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Ugh. Need to vent...(sorry, very long!)
Oi. Bare with me here. I've apparently reached the boiling point and I have to get it out! (sorry for those on my fb that have heard this sad song repeatedly!)
So, most of you know that we've moved to Texas. (For those that don't, DH got reassigned, so we moved...that's the short version.) Some of you know that I'm an LPN, some of you probably don't. When we planned this move, it didn't even cross my mind that I might have trouble finding a job. I mean, there's a nursing shortage in this country right?! So, I quit my job, and moved with my DH because that's what military wives do, right? Urgh. Should've stayed in friggin' Oklahoma!
The basic principle of this story is this: Texas Board of Nursing will not transfer my license. Period, the end. No ifs, ands, or buts about it... Here's why.
In Oklahoma, you can qualify for equivalency for LPN once you've completed a certain amount of RN school. This comes in handy when you're, I dunno... a military wife who gets moved even occasionally. So, I'm what is referred to as an LPN equivalent candidate. I took a nurse refresher class as was a condition of my authorization to test for my boards. Basically a nurse refresher class is LPN school on steroids. It's self paced, has a book work portion, a skills lab portion, and a clinical portion. You just do it in 20 weeks instead of 52 or 60. It's brutal really. But I did it because the board of nursing asked me to. I then took national boards. The same board exam that any LPN/LVN in the United States of America takes. And I passed. Yahoo for me! Oh maybe not...
Fastforward 1 year. 3 job interviews and 2 job offers later- Texas Board of Nursing will not give me a license in Tx because I "have not been taught the scope of practice for an LVN." Seriously. I worked for a year as an LPN (Texas calls them LVNs). I pretty much think I probably understand my scope of practice. But because I dont' fit into their pretty little model of how education should work... no license for me. So I had to turn down 2 really fantastic job offers.
On top of that, we found out 1 week before all of this, that DS had gotten into the daycare that we loved-LOVED- that told us he wouldn't have a spot until Aug. OMG. I think my brain might explode.
I talked to everyone in the office at TBoN. I whined and cried and screamed and begged. I even had an email conversation with the Director of Operations. All to no avail. He says they've been trying for several years to get the board to overturn that rule, but they keep voting to keep it.
So now, I'm at a loss. Not sure where to go from here. I've applied for 8 jobs, yes 8, in the last 2 weeks. 3 of those jobs are in Oklahoma (2 in Lawton, 1 in Waurika). 1 of those is a job on base, and Lord only knows how long it'll take to process that. The other 4 jobs are completely beneath my skill level.
The other side of the story is, I don't have to work. If we live cheaply, and DS doesn't go to daycare, I don't have to work. But that also means I don't have adult interaction! This base is like 90% students, so that means that most don't have wives or children here. The majority of the "permanent" population is much older. I'm having a hard time not feeling depressed, or lost, or whatever this emptiness I've got going on. It's enough that I've considered moving back to Oklahoma with DS and living in a 1 bedroom apartment until I finish RN school, which is at least a year and a half. (We have a house in Ok, but it has tenants...) DH doesn't understand. He tries to be supportive, but sometimes he trips on his own feet about that. He keeps saying things like, "we'll do that when you get a job." I just want to scream at him. I mean, what if I don't. (this is where the irrational part sneaks in.)
Ugh. I think I just need some patience. Probably things will work out, but right now, I'm not seeing much light at the end of the tunnel. I almost feel bad whining about this. I know there are women all over the world that would give their left foot to be a SAHM. But I dont' think I was cut out for SAHM. I love spending time with DS, but I had DS pretty late in life by some standards, so I feel like I'm loosing part of me not being a "productive member of society."
Anywho... that's my superb!tch for the month... I'm ready for March to end. It's been horrible for nearly everyone I think. Thanks for letting me vent.
What do you mean that's the wrong side? Tastes great to me!
Re: Ugh. Need to vent...(sorry, very long!)
I love that line "So, I quit my job, and moved with my DH because that's what military wives do, right?"
Yes, I know that frustration. It is hard moving all the time. We've been married 5 years and so far we have moved 3xs. I have been so fortunate in my career/education but honestly, who knows how the next duty station will go? I'm sorry and I can only echo what has been previously stated.
Have you tried your hand at volunteering or earning some type of Red Cross certification?
How frustrating! I'm sorry that the Texas Board of Nursing apparently sucks. You should absolutely not feel bad about being unhappy that you are not able to do what you love. SAH is a great way of life for people who enjoy it, but you should not feel guilty if it's not for you. I agree with the suggestion from PP about maybe trying to find a volunteer opportunity to keep you a bit busy and help with the adult interaction until you are able to find a job that's right for you. Good luck!
What do you mean that's the wrong side? Tastes great to me!
So glad to hear that!
I think if you work for a federal employer you don't have to transfer your license state to state. I might be wrong but we seem to have a boatload of RNs and LPNs at my hospital that have worked all over the country and several have said one of the perks of the federal employment is never having to move your license.
If that turns out to be true you could see if there is a clinic on base or Indian Health Services or a VA somewhere close, any of those could work.