Whiplash... again.

OK so I think I need a medication or something. Can they give you something to make you stick with a plan? I have no idea why I am flippy floppy about this decision. I mean when I decided to stop being a Customer Service Agent and become a Nurse I had a plan, and a plan B. So even though it was Plan B instead of A, here I am. A Nurse. But apparently not a Real Nurse, because RN = Real Nurse. Wow am I sick of hearing already, oh you are just an LPN.

So I go back and forth, back and forth. Trying to figure out what will fit into my life and work schedule. Its probably because the last time I made up my mind and went to the brick and mortar route of nursing school, I almost got divorced. Last time my husband felt totally overwhelmed financially and ignored physically. This time I can work, make great money, and still fit in school. So money may not be an issue, but the ignored part? Well there in lies the problem I guess.

But here I am actually missing Nursing School. The kind where you actually go to class, sit in front of the PowerPoint and stress over the very few amount of points allotted to pass. The kind that makes you write care plans and get up at the butt crack of dawn and work for free! The kind that allows me to try a different aspect of Nursing every few weeks and the kind that allows me to feel like I am actually going to school. I like school, what can I say.

So with the procrastination that I seem to suffer this self study thing is JUST not going to work. The burn out I felt after the last route of Nursing school is over and I can't wait to get back into school.

So I am biting the bullet and hitting this Advanced Placement Application with both barrels. Guess what? Chemistry is first up. Enrolled and paid for, starting May 31st. I have to retake my Pharm class (that I had an A in), because it will be too old. I have to retake the PN Exit exam, that I scored a HUGE score on, and retake the HESI-A2, that I ACED with perfect scores, because mine will have expired. I also have to finally get through Microbiology and then I can apply into the RN program with a hopeful start date of Spring 2012 ( January ) of course I want the Accelerated program which runs through the summer, so I finish in the Fall.

So here's hoping it all works out.

Is it just me or...

Does every Nurse constantly look at the want ads to see what is out there? I suppose because I am not happy with half of my job assignment that I keep looking for something else.

I like my Friday Saturday gig... I know the Wednesday Thursday one is not going to work out. Because I will not put up with being treated poorly no matter how many years of experience as an LPN she has over me.

I am pretty sure that Pediatrics is NOT where I want to be, much as I assumed in Nursing school. Although something one of the mother's said rubbed me the wrong way the other day and that could be the reason I am really starting to hate the idea of that place. Like a festering puss filled wound, the words, " She's lying " still throb in my ears.

So the "Aunt" says, "Don't put the baby on her side only on her back because she slobbers in her hair.". So that evening before I left I put her on her back. So when the "Mom" comes in she practically tears my head off and says, " Put her on her left side she is kicking her feet too much and using her calories." So she proceeds to put her on her side and give a long explanation of why the side over the back. Then checks them over complains the diapers are too low, well with scoliosis braces & contractures its hard to get the diapers to fit well when I am a bit out of practice. I mean hell my kids have been out of diapers for at least 14 years now, and I my last experience with day to day diapering was at least 8 years ago. But continuing on...

So the next shift I put the baby on her side to start the evening because she is kicking. The Aunt comes in and says, " I told you not to put her on her side. " I explained how the Mom had told me to put her on her side and she said I'll have to ask her.

So she does and she comes flat out and says, " Well she's lying. I never said that. " So when she comes in hollering, I have to defend myself. The well she's lying part really pissed me off... as you can tell, So I explain to her that she is the one who told me to put the child on her side and as a matter of fact she actually was the one who placed her there yesterday, etc... So she's like, " Well I don't remember that. But I was crazy yesterday."

So because this lady is "crazy" I am a liar? WTF? Ok so yeah... me no likey and me no happy!

Needless to say I put in a few more resumes today.

LPNs being phased out on LTC in favor of skilled units?

So it turns out that I was replaced at my old job, with an RN. Word coming down from the former top, is that once the Licensed leave, or are forced out, the plan is to staff the facility with RNs only. So what's a girl to do?

They are going all sub-acute more skilled units less long term care, and once the renovations are over the place will be all private rooms with more state of the art equipment.

Yup and it totally happened.

1 year old....

My LPN status is officially 1 year old today. I have been a nurse for 1 year. On April 6th... I will have officially joined the ranks of, "1 year experience required"

It feels like time flew, but on the other hand it feels like its been way longer than that.

I have learned so much about myself, about nursing, and about people throughout this last year.

I have found confidence, skill, and humility. I have many things to learn and teach many things every day.

I have found that with nursing I waiver. I am about to take exams for my first two RN classes, and I still doubt if I want to become an RN. ( Thus I keep putting them off) Ok Exam fees are an issue too but I digress.

Why? Well mainly because LPN experience doesn't count for shit! So I would be starting alllll over. No experience, low man on the pole. Begging for a chance or stuck in Long Term Care. In reality does this mean that much? Only time will tell.

But does LPN hold enough for me? Sometimes I don't even want to be a nurse anymore. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I dream about that RN. Sometimes I don't want to headache.

I do know that most importantly I AM A NURSE! So with that... its off to work for me!

Blue Baby = Busy Lady

So when a vented child starts to turn blue what do you do?

I must confess that the adrenaline started to flow and it was a series of tasks and check marks in my head I went through. I am proud to say that my first thought of, " Oh my God get help." was quickly followed by, turn on suction, grab a sterile glove and cath kit. Silence beeping alarms, manual breath, disconnect vent from trach and suction, 1 pass- nothing, 2nd pass nothing, 3 pass nasty thick yellow mucous plug. O2 sats climbing. Nice pink color returning. Reconnected vent to trach, manual breath for good measure, clear vent, all is good. O2 sat a nice 93%, lift up child and CPT for a good minute. Listen to lung sounds, SVN treatment, listen to lung sounds again, then back to suction 1 more time. Large amount of secretions obtained & cleared. Ending result for the day were Sats maintaining in the 98% range.

However, the next day was a day filled with dropping O2 sats. Most especially was a nap time filled with O2 titration to maintain sats above 93% and only managing to keep them hovering at 89- 90% while asleep. At least that nap was short but I sure was busy.

What a difference a day makes...

So since I refused to go back to that placement, I had Wed off, then on Thursday I was placed at a home that actually does require nursing skills. It was great. I did my first Pedi straight cath, the place is clean, organized and exactly the type of working environment that I like. I also was given another placement, that I train at next week. So I should be splitting the time between the two.

I think they are getting the idea of the "type" of client that I am looking for.

I have spoken with the staffing coordinator at my old job and I will pick up at least 1 shift a month there.

I had a dream last night that I agreed to work there on Monday and STATE Survey was in the house and everything was wrong. Ding here ding there... OMG I was freaking out.

When I woke up cuz the dog poked me, I was so grateful that it was a only a dream.

Ok so off to work, must finish getting ready.

I am too smart for that...

Its pretty sad when you are at work and thinking this. Worse when you are at home thinking this. I am bored. I feel totally lied too and well... I do not want to spend 8 hours just playing with a stable baby.

I mean if I wanted to do that, I would have stayed a Nanny and not spent $20,000 on a nursing degree and toward another.

I am going to try and see if there are some openings at the facility but worse comes to worse I may be going back to my old job.

I NEED to be a NURSE.

Well my commute is short

So this new job isn't going to be big on the "experience" front. But it will look that way on paper.


This weekend we went to this place that serves fried alligator as an ap. So that's what we had. I actually really liked it and the taste and texture is really hard to describe. It tastes like alligator, not like chicken. Is not gamy and looks like a white fish.

I could not however, bring myself to order the frogs legs. Ummmm maybe next time.

We also finally painted my master bathroom. So its starting to look less builder white and more homey.

Aligator, Frog Legs & paint

Things that are on the agenda this weekend.

From Geriatric to Pediatric

Vent training and certification class today. Practice and skill check off tomorrow. Then a whole new client population with some PALS certification coming soon.

Out like a lion...

So after a 16 hour double shift to end my very first Nursing position. It is onward and upward toward Job # 2. A whole new field. A whole new experience. Some more certifications to pile onto my Resume.

So with a day full of class style orientation today, Vent Certification tomorrow, and a clinical style practice and check off on Friday. It's promising to be a full rest of the week.

Wish me luck!

Makes you feel wanted

So my charge nurse has been begging me to stay, the administrator told me to make sure I at least stay on payroll and I can come back any time. But the most surprising and the best feeling, was when the Nurse Practitioner said that she would gladly write me a reference. She knew I was making the right decision for my career and that she had confidence that I had the "it" factor when it came to nursing. She said she knew when I called that I was reliable and that she could count on my judgement.

I have to say that when they all say, " But we need your experience, I will be lost without you." After 11 months on the floor its amazing what a year can do. It also means that I chose the right nursing school.

Vent Certification & PALS

Will be amazing things to get to include on my resume.

The only things, as far as I know, standing in my way of this job are 1.) The intense background check & 2.) The drug screen. What on earth is a Nursing 11 panel?


So, since 1.) I have already passed this background check twice. & 2.) I have not touched a single narc since I got my Nursing license, and have never done illegal drugs. I should be all good right?

Interview Today

And after the week of work I have had so far and the yet more paperwork and responsibilities and changes being made at work I am now seriously in the job hunt.

I really hope this job pans out. Is there really much difference between 11 months of experience and 12?

Ok off to get ready. I will update this thread when I get back.


***** UPDATE *******

Yes I got the job