TrashPanda

"They charge folks billions to tell them to go to meetings which seem to have little lasting effect that are free. A complete non-scientific scam based on some old, dead drunk's "vision" from god when he was going through DTs. Beyond ridiculous." I could not have said it better myself. The "vision" portion was my favorite because you know that is EXACTLY what happened. *Insert censored, shortened version of laughing really hard that is also a band that sings trendy club songs*

Dear Spanked, At the beginning, I was required to attend 90 meetings in 90 days. It took me a couple of weeks, but I found one that annoyed me the least. After the initial 90 days, it was three meetings per week. I was required to document meeting attendance online (RecoveryTrek), but I was also required to keep a paper copy (with signatures) in case attendance was ever questioned (thus far, it has not been). Once I hit the two year mark, I was told that I no longer have to complete a monthly meeting log with Affinity (the new check-in Nazis) and I am still required to attend meetings, but I am allowed to decide how many meetings I go to in order to maintain my clean/sober status (I'll give you three guesses how many I have attended and the first two guesses don't count). Did the meetings do anything for me? They signed the paper when I asked them to. Period, end of story. Did they ask me for money if I had it to give? Every time I entered the door. Did I have an offer for a bump, hook-up, and any other drug/booze/sexual jargon you can think of? Every time I walked in the door. Quite possibly the most non-therapeutic, filthy, smelly, "spiritually" worthless...well, you get it, but I'm done with this nonsense in 10 months, 8 days, 6 hours, 24 minutes, and 53, 52, 51, 50....seconds.

Ruby Vee had me at focusing on the nurses for once and not the patients...

I should have clarified that the two major hospital systems here specifically cite the reason for requiring a BSN (and subsequent push for masters preparation) is their Magnet Status. I still have my email from three years ago that says, "In an effort to..." Magnet may not have that requirement, but (some) of the hospital systems do. Those three letters can sure have an impact on calls for interviews.

Two words: Magnet Status. Around these parts, to even be considered for employment, you must have a BSN and most of the hospitals have told their ASN/ADN's that if they do not have their BSN completed by 0000 on 1/1/18, they no longer have a job as a nurse in that hospital. Many are now pushing for MSN.

Wait...cutting the LVAD wire is a bad thing? Oops! My bad

I received this a few days ago: TrashPanda, You have one year to go in the program!! Since you are up-to-date with everything, your program gets modified in two ways. First, there will be decreased selections for drug testing. You still need to check in every day, but the frequency of the drug testing will be reduced. Second, you no longer have to submit Meeting Logs. You still need to attend meetings, but you get to decide how many you attend to maintain your sobriety and you don't have to report it, if you don't want to. You still need to submit your monthly Self Reports, Prescription Updates and Quarterly Updates. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Congratulations! (Name of Case Manager) TrashPanda will be done with this costly nonsense in 11:4:15:03 and 10, 9, 8, 7...and I do hope they have enjoyed this petty torment.

The hairy legs are priceless! Love this!!

"I guess I have "thin skin" but yikes this is not the kind of work environment I want to be in!" Then before you waste any more time or money on a profession that is obviously not optimal for you, I would suggest you change your career choice. I guarantee you will not find a unit that is devoid of individuals that do not appeal to your need for continuing compassion and endless warm fuzzies. I would suggest Zen garden sand tray raking.

Popped my first one today with this new system. My CM is pretty cool. Doesn't seem to get too tightly wound around the axles about things. I sent her a message about the flubs. She returned a message that said they know and it is being worked on. This next 11 months, 18 days, 11 hours, 43 minutes, and 10...9...8...7 seconds cannot go by quickly enough.

Here is the consist of my A&P notes and I passed with an A triple plus in both classes: 1. Toe bone connected to the foot bone, foot bone connected to the heel bone, heel bone connected to the ankle bone, ankle bone connected to the shin bone, shin bone connected to the knee bone, knee bone connected to the thigh bone, thigh bone connected to the hip bone, hip bone connected to the back bone, back bone connected to the shoulder bone, shoulder bone connected to the neck bone, neck bone connected to the head bone. 2. On Old Olympus' Tip-most Top, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops

DFW here. Been in for two years. I have never been called for weekend cup duty.

Yep! I got an envelope in the mail with directions on how to sign up on the Affinity website and dig through available testing sites. Looks like it does not go into effect until September 1st. It also looks like they have contracted with multiple sites now and not just Quest (Care Now, Any Lab Test Now, Lab Essential, ARCPOINT Labs, Concentra, University Medical, AccuTrace, EMSI, and Assure Testing-these are the closest Fort Worth testing sites to me). It would also appear they have contracted with multiple sites that are...you guessed it...open on the weekends (insert your own assumption here)! The Affinity website looks easier to maneuver than Recovery Trek, but the testing sites also list prices and if you can pay the site directly while you are there. Some of the collection sites are cheaper ($20 for urine) and list prices for hair, nails, and blood, too. If the site you generally visit for collection is not on their list, there is a form you can send to them and have it added (if it meets their requirements). The site I've tested at since I started this was listed, so...winning!(?) I got myself into this mess, so I will refrain from waging any complaints. Honestly, it just looks like more hoops and redneck noise to shuffle around. I am counting these last 376 days, friends. Just another reason to utter, "Our father, who art in Heaven..." through gritted teeth and clenched fists. Best wishes to you, Ash2213! Let's finish this time in recovery purgatory and GTF on with our lives :)

383 days left for this old lady! Congrats Blondie!

My longest wait on an Option 1 was 10 days. Quest can be slow as molasses sometimes. Keep your chin up!

Did anyone ever hear the answer on this question?

As a nurse who has 383 more days to deal with the Texas BON, I can tell you this: 1. Wacky Jacky and the bull malarkey club band just bought you a trip (possibly) and a lot of correspondence (guaranteed) with the folks in Austin. They will not care about your record of 24 years of spotless nursing and you need to be very, very careful about what you submit to them in writing without legal counsel. 2. Retain an attorney immediately and do not send anything to the board without prior counsel from that attorney. 3. When you speak with anyone at the board, be gracious and courteous at all times. Acting like a jerk and spouting off will not go over well. Unfortunately, there is no innocent until proven guilty in this situation and the spotlight is already on you. Do not give them a reason to want another curtain call. 4. I do not know what your situation is, it is none of my business, but if you have a recurrent problem or even an occasional had a bit too much fun at a party or out getting breakfast tacos, I want you to remember this when dealing with the Texas BON: since you refused to test, proving you are clean and sober is going to be very difficult. 5. If they do what they normally do to folks in this situation, be ready for 3-5 years of being under their thumb, radar, and scrutinization everyday. You did not refuse the board, but you did refuse your employer, and according to the Texas BON, Section 301. 410, they were required to report you. That is why you received that letter. Like not.done.yet, I cannot stress enough your need for legal counsel. I sincerely wish you all of the best! The 'Ol TrashPanda

I had mine done in Dallas in '15. It was $350.

"...why would you do this at your age.." Your answer to that is, "Why WOULDN'T I do this at my age?" When I began seeking my masters in nursing education, I was a bit long in the tooth, worked 40+ hours per week, full time husband and minor child. Be prepared for reading, writing, and reading and writing some more. Be prepared for APA format. The 6th Edition Manual and APA The Easy Way were my paper-writing bibles. Time management is the key! Believe me that what you desire is attainable and can be done! You sound like a lady on a mission! Yes, you will get tired of reading. Yes, you will get tired of writing. Yes, you will be...tired...Always focus on the light at the end. It gets brighter with each day that passes and I can assure you, the rewards and the accomplishment are fantastic! As shibaowner said: be prepared for multiple types of assignments. Quizzes/exams are typically through a lock-down website that requires you to take exams on cam. There will be group assignments and discussion boards. I had to complete teaching assignments on cam and then upload them. It was intense, but doable! Keep your focus, keep your edge, and keep up! You will do fine! Congratulations on your decision!

He laughed at you. So what? Brotherly love. Move on.

Wait...this happened to you during clinical rotation and you DIDN'T discuss this in post-conference? When your clinical instructor asked you, "Well, did anything exciting happen with your patient today?" what was your answer? "Not much. Just morning meds and therapeutic communication."

Interesting! I learn something new everyday. LOL!

It is posts like these that make me smile. In our program (during the Stone Age), we had two choices: Nurse Mates and SOS. They had to be all white, leather, and lace up only. If we had tried to wear Converse or white PF Flyers, we'd have been booted home. Wear what your program tells you to wear.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a palm vein reader? Congratulations on the pass! You put in a great deal of hard work and it paid off!