berniemcr

No visitors under 18 and none with s/s of cold/flu

I work in a child/adolescent unit --so don't ask me "what do you have to do to hook up here, I haven't been having too much luck at home" My favorite though was out of the mouth of a 13 yo "you can't hook up with anyone here--think of your children!!" Gotta love it though--job security!

I live alone and have had the situation brought to my attention by a co-worker. Since then my rolodex phone card has the information of: no show/no call, please call and the phone number of one of my son's who lives closest to me. It made all of the sense in the world things happen to people every day

I will be 60 years old next week and have been licensed since 2/14/05 at 57. It wasn't easy but it was the best thing I have ever done. As far as I know, you can be licensed at any age. Lots of luck--it's a trip!!!

I just finished psychiatric nursing; current trends in diagnosis and treatment for 30 contact hours at westernschools.com for $39.95 on-line. I had wanted to print out the info because it was informative but read it on-line and finished the tests first. The problem is that once I submitted my tests, the info was unavailable to be printed. It was interesting and easy though.

Both of my daughters were over 14 yo when they got their period. They were also very athletic which I had thought was the reason. I wouldn't worry about it at this time, but if she has any other problems related to this then see a doctor. How does she feel about this? My eldest daughter lied to her friends that she had her period because everyone else had it. My younger was thrilled at not getting it and actually cried the day she got it because she kept hearing what a pain it was. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Harrassment by unit assistant manger I have been working on a child/adolesent psych unit for nearly 2 years after becoming a nurse at the age of 57. From the start I had trouble with this manger-being dressed down in the nurses station, being told how she discussed me and my newbie errors with other nurses and being told that I esentially did nothing right. She made the statement many times in front of me " I will NEVER hire a nurse fresh out of school again" I had an ally in another nurse close to my age who had gone through the same thing for the prior 6 years with this manager and who tried to assure me that it was not us but that this manager did not like new older nurses. I like my work and like most of my co-workers so I have managed to stay because I only speak to this manager when I absolutely have to and have no other conversations with her. It seemed this was working but today I am ready to lose it. I was called into the upper manager's office today and expected her to speak to me about a minor matter with a borderline girl which I explained and took full responsibility for as a error on my part. She did this but then proceeded to tell me that I was accused of speaking in front of an IA investigator about a pt conversation which included me speaking of "(censored) hairs". I stated I have never used that word in my life and said I was telling my co-worker who had not been in for several days of a pt who in speaking to her grandmother alleged "there are public hairs in the food". The upper manager continued to stae that an IA investigator was in the room which was false. I now have a one month (and one year total) final notice. This is a malicious lie because the manager actually thought this was the IA man but it was actually a security guard who is often on the floor who had to speak to the IA man as did I over a different incident in which I was only the med nurse. I am not allowed to discuss this with ANYONE but when the manager was leaving tonight I said"did you actually think that was an IA investigator" She has to have made the connection and know that I know who made the accusation. Co-workers have advised me to call the upper manager tomorrow and insist that be removed as It is a lie. I have also been advised to document harrassment which I have started to do. Anyone ever go through this? What did you do?

I was 57 when I graduated in 12/05. I must admit that it took me longer than my younger classmates to find a job. I have been working in a child/adolescent crisis center since 4/06. The funniest thing I found was in my second interview when on of the people interviewing me stated "your age will not be detrimental in this job--your life experience will be what you need." I didn't even think they could mention the word age. Psych is good when you are older because although there are takedowns, it is not the same as having to move a 300 lb person q 2 hrs. So much of what I do is talk and listen. Good luck--I am happy I did it.

Psalm--I certainly don't think wishing for more time with your pet is stupid. I love the "Rainbow Bridge" story that speaks of us being greeted by our loving pets after death--wouldn't that be wonderful? There were times in my life when my family was fractured and my children and I couldn't talk about all that was bothering us. There was anger, hurt and pain. Through this I found that one of our many pets would do something silly and we would all laugh. We couldn't talk-but we could laugh together. My grown children and I have spoken of the importance of those times. Laughing would always lead to some talking. I have had and still do many dogs and cats in my life and I miss them all when they are gone.

I have so often wished Ihad one more day or even one more hour. If I could chose only one person it would be my eldest daughter who died 5 years ago at the age of 29. We were estranged over her life style but she knew I would help her when she was ready to change. I know she wanted to--she sent me a card a week before she died and told me she would be well soon. I just really want to hold her one more time and tell her how much I loved her and how sorry I am. If I could be greedy, I would ask to see my Dad who died 13 years ago and sank into a coma so fast that I never know if he heard me say good by. Also, my Mom who died 8 years ago who had had a stroke and who seemed to appear angry with me when she realized she wasn't going to get better in the rehab. I think back and realize maybe I could have brought her to my apartment and had caregivers for her but although she couldn't speak and I was unsure what she understood, I think she thought she would get better at the rehab. Long and rambling but a subject close to my heart with what I would do with "one more day". At my pinning I thought of them and how proud they would have been that I became a nurse at 57. I really miss them.

I was an insurance agent for most of 25 years ( still do it part time) mixed in with a lot of waitressing, bartending and a newspaper delivery person ususally multiple jobs at the same time. There were 7 years when I was a stay at home mom for my 4 children as well. I became a nurse nearly 2 years ago at the age of 57 and have worked in a child/adolescent crisis unit ever since. When this population is good it is very good and when it is bad it is horrid. Never boring though.

I can see what a hot topic this is and as a nurse who works in a child/adolescent crisis unit would like to add my thoughts with what I have seen in my past 1 1/2 years. First of all, NO ONE disputes that there are actually children who have severe behavioral/psychiatric problems. Hearing that doctors brag at the speed with which they diagnose them, however is scary. I have seen children come in out of control, watched the parent/child interaction, watched them medicated and have seen some amazing turn arounds. There are many cases where medication is needed and allows the child to develop. I have also seen the multiple admits who are on many medications who change not at all. I have also witnessed the child/parent interactions and left with no wonder about what the real problems were. The children have bragged to me that if they acted like this at home they would get what they want. I have had a parent totally imersed in the fact that her child had not showered that day when the 8 year old was completely out of control--punching and scratching staff any chance he got. I have no doubt that there is a genetic factor to all of this. I have no answers but I continue to be intrigued why some children in a family are affected and some are not. I want to also say that the unit I work on does not prescribe medications for all children. There are some that have issues that need to be worked out through family and individual therapy that can work amazingly if everyone is receptive. Sometimes the kids just have to have a safe place to explore how to resolve their issues. I know I have given a two-sided opinion, but I continue to think that we, as a society, are too quick to medicate our problems away. How many people go to a doctor and insist they need an antibiotic for a virus. We think if we take a pill we will be OK. I believe there needs to be more vigilant overseeing of the doctors who would prescribe potent medications to 2 and 3 year olds. There are no long term studies of the side effects of these medications. There are usually no bad parents--just some who could use some help.

I work in a child/adolescent Crisis Unit and census drops fairly predictably--ie summer/holidays. We are called 2 hours before shift if we are not needed to float to another unit and given the option of being cancelled. They cannot cancel a full-timer only per diem. When you know the census is low, you can circle yourself to be called 1st or 2nd-but this is only if they don't need to float anyone. It ususally works because someone wants to be cancelled. We have gone to work to hear that someone has to go home and usually someone says yes, but there have also been times when everyone said no and we work with an extra person. They don't like it but so what? We have the option of using vacation time or taking it unpaid. Once or twice they have realized they shouldn't have cancelled and called someone back but the person usually doesn't answer the phone or says no. They do not make you sit around by the phone after being cancelled. Sounds like I have it pretty good. I wouldn't be able to stand being cancelled and told to sit by the phone.

Where I work it's the same as previously stated - no more than 16 hours in 24, unless there is an emergency--ie heavy snowstorm, then you work 16 on 4 off 16 on etc. You do get paid for the 4 hours you sleep though.

To answer the last 2 posts--I passed my boards in 2/06 at the age of 57--this is a second career for me and this is my first job out of nursing school. My prior experience was as an insurance agent for the past 25 years. I had done some volunteer work in crisis intervention hotlines and hospice, but had no experience in a crisis intervention unit or in social work. At my second interview, I was told "Your age will be an asset here as well as your life experience". I feel sometimes that I am more of a MOM and my experience there covers raising 4 children. Presently on the unit is a little 5 year old who calls me "Grandma" which I also am. There are days where I don't want to go to work--I just get tired and want to garden or lay in the sun, but overall I feel blessed with this job. There are occasional "take downs" but they are few and far between with a lot of help. I plan on doing this job until I am unable to work any longer. If you wish to PM me, feel free. By the way I work in northern NJ. Bernie