raemcclain

About a month ago there was an article that kept showing on my computer.EOout and help all of you who are putting yourselves in harm's way. My nursing days are over , but my heart is with all of you. I would love to know who that CEO was, and what he is thinking now! Nurses are the backbone of the hospital. As an instructor said,"there wouldn't need to be hospitals if there was no need for nurses!" I pray you all are safe. I know you are working horribly long hours without adequate rest and food. Please be careful! Retired nurses like me, care about you every day. CEO's have no idea what nurses do! Maybe this pandemic will change their minds. Marilyn

Always look at the patient first! Is the kid acting like he can't breathe? What is his color? Is he flailing his extremities? Unable to cry?? All the above are great suggestions. usually something simple before the complex issues will resolve the problem. My friends who worked in the ER said the greatest sound in a pediatric ER is crying!!! I always remembered that. I loved peds but they are not tiny adults. They have separate physical issues. Throat collapses easier. Unable to tell us they are in distress until they are really in distress so we need to keep a close eye on them. Especially for things like RSV, croup, bronchiolitis. Things that seem 'simple' but in an infant or young toddler...not so. Or the asthmatic that is not well-controlled. Maybe parents do not understand the importance of preventative care at home, or have issues with cost of meds. Sounds like I am going too far, but I am not. If the latter issues are present, treat the immediate problem then contact Social Services for further help. Pass it on to the next shift and continue to follow up until you are satisfied that all issues are solved.

I was always so proud of my diploma! I even got a 5-year pediatric certification, nurse status in my state. Much to the chagrin of all the little angels that went after clinical ladder...of which I was refused over a technicality in how my packet was put together...not what I had actually done for the hospital in 10 years. When I was forced to get my BSN to teach, I hated every minute of the ridiculous on-line courses. What a joke! I got the certificate from the university. I don't even know where the certificate is! I will never display it...it means nothing.

Can't say it any better than what is written above! I, too, had over 3 decades in nursing of all sorts. I loved it. I was so proud of what I had accomplished. I was forced to obtain a BSN, on-line....biggest waste of money! And I will be paying it off until after I die. Yes- a good diploma nurse, who learned about nursing by being on her feet and having instructors that knew more than just textbooks, is what is needed. Along with nursing CEO's, managers, whatever, that will risk THEIR JOB to fight for their staff! If hospital management does not listen, then nursing heads roll!

Does anyone remember the birthday party for a 90-year-old RN who was STILL WORKING IN THE OR??? Age is a number...I agree that discrimination for experienced nurses happens. It also is due to facilities not wanting to pay what experienced nurses are worth.

IS THIS GUY NUTS??? Wonder what kind of work he did as an LPN and for how long! No disrespect for LPN's...but their responsibilities are not as stringent as an RN who is responsible for everything in the unit. I taught LPN's. I know what they can and cannot do. Many LPN's know as much or more, sometimes, from being on the job for many years. But, legally, they do not have the responsibilities of an RN. And the DON who says it won't pass ILL, is just sitting on her paycheck! Make it happen, lady!

Yes - to the 'graduate in May'. It is very normal to feel anxious about entering the med-surg world. You really LEARN the first year on the job. After that, you know what you can do and feel more secure. You will always learn on any job - even bad ones! I swore I would never do trachs, but wound up on a unit that had a trach unit with it. I despised it until I learned how to do it, then I loved the challenge of helping someone breathe! It also is 'great to have on a resume'. Don't ever sell yourself short of any skill. It takes time but all skills are needed to be a good nurse and you sound like you want to be one! Good luck!

It is assault and battery! He had no right to do that..sick or not. Since nursing is still almost all women, we are taught as children to take and take and take. nursing reinforces that because we are to care for everyone and not make judgements. BUT - there is are laws to protect us. We need to use them!' I am so sorry this happened to you but you should not just step back and take it. None of us should. The facility needs to protect its staff...not sure that many of them see that as their responsibility because they work nurses to death. Please take action against this patient so it can set a precedent for other nurses.