HotSpam

Wow. This really trips me out. Appears some of you are debating. I would like to point out something. Debating a point is only effective when the participants are defined. One is usually anti- while the other is pro-. The topic up for debate needs to be clearly defined. Then points are raised and equal time is alotted each side. Statements made need to be based in fact and therefore, accepted by the opponent. There is more to consider but this is the basic layout for a real debate. What we have here is a free for all. It is infuriating because much of what is being said is off base, without support, and more emotional than intellectual. Let's just chill out and be nurses. We can sympathize with each other and be there for each other. We can help each other with advice, and comfort after a long shift. We can tell our funny stories, and laugh. There will always be opponents. We are all opponents. Abortion rights vs. murder, LPN vs RN, ADN vs. BSN, Nurse vs Doctor, administration vs staff, good vs bad, and me vs you. Some of us are smart as a whip. Some of us are compassionate. Some of us are burned out. Some of us are young and idealistic. We are all here though. We have all chosen to read these words, and write these words. I am as bad as anyone at becoming furious, and at provoking fury. Tonight though I am feeling good. Do you? HotSpam

Wow. This really trips me out. Appears some of you are debating. I would like to point out something. Debating a point is only effective when the participants are defined. One is usually anti- while the other is pro-. The topic up for debate needs to be clearly defined. Then points are raised and equal time is alotted each side. Statements made need to be based in fact and therefore, accepted by the opponent. There is more to consider but this is the basic layout for a real debate. What we have here is a free for all. It is infuriating because much of what is being said is off base, without support, and more emotional than intellectual. Let's just chill out and be nurses. We can sympathize with each other and be there for each other. We can help each other with advice, and comfort after a long shift. We can tell our funny stories, and laugh. There will always be opponents. We are all opponents. Abortion rights vs. murder, LPN vs RN, ADN vs. BSN, Nurse vs Doctor, administration vs staff, good vs bad, and me vs you. Some of us are smart as a whip. Some of us are compassionate. Some of us are burned out. Some of us are young and idealistic. We are all here though. We have all chosen to read these words, and write these words. I am as bad as anyone at becoming furious, and at provoking fury. Tonight though I am feeling good. Do you? HotSpam

Devils advocate... While it is true that the ANA does not represent LPNs and holds BSNs in higher regard than ADNs I do not think that is a bad thing. One of the biggest underlying efforts of the ANA is to represent the BSN as a professional nurse. Even though the core of thier efforts does not concern the ADN or LPN a lot of their efforts trickle down to help the LPN and ADN. This includes the efforts regarding staffing. My opinion is if you are a LPN or ADN you need to realize the ANA isn't really your most compatible advocate. That doesn't make them bad though. The ambiguity of their name shouldn't really be in question - that is like suggesting Playboy should be name Playman, or whatever. Just let the ANA do it's job and if it doesn't fit your agenda then join another org that you feel represents you better. I mean I am a white man but I do not choose to join the KKK, ya know? Besides, if you want to get picky... The bachelors degree has long been considered the lowest common denominator of the white collar worker. Many companies only hire individuals with a four year college education. In nursing we have a nice advantage that we can get a 2 year degree at a community college and still earn a decent living. I think we should count our blessings. If you want to feel more like a professional it might be worthwhile to attempt to get a BSN. By the way, before I am called an elitist. I am an ADN. I realise if I desire to continue growing my resume and have security in my field I should get more credentialing and a BSN. If, when, I do, I would hope that sacrifice and dedication is rewarded. I think it is pathetic to hear LPNs saying they should get the same recognition as RNs and ADNs should get the same recognition as BSNs. It may be difficult to go back to school for more education, but that is a different story and not the fault of the industry or those who have done it, even if it was easy for them. Perhaps I am an elitist though. I do enjoy golf. :) HotSpam

Devils advocate... While it is true that the ANA does not represent LPNs and holds BSNs in higher regard than ADNs I do not think that is a bad thing. One of the biggest underlying efforts of the ANA is to represent the BSN as a professional nurse. Even though the core of thier efforts does not concern the ADN or LPN a lot of their efforts trickle down to help the LPN and ADN. This includes the efforts regarding staffing. My opinion is if you are a LPN or ADN you need to realize the ANA isn't really your most compatible advocate. That doesn't make them bad though. The ambiguity of their name shouldn't really be in question - that is like suggesting Playboy should be name Playman, or whatever. Just let the ANA do it's job and if it doesn't fit your agenda then join another org that you feel represents you better. I mean I am a white man but I do not choose to join the KKK, ya know? Besides, if you want to get picky... The bachelors degree has long been considered the lowest common denominator of the white collar worker. Many companies only hire individuals with a four year college education. In nursing we have a nice advantage that we can get a 2 year degree at a community college and still earn a decent living. I think we should count our blessings. If you want to feel more like a professional it might be worthwhile to attempt to get a BSN. By the way, before I am called an elitist. I am an ADN. I realise if I desire to continue growing my resume and have security in my field I should get more credentialing and a BSN. If, when, I do, I would hope that sacrifice and dedication is rewarded. I think it is pathetic to hear LPNs saying they should get the same recognition as RNs and ADNs should get the same recognition as BSNs. It may be difficult to go back to school for more education, but that is a different story and not the fault of the industry or those who have done it, even if it was easy for them. Perhaps I am an elitist though. I do enjoy golf. :) HotSpam

kjmta57 I know of such a place almost. It is a heart center in Miami. The patient room are very sweet too, like nice suites. Very exclusive. Good, Good pay but you have to be really on top of Cardiac care and look good in a uniform. Yada Yada. HotSpam I won't enter my fantasy cause you all would just think I was lazy - lol

When you consider the lewd remarks he (and others) makes regularly about lawyers, presidents, etc., I chalk it up to just lewd comedy. I'll give you that it paint us in a bad light but: Lawyers get it with both barrels for being slime when I am sure their professional org is made up of upstanding professionals. ALL presidents get drug through the mud with any device possible. Some of them just make it easier than others... Blondes get it hard, always have... PETA is continuously made fun of although they take themselves very seriously Surgeons are cast as tantrum throwing rich spoiled toddlers with a God complex. It goes on and on. Stereotypes will fuel comedy as long as they exist. As long as men think nurses are sexy(at least in fantasy) they will talk about them in that light. Today, even though I know my patient respects me as her nurse, she made her little joke. She got a call and was on the phone while I performed a dressing change on her abdomen. She says,"Well my nurse is working on me right now, so I am doing REAL good - giggle." It was meant in fun but sexist. Such is life. I think we have bigger issues than to complain to the comedian to play nice. We all need a thicker skin. Lawyers are thought of, in general, for being very professional. Perhaps, in part, that is because you never hear of them crying for the jokes to stop. My 2cents HotSpam [ May 03, 2001: Message edited by: HotSpam ]

I know I used to get that a lot too. I still do occasionally with hospice care. I have to say though I am glad you say you deal with it politely. Often people do not know how seriously the industry takes confidentiality. It disgusts me when I hear a nurse being short, curt, and matter-of-fact when someone calls for an update. They also don't know just how busy nurses are. I still call various hospitals regularly for info on patients I am going to see for hospice and ask for faxed info. Often the nurse on the floor will spill it right there on the phone without a second thought. tsk-tsk HotSpam

Looks like a heck of a career leap to me. More closely related to those in agriculture or genetics. But what the hay (pun intended:-) Good luck. I wish I still had the pioneering spirit... HotSpam

I have been a nurse for 9 years. I've been lucky to have a good range of experience. I'll give a couple good gross-out examples before I reveal what really turns my knobs. Pulling over 10 rolls of kerlix slowly out of a chest cavity with an opening just big enough to squeeze my hand into was fun. Of course you normally don't really need to put your hand into a would completely, but in this case the kerlix kept getting caught on bone fragments. This wound care followed having the right lung removed and becoming abscessed. Repacking was nice too. Not generally considered gross I find I have a hard time watching a c section. Something about slicing that taught belly. I have attended two abdominal aortic anuerysm repairs. Those 10cm clotted arteries look nasty but don't send me over the edge. I like wounds and events that are a little grosser than normal to help distract me from the tedium of daily routines. So the occasional maggot infested wounds, pack around the bone decubs, lareg yellow/white tumors popping out faces involving eye socket thru to chin - are really cool with me, even though they are gross. I could go on and on, as we all could. To get to the point - 2 things in my career have mildly traumatized me. (3 including the c-section) a bone marrow biopsy at the bedside without anesthetic. Drilling that woman's hip- eeeewww. Second wasn't at work. I was driving to the hospital to pick up my wife and newborn. An elderly man was riding a little rascal against the traffic right next to the busy road. He slipped off the curb and fell over into the path of a pickup going about 40mph. I pulled over and attended his death while we waited for paramedics to arrive. That sight and feeling is still with me. HotSpam