An LPN's Story of Progress
Written: Oct 17 '00 (Updated Mar 15 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The overwhelming feeling you get when you know you've helped someone.
Cons: The lack of flexibility in scheduling (hours, weekends,holidays).
The Bottom Line: You should know what you're getting into before taking on a responsibility like nursing. You really need to have a flexible family to work in this profession as an LPN.
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| NJNurse's Full Review: Nursing Profession |
The Decision to Become A Nurse
When I was starting to decide on a career after high school I wanted to cry.
All I ever wanted to do was become a teacher. So, I applied to college. Being an honors student, I was accepted into every school where I applied. But then I discovered my folks made too much money to qualify me for grants or loans, but not enough to pay for college. My dream was gone.
So, what were my other options? I knew I wanted to help people, but how? Someone suggested nursing school. Hmmm..I had never known you could become a nurse through the county vocational school. But the best part? It was completely free! There was no waiting list and it would only take a year. It seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I sailed right through the course and loved it! (Cool) Then graduation. Now the real work would begin. I was excited and terrified. They told us during the course, "When you graduate and begin work as a nurse you won't feel that you're ready, but you are." Oh, they were so wrong.
It took about two years before I realized the full extent of my job. In nursing school we did mostly A.M. care, passed a few meds, had four or five patients to care for, did a treatment or two, and had PLENTY of time to peruse the charts and care plans. They instructed us to "go get the nurse and stay out of the way" if anything happened.
Well, now I was the nurse. I couldn't very well get the RN then "stay out of the way". Now I was in charge, alone on the unit, caring for 60 patients, doing all the treatments, feedings, AND supervising all the CNAs on top of it!This was a 3p-11p shift in 1989.
Things have changed. Now nurses usually care for no more than 30 patients and sometimes there is even a charge nurse at the desk to make all the calls to the doctors.
How's the Pay?
I believe the pay rate for LPNs is getting better, also. When I started I was getting paid $9.00/hr. This was in 1989, 11p-7a shift, at a major medical center. Now, even with 11 years of experience, if I'd start a new nursing facility, I'd usually get offered $12.00/hr, which is the starting salary for an LPN regardless of experience. However, I was lucky. I stumbled upon a job that pays me for my experience.
I am making more than I was at any other facility. I am hoping this is an upward swing in a pay scale change.
PLUS, as an added bonus for me, I get to work on the sub-acute/rehab unit where we have 5 nurses: 1 charge nurse at the desk (along with a unit secretary) and 4 floor nurses who care for no more than 16 patients a piece.
The Nursing Shortage
Speaking only from personal experience, I do see facilities working short staffed, but I do not see a shortage of nurses. The nursing schools in my area have waiting lists of 2-3 years for the actual nursing courses. From what I can tell, LPNs, CNAs, and the general public are choosing to go right for their RN.
Could it be because the hospitals are phasing out LPNs? Could it maybe be because there are more opportunities for RNs than for LPNs? Or could it be due to the fact that you get higher pay for a higher education?
Another reason for short staffing in some facilities may be due in part to how the administration treats it's employees. If people are treated well, respected, and paid well, they will show loyalty and stay.
Money incentives and sign on bonuses help to bring employees into the facility, but humanity keeps them there.
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Karen Dragone, LPN
(Long Branch, NJ)
AOL Instant Messenger Handle: JerseyLPN
ICQ #: 334521
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
NJNurse
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Member: Karen Dragone
Location: Long Branch, NJ
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 3 members
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