amoss2345

I work at a wonderful nursing home (initially as a LPN, but as of last week am a RN). I believe our CNA's start out at $15.00/hour. It's a really good place to work, as far as nursing homes go. Good luck:)

ADN all the way....your options are usually limited to LTC as an LPN and are limitless as an RN. It's just an extra year (in my program anyway). I live in MI and an area hospital is firing most of its LPNs. I am an LPN now working in LTC, but will finish in Dec. with the ADN degree....Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

I recomment bartending or waiting tables.....you make more money than at a regular job. I was in that industry for all of my college experience and had no problem supporting myself working just a couple nights per week. Just a thought....

I was SOOOO affraid of LTC. I thought that I would hate it. I thought that it would be depressing and that I would come home every day in a bad mood....in fact, I almost didn't take my LPN boards because in my area, there aren't many options for LPNs besides LTC....I am so glad that I did. I fell into a wonderful family owned facility. The pay is very good (I started at $23.75/hr.). The people are wonderful to the residents; and the residents are so cute and sweet. Sure there are days when one of them is very sick or dying and that gets you down, but in a sense, you are relieved when one of them goes....I never thought in a million years that I would like it, but I'm sure glad that I decided to give it a whirl:)

I am experiencing the exact same thing right now, I was a bartender for 12 years and am a new nurse in LTC. I would say that the number one thing you need to work on at first is to develop a system. Once you get your day organized in a way that works for you, things flow much better. Your CNAs are your eyes and ears. Treat them with respect and they will treat you with respect. My CNAs know that I never did their job and worked myself up into nursing, but they also know that I don't think that I am above giving them a hand if they need it. Do not demand things of others that you are not willing to do yourself....in general. On the same note, do not let them walk all over you just because you're new either. You will find your serving/bartending skills coming in handy, I promise. I doubted this until the other day when I had to deal with a difficult family member....people skills developed in the service industry are of definite value. When your income depends on how well you deal with people, you tend to become creative, even in the most difficult circumstances...good luck to you:)

I have recently become an LPN and will be finishing with my ADN-RN degree in December. I am working in a LTC which pays really well. They have great benefits, I love my job, and I love my co-workers....The thing is that I want to move out of the state in a couple of years and do not wish to continue with LTC forever (I feel that I just got lucky with this facility). Should I leave the job that I really like to go to a hospital for a little gen med experience when I finish school in Dec., or should I stay? I just don't want to be "type-cast" as a LTC nurse! Will I find it difficult to find a job as an RN in a hospital without hospital experience? Just looking for a little advice from some experienced nurses....thanks in advance:)

I wish I knew how much effort was involved in nursing school....a lot of busy work (care plans, concept maps, etc.) plus studying and lab stuff....it's definately exhausting. I would enjoy your last little bit of freedom, and take it seriously once you start. I had teachers that presented all the info you needed to know for the class. Don't try to be too prepared, because you won't even know where to start. Enjoy your family and friends, as you won't be seeing as much of them after you start. I wish you luck. I am taking my final tomorrow, and have the whole summer off after that. Don't think I've ever been this thankful for 4 months off of school. I have only the fall semester to go and will be officially an RN....good luck to you. You will know what I'm talking about once you start:)

I realize that...that's why I mentioned that I was sorry for reposting the same thing, but the other one didn't list location in the US....regional pay was what I was looking for. Have a great day:)

Thanks anyway:)

I am trying to decide where to move when I'm done with school....could you PLEASE answer a couple questions for me? Thanks:) 1. Position (LPN/LVN, RN) 2. Degree (ADN, BSN) 3. Years experience 4. Department 5. City, State Thanks to all who are generous enough to answer and sorry for stealing someone else's idea....but it didn't list location on most of them:)

What do new grads earn where you work, and what city, state are you in???