After about a year and a half of collecting unemployment compensation because I refused to work in home health care or a nursing home (those were the only jobs available for LPN's) I got a job with Maxim, which is a staffing agency. I got a position as a nurse caring for five handicapped students at a local school.. I really like it! The pay sucks, but it's still more money than I was getting under unemployment. I'm currently enrolled at Miami Dade College and taking a course on Social Problems, after having taken Introduction to Sociology with the same professor. This is all in an effort to complete the LPN to RN transition program through RUE education. Also, I am seriously considering seeking a degree in Sociology. It certainly couldn't hurt with my nursing career.

Once I graduate, I'm going to seek a position in an voluntary in-patient psychiatric floor. Or the possiblity has occurred to me to seek a position working with mentally and physically handicapped children. That is what I'm doing now, and I really enjoy it. As an RN in that area, the possiblilties are endless. Only time will tell...I really think it's going to be psych, though.

10-23-2008: I am among the un-employed. I separated from GeoCare in April of this year thinking that I would simply get a new job when I got back from my vactaion.

Well, we got back in early June and from then until August, I was looking and looking. All I was finding were jobs in Nursing Homes and Home Health Care--I am not interested in doing either. I enjoy working with psychiatric patients. I have been looking in that area and finding nothing. I think it's because of the economic downturrn that facilities are reluctant to hire an LPN when an RN can accomplish so much more (of course for a bit more money), but I guess that overall, it evens out. So, I thought of a few extra feathers in my cap might work to my advantage. I'm about to complete a certificate program for Case Management--that will be helpful in the near future.

I did file for unemployment in August and have been collecting. I qualified as the GeoCare facility I was working for was closed down. I was offered a position at their Florida City facility but that is 30 miles South of me. Thinking I would have a job as soon as I returned, I turned that down. So, anyway, they're paying me still. I really didn't want to work for them any longer as the environment was unsafe as was displayed multiple times.

So, I finally decided to take the plunge and am going to take the transitional course from LPN to RN. I should be finished in about seven to eight months. Then, I'll get a job in an inpatient psych facility in a hospital. I'll keep you updated.

Number of Personal Assaults by a patient so far: 2

OK, yes this is where I work.

This is the company that used to be known as Wackenhut Security.

Wackenhut grew up and is now a world wide company. They run private prisons and have recently moved into management of Psychiatric Hospitals.

The particular location I work at is located in the SouthWest section of Miami on the edge of the Everglades National Park. It is called the South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center-Annex. We hold a total of 100 patient. These are not convicted criminals, though some do have criminal backgrounds. They have been sent to our facility by a judge somewhere in the state because they have been deemed "Incompetant to Stand Trial".

So, our task is to restore them to be able to assist in their own defense and then at such time they are released back to the Florida County that sent them to us. Please also note that the majority of thes patients have serious mental illnesses.

I presently work on the 7am to 3pm shift. I live 5 miles away from the facility and the communte is super-easy. There is just no traffic to contend with at all. Now in Miami, this is a major perk as working anywhere to the east of where I live is a major 'PIA'. Our road systems here in Miami-Dade County are nothing but parking lots during rush hour.

I've also found that Psychiatric nursing is something that I actually enjoy. I've also worked for the Florida Department of Corrections at a local prison but I really like the open set up we have where I work now. True, there are certain risks involved. I have been assaulted a few times, but that's just another part of the job.

I work on what is considered the "troubled wing", that is with the patients who are suffering from the most severe psychiatric conditions and, in general, are management problems.

I have been a nurse for the past 23 years and have worked in hospitals and in a few Doctor's offices. Of all these jobs, I find this one to be the most rewarding. Rewarding in that we can admit a totally schizophrenic patient and through the proper medication regimen, return them to full competancy.

Once they are judged 'competant', they are released back to the county jail from which they were sent and then stand trial. We have been able to do this now several times. The facility opened in February 2007 and we have been able to discharge about 30 patients back to the counties that sent them to us.

It is challenging but fascinating work. I actually enjoy going to work! Now, I can't say that for a few prior positions that I've had in my long nursing career.

GEOCare has facilities worldwide. If you are interested in a career in Psychiatric Nursing, consult their website and you can apply online. Another perk, the pay is good and there is a sign-on bonus.

Perk number two: it is not physically demanding but can be very stressful at times. Stress I can handle, but due to years of mistreating my back, I can no longer handle the work involved in bedside nursing.

If you are interested in joining our team at a facilty in your area, contact them. Just google GEOCare.