No where to turn? What now?

[cariaad]

If you've been able to make it on one income, you may find your going back to work pt isn't much help. We've been in that situation. By the time you pay for childcare and gas and associated expenses you may end up not making any money! My advice is to apply for any aid available, including lower utility bills and food assistance. It is there to be accessed when needed. Will your husband get unemployment? That should help a great deal too until he finds a new position. Good lucka nd keep us posted! DEb

[cbissell]

Originally Posted by kshell

3. Unfortunately, it seems that PA is cutting back on using LPN's across the board in many hospitals. Both my husband and I work in health care in PA (in and around your area) and it seems like the trend.

You know people have been talking about phasing out LPN's since the 1980's. I honestly don't see this happening any time soon, due to the nation-wide nursing shortage.

[billy02]

He should be able to collect unemployment I hope. We won't know till he applies. He tried to apply early because he knew when his last day would be,but they wouldn't let him till the offical day. I'll know more later in the week. Just wish us luck and keep us in your prayers? Hopefully all will work out, but I'll still worry always. We both have been a emotional wreck, nervous, scared, worried you name it!

[billy02]

Well my DH applied for unemployment I assume that we can collect waiting to confirm it. But, we got a call from our primary insurence and they said they can only cover 12 hours and hopefully Keystone Mercy will cover the rest. It seems like its getting worse instead of better. I just don't know if I'll be able to go back to work? My DH didn't find a job yet, we where able to pay our mortage this month what about next month? And next month and the month after that etc.etc.?What are we going to do? I'm scared and worried still.

[saywhatyouwill]

do you have people to talk to? or are there organisations that can help out with setting out options etc?
yeah...i'm sure you already tried all that.

[Judy]

As others have mentioned, it appears more and more hospitals are no longer using LPN's. But, here in Georgia they are needed for home nursing. It is impossible to find a nurse to work in private homes. Has your husband considered doing home health care nursing? He would probably find more work than he can handle.

Good Luck and please keep us posted. God Bless You All.

Judy and the Angels

[MOMOFFAITH]

Our day nurse's sister just graduated from LPN school and landed a job immed- starting pay about $17/hr in OH. That's great considering our homecare nurses pay is $20/hr and 2 of them are RN's.

Our hospital no longer hires lpn's- But there are area nursing homes, rehabs and home health care- as well as a local VA that are constantly hiring lpn's! Good luck with your dh's job search and know that we'll keep your family in our prayers!

[billy02]

[COLOR="darkolivegreen"]Its officially as of March 1 we will only be getting 12 hours of nursing coverage or less! I'm afraid we are going to lose all of our nurses and only have one or two left! How do they do 12 hour shifts we need most nights and some help during the day. But, if we both go back to work do you think they will give us 16 hours still? I don't know what's going to happen?! I'm starting feel more and more like we are going to end up putting Billy in a home. We'd be devasted! We couldn't handle it! Billy couldn't either! I wish I knew how to add a picture you could all see him. Here is the link if you want to try it:www.trachkids.org/members/billy. Any tips or info please let us know? Thank you all

[Evy]

I know everyone who has nursing hates to give up hours. In your case, if you both work the same shift you may want 16 hours but certainly if they cover your working hours that would be sufficient. My daughter is an LPN and worked the agency that staffed her son. Therefore, whenever they asked her to work, they knew they would have to have a nurse to work for her. Has your husband tried applying to home nursing? In Pennsylvania they pay very well for LPN's. In fact, my daughter has switched to a peds clinic and had to take a cut in pay. LPN's are in demand in nursing homes, OP physician offices, home nursing and the list goes on. I wouldn't even consider "putting him in a home" yet. I couldn't concieve of such a thing, especially since you have him at home now. While sleep deprivation isn't a choice anyone makes at will, if you can get day shift covered while you both work, you can search here on the board how others handle nights without nursing. It's certainly doable. Good luck.

[billy02]

We also have a 3 year old at home too. I'm not working yet and my dh only has a pt job right now. We are waiting see if he's offically able to collect umemployment and have a pt job. He needs to study to get his RN too then we could lessen our situation won't be hard. It will always be hard,but not twice as hard as it is now. I just hope and pray everything works out in the end! The waiting and wondering is the hardest! We have to be able to pay our mortage and the rest of our bill's, and keep Billy home.