shastacicuRN

Yes, it is possible. I got married in the middle of nursing school. We only had a small wedding. We got married on a Friday evening, after, I had taken an exam. We went away for the weekend and I went back to nursing school on Monday morning. That was 27 years ago.... so it is possible. Best of luck to you!

Other than a Med-Surg review course, where would I get an online review course or a book to study for the Med-Surg exam. Is there a formal book with the type of questions they ask on the Med-Surg certification exam? Thanks...

Yes, my director did say I could go back anytime. So we will see how it goes....Thanks....

I also work in Critical Care and will be transfering to a Medical Unit, soon. I have been in Critical Care for almost 4 years. I also worked on a busy PCU for years.. I know some of my co-workers will think that I'm crazy to go to a Medical Unit. But I look forward to the less critical patients, even tho I will have more patients to care for. I realized, and lived my dream of working in Critical Care and did just fine, but I also discovered, that I wasn't really suited to it and didn't really like the mental stress of critical care and what was involved (Codes and complicated lines and the physical stress of pulling sheaths, and not having enough help to turn heavy patients). For almost 4 years, at the end of day, I would thank the Lord that most of my patients survived, and that I had also survived the day too! So, I am ready for a different kind of adventure and have no regrets. I have been a nurse for 26 years.

Great article! I am getting very burned out after many years in Acute Care. Not enough staff to cover for breaks. More and more hoops to jump through. Nursing has changed alot over the past 26 years. Trying to find something different. I wonder if that will help the burnout.....

Congrats deeDawntee on getting your CCRN!!!! I just got back from the CCRN review with Laura Gasparis V. this week. It was great! She was so funny too! I am going to take my time studying and plan to test in the Spring of 2008. Too much going on during the upcoming holiday season to study seriously. Will keep checking in!

Congrats deeDawntee on getting your CCRN!!!! I just got back from the CCRN review with Laura Gasparis V. this week. It was great! She was so funny too! I am going to take my time studying and plan to test in the Spring of 2008. Too much going on during the upcoming holiday season to study seriously. Will keep checking in!

With an infiltration, I have used a warm moist compress around the affected limb. Wrap a plastic bag around the moist compress to keep it warm longer and elevate the limb only slightly. Change the compress as needed, until the edema has gone down. Usually charting about the infiltration is sufficient. No need to call the M.D. I agree with frequent checks of the IV sites as a preventive measure.... but you can't always do that if other emergencies come up unexpected.

I am planning on going to a seminar that Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio will be conducting in Northern California this September. So far, I haven't gotten any material, but plan to buy the Vonfrolio DVD and book. I am interested in the David Woodruff material too. I am really looking forward to getting started on studying for my CCRN! I have been in the CICU for about 3 years now. This is great to have some other feedback on others interested and that have already taken and passed the test! Thanks!

I am planning on going to a seminar that Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio will be conducting in Northern California this September. So far, I haven't gotten any material, but plan to buy the Vonfrolio DVD and book. I am interested in the David Woodruff material too. I am really looking forward to getting started on studying for my CCRN! I have been in the CICU for about 3 years now. This is great to have some other feedback on others interested and that have already taken and passed the test! Thanks!

I suppose what keeps me going is 1st of all my faith in God to get me through the day. I PRAY contantly all through the day! I am always thankful that I survive yet one more shift at the end of my day and that my patients(most the time) survive too!! Also, it is that one or two special moments with a special patient or family that really needs you or that you connect with. Or a nice or rare pleasant comment from the difficult doctor. Or the one shift out of 20 that was not as busy and was pleasant... that helps with the next 20 bad days.... just think about the little positive things that happen. Also, a day or two or more off always helps me to get destressed. For some reason, I keep coming back after all these years. Zantac and antianxiety meds might help some too...

I agree that it is very difficult working 12 hour shifts and having a schedule that varies every week and with only one or two days off at a time. Especially with night shift. You do spend most of your time trying to catch up! I couldn't catch up either eventually on nights. After about 6 years on the night shift, I had to go to the day shift. I was so exhausted. Going to day shift really helped. But as I get older..some 12 years later on days.. I get exhausted from the days too... and need a few days to recover as well. The 12 hour shifts are good in some ways, but there is also a price to pay... as the body wears out with the longer hours.

12 hour shifts are the best way to go for me. If one has to work full time, then why not work only 3 days a week. I get really tired, but I do enjoy having many days off in a row.:)

Our hospital has had a union for the past few years. It has been an Open Shop with nurses having a choice as to being members of the union or not. Now a new contract was passed and it is now a Closed Shop. There are alot of nurses that have been there for many years and some don't feel comfortable joining the union. My question is, with the nursing shortage... can the union force the hospital to fire nurses, that don't join the union? On the membership form that they sent to all the nurses, it states that the nurse would be seeking membership in the union and it would be voluntary to have dues taken out of a paycheck. Then, can they force nurses to join a union???? And can they force the hospital to fire nurses that have been there for many years? Just curious.....Thanks for your input to my questions.......

Yep, Melotonin and earplugs.....keeping active and exercising on my days off.. helps... but yes, after a stressful and busy day, it is hard to shut off the mind to sleep.. and when the sleep does eventualy come.... it is only a few hours, and time to get up and start all over again... rest mainly arrives on my days off.... I can sleep so well when I don't have to work the next day!