I am a private duty LPN. A few months back I had to do CPR on my patient, she's only 27 and I am very close to her. Now I am having nightmares and panic attacks. I think the two are related. I want to quit but being so close to the pt. and her family I just don't know how to do it. Any real help is appreciated.
2006-09-23 13:55:33 · 7 answers · asked by Crystal 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Be honest with them and yourself. Life is too short to pretend your happy at some place in your life just to make others happy. Look up your personality and find a the career you have always dreamed of.
2006-09-23 14:04:15 · answer #1 · answered by Pacman187 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Continue your career as a LPN .. it is a good field to be in, but switch to another, less risky, patient or go work for a hospital. The fact of the matter is people do die even with your best efforts. It is too stressful to be taking care of a person you are "close to". You are going to have to separate yourself personally from your patients and understand that none of us can control the death process...we can just do our best. Your experience has made you fearful .. you are concerned about what is going to happen if this happens again and you are in fear of the responsibility .. which is not unusual .. most people do not want to have somebody elses life in their hands. If something was to happen to the patient it would NOT be your fault, but that does not make it any easier to deal with. You would be better in a hospital environment where the responsibility falls on quite a few shoulders rather than all on you. Find a job in a hospital and then tell the family and the patient that you are sorry but this is an opportunity that you can't pass up .. give them the name of a local agency so that they can find somebody else .. there is no reason why they should not be able to do that.
2006-09-23 21:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by MeInUSA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Chrissy, I am sorry to hear you are having nightmares. I had started to go to school to be a LPN, but after watching my friend's sister pass away I didn't go. I can understand somewhat of what you are going through. If you want to check out a company called Arbonne this may be a fit for you. You can start it while keeping your other job. I know alot of people that use to be in the health care field that have gone into their own business with Arbonne. You can check it out at http://www.wonderful.myarbonne.com and on the right hand side of the page their are links you can click on to hear about the company. Hang in there sweetie.
2006-09-24 00:18:34 · answer #3 · answered by arthurbel33 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't sound like you need a career change, it sounds like your need some counciling to talk about what happened. It's normally to have nightmares and panic attacks after something that life altering [hense "post tramatic stress disorder"]
Call your insurance company and ask if they cover seeing a therapist and ask your doctor if he/she recommends anyone particular.
And just know, you're a lifesaver for being a nurse. My mom's a nurse and I saw how much schooling and life experience you have. You should be proud of your career.
2006-09-23 20:59:25 · answer #4 · answered by goddess_veronica54 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with goddess, and would further tell you that you should be proud of yourself for saving your patient's life.
Also, age has nothing to do with whether you should change careers. I quit practicing law at 40 and got my RN degree. I work in the OR, love my job (mostly) and the people I work with.
2006-09-23 21:08:09 · answer #5 · answered by warriorwoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quiting is not the answer. Try seeking some proffesional couseling. Hope for the best.
2006-09-23 21:05:18 · answer #6 · answered by weldergooroo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it all depends on your age.
if u are in your late 20's, like me, then changing careers is something u have to think about seriously.
if u were younger, then maybe its ok.
2006-09-23 20:57:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋