Ok, it turns out this is a bit long...but I really could use some feedback....so if you can spare a few minutes, please read:
I became an LVN in 1990. I took an accerlated course (one year) versus a 2 year college course..where maybe I would have at least 'absorbed' more! As soon as I graduated, literally, I made a career 'boo boo' (in my opinion) by following the big money (at the time) and going straight into home heath/private duty nursing. I was already working for this home health care company & when I became an LVN, I started doing visits & such for them. Doing 2 visits a day (morning & night, 5 days a week, plus working a steady 40 hours for them I really was making a good income..until the company was sold) Of course the boo boo was that I never got any real hospital experience, and truly feel like I never really honed what I learned & never really got it 'drilled' into my head. And this is now becoming a problem...to me at least.
I have stayed in home health care ever since I became an LVN (well, I left for a few years and worked in a totally unrelated field). I only do private duty nursing (not visits) and honestly, the cases I have been on are fairly simple, stable cases. I enjoy what I do, and don't plan on leaving..but, at the same time I feel trapped. I fear that at sometime, I will have to leave for lack of work etc. The wages they pay are not great either. I am concerned that I would not pass a skills test a new employer would give when you apply. (do employers give skills tests still?) I know what I 'need' to know to care for the patients I see (I am very picky & cautious about what cases I accept, and turn down anything I think might be difficult or out of my league). But I feel that I am in no way able to go work for a hospital. (not that hospitals even hire LVN's anymore! At least not where I live) I considered LTC, but really am not sure if I could do that even. Maybe if they offered me a LOT of retraining & support.
Anyway, I have stayed with ONE agency for 10 years. My hourly wage has increased a total of $3 since the day I was hired. I have no benefits of any kind, no vacation pay, no sick days, no shift differential etc. And from what I read here, it looks like I could be making at least $3-$5 more per hour than I am (currently earn $18/hr) I live in a large metropolitan area of So. CA.
In a way, I feel like I am almost wasting my education as an LVN. I worked hard to get this license, and I enjoy being a nurse. But being 'stuck' at one agency that does not even pay well..and may or may not have enough work to keep me working 40 hours...stinks! I so dislike the fear that, even though I am an LVN, I could be without a job, without income. An LVN flipping burgers at McDonalds is what comes to mind! (hey, at least I would be nearby to do the heimlich if needed!! :chuckle )
How do I get back the skills I may have lost over the years? There are no refresher courses for LVN's in my area. I have done all that resercah already...have been looking for YEARS..even contacted the BVNPT for help. I have considered an online course, but really want to relearn the clinical parts also, and don't believe I can find a hospital in my area that allows that. (The online courses make you find a hopital where you can do clinical portions) Should I even be concerned about the skills I may have lost over the years? Do you really use all that you learned in nursing school in your day to day job? Should I consider LTC/SNF or an MD office? Where else do LVN's work?
Any ideas or suggestions would be really appreciated!
CA_LVN
14 Posts
iwanna:
The link you gave does not work. I think it might be this one:
http://www.lpnrefreshercourse.com/
I tried also to respond to your PM, but could not find a reply button
Thanks for your input!! Let me know when you start the course & what you think of it!