Should I stay on Med/Surg?

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Please help me with this one. I had a postion at a local Planned Parenthood for about 2 mo and a opening came up to get a postion at a local hosptial on the Med/Surg floor working 7P-7A 3 nights a week. Well I am now there 5 mo and told them I am leaving. I am going back to PPH to work days. The reason I am leaving is the usual stuff on Med/Surg, high stress, staffing, nasty co-workers. Also as a LPN I can't do pushes, draw blood nor hang it. I should not be calling docs but I do because it is hard enough to ask a RN to do other things. Oh also I can't do addmisions not the assessments but all the rest I can do. See how hard it is just to write what I can and can't do. I will miss the bedside part of the job and the days off but when I am there I can cry sometimes. Now I am not sure if I made the right choice the money is morre at the hosptial and benifits are better, am I giving up. By the way I have worked at an other hosptial Med/Surg for 6mo before and left to go to PPH. So why do I keep second guessing myself all the time, it is driving me crazy. I am afraid I am just running away from what a nurse is suppose to be. I have only been an LPN for 1 1/2 years, and I am 47 years old.

Do you have a labor/delivery and/or postpartum unit nearby that employs LPNs? Seems like that might be a combo of things you enjoy.

Or any other hospital area you think you might enjoy?

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Sorry, but I'm afraid you've been the one that have been 'fed a line'. Planned Parenthood does abortion referals, always fight any type of education of women as to fetal developement, promotes teen sexuality, etc. Check out their website for teens. It's appalling.

I doubt if most women would abuse the babies that they abort. That's a total myth.

Well, they DO NOT promote teen sexuality, abortion, etc. What they do is present all the options. They will totally support an individual who decides to continue a pregnancy. They never say anyone should/has to choose abortion. They do not put their head in the sand and pretend that teens are not having sex, that is not the same as promoting it. I do not find Planned Parenthood "appalling". I feel that it provides a valuable service. Don't go there if you dislike it so much. Also, don't have an abortion if you are against them.
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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Sorry, but I'm afraid you've been the one that have been 'fed a line'. Planned Parenthood does abortion referals, always fight any type of education of women as to fetal developement, promotes teen sexuality, etc. Check out their website for teens. It's appalling.

I doubt if most women would abuse the babies that they abort. That's a total myth.

You have established that you won't work for Planned Parenthood. It is time to let this thread return to its original topic.

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I really don't think there is any one position that defines what a nurse is supposed to be. I am in the same situation as you! As a recent grad, I just quit my med/surg job at a nearby hospital. I didn't even last as long as you did (4 months)...so you are not alone in this. I too was miserable in the hospital, and I'm an RN. It was the atmosphere/environment more than my actual work that drove me away and I think that is true for many.

You are returning to Planned Parenthood, right? So you MUST have liked it, at least a little. And you MUST have been good at it, or they wouldn't have wanted you back, right? I too am returning to something more community/clinic oriented that I loved doing when I was a student.

Life is short. Yes the hospitals have good benefits and the pay is better, but to me, happiness outweighs all of this. Back to my original statement, I don't believe there is any ONE nursing role, which is the beauty of this profession. I agree with a previous poster: If you are able to go back to complete your RN, it would create even more options for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I thought the idea of going to PPH and maybe picking up some L&D made good sense. I also believe "nursing" is any job a nurse does. God help me, I've begun to realize ways my Nurse Manager contributes to the profession! Bedside nursing is my goal, but plenty of others are just as valid.

HR people will look at your track record, but I don't think you have to worry too much if it takes a few experiments to find the right fit. Of course, going for something that hasn't worked out twice is going to be harder, but would you even want to?

Of course, if you like everything about Med/Surg except the lack of autonomy as an LPN, there is another, albeit dire, solution. More and more places are offering a 1 year transition from LPN to RN.

One of my classmates has been an LPN so long that she'll only make about a buck an hour more as an RN, but figures it's worth it not to have to find an RN to "cover" her. And, too, school is such good fun...

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Okay, the underlying issue is the fact that you are looking for a job where you will find personal satisfaction and enjoyment, yet get a wage you want...sounds like a decent goal to me! In fact, I am still trying to do that too!

Actually through various things in life that kept popping up, I also was a 3X quitter (even though two of those jobs over 2 years were seasonal school camp jobs, so it could be seen either way). But I did get a job, not the one I wanted, but I did and I have been there 2 years...mostly to show good faith and the fact that YES given the right employer I can stay...just had a rough start.

But early on I came to the conclusion that I will not work where I am absolutely miserable, that was not my intent when I picked my career. If I am miserable then I automatically have a facade and have to keep up the energy to keep it on all day...and that can tire you out. Also if you don't have a feeling of satisfaction or happiness...it does come out, mainly in the little things you do..or most importantly NOT do...

It follows you home too, the facade that everything is okay at work (somedays...other than that you spend the energy venting..LOL!), and that too cycles into not doing the little things, not feeling satsified with work or now home, and it goes on and on to every facet of your life. Also take in consideration those days you are treated less than a darned dog and told so...makes you come home and not want to do anything because to be treated like that by your loved ones would be just too much to bear!

SO...if you have these feelings, or feel you are on the brink of them...it is best you take stock of why you invested so much time to become an LPN! Write down why, and write down what you, as a professional, would normally like get in return from your employer and take serious stock! Then...write down the reasons you must continue at this employer and really weigh things!

I have my list already at the place I am working, and the one thing that is keeping me there is unfortunately a home loan that is about to go through because I have been with this employer for over 2 years. When I get the loan, I can then finally seek other employement and get out of this job that I really do not like for many many reasons. Lucky for me I am not 100% miserable, only about 70%...so I can rightfully tell myself..hold on girl...soon!

I don't feel anyone should have to be miserable in their work situation or other life situations if it can be helped. In fact, as I do recall that is what I teach as a nurse to my patients! Wow, guess I should be doing it too huh???

Go to the job that makes you feel like you are doing something, the one that makes you feel happy or even just content helps! A job you can go home and say "wow I really made a difference today" and really FEEL IT! Money is so darned temp when you really look at it deep down, but that feeling of really doing something...now that one is forever!

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.

In our field, I don't think job hopping is perceived as such a problem. Especially since you've previously held a job for 17 years; that shows that you are able to hold a position but you aren't going to take any crap. Lots of my friends job hop and it never seems to keep them from getting the positions they want.

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I really don't think there is any one position that defines what a nurse is supposed to be. I am in the same situation as you! As a recent grad, I just quit my med/surg job at a nearby hospital. I didn't even last as long as you did (4 months)...so you are not alone in this. I too was miserable in the hospital, and I'm an RN. It was the atmosphere/environment more than my actual work that drove me away and I think that is true for many.

You are returning to Planned Parenthood, right? So you MUST have liked it, at least a little. And you MUST have been good at it, or they wouldn't have wanted you back, right? I too am returning to something more community/clinic oriented that I loved doing when I was a student.

Life is short. Yes the hospitals have good benefits and the pay is better, but to me, happiness outweighs all of this. Back to my original statement, I don't believe there is any ONE nursing role, which is the beauty of this profession. I agree with a previous poster: If you are able to go back to complete your RN, it would create even more options for you. Good luck!

Finally a person who understands were I am coming from and not concered about the place I am going to. You it the nail on the head whe you said it was the environment not the work. And yes my boss at PPH can't wait until I come back and everyone else that works there. They make me feel good about myself. Anyway thank you sooo much:)

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Okay, the underlying issue is the fact that you are looking for a job where you will find personal satisfaction and enjoyment, yet get a wage you want...sounds like a decent goal to me! In fact, I am still trying to do that too!

Actually through various things in life that kept popping up, I also was a 3X quitter (even though two of those jobs over 2 years were seasonal school camp jobs, so it could be seen either way). But I did get a job, not the one I wanted, but I did and I have been there 2 years...mostly to show good faith and the fact that YES given the right employer I can stay...just had a rough start.

But early on I came to the conclusion that I will not work where I am absolutely miserable, that was not my intent when I picked my career. If I am miserable then I automatically have a facade and have to keep up the energy to keep it on all day...and that can tire you out. Also if you don't have a feeling of satisfaction or happiness...it does come out, mainly in the little things you do..or most importantly NOT do...

It follows you home too, the facade that everything is okay at work (somedays...other than that you spend the energy venting..LOL!), and that too cycles into not doing the little things, not feeling satsified with work or now home, and it goes on and on to every facet of your life. Also take in consideration those days you are treated less than a darned dog and told so...makes you come home and not want to do anything because to be treated like that by your loved ones would be just too much to bear!

SO...if you have these feelings, or feel you are on the brink of them...it is best you take stock of why you invested so much time to become an LPN! Write down why, and write down what you, as a professional, would normally like get in return from your employer and take serious stock! Then...write down the reasons you must continue at this employer and really weigh things!

I have my list already at the place I am working, and the one thing that is keeping me there is unfortunately a home loan that is about to go through because I have been with this employer for over 2 years. When I get the loan, I can then finally seek other employement and get out of this job that I really do not like for many many reasons. Lucky for me I am not 100% miserable, only about 70%...so I can rightfully tell myself..hold on girl...soon!

I don't feel anyone should have to be miserable in their work situation or other life situations if it can be helped. In fact, as I do recall that is what I teach as a nurse to my patients! Wow, guess I should be doing it too huh???

Go to the job that makes you feel like you are doing something, the one that makes you feel happy or even just content helps! A job you can go home and say "wow I really made a difference today" and really FEEL IT! Money is so darned temp when you really look at it deep down, but that feeling of really doing something...now that one is forever!

WOW, thanks so much for you advise. You are right about not doing things if you are unhappy. I would of left sooner also but was doing a loan on my home so I could not leave. And Yes I did feel content at PPH I felt like a person I felt normal and most of I am treated with respect:)

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Do you have a labor/delivery and/or postpartum unit nearby that employs LPNs? Seems like that might be a combo of things you enjoy.

Or any other hospital area you think you might enjoy?

No they don't hire LPN's, I wish:)

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You have established that you won't work for Planned Parenthood. It is time to let this thread return to its original topic.

Thank You:)

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