fossil78

Went to Austin, Texas to present my view along with about 100 other nurses from all around the state. Nurses also came from Flordia and California. They allowed each speaker 3 minutes to present their view. 11,750 people answered the on-line nursing survey 92% opposed the position statement. 182 people responded via fax/e-mail/letters 162 against 20 for the proposition 76% RN 18% LVN 6% APN. Approximately 40 people spoke at the meeting 2 for the prop. 38 against. The board said that they would take the proposition back to committee. The board seemed pretty responsive to our concerns...hopefully they will act accordingly. After that meeting i came away with the feeling that if we stick together we can accomplish anything.. This was a proud day for Texas Nurses. We must remain focused... Make no mistake... This issue will be back...Maybe a Joint Commission standard.. Thanks for letting me express my view.. fossil 78

I appreciate all the views that have been generated by the BNE position statement. I will be in Austin to give my opinion on Wednesday April 18th. It will be an interesting day. I hope the nurses get out and give their view, whatever their position. fossil 78

My main focus is that as nurses we determine our profession. You don't see physicians and lawyers with these position statements affecting their profession. I know my working limits and capabilities. I don't want to be dictated the times i can work and my rest periods. I've been a nurse close to 30 years. I've seen may changes...some good, alot bad. Why do we keep reinventing the wheel. We have plenty of regulations/ hospital policies and protocols for everything imaginable that if followed allow for safe pt care. It's when we take shortcuts the problems start. I for one could not survive on my present salary, and raise a family and send my children to college. I make the choice to work extra. I do not want the BNE regulating/mandating my work hours. If this proposition passes I believe it will have major consequences that will be negative to our profession, and the healthcare system. fossil 78

mad as hell: nursing position statement: 15:26 on april 19-20th the future of nursing as we now know it may change forever because of a select few who sit on the texas board of nurse examiners. they will dictate to the nursing profession how many hours we can safely work in a day and stipulate how many days we can work consecutively, and weekly. the silent majority must raise their voices and be heard. in a time when the nursing shortage is widening (over a million vacancies expected by 2012), the average nurse is 50 years old and close to retirement. fewer young workers are entering the profession to fill their places. nursing schools can't get enough faculty to accommodate students. the u.s. bureau of labor statistics estimates that as a result of demand for nurses, nursing will be the fastest growing industry nationwide for the next five years. mandating working hours will put undue strain on our already overburdened health care system. we presently can't appropriately staff our facilities. forcing nurses to work less is putting patients at risk, the very opposite of what your proposition proposes with no solutions in sight. we need leadership with vision not knee jerk reactionist. i'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. i will be in austin april 18th at the public hearing to defend our right of self determination for our profession and future nurses. on april 18th i will be in austin to defend my right to work as a nurse. i believe this position statement to be detrimental to the nursing profession. i have written an editorial and sent it to the houston chronicle (see above). i will represent my colleages and i want to be able to send a message to our staff that can't make it to austin, that i will be their voice. there is strength in numbers. it would be great to go to the public hearing and tell them that i have 300 nurses against the proposition. i need your support and guidance in this endeavor. a dedicated and proud texas rn. fossil78

mad as hell: nursing position statement: 15:26 on april 19-20th the future of nursing as we now know it may change forever because of a select few who sit on the texas board of nurse examiners. they will dictate to the nursing profession how many hours we can safely work in a day and stipulate how many days we can work consecutively, and weekly. the silent majority must raise their voices and be heard. in a time when the nursing shortage is widening (over a million vacancies expected by 2012), the average nurse is 50 years old and close to retirement. fewer young workers are entering the profession to fill their places. nursing schools can't get enough faculty to accommodate students. the u.s. bureau of labor statistics estimates that as a result of demand for nurses, nursing will be the fastest growing industry nationwide for the next five years. mandating working hours will put undue strain on our already overburdened health care system. we presently can't appropriately staff our facilities. forcing nurses to work less is putting patients at risk, the very opposite of what your proposition proposes with no solutions in sight. we need leadership with vision not knee jerk reactionist. i'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. i will be in austin april 18th at the public hearing to defend our right of self determination for our profession and future nurses. fossil78 i need your support and guidance in this endeavor. a dedicated and proud texas rn.

Actually i have worked the weekend double shift for 15 years. My advise to you is to get a good pair of walking shoes, and good ted hose for support of your legs. I wouldn't trade for a 5 day a week job. Also you don't have to deal with administration. Sometimes you feel left out of the group, but i don't party with the people i work with.

There is no difference in talking to a stranger in a store than it is in a hospital. It's only your perception. Putting on that uniform does not change who you are. In my years when i was a student the patients were thrilled to have a student nurse take care of them. They knew the routine better than i did. The patients would tell me how it was done and how to do it. They actually made clinicals enjoyable. To have a good day in clinicals my recommendation are: 1) get all your supplies and uniforms out and ready for the am the night before, make sure they are clean and the shoelaces new. Make a list and check it twice. 2) review your assignment before you get to clinicals. 3) Make notes for yourself and write them down and keep them with you (filecards etc). It's ok to look at them, It might even impress your instructor. 4) Get up early the day of clinicals... eat and leave a few minutes early. Get to the hospital early and review your assignment in case things changed. 5) be prepared for the unexpected. 6) take a few deep breaths and wiggle your toes, release that extra energy.7) You control your destiny.. Take charge... you'll be glad you did.

In texas to become a crna they want you to have a least one years experience in critical care. The schools are very competitive, they take 7 applicants a year and usually 2-3 dropout after the first semester. the program is 3 years and very stressful. You can forget about a full time job. You might be able to work during there semester breaks, but don't count on it. The pay is about $130k per year. It's not for everyone. I've looked into it but couldn't afford to be out of work for 3 years. Pushing gas is not my cup of tea. I'm happy in icu.. Good luck to you if you choose to become a CRNA.