I was admitting a patient the other night into the PICU, and the parents were VERY anxious. Rightfully so. Our attending, in an effort to make them more at ease, said, "Meanmaryjean has been a nurse for over thirty years and is our most experienced nurse!"
As is sometimes the case, I discovered that I have been a nurse longer than the parents have been alive. But it got me thinking, so I offer up this thread for you 'more experienced' nurses (and those who aren't if you want).
I'll start off by saying:
I've been a nurse since before there was an internet. Before AIDS. Before Elvis died.
When I went through nursing school, AIDS was still a quick death sentence and was revolutionizing healthcare delivery. Universal precautions had just been invented but glove boxes were just starting to make it out of supply closets. You usually just had a few scattered boxes resting on the handrails in the halls. Learned to always keep a spare pair in my pockets!
We routinely restrained patients without orders, for months.
We routinely gave blood products without signed consent.
We had computers at most hospitals, but most nurses didn't have them at home unless they lived with a techno-geek.
A NICU specific item would be that lower edge of viability was 26-28 weeks (now generally 23-24 weeks).
Specializes in long term care Alzheimers Patients.
I've only been a nurse since 2007, but have been In the medical field since 1973-74. My first real job was as a nursing assistant, before they had to be certified.
I remember once on my way to work (11-7 shift), the highway was shut down. I sat there for over an hour with no cell phone...unable to call work or my husband! Work called home when I didn't show up.
My husband was in the process of loading the kids in the car to come search for me when the traffic finally cleared and I ran to a restaurant to call my husband. I caught him just in time.
I have been a nurse for 22 years.....back when you waited 6 weeks to get results from the Test....there was no 75 questions and the computer shut off. It was 2 days of testing....everyone at once. We used pencils....lol.
Back when we were worried about getting someone "hooked to morphine" that was dying---or worried about shortening their life.
I have been a nurse for 22 years.....back when you waited 6 weeks to get results from the Test....there was no 75 questions and the computer shut off. It was 2 days of testing....everyone at once. We used pencils....lol.
Me too! Talk about extending the agony....
And no pop ups...just a manilla envelope delivered in the mail with the results. Opening that envelope was excruciating!
Let me guess? You expected us to be a tad bit older than thirty-something? :)
I always feel like those who respond with dignity, respect and wisdom must surely be older than I am because half the people my age still act like teenagers.
Elle23
415 Posts
I have been an RN since 1993...hard to believe!
Honestly though, I felt older then than I do now, with a world of responsibility on my very young shoulders.
I am 42 now and loving where I am in life! The whole "culture of youth" that is perpetuated in our society is way overrated, in my opinion!
I love the experience I have gained during the last 21 years as an RN and the person it has helped to make me today.