Bozo180

Good for you, frappa^ for asking the questions. It never ceases to amaze me just how quick some nurses are to jump down the throats of their own kind. Remember, we were all students once and I have no doubt that you all, like me, asked the occasional "stupid" question all in the name of furthering your own knowledge and hoping that one day you would make a good nurse. KRVRN - it's refreshing to see somebody else defending their own trade/profession. Frappa^, you've learned a valuable lesson...... nurses are one of the most vindictive groups of people out there in the working world. Another lesson for you......the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

I couldn't agree more with Stormy. I commenced my post-graduate work in a busy Trauma / Burns ICU. I found this to be a massive learning curve and gave me the chance to hone in my assessment skills and general pathophys knowledge. I've since worked in theatre, AnE and in remote settings and can thank my time in ICU for much of the knowledge I've gained. Also, in my experience ICU has a greater number of nurses and doctors who are willing to teach you all the little (and big) things which you don't have time to learn in uni/college/school. As long as you recognise that one ventilated patient can take as much time to care for as 6 patients in a surgical ward you should be fine.

As an Army Nurse, I work in an organisation that prides itself on its standard of dress. Indeed, any violation from this standard is dealt with harshly. Over the years, this has become a way of life for myself and my fellow workers. Over the Christmas period just gone I worked in the ICU and A&E of the local teriary hospital in order to gain some more "hand-on" prior to going on deployment. Whilst I found this work both enjoyable and rewarding, I also found it incredibly frustrating. A big factor in this frustration was the lack of self discipline exhibited by the regular staff as evidenced by their standard of dress. It was not uncommon for staff to rock up to work with ripped clothing, wearing t-shits advertising alcohol and tobacco products, messy hair and literally arriving straight from being out partying all night. Whilst they did not look the part, I must add that their clinical skills were always above board. I believe that a big part of our job is to gain the trust of the clients and their family. In this case, first impressions count for a lot. It takes 5 minutes out of your day to run an iron over your clothes and brush your hair. That 5 minutes will save you 30 minutes in proving your skills to a sceptical client &/or family. Anyway, that's just my opinion.....