cathiek

I agree night shift does not suit everyone and have also experienced feelings of frustration because of how the rostering works I have been placed on night shift. How safe is it anyway to have a nurse caring for patients and making drug calculations and administrating IV meds when they are exhausted and stressed because no matter how hard they try they cannot sleep during the day. It got to the stage for me(even though I loved the work I was doing and enjoyed all the challenges that an acute surgical ward offered) that I found a position that required no rotating shifts at all and at present have ladies hours of 8-4.30 mon - fri. Unfortunately due to my husband now transferred to another city I am in the position where I once again have to look for another nursing position - not difficult to find work as even here in NZ there is a real shortage but to find one that has hours that keep me sane. Anyway have an interview at a nursing bureau where you can choose own hours so heres hoping

I always wanted to be a nurse - i trained as an enrolled nurse when i was in my late teens - being to young to commence my registered nurse qualifications. i always wanted to go back to nursing but had kids husband etc and there never seemed to be any time. When i was in my mid thirties my marriage ended and i became a single parent of 4 children aged 6 to 14. this in itself was a life changing experience and the responsibility of having to provide for these 4 kids for an indefinite period of time spurred me on the go to as get my bachelor of nursing. I completed my degree and was an A student, my kids and I survived the whole experience relatively unscathed and are now reaping the benefits. I now work as a nurse manager with regular 8 - 4 hours evenings and weekends off. so i say to anyone no matter what age you are go for it - the road is hard but the end result is worth the tears

I think advanced directives are a good idea no matter what age or yourcircumstances are. Not one of us knows what the future holds. I have left very clear instructions for my family about what i would like done in a given set of circumstances when i can;t speak for myself and also what i would like for my funeral and also where i would like my ashes spread. I don't think this is morbid but from my perspective takes the onus off my family. not that i plan on dying for a considerable length of time and if family genetics are anything to go by will be around for about another 40 years at least

In new zealand CNA's are called healthcare assistants. they are fabulous and do an amazing job. the facility i work in would not function if it was not for these healthcare assistants

I am a registered nurse and practice in new zealand. I find it difficult to understand how morphine can be prescribed as 5mg till pain has gone - in new zealand this would not be an accepted prescription as it would have to have an upper limit that could be given in the included in the prescription. however like i said i don't practice in your country so am not aware of what the protocols are there. i would be interested to know though anyway if i feel that a prescrition is wrong or i am not happy giving it i go straight to the doctor concerned cos' at the end of the day it is my registration on the line and after all doctors are humans and not gods and therefore at times need their errors pointing out to them tactfully if you can get your message across or less politely if you feel they are not listening