[geopeach]

I need help. I have been a LPN for 18 years. I have worked in nursing homes and home health. Now i need a desk job or something where i am not standing in one place for hours. I am on unemployment right now but need to get back to work. Can anyone help?

[mrsD]

Is there an Omnicare outlet near you?

They typically have data entry for medical records and prescription filling in their large centers. I don't know how that would compare to your salary now however. But it is a sit down type job.

http://www.answers.com/topic/omnicare-incorporated

They do hire nurses, to go out to the homes and trouble shoot too. Esp in the area of IV maintenance.

[malawigirl08]

Do they have nurses in your colleges - I know our college nurse has even worked a night shift elsewhere and managed to snatch some sleep during the day.

[cyclelops]

I am an RN and did home care....it is rough work.

Depending on where you live, you are out in the elements. You do end up going out in snow storms. I could tell you some interesting stories. You do end up doing more heavy work than it seems. For example, treating a bedsore, you end up having to move the patient...usually alone. Home care seems easy, it isn't and you are on call as well. It is easier than long term care, but it is long term care at home. Most home care is done by RNs and by CNAs. There is little in the middle....since most of it has to fit, 'skilled'.

You need to be an RN to do infusions and usually they make you have certification.

I have worked for several Home Care agencies, and none of them hired LPNs.....

Insurance companies hire nurses for desk jobs but expect a pay cut.

I don't work in nursing anymore. I can't handle 8 hours, mandatory overtime or be dependable enough. I WISH I could. I wish I could do the full time work that most insurance companies require.

If you can handle shift work, being on nites is easiest...kinda.

Maybe changing to sonography? xray tech?

I am too old at this point, but I would look at the tech schools, for a shorter degree. If you do go on to get your RN, it is no guarantee of easier work....you know the spoils system....best jobs usually go to some one who has worked there the longest or kissed the most 'apples'.

Psych nursing is one exception, but, combative patients are a possibility....I would opt for that, I guess. If you do go for an RN, get into home care immediately and try to work yourself into a training job....or depending on your age...get your BSN and go immediately for your MSN....don't stop. My biggest mistake was not going on to my masters and following hubby to the cornfields. Online education was not an option back then.

[cyclelops]

PS, do NOT mention you are sick if you can avoid it.....they don't want nurses with medical issues.....in a financial recession, and I have seen this cycle over and over, they will NOT hire any one who could cost them money.

Many nursing employers are now self insured, and they don't want to pay for something like IVIG....they don't want lost time....it's a bear.

Also, I see you have been in nursing 18 years....I assume you are roughly approaching 40....you still have time for a career change, but don't diddle...you have retirement to be concerned with and don't want to enter that with school loans.

My heart goes out to you....(and to me, since we could use the income too, but thankfully hubby is working).

I am having surgery on my hands shortly....one of the first things I noticed, before I had neuropathy, was I couldn't feel veins for IVs....I felt I was going in blind....I was. Then I couldn't open the stupid sterile packages. I felt so dumb...so clumsy, and I had no concept it was PN. I am hoping the surgery restores some of my hand function. Keep this in mind when choosing a career. If your hands are affected, you will lose the fine motor skills you need for nursing.

I hate to be so blunt, but, I would hate to see you go out and spend thousands and find you can't get an IV in, or even worse, not open the package!

[geopeach]

I am now 52. I have the burning in my hands and arms. My visions is bad at peek times of neurontin. Had my first time of low blood sugar at church tonite went to my knees before I realized it wasnt a hot flash. When it is time to take a dose of neurontin i have a "hot flash" buy this was differen. I am having trouble typing. Guess it isnt a good time to be on here. It tooke me some time to find this. Hope to get better at this. Thanks for replying.