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Okay, I'm headed back into nursing after a five year sabbatical, and would like to hear from my allnurses siblings the changes that have taken place in nursing over the past five years?
Well, I began my Nursing career in 1997. Back then, you weren't guaranteed a job (at least in MY area of the country) as the nursing shortage hadn't yet hit. I think that staffing was a little better, because Clinton's Medicare reform hadn't taken place yet. I've noticed more computerized technology in use. Such as my hospital doesn't send up hard copies of X-rays anymore. They're available on-line now. I do all of my charting on computer now as compared to when I started out and charting was pretty much still being done by hand. I hope this helps you Renee. Basic nursing, though, in my opinion hasn't changed.
Well, for one thing--when I started out in '96, there was a "glut" of nurses. A lot of hospitals, units, nurse managers tended to treat the nurses (especially new grads) with low respect (the "dime a dozen" mentality). Now, due to the nursing shortage (er... I perhaps should rephrase that... the shortage of nurses WILLING to work in hospitals), I have noticed a bit more respect and flexibility. Some places are still diehard, hopelessly set in their ways. A lot of places have changed for the better. Even the doctors seem more respectful. I have also noticed that salaries are much better and opportunities for new grads in specialty units (such as ICU's and L & D) are becoming the norm, rather than the exception. One more thing--this "contract mentality"--didn't seem to be around 5 years ago. Now, new nurses are signing onto a unit for the bonus and working out their contract, and 18 months to 2 years later moving on!!! No retention!!!
Where I work, we are now moving into totally computerized referrals, lab and radiology orders, etc, and most results are available via computer . We now have , as required by law, needleless IV systems, and self-sheathing needles for IV starts and injections. We are now in the 3rd nursing shortage in my 20 years as a nurse. (That part seems to be cyclical.) If I think of other things later, I add... In what area of nursing are you looking?
One change I've noticed is that the patients are so much sicker and more complex. Pts that would have been in an ICU are now on telemetry, often with a combination of multiple critical drips, fresh MI, peri-dialysis and who knows what else.
The technology has changed....that would be the biggest obstacle to leap after 5 years. Everything else that has been said is true.....But its still nursing... and your skills and caring heart are welocome back!!!!!!
well, dilute your IVP phenergan-- 25 mg to 9cc NS
and give it separately from your IVP demerol--which should be diluted to a 5ml NS per 10 mg demerol
Is that the kinda stuff you wanna know?
Why separate...haven't heard that...sometimes l mix both in a 50 ml bag and mini drip it in......so what's up with this separate deal...they are compatible.....spill the beans sleepy, this is new to me....thanks......LR
l don't see a lot of great technological changes in past 5 yrs, also, l think it depends on the specialty, and the institutions vary too. In the ER where l work, the nurses have a lot of autonomy and a great deal is expected from us. It is not unusual for the RN to start a line, draw blood and possibly order some prelim test or tx prior to MD seeing them...we have some guide lines and standing orders of course...but l think they give us a tremendous leeway compared to my previous employer....lf l drop a line in an abd pain and it isn't used...no biggie......former employer's ER docs had a lot more ego to deal with. Expect more responsibility and higher pt loads...also where l work, the RN's are expected to do some of the things that the ancillary depts are usually responsible for at other facilities....lab draws, ekg's ortho proceedures etc...sometimes we don't even have a transporter or NA....expect to be all things to all ppl.....good luck and welcome back....AND..l still hope you change your mind and come work with me.....at SH....really nice ppl and atmosphere...even compared to the Big House.....pm me if you would like more details......LR
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What things have changed in nursing since 1997???
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