Aunt Bytes

sorry about that title! i was just trying to get your attention. you guys, i honestly really need some help! what does a nurse do when she is also the patient? i'm talking about being a cannabis consumer. yes, me. no, i'm not a pothead. and no, i'm not an "impaired nurse." and yes, i know when i am impaired, in the same way that i know when i'm impaired from alcohol. what i am is a grown woman who learned the truth about the therapeutic properties of this wonderful god-given herb and chose to act on that truth. and miracles upon miracles, the [color=white][evil][color=white]anxiety[/evil] that i have felt my whole life was suddenly gone! i could actually think about what i was doing instead of just reacting emotionally to everything. finally, at 40 years old! i didn't even realize it happened until the cannabis "wore off" and all of a sudden i was right back to being "stress girl." as if that wasn't enough, i have also discovered the increased spirituality that comes from being able to turn off the chatter in my head and actually listen to what my spirit had been shouting for so long. wow! i do feel a little guilty sometimes because i used to be that girl who had no tolerance for "potheads" and was militant in my views concerning these things. i was a dare mom, for crying out loud! but i guess it only matters what i do with this knowledge now. that's why i'm here on this forum....asking for help. i have a bsn and am licensed in the state of alabama. (definitely not a progressive state!) and yes, the board of nursing knows about me, so there's no need to run and tell. is there room for me in the nursing profession? it would be a crying shame to keep me from helping patients just because of the wronglful illegality of the medicine that helps me the most. i actually believe that the increased spirituality that i have attained helps me to be a better nurse! i know that you don't know me. but i am a real person who is asking for help. and i don't know where else to turn right now. who would i ask about this kind of thing anyway? thank you in advance for your help. truly, brenda

Yes, there are vitamin and herb companies with zero to no ethics. That's where we come in as nurses. Just do some research yourself on these companies and let your patients know which ones to steer clear of. And I do agree that some kind of regulation needs to occur with vitamins and supplements. But botanical herbs? Come on! Every herb can make a health claim. This action would regulate all herbs. Even simple herbs like oregano, rosemary, lavendar, etc, etc. Also, under the new guidelines, you would need a prescription for a heating pad or even one of those head massagers everyone has now. They also added deodorant/anti-perspirants, makeup with SPF protection, and dandruff shampoo to the list! Unless you are Big Pharma, the FDA is not your friend.

this is insane! you won't believe it, but the fda is trying to regulate everything that makes any sort of health claim! alert: fda attempting to regulate supplements, herbs and juices as "drugs" http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_4803.cfm fda regulators using legal trickery to kill alternative procedures and products http://www.democracyinaction.org/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_key=7185&t= the implications of this are widespread. all it will take to completely ban anything is proof that it has health benefits. that means that once the government "scientists" figure out that water "treats" dehydration, all bottled water will be regulated as a drug. if you are one of those unfortunate souls who still believes that the united states government has your best interests at heart....i'm sorry to be the one to burst your bubble. now "buck up", get out those pens and start writing those letters! here's the letter that i pieced together from the article to send to my congressmen here in la. (that's lower alabama for ya'll that don't know!) thanks! reverend brenda shoop, bsn, rn

Yes, it gets better. I felt the same way in clinicals. Like I was an imposter! I actually couldn't believe that patients trusted me to do things to them! Don't they know that I don't know anything? This is the way our clinical instructors made us feel. Stupid. Then came the preceptorship during my last semester. That's when all the pieces dropped into place. I finally felt like a nurse! I knew most of the answers, didn't feel stupid for asking questions about things I didn't know, and loved the patient interaction. (all in a level 1 trauma center!) So, yes there is hope for you too! Good luck and keep your chin up!

Yes, it gets better. I felt the same way in clinicals. Like I was an imposter! I actually couldn't believe that patients trusted me to do things to them! Don't they know that I don't know anything? This is the way our clinical instructors made us feel. Stupid. Then came the preceptorship during my last semester. That's when all the pieces dropped into place. I finally felt like a nurse! I knew most of the answers, didn't feel stupid for asking questions about things I didn't know, and loved the patient interaction. (all in a level 1 trauma center!) So, yes there is hope for you too! Good luck and keep your chin up!

All the suggestions so far sound great. However, I found that if I am using latex gloves I sweat like it's July in New Orleans! (all over my body):flamesonb That's how I learned that I have a latex "sensitivity". (those yellow protective gowns do the same thing) Try using synthetic gloves for a while and see if it makes a difference. You might be surprised! Let us know how it goes, Aunt Bytes

Can I get a big AMEN to that!!

I am steadily searching for a travel nurse agency to sign up with, and found Medical Express. Does anyone have experience with this company, and how has it been for you? I read the info on their website, and the company sounds good to me, but advice from experienced travellers would be optimal. (I'll be working as an ER nurse somewhere in Hawaii!) Anyone? Thanks, Aunt Bytes (future RN- July!)

Hi! I've given alot of shots in my time, and I and tell you this. If you give an IM injection quickly, it doesn't hurt as much. Also, if you use a different needle to "draw up" the med then change to a fresh needle to "give" the injection, it doesn't hurt as much. This is because when you puncture that rubber cap with a needle to draw up, it dulls the needle a bit. That's what makes it hurt. Finger sticks are always going to cause discomfort. Patients know this, that's why they "cringe" when it comes to accucheck time! But, you know what?.... this is your job. When you go to the.... oh, lets say "dentist".... you know that the shots in your mouth are going to hurt. But you don't hold it against the dentist, do you? Your patients are not going to hold it against you if you are putting a needle in them, and it happens to hurt! If it really concerns you, ask your instructor if she will do an accucheck on you. Then you can see what it feels like. Then maybe you won't worry so much. You are going to have to do things to people in your career that are going to invariably cause some degree of pain. It's just part of the package. But, far outweighing the "pain" you inflict, is the healing you provide. Please focus on this, and not the "maybe I hurt him, maybe I didn't" stuff. Girl, you are going to drive yourself crazy if you don't get a handle on this soon. Please don't worry, Your patients seem to love you and that's a great thing! Hope this helps, Aunt Brenda