White Shoes

I am sorry that you have had to deal, not only with the stress of learning a new job, but with an unsupportive and critical staff as well. Several years ago, I had an experience with a nurse, who, although we worked opposite days, began to say hateful things about me to other staff members. Since I didn't even know her, this was very upsetting. She even got to the point where she stated to the other nurses that she wanted to hit me in the face. Looking back, I would say that legally I was the victim of harrassment. No person should have to hear of threats to their physical self at the work place. Did anyone else (besides you) hear this demoralizing nurse speak of thoughts of physical violence towards you? I think I would consider filing a grievance against that nurse with human resources, and also investigate more fully if her behavior, would indeed, legally be considered harrassment. (I would investigate this on my own- not asking your place of employment if it was harrassment... they may try to minimize it if you are unsure yourself). I hope everything works out for you. We have all made mistakes. They are humbling, but you took the right steps when you realized what you had done, and you learned from it. That's a lot of what makes a good nurse in the long run. I hope things soon become less stressful for you at work. It adds a lot of pressure when the people you work with are so critical. Blessings, White Shoes

I wonder if anyone sells these from the US? I never saw them before. White Shoes

Does anyone know of a site that diagrams how to apply ace wraps to shoulders? I have painful tendinosis in both shoulders. Applying compression via ace wraps is recommended for tendinosis in general, and works well for further down the extremities... but pretty tricky for the shoulders. I am not able to afford a compression shoulder brace... just wondering if there is anyone who knows of a site that shows how to wrap (without causing bunching under the arms.) I want something for my daughter to be able to refer to as she helps me. Thanks... White shoes

I am taking care of a quad... can move his chin up and down, and speak softly only. He can still feel things, but has no motor ability. It is so hard for him... he was very active before his disease struck. I would like to try to find some information on specialty equipment that would be available for this man to be able to use a computer using just the small amount of movement he has. I think I have heard of adaptive computer equipment that you can hold with your mouth. But I can't find any on the web... so far, everything I find, you have to at least be able to touch an arrow on a pad with your finger. I thought someone here might know of some sites or organizations I could talk to. I would appreciate any information for help I could get to find this man at least a little freedom while he is locked inside a body that has been robbed of so much by this terrible disease. Blessings, White Shoes

its scary to think of our personal info being transmitted through the phone waves. cordless phones do this, too. one day i over heard my neighbor's phone call through my baby monitor! and i had a friend who was talking about something that a neighbor did that got on her nerves on her cordless phone, and that neighbor heard the entire conversation through their cordless phone. :nono:needless to say, the neighborly relationship took an awfully awkward turn. slightly different, but somewhat related... a few days ago i was speaking to my insurance company about a payment. in the background, i could hear another insurance operator repeating a name, personal information and exact visa numbers. i told my operator, and then i contacted the supervisor. they said that the operators are instructed to sit in a certain way in their cubical when speaking so this doesn't happen, but even so, it did happen. somehow cubical- style offices that have open doorways and 6 foot walls don't really give me a lot of confidence that my personal information won't be overheard. you would think that they could enclose them better, but i suppose it would be very cost-ineffective (heating individual cubicals, etc... but still, some things should be considered priority- like confidentiality!) i guess its just another hazard of this generation we live in... potential for identity theft and unintentional (or sadly, sometimes intentional) invasions of our privacy. its good to know that your patient had enough honesty and integrity to hang up and not allow herself to listen into the details of another person's health. blessings, white shoes

I graduated in 1982... back then, we used to use an air-tube system (like they use in the drive through windows at banks) to send our orders to the pharmacy- no fax machines, no computer. Remember the multiple cubby holes above the nursing station- each containing a different lab slip for each separate lab ordered? Oh, and the first time we found out that health benefits required co-pays or didn't have 100% coverage! Nobody was happy with that. How about restraints in LTC? Everywhere you looked there were vests, belts, and "go- betweens" to keep people in their w/cs so they wouldn't try to stand or slide out and fall. I now work in a restraint-free facility, and we hardly have any falls, although I would have never dreamed this was possible when they first came out with the new regulations banning restraints. (We don't use side-rails, either, unless deemed medically necessary for the resident to assist with turning after a stroke, etc. Even then, the rail is more like a very short grab-bar.) I remember our nursing instructor telling us never, never, never use gloves with residents unless they were in isolation because it may make them feel alienated or like they were being treated like they were "dirty" and thus cause psychological trauma. This is a fun thread. It has been neat to read all of the responses. White Shoes

Well, thanks everyone for your input. Here's what I did. Just before I left for work, I called my neighbor. She wasn't home but gramma was. I told her that I was sorry, but for legal reasons I limit myself to only life threatening emergencies as far as giving shots outside of the work environment. She was pretty understanding, and said she hadn't ever thought of that before. Three things had bothered me. One was the potential (although slim) for complications that I could later be held liable for. The second one is that we know many of the people in our little village. I didn't want word to get out that I would do this or any other injections for other people. I know from experience how easy it is for people to assume I will meet their medical needs if I don't put my foot down. I don't mind checking a bp occasionally, but I definitly do not want to be doing invasive proceedures. Third, I just had a real bad feeling about it. Usually when I feel this uncomfortable about something, it turns out that I should go by my gut feeling. So, I just breathed a little prayer that my neighbor wouldn't get too bent out of shape and said no. I'm glad I asked here, too. At least I know I am not the only one who feels uncomfortable about this sort of thing. Thanks for sharing all of your feelings about this. White Shoes

This may seem like a petty issue, but.... My neighbor just called while I was napping.. so I will be calling her back. Her grandma is in from another state and needs her B-12 shot. They want to know if I will come over and give it. I do not feel comfortable doing invasive proceedures out side of my work facility, nor without a physcians' order. For one thing, if something goes wrong (the minute chance of an abcess, etc...) I could be held responsible. I am not comfortable with this, but my husband thinks I am over concerned. "It's just a B-12 shot, afterall!" I can't believe that after 24 years of nursing, this is the first time I have had to deal with being asked to give a shot outside of my work facility! What would you do? White Shoes

I wear an 11-12 shoe... depending on the brand. Do crocs tend to run a little big (or a little small) for their sizes- does anyone know? Thanks- White Shoes

Last night at work we were so busy that I had to wait 4 hours from the time I needed to empty my bladder to when I could actually have a moment to do it! Anyway, I was mentioned my prediciment one of the nurses and she jokingly said we nurses should insert a catheter with a leg bag before we come to work... just so we could survive these busy nights! It got me thinking... what would YOU put in a nursing survival kit??? I thought of: ~my co-worker's suggestion of a foley complete with leg bag ~a year's worth of gift certificates for a housecleaning service because I always feel too wiped out to tackle the house when I get home ~a foot massager Anyway, do you have any suggestions- realistic or funny? I'd love to read them! White Shoes

I started a new job last year. One nurse I worked with swore all of the time when she talked to the other nurses. Not in anger, just in her regular conversation. One day someone told her I was a pastor's wife. She asked me if I wanted her to stop swearing when she was around me. I said, "I wouldn't want someone to expect me to change just for them, why should I expect that of others?" I guess I see it this way...Jesus doesn't expect us to get all sparkling clean before he'll have anything to do with us... I shouldn't expect others to do that for me, either. Instead, I look past the language and to the heart of my co-workers. In respecting them for who they are, I find that they respect me, also. White Shoes

Hi. My husband used to be a corrections officer for a medium security prison. I considered applying for a nursing position there... until one night they had a riot, burnt down 3 buildings and took hostages- which fortunately, some other brave inmates happened to release so there were no innocent deaths. (The few heroic inmates had to be transfered to other facilities for protection of their own lives after that.) No, I wouldn't even consider working in the prison system now. White Shoes

What are your pet peeves in nursing? I'll start: I absolutely hate it when a patient is in full isolation... gown, gloves, masks.. the works and when you try to remind the visitor that these items are needed in order to enter the room, they say, "But the nurse on the last shift said that we really don't need to wear the gown (or gloves, masks, etc...). " Grrrrr!!:angryfire Also, I hate it when physicians enter and leave isolation rooms without taking precautions... and don't even wash their hands. We had problems in our last facility with a few physicians like that. How 'bout unit managers with absolutely no interpersonal skills... who walk away from you when you ask a question and make you feel like she thinks your legitimate questions are a waste of her time? How in the world do they ever get promoted into an overseeing role when they obviously are not even approachable by any of the staff??? Well, thats my list, at least for tonight. What are your pet peeves?

7.82/ hr in 1982 as an RN in a major teaching hospital. 23.00/ hr week days and 34.50 an hour weekends now as an RN at a retirement community. I think it would be higher now, but I took the last 8 years off, so I had to start at base pay. White Shoes

I am a charge nurse and also a part time supervisor of our nursing facility. I am just wondering, first from those who hold an overseeing position, what you have found that you can do that helps promote positive working attitudes among the staff you work with. Of course, remembering to thank those who do a good job is key... but have you found other things that give others a lift and encouragement? And for those of you in a postion that does not involve staff management, what things are important to you that makes you enjoy working together or with the unit manager? What positive things do your charge nurses/supervisors do (or you would like them to do) that really encourage you? We all have a tough job to do... I would love your input in what makes the work you do the most pleasant for everyone. Thanks! White Shoes