jfpruitt

Thx so much for your replies. I did want to say that I NEVER get nasty w/ anyone, just not in my nature. & I also never say 10/10 since I'm not in labor or had an amputation. I also RARELY ask for a rx for home b/c I've already got a cabinet full @ home & having a bad exacerbation. For example, the last time I went to the ER was 2 yrs ago when I had broken my lower leg during a seizure. it made NO sense b/c I was going down my hallway & that's the last I remember until the ambulance ride. Luckily, mom was behind me & watched me go down. She thought I was having another Addison's crisis & called 911 . When I arrived, I was in really bad leg pain & was treated like crap. they did an xray of my leg & sent me home! then, 2 hours later I get a frantic call from the ER saying THEY READ MY XRAY WRONG & MY LEG WAS BROKEN!! The MD wanted me to return asap. so, my 2nd trip was entirely different. everyone was nice & sympathetic & then loaded me up w/dilaudid. another prob I have, is that I'm severely allergic to tylenol. not nsaids, toradol, etc, just tylenol. my last pain MD was the worst MD I'VE EVER SEEN! I would set for 8 hours for less than a minute consult. no exam & no questions. I was on fentanyl patches for 2 yrs & was planning on staying on those. my first visit, he discontinued my fentanyl & started me on vicoden! I explained MULTIPLE times how sick it made me. his answer, "give it a try". well, I did, after 2 doses I ended up in his ICU for 2 weeks. I switched pain MD's asap after d/c.

I'm interested 2 know, what kind of pt am I? I am former RN who has been on disability the past 5 yrs & wanted some ER RN's opinions b/c of the recent treatment I've r'd @ my local ER. At 16, I had a pit gland tumor removed causing panhypopit & addison's. I have been on steriods for 20 yrs now. Due to my steriods, I have osteonecrosis (AVN) in all 4 major joints (hips/shoulders @ 36y.o). I've already had 1 hip replacement & now need 3 more joints replaced. Obviously, I am now a chronic pain pt on heavy narc's. My PCP & endo have both said that b/c of my Addison's, the pain could put me into an addison's crisis, & kill me if untreated. I've had one crisis b/f & nearly died. B/f I had a pain mangmt doc, I had multiple visits 2 the ER, but now I haven't been back in 2 yrs. I have multi MRI's, CT's, etc that clearly document my AVN. Sometimes, the ER treats me with great compassion & even admit me overnight, while others, have sent me home crying & ashamed of my pain & dependence to narc's. So, if I came 2 your ER, how would you treat me? Like a drug seeker or like a true pt? & b/c of my Addison's & AVN, does that make everyting different in the eyes of a ER MD/RN?

Hello everyone again. I haven't had time to post much here lately, but do still read the posts and threads. Well, I FINALLY got a call today from the local VAMC in KY. The budget apparently passed after over a year of waiting and they are currently hiring RNs. I did most of my rotations at the VA in M/S and that is where I requested I'd be placed if hired back last year at graduation. Well, my real goal would be to go into the psych unit as I think that was a better fit for me. She asked me today what 'areas' I would consider and I did mention M/S, CCU/ICU, ER, and psych, but emphasized the psych unit. Last year when they had the hiring freeze she did mention that they normally don't start new grads in the psych unit, however, when I mentioned this today, she didn't really say that. So, I'm hoping maybe with the budget and being understaffed, etc, I 'might' have the opportunity to get into the psych unit straight off. But, here is some questions/advice I wanted to get from you all and maybe for those that work at the VA in KY. Do you think I should start off in psych? Or should I get my first year into M/S, ICU, ER, etc for good background nursing than transfer into the pysch unit later on? What did you do? And if you do think I could pull off going straight into psych, what type of advice could you give me in terms of landing the job? What should I emphasize, etc to her in my interview? Now, since it has been a long time, I have been doing research into the VAMC and have heard that the benefits with federal gov't aren't really all that I was led to believe back a year ago. However, I dont know if that is for every VA or just the local one. But I heard the medical insurance is terrible, but yet the vacation (5 weeks straight off), OT, money, etc is great compared to a 'private' hospital. Plus they have the student loan payback program that was a really big incentive for me. They also have many continuing education opportunities so I've heard from many people the federal VA system is the best place to work compared to the private hospitals. I do have some severe (but stable) medical conditions that require good insurance, and I have very good insurance now that I'd hate to leave even if it would be more money down the road. Plus I heard retirement for federal is not as great as in state govt. State is 25 years here with full medical benefits and I believe I heard federal was 30? Anyways, just thought I'd talk to more of you about the ins/outs of the federal VA system and maybe you could offer me some career advice on your end. Hope you don't mind. I know a lot of these answers could be handled with HR, but thought maybe I'd ask you here first. Take care and I hope to hear from some of you soon. Jennifer

Hello everyone again. I haven't had time to post much here lately, but do still read the posts and threads. Well, I FINALLY got a call today from the local VAMC in KY. The budget apparently passed after over a year of waiting and they are currently hiring RNs. I did most of my rotations at the VA in M/S and that is where I requested I'd be placed if hired back last year at graduation. Well, my real goal would be to go into the psych unit as I think that was a better fit for me. She asked me today what 'areas' I would consider and I did mention M/S, CCU/ICU, ER, and psych, but emphasized the psych unit. Last year when they had the hiring freeze she did mention that they normally don't start new grads in the psych unit, however, when I mentioned this today, she didn't really say that. So, I'm hoping maybe with the budget and being understaffed, etc, I 'might' have the opportunity to get into the psych unit straight off. But, here is some questions/advice I wanted to get from you all and maybe for those that work at the VA in KY. Do you think I should start off in psych? Or should I get my first year into M/S, ICU, ER, etc for good background nursing than transfer into the pysch unit later on? What did you do? And if you do think I could pull off going straight into psych, what type of advice could you give me in terms of landing the job? What should I emphasize, etc to her in my interview? Now, since it has been a long time, I have been doing research into the VAMC and have heard that the benefits with federal gov't aren't really all that I was led to believe back a year ago. However, I dont know if that is for every VA or just the local one. But I heard the medical insurance is terrible, but yet the vacation (5 weeks straight off), OT, money, etc is great compared to a 'private' hospital. Plus they have the student loan payback program that was a really big incentive for me. They also have many continuing education opportunities so I've heard from many people the federal VA system is the best place to work compared to the private hospitals. I do have some severe (but stable) medical conditions that require good insurance, and I have very good insurance now that I'd hate to leave even if it would be more money down the road. Plus I heard retirement for federal is not as great as in state govt. State is 25 years here with full medical benefits and I believe I heard federal was 30? Anyways, just thought I'd talk to more of you about the ins/outs of the federal VA system and maybe you could offer me some career advice on your end. Hope you don't mind. I know a lot of these answers could be handled with HR, but thought maybe I'd ask you here first. Take care and I hope to hear from some of you soon. Jennifer

Hello. Well, I called and got the scoop in my area/county from Portamedic. My 3 hr training will be next Friday 3/26 because she doesn't have a centrifuge until then to give me. I just had a long talk with her and she said, as of now, the caseload in my area would be around 20 exams per week at a percentage of 35% per company. Is that about what your getting? Which, for example, she said for Jeff Pilot insurance would be around $26 per exam which includes urine, blood and/or EKGs altogether. The current lady is doing 40 cases per week and they are hiring me to cover half her cases right now because she is pretty much covering 8 counties and I'd only be covering 1 or 2 at most. She said I didn't have to do 20 a week, but, would need at least someone to pick up the slack for 10 exams for this woman because 40 is too many for her. I guess I'm a little nervous about the phlebotomy part just because that is something I'm not really an expert in. However, she said only about half the exams require blood and that most of the time they are the healthy people with good veins and after some practice, I shouldn't have too much trouble. One good thing is that I live in town and most of my commuting hours/miles will be minimal. I would love to keep in touch and see how your exams and paychecks are going and if you think its going to be worth my efforts. Again, being in KY, it may be a totally different caseload and patient population than where you are at the moment. What other feedback have you heard from Portamedic or can give me about the company itself? Do you think % rates or flat rates are the better way to go?

I recently was considered as a Paramedic RN to supplement my FT RN income and haven't really got into specifics regarding wages with the hiring manager. The reason I originally applied for the position was because a RN friend told me that this company paid very well for PT exams for insurance companies. I was wondering if anyone here works for a Portamedic firm and could give me some insight of how much per exam I would expect and if it is good income. I've done some research and some say it's wonderful if you can get a position, while others say the paperwork, etc isn't worth the salary. However, I have been told that some insurance companies pay up to $150 per exam and in my area I could be doing up to 10-20 exams per week PT which is VERY good 'supplement' income. If someone could please give me some insight on the Porta/Paramedical field I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

I recently was considered as a Paramedic RN to supplement my FT RN income and haven't really got into specifics regarding wages with the hiring manager. The reason I originally applied for the position was because a RN friend told me that this company paid very well for PT exams for insurance companies. I was wondering if anyone here works for a Portamedic firm and could give me some insight of how much per exam I would expect and if it is good income. I've done some research and some say it's wonderful if you can get a position, while others say the paperwork, etc isn't worth the salary. However, I have been told that some insurance companies pay up to $150 per exam and in my area I could be doing up to 10-20 exams per week PT which is VERY good 'supplement' income. If someone could please give me some insight on the Porta/Paramedical field I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

I wanted to get some ideas from all of you. I just finished up my preceptorship last week and was really pleased with my new preceptor and the floor I was assigned. Everyone was so nice to me from the LPN's to the CNA's. I wanted to get something nice for both my RN and the other staff. As a RN, what would you like to have as a thank you? I thought about sending over pizza for lunch one day for the whole group, but, that's hard to do with all the different shifts. I thought about flowers too. Any ideas????

I am graduating in May and was recently interviewed at a local VA hospital. They currently have 2 openings. One is in Med-Surg and the other in ICU. The Med-Surg position is about a 6-8 week orientation whereas the ICU position is much longer with classroom orientation alone about 6 weeks. I am a new grad and have always thought ICU would be a great place to go however, I have a few health concerns that keeps me from debating floor nursing. Can someone out there that started in ICU tell me about their decision and how they like it now? As far as physical labor, how physically demanding is the ICU verses Med Surg?? Will I be on my feet all shift in ICU? Or Med Surg? Is the evening's less physically demanding in the ICU? Thanks.

Well, I can't believe all this discussion about RN's and diversion and it was happening right under my nose. I am currently doing my preceptorship at the local VA. My RN that is my instructor was just busted on Friday for diversion!!!!!!!!! He was escorted out by the nurse manager and the police. What a wake up call for me. He really hadn't started working with me yet on giving out patient meds, and maybe now I see why. He was probably afraid I would catch on if I was beside him the whole day.

Wow. I guess it does look like I've posted alot about this subject. Maybe I'm sensitive to criticism and I should have been more detailed in my intent.

3rdShiftGuy I am appalled you would suggest I was becoming a nurse to divert drugs. Joking or not. The reason I've posted before is one of my assignments was to gather information about a paper on diversion. I would hope people on this board had enough sense NOT to post ways to divert. It sickens me to think that you and others think this was my intent. Maybe I'll discontinue Discussion on this board and just read from now on. Ughh....

How big is this problem really? Is it bigger than we think? I am graduating in May and started a 3 week preceptorship on Saturday. My preceptor told me that they had 2 RNs last month that just got fired from narcotic drug diversion. She stated that this is a huge problem that no one talks about. I still can't see how this happens so easy when you have to count and recount the narc's.

I am furious over my most recent clinical experience. I'm in my last semester of school and graduating in May. Our school waits until 4th semester to learn IV's. Well, the "goals" for this semester is to get as much IV experience, practice on all other procedures/shots, and shadow a real RN. Well, my first clinical night with a new preceptor was a disaster. I was assigned a travel/agency RN from NY. This was her 2nd night in a new hospital and a new state. She is given specific instructions to let me do all IV's, meds, procedures etc on this patient. She happily agrees, but doesnt listen. Next thing I know, she's hanging IV's, giving heparin shots, and changing tubing. All these things were supposed to be done by me and checked by her. When asked, she kept saying, "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot". It was as if she resented me being there and just wanted to get the job done without taking time to teach me. Next thing I know, she is volunteering me to give this hemiparetic, 250+ comatose man a bed bath and mouth care. Not that I think this is not a nursing role by no means, however, this is not something I need to learn again. How is it she forgets to teach me IV's, but suddenly remembers I can do a bed bath? I was furious. I learned how to do bed bath's 1st semester and certainly did not need the practice now. So, I essentially spent the whole evening doing "tech" stuff and learned nothing about IVs or the nursing role. Again, I'm not saying bed bath and oral care are not important, however, I need to be practicing procedures and IVs not bed baths. So, I guess my point was why are some RN's so reluctant to teach students and others so great? I felt she was using me to do the jobs she didnt want to do. The other students were doing caths, NG's, etc and I got stuck with a bed bath and oral care. Just wanted to get some input from the veteran RN's out there.

Any RNs here doing that past present or future? I'd be interested to know if its as glamorous as I've heard it to be? :)

Showing up!

For the working CRNAs out there, what do you find to be the hardest cases? The elderly, obese, multiple diagnosis, etc? Or are they all equally difficult to regulate?

Well, I graduated with a BS in Biology with a 3.5, but then when I started my RN, it dropped to 3.2 mainly b/c I got 2 B's in an 8 hour course. However, an A at my school is impossible b/c we are on "honors" scale! I hope the CRNA programs consider that in my admission. Plus, I took some very hard upper level courses also. Plus, I work FT and go to school FT. When I graduate, I'm planning on doing alot of extra work and gain some good referrals from the hospital here. Thats my hope at least!

I'm scared I'll never get in!! My GPA is about a 3.2 now!! :(

For those of you posting. Y_O_U R_O_C_K!!! You make those MDA's wannabe's look like uneducated weasels!!! (esp Kevin) You are so well versed. You are my CRNA Hero hehe...

Thanks for letting them have it Kev!! I was going to post something, but didnt have the words. What jerks!

Hmm..Brett this is the impression I got also, sikofitall please clarify????

After being a RN and earning your Master's, does anyone regret NOT going to medical school? and why? thanks!

that was my question, is all MDs(not just MDAs) arrogant A@@holes??? If so, I'm glad I didnt go to med school....

Bottom Line: MDA's are scared that CRNAs might make as much as them and loose their precious BMWs and power. Please, they could care less about patient care. We are the smart ones for not wasting 200 grand on 9 years of school and get right into what we do best: taking care of others. I hate MDs!!!