[WayneRN]

Hello,
I'm brand new to Occupational Health Nursing. I've been browsing for On-line resources and other OHN's to network with. It doesn't seem like there are very many OHN's that visit these boards. If you're out there, let me know.

[WayneRN]

If I reply to this does that make it a discussion so that it will appear on the homepage?

[Crash Davis]

Hello Wayne. Crash Davis here. I'm also in Occupational Health. Have been in it for about 3 years. You are correct in that is difficult to find information. One of the best thing that helped me was to attend a conference about Occupational Nursing. Look around your area to see if there is a Medical Center or Medical School that is providing this. I live in the Southeast and the University of Alabama in Birmingham has several programs every year. Also, Ryan Associates has several offerings yearly, dealing with setup, sales, etc.
What are you doing in Occ. Health in particular? I work in a hospital based program in a very rural area. But always looking for employment in a large industry as the company nurse.
Crash.

[WayneRN]

Hey Crash,
We have a Community College here, but they don't put on any formal conferences on OH. The nearest University is UNM and they are about 187mi away. I was hoping to find more in the way of networking on the www, but pickings are slim. Even at the AAOHN web site, posts sometimes never receive an answer.
I am an on-site RN for a Coal Fired Electric Generating Station. I am contracted through a local Occ.Med. clinic and work with "Loss Control" at the plant. We have a well outfitted (IMHO) on-site clinic. My previous experience was with LTC and Home Health. This is totally new to me, so I was hoping to find some living, breathing, resources on the internet. I have been here about two and a half months and am really enjoying the position. But it has definitely been "learn as you go."

[Sharon]

Wayne,

Many of the OHN’s I know use the BB for specific questions or requests. Because of the 24/7 nature of our jobs many don’t spend time chatting.

I have a list of Internet sites I use for direct information including children in the workplace. Do you want me to post the information?

My regional AAOHN uses e-mail more then BB because more of the nurses have access to e-mail then the Internet. Do want those messages forwarded to you when there are discussion on specific issues?

Most recent ones have to do with use of Peak Flow meters since the asthma death of a suspect at the bench in the federal court system. (The suspect/detainee had been evaluated twice by agency OHN’s in the hour before his death and returned to the proceedings.) The other was a scabies outbreak in LTC and the link to other STD’s and sexual assault.

[WayneRN]

Sharon,
Thanks for your response. It would be very helpful to me if you would post the information on the internet sites that you mentioned. I find it interesting that your regional AAOHN uses email. Mine only has a web site, but it is not current. I will try to email you with my email address so you can add me to your address book. If you could forward the emails on to me you would have my eternal gratitude. I would especially like to have the one on peak flow meters.
What kind of a setting do you work in? I'm curious because you mentioned the 24/7 nature of your job.
Thanks again,

[Sharon]

I will work on the list and post in a new thread in the next day.

I am in a cooperate position in the manufacturing, distribution and retail business covering many states. My position is located in the HR department and my role is the walking talking health /regulatory encyclopedia (which is why I hide in my office at lunch). Actually if it is a problem with a health slant I am consulted by management. Like many OHN’s in my region, I am on the corporate crises responss team. Certain crises I get to handle alone (yippy, skippy do ) like the late night notification of a respiratory outbreak or food borne outbreak, 120 car pile up with our store employees and truck drivers are involved. Direct care is outsource because of geographic spread. But other processes and systems I administer. For example: compliance testing, ID surveillance and control, Federal and State regulatory compliance, disability programs, and identifying future trends in health care and analyst of their impact on the business.

I also periodically offer my services free of charge to small municipal police and fire departments. Which also can tie me up at 3 am.

[WayneRN]

Thanks Sharon, I'll look forward to your next post. BTW, did you get my message?

[Crash Davis]

Sharon, would you mind sharing information with me also?
It would greatlly be appreciated.

Wayne, you might also try UAB web site. To send you info.

Crash

[WayneRN]

What is UAB site?
Wayne <<<<---------(uninformed, not dumb! )