Roll Call: Introduce Yourselves, LPNs!

Snickers&DtCoke · Mar 8, 2008

:bugeyes:Hi, I've been 'lurking" around the site for about 1 year now... I have finally settled on an appropriate "name" for myself, being my favorite meal-on-the-fly :wink2:. I thought I'd make my first post in a Roll call type place.

Anyways... I graduated in 2007, licensed shortly thereafter. Got hired in long term care facility right away... about the only place that hires LPNs in the area. I am happy in my job. Though I wish I could find a Mon-Fri,8-4, no holidays job that pays what LTC, 2nd shift does. :rolleyes: Thank Goodness I am able to work part time!

carol20lpn · Mar 8, 2008

hello! i have been an lpn for 38 (oh my gosh!) years. most of the time i have worked in geriatrics, long term care and rehab in the long term facilities. i have also done a bit of time as school nurse and a visting nurse.

for the past 10 years or so, i have been an mds coordinator and am loving it! i have been writing "resident focused" or "i" format care plans for the entire time.

i have no regrets in stopping my education at the lpn level. i have had many, many opportunities in my years and have been treated as an equal to the rns and in many cases and often been told that my experience places me far above many of the rns that i have worked with.

as far as the money goes, right now i am making $26 an hour, have medical insurance paid in full for myself and my family, 401k and many other benefits.

to all of you thinking of going on to get your rn, good luck to you in your endeavors.

to the lpns "for life", keep up the good work.

:redbeathe;) :nurse: :nurse: :nurse: carol

Nursegena · Mar 9, 2008

Good Evening everyone!

I'm a new graduate practical nurse (graduated in Dec. 07). Had some "issues" on my record (from a colorful past!) and had to go before the BON in Florida. Wow...that was not fun....THEN they sent me to IPN to make sure I didn't have any problems, and that was cleared as well. It's been a hell of a long road, and I have worked so incredibly hard to get to where I am. There were plenty of times I wanted to just give up, but didn't. I've wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl, my Grandmother was a Registered Nurse. I remember she dressed me up for halloween one year in her uniform, and I was so happy!

So, I'm now preparing to sit for my boards, which I will do within the next 2 weeks. I got my fist job in Med-Surg Neuro at the local private hospital, and I'm really excited!

I'm looking forward to continuing on for my RN within a year or so. Glad to be a part of the forum!

Gena in Florida:nurse:

sgherzi4 · Mar 9, 2008

Hi...

Graduated 1981 from LA City Schools/ LVN program and have been working ever since. I live in a remote area - about one hour away from any community colleges where the RN program is offered. I have been commended on my nursing knowledge and skills...but because of my living situation I am kinda depressed knowing that I will probably never attain my RN status. I have had to be content with my LVN and doing that very best I can for our profession. :nurse:

vivibonita · Mar 10, 2008

Hi everyone,

I graduated May of 2007, worked for the hospital I did my clinicals for a few months as a student nurse, took my NCLEX-PN on September and received my license by the end of November. I haven't found a job as an LVN as of now, but I'm looking forward to the new experience and the things I am going to learn. I am also pursuing my RN and if possible I will start this fall (crossing my fingers).

Good luck to everybody who is pursuing a career in nursing, and remember that the sky is the limit :)

paLPN13 · Mar 16, 2008

Hello everyone. I'm a new LPN in PA. Graduated in Dec 07 passed NCLEX-PN in Feb 08. I am currently working in our local hospital ER. So far it's going well and I really like it, but the pay isn't the best I could do. I am considering getting into some pediatric home health. I plan to go on for my RN when I get our finances back in order from getting my LPN schooling.

Brownms46 · Mar 16, 2008

Hello everyone,

I am an LPN who graduated in 1980, after entering LPN school immediately after completing service in the military, and using my GI bill.

I went to school initially to learn more to help care for my daughter who had a trach placed at 3 months of age.

For a long time I thought I had found my niche, that being a nurse was who I was, not what I did. I started out in the NICU of a county hospital and was crossed trained to L&D. I later worked ICU/MICU/CCU/ ER, L&D/MS/OB/GYN/Peds, clinics, Home Health, CNA Instructor, Home Health Aid Supervisor, as an agency &Travel Nurse, and then as a Nurse Recruiter from my home.

Then I was blessed with my current position as an Epic Systems Analyst/Enterprise Applications System Analyst with no formal education in this career until after I got the position. I taught myself everything I knew about software and pc, and a friend many years ago told me that there were companies that would pay me for my expertise.

I thought ..."Yeah, right". Well they would and they did! I am now a Certified ASAP ED Epic Analyst, being paid a salary I never thought I would ever be able to earn without being an RN and working as a Traveler! I am one exam from gaining a second Certification as an Epic Ambulatory Analyst. Both Certifications were totally paid for by my employer, including out of town travel, housing, food, and transportation.

I have a flexible schedule, ( as long as I complete my work, and attend required meeting, I have no set schedule). I can work from home when I need to, have excellent benefits, and an employer that is constantly adding to those benefits, NOT taking them away!

My only regret is that I did not find this position many years ago! I thank GOD every single day for blessing me with this position, and even though I could in time work as a consultant for a whole lot more money, I have no intentions of leaving one of the best positions I have ever had! Not to mention an employer that encourages and inspires me to move higher, and is so supportive I have NO real complaints, and to me that is AWESOME!!!

I do complain about my commute, but I am able to work from home when I need to, so that is not a "real" complaint. But I am seeking a home closer to my office.

If you are not working your dream position, do not give up looking for it! There are many opportunities for LPN/Nurses, and everyone should enjoy everyday of their life, and not just their "off days"!

Best Wishes to All! :smokin:

LPNgoin247 · Mar 18, 2008

I'm Melissa, a pediatric continuous care nurse for medically fragile children from central pa. I graduated HS and nurses training both in 1983. I have worked in many fields over the past 2 decades.

Limik · Mar 18, 2008

Hey all! I've been an LPN since 1994 and there isn't much that I haven't done. I am currently working in a Womens' Ambulatory Health Clinic. I am proud to be an LPN but I sure would rather be making more money!!! :bugeyes:

Calgon-take.me.away · Mar 18, 2008

Southwest PA here, been an LPN for almost 15 years. Spent most of my career as agency, but locally jobs dried up and went into the management part of ALF/PCH, which did not work out for me. Now I am back on the floor, running a sub-acute floor on the 3-11 shift and absolutley love it.

Volley EMT for 27 years and CNA for 20 years before becoming an LPN.

Nursing is my calling, and LTC is my heart

Timelesswhite · Mar 18, 2008

I'm jp! I've been an LVN since 1999. My career path has taken me thru correctional facility nursing to foster/group home nursing and now for the last five years; private-duty home health.

I'm at the point where I've been comtemplating a career change, or even the possibility of pursuing my RN.

Young28 · Mar 18, 2008

Hi everyone, I graduated from LPN school in April 2007 passed the boards in June, started working in a LTC facility on weekends, so far that's all I have done. I live in TN and thinking of moving.

Taking prereqs for LPN-RN program