10.95 pay per hour???? After paying taxes, despite a low cost of living in Oklahoma, a person still has to eat!!! How insulting for those nurses who live in that city/town! After all of that schooling, time, money, and sacrifice. Southern California has a high cost of living, high taxes, etc. LVN pay varies on your experience, shift, permanent status or per diem, part time or full time, etc. It depends on where you work: clinics, hospitals, long term care, home health, hospice, schools, correctional facilties, nursing education, managed care, etc. I have been a LVN for 21 years with various experiences. I have only worked in the managed care field (medical insurance) for only 18 months, and my pay is $65,000 per year base salary, benefit package is extra. I am very thankful to be blessed.

Hi jt9493, Los Angeles has lots of employment opportunities for LVN"s. From hospitals, to clinics, home health, long term care, etc. Also, check with the County, City, and the Veterans Administration. I am not sure if California accepts Hospital Corpsman as a LVN. But, the only way to find out is to ask the California Board of Vocational Nursing. Here is their information: Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Ste. 205 Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 263-7800 Website: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov A Medic may be equvalent to a Nurses Aides, unless you have certified Paramedic training, then you will probably be in a different category. The BVNPT will determine if your Navy Hospital Corpsman training is acceptable. As for California LVN pay goes... here in Los Angeles, will depend on where you work, shift, part time or full time, per diem, etc. Bottom line for LVN pay can be from $18 to $ 25 per hour, and it depends on your experience too. Best of luck in passing your exam, and finding a great job in the future. :smiley_aa One last thing, if you do get your LVN, there is the Managed Care industry....which is insurance. LVN pay is between $ 55,000 to $ 65,000 per year. :monkeydance: That's right! It's not a typo mistake. Hope this helps you.

Amen to that RNPATL! Bless the nurses who are in the field of Hospice and Pallitive Nursing. They are really special souls for what they do! We can only wait and see the outcome of how PAS will impact nursing in the near future.

I hear you loud and clear TazziRN! After all, it still is about the patient.

My boyfriend's father, who is 86 yrs old and still has a sound mind, was talking about how sad it is to be old. Arthritis, potential for falls, prostate problems, etc. In the conversation he said, "Yeah, it's terrible when your mind goes and you get that Old-timer's disease". I had to laugh and tell him it is called Alzheimer's disease instead.

This is a very sensitive issue concerning PAS. I have read with interest both sides of this topic. I support PAS, however strict guidelines and laws need to be in place. Patients who are suffering from terminal illness or painful disease, should have the right to make this personal type of choice. Those patients who are incapable of making a decision, and yet they are suffering, this will be difficult to assess, but to be looked at per each individual patient on a case by case basis. As human beings we have the right to die with dignity, in a respectful manner, and pain free. To evaluate the patient's quality of life, the undue suffering, and so many other factors come into play here. At the other end of the spectrum, this needs to be closely monitored: greedy family members may push this issue so they can collect monies from insurance policies, others families may use this to do away with their medically fragile/disabled loved ones because they have been a "burden" for so many years, and they are tired of caring for them. So many horrible situations can occur if PAS is not watched over by the authorities who need to enforce these guidelines and laws. I hope we can meet in the middle of the road and have balance for the sake of the most important person here, and that is the patient.

After leaving the Army and returning to the civilian sector, as a LPN/LVN, I was paid $ 14.00/hr base salary in 1994, working in a Internal Medicine Clinic....that was in Las Vegas, Nevada. Today in 2007, after having my LVN license for 21 years, I live in Southern California. I make $65,000 per/yr. base salary, benefit package is extra, and I work as a nurse case manager. By the way, California has a very high cost of living. :balloons: