jprn05

I would not recommend school nursing as an "easy nursing job". It's is not all booboos and bandaids. You need to spread yourself pretty thin. Between sick kids, not so sick kids, irate parents who yell at you because you called them at work, irate parents who yell at you because you didn't call about a not so sick kid, Special Ed meetings, 504 meetings, health plans, medication administration, irate teachers complaining because you didn't dismiss a child with a mild cold, special meetings with staff that are constantly interrupted because of a not so sick kid, staff trainings, packing meds for field trips, legal matters involving a child, chasing down immunizations and physicals, hearing, vision, bmi and scoliosis screenings, and of course the recess booboos and bandaids. I totally agree about talking to your psychiatrist. I can't think of any nursing job that is not stressful. Best of luck to you

Hi All, I am curious to know what you all think of this situation: Can a facility force a part time nurse to stay past their time. This is not a hospital, it is a psychiatric residential treatment facility for children. Management refuses to hire a night shift or per diem nurse, and apparently are trying to manuver the evening shift nurses (all part-time) to avoid spending any money. Evening shift hours were already changed, without input from us. They told us that they had a contract with the "state" that says nurses will be there until 11pm. Now, their reasoning is, that if an admission is planned to come in by midnight, the evening nurse will stay, do the admission and make a pharmacy run to the 24 hour pharmacy that is 20 minutes away from the facility. Again, not a hospital, no pharmacy on site and no full time evening nurses. There is no union. Is this an unfair labor practice?

Hi! I have worked in pedi psych in a residential facility now for over 2 years. It was and still is a great learning experience for me. I still use all my med surg skills except for IV's. We are constantly assessing the kids for physical as well as mental issues. Psychotropic medication has many side effects that warrent constant monitoring. We have many children with diabetes, chronic gastro issues, many children are returned to us post surg within hours, we even are responsible for daily neuro checks on many of our kids. We take orders, we give medications, vaccines, and even do heights and weights and vital signs. Pedi psych should be a separate speciality as far as I'm concerned. It is good that you have experience dealing with children with behavioral and emotional issues. You will laugh, you will cry and you will learn just how strong children really are. I wish you good luck, and welcome to a great nursing speciality.

Hi All, Sorry I didn't forget to answer. My co-workers and I have decided to present as a united front against mandatory call. We have no problem covering for each other, but to force us to take call during the night is too much. If they want a 24 hour nursing staff they should hire one. My co-workers all agreed that for all of us to take call whether we have different situations or not is not what we signed up for. I guess the issue is getting properly staffed in the first place. We all understand that job descriptions change, but it seems staff nurses must always pickup the slack. Miranda, I guess you hit the nail on the head. By the way Happy Mother's Day to all.

for one thing, they hurt when you lay down on your side, which is how I sleep. One thing I didn't mention is I need to have behind the ear aids. So they can get tangled in hair and be pulled out, be rolled on, or fall on the floor. They are very sensitive. If they drop, the wires can become loose causing painful loud feeback whistling. They can ususally be fixed within a month, so you are at the mercy of the dealer and hope they have loaners for you to wear. If one is broken, there is 1/2 a chance out of million that you would get another to match as a loaner. Sometimes, when the sound doesn't match in each ear, I get dizzy. I don't know about in the ear aids.

Good point, thank you. I'd like to thank everyone for their input. I know that I am very sensitive. Again, thanks for your suggestions.

I did get some good suggestions, that's true. But in all honesty, I really do not want to purchase any more special accomodations. I guess that is the bottom line. The stethoscope was extremely expensive, my aids which I purchased over 5 years ago cost over $2500.00 back then. People don't realize how expensive this equipment is. I didn't get insulted over that suggestion. I just don't think I am in need for some of this stuff, just because a new on-call policy has been put in place at work.

that was for one of the posts before yours. (lovemyjob).

do you have any idea how expensive these items are? I didn't mean to imply that I am destitute. I am not rich, but I also do not think that my situation should make me go to an org that helps people who really do need these items, such as elderly people, or maybe a family with a deaf child. i think you are totally out of line. Maybe you should go investigate another thread and look for inconsistencies. I didn't start this thread to be insulted or start an arguement. I think your comments are very insulting. These posts are supposed to help, not to make the thread starter feel worse.

I think I am just getting frustrated. My employer knew I was hearing impaired and that my hearing aids are my connection to the world. So not only did they say that was not a problem, they also assured me that it would not be an issue as I have an amplified stethoscope and I read lips. Maybe a better way to handle this would have been for my manager to take me aside and discuss it with me before telling me it is mandatory. I understand job duties may change, but I feel like I am being forced to make a decision to leave, or make changes that no other staff member would have to consider. Some of these devices require special wiring, and they are pretty costly. This is a nursing home, and not a very wealthy one. Well, I think it may be a good idea for me to find a job with a union.

I am not married. I was trying to make a point.

A phone is one thing, but having your bed shaken is another. Geesh!!!

Why should my husband be disturbed? Get a bedshaker??? Sleep with a cellphone in my pocket, I don't have a pocket in my nightgowns!!!! This is crazy. If I didn't have this problem call wouldn't be an issue. I am not looking for a way to get out of it. I can't believe some of the responses I have gotten. I appreciate the time taken to answer this, but I see that most nurses seem to have an issue with nurses with disabilities. As I said, I was told upon being hired that there would be no on call responsibilties. I am not poor, and would never apply to an organization when there are people so much less fortunate than me. But thanks anyway. I can see that nurses with disabilities only cause problems in the workplace in some of your opinions. Better to have a nursing shortage huh?

I chose this job because I was told there would be no call. I hear nothing without my aids, and night call is mandatory when I spoke to my manager. It is a guarantee that I will not hear the phone. My ENT wrote a letter stating that fact and that wearing the aids to bed could cause them to break, or cause injury to me. I am not in a position to buy all kinds special aids, such as blinking lights, vibration devices, or a hearing dog to alert me to the phone while I am sleeping. If that is required, then I think it is time to move on.

Congrats on a great decision. I went right into pediatrics after graduation. But, I would suggest getting your BSN. Also, if you can work in a pediatric setting while you are going to school, that would probably help you get placed after you graduate. Best of luck!