crynyce

I can't count how many teachers,secretaries, teacher aides, security people and whoever else that come down to the nursing office just to ask some weird question. Everybody wants to show me something, or have their b/p checked because they didn't take their meds. Yes, I am a nurse but I don't have an answer for everything, nor do I care to see that weird bump on your stomach. How about googling this stuff, like I do, It works.

Seriously......? A blood glucose level of 1620? How were they even able to ask a question? 620 is Super High, but 1620...omg....They must be blind and not have any limbs left either....

I think Agency work can help you with the bills until something more permanent comes along. All you need is 6 months experience and they will hire after you complete your paperwork, most don't even formally interview you. I recently relocated to a new state so I understand your frustration. It's hard to even get excited about an interview because you almost already know the outcome. I've been working with a few agencies for almost 2 years now and it pays the bills. Mostly RN's are needed for per diem hospital work but school nurses and long term care nurses are also needed. Good luck. I'm not sure where you are located but NurseCore, Nursefinders,Maxim, and Medical Staffing Network are some of the big ones. And I'm sure there are plenty of Home health agencies in your area. Good luck and stay positive. O yea Craigslist is great 2!!!!

Hmmmmm..... I don't know how to say this but I've worked at a facility in the past where the nurse training me told me not to call the doctor because the patient always runs high. He asked me " Do I really want to waste my time calling the doctor and doing all the extra charting? " Maybe this could be the case. I've also been in situations where the nurse told me not to give the patient all the coverage because it is better for them to be a little high then to drop later. Sometimes you have to use your nursing judgement. If the patient is Asymptomatic,put in 398, have them drink water and give them their coverage and move on to the next. So sorry but it happens all the time. If you are the regular nurse, you should know your patients better than the doctor and the orders that he wrote.

try dark curtains and chamomile tea

I agree LTC is totally not fun. I've been an LPN for 5 years in 2 different states and unfortunately it isn't that different. I'll admit though, when I started my nursing career in NY State it was better because LPN's didn't have to wear so many hats. First of all, We didn't have to touch IV's EVER!!! Only RNs or RN Supervisors. We also couldn't Assess patients or do admissions or Discharges. We never had to call the doctors for Pt/INR results or for anything else. Once again that was left up to the supervisors. When I relocated to Florida, I had a Big Wake-Up call. Not only do LPN's do everything that RN's do but they don't even get charge pay. It was really tough. I definitely understand the redundance of charting for no reason. In NY, you only chart on new admits or if a patient is on an antibiotic or some extraordinary circumstance. I've been in some facilities where they want you to check bowel and lung sounds and chart 2-3 times a shift. On top of hanging IV's and your med pass, and vitals, treatments,new orders, and feeding patients in the dining room and passing trays, and whatever else the day brings. OMG it's over if something happens and you need to fill out an injury report. Oh, and don't you dare try to leave past your scheduled time to work!!! Overtime is Unacceptable!!! So you better make sure you put on your running shoes because you will be Running your whole shift. With this being said LTC is not the best field to be in. I tried Corrections and school nursing too. Corrections can be kinda crazy when they expect you to save inmates lives and do your job without the right equipment or even paper towels half the time to dry your hands. School nursing can be interesting. Less money and hours but O so stress free. Bottom line, if you can,continue your education, the more school, the more opportunities. Fellow LPN's I feel your pain and you are not alone, we just have to do our best because our license is constantly on the line.

So True!!!

I think it depends where you want to work. If you think you would enjoy nursing home work, they love new grads. I started working the day I graduated. Quite a few of my classmates started at a few different nursing homes too. The pay can probably start as low as 14 and up to about 16.Not that much at first but usually there is plenty of overtime. Some places might offer charge and differential pay. So that's not bad if you're used to working customer service.I guess it depends where you live. I used to live in Central NY and now I'm in South Florida. All you need is about six months of experience and then you can work with the agencies making a little more. I think starting as an LPN is sometimes better because then you get experience because a lot of these fresh RN grads don't know a thing about nursing. In South Florida, some don't even know English. I find myself helping them out a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm pursuing my RN but I think it is easier because I already work in the field and a lot is expected when you hold that RN title. Currently I work as a school nurse and I love it because it doesn't stress me out. I also work at a nursing home and in the dept of corrections for extra experience. Ultimately you have to just do research, because unfortunately, I'm hearing the same thing about fresh RN grads and not being able to find a job.I work with a lot of RNs doing the same job as me, because the hospitals want BSNS. It's pretty scary to think you do all that hard work in school and then can't find work. My last piece of advice is to not be picky. You have to be willing to work anywhere and any shift just to get experience. Good Luck!!!!

you cant be serious:nailbiting:

Wow I am an LPN Working in the south and I make quite a bit more than 18-19 hr. Its confusing because I plan on continuing my education real soon. I've been an Lpn for a few years and from what I'm hearing, My lpn experience is irrevelant once I upgrade to an RN. I would hate to go back to being treated like a new grad again. Please someone offer me some advice.

Omg I totally Understand. I am an agency nurse at a nursing home. I am on a different floor everytime I work. I get so annoyed when the on-coming nurse asks me a million questions about residents that I obviously don't know the answer to. I mean Come on, How am I supposed to know if their skin is intact if i'm working night shift and they are sleeping? If you need to know all of these specific questions, can't you take a look in the chart. Or do I have to do that for you too. I'm Just Sayin!!! ; )