Job Responsibilities
During the week, I am responsible for four medication passes per
day that take approximately 1-2 each, sometimes longer if
problems arise. I am also responsible for charting on patients
that have acute problems and to keep Medicare charts up to date.
I have to notify physicians of any problems that arise and make
sure to dictate any orders. During the weekend, I am responsible
for four floors of staff and patients. I have to make sure that
all floors are staffed and that everything runs smooth.
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Job Requirements
To become an LPN in most states, you are required to attend at
least a vocational school for 13 months. You attend clinicals
during that time and study all different subjects.
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Uppers
Best part about my job is watching people get better, having good relationships
with them and their families. I have to say working with so many different people
with different personalities is also a big upper.
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Downers
Being in the medical proffesion can be a thankless job. You are
not recognized too much for what you do. You have to know for
yourself that you are making a difference and that you are
helping someone without expecting thanks.
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Lifestyle
I currently work two sixteen hour shifts per week. Most nurses work three 12
hour shifts per week. I travel 150 miles to work one way. Being in the medical
profession can be hard if you have a family because you have to work alot of
holidays if you are new in the field. The dress code for nursing has come a very
long way. Now, you can wear very nice and colorful scrubs instead of the
traditional white and they have very nice scrubs for men also.
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Compensation
The pay for nursing is not what people expect but it is very
good. With little experience, some nurses can start out at 13
dollars per hour and work from there, which is a big difference
since I became a nurse 12 years ago. The base salary with my
company is very good, but I also travel across two states to go
to work. The benefits they offer are wonderful and the 401K is
the best that I have ever seen.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The job outlook for nursing is excellent in my opinion. There are
so many agencies now that let you travel the world as a nurse or
you can stay close to home. Nursing is wonderful and it is
getting better every day, offering more and more opportunities.
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