I am an LPN. I have been at my job for almost a year at a inpatient drug detox. I love what I do it just clicks with me. I am tired of hearing I will lose all of my nursing assessment skills from older nurses saying I should do Med-Surg. Sadly LPNs in my area do not work on the floors at hospitals in the capacity of a nurse.
I don't buy the argument that if I stay as a detox nurse for a few years that I will lose all my skills so bad I won't be able to find a job at an LTC or other similar setting...I learn quickly and can multi-task with min. assistance with skills learned from my past life as a pharmacy tech. It would be one thing if I wanted to work in an ICU, ER (I buy the the "losing skills argument" in those scenarios). I would be okay if I had to find a job in a non-psych setting.
I have no intentions of ever working on a med-surg floor. I am smart and could do it. But it isn't my cup of tea.
My main interest is Psych/Detox nursing. I work 11-7 full time. I plan on going to Excelsior and getting my RN..then my BSN online at a local State College. Then someday...my MSN for a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
I respect all Nurses...especially Acute Care Hospital Nurses.
Anybody in a similar situation or have experiences of being in a specialty for years and switching over to say Nursing home or hospital?
I plan on staying where I am at right now... its like what is was 20 years ago other nurses are telling me... a total job war.. I thank god everyday that I am able to have that SMALL chance to have a life changing impact on my patients.
