Lfransis

Thanks for the corrections. -I was also wondering about keeping my Texas license, as well. I will only be in La for 1 year, so it's good to know I can go right back to nursing in Tx with out going through the board again.

umm..I don't think this is always true. I am currently trying to get a license here in Louisianna.(licensed in TX) If the nursing school does not meet their standards (certain classes) then I THINK that you have to be tested in their state, as well. This happened to my mother, who went to LVN school 25 years ago. She has worked as an LVN for those 25 yrs and they still wanted her to retest befor they issued her an La license. Here in La the LVN and RN boards are seperate, so maybe it is diff. for and RN. Someone please correct me if I am wronge.

On the floor the other day I recieved a N.O. for Cefoxitin 1gm IM. ( no IV access on pt.) I work in a very small rural hospital;after the Pharm.Tech leaves we often access the pharmacy for our new order meds, etc..our Pharmacist is at our larger sister hospital. My charge nurse and I were unable to find this ordered med in IM form. She did however find Cefoxitin 1gm For I.V. use only. Hmmm, she read the packet insert that clearly said IV only. Then called our Pharmacist. He stated that it can be admin. IM and that the nurses there often admin this IM. We also called the DR. and he stated the same. I was told to go ahead and admin the med IM, but to document what the Pharm. and the DR. said in my nurses notes so that " I would be covered" I was very uncomfortable with this. I am in my first year of nursing. I told my charge in the long run it would be my signature that admin. this med wrongly and refused to give it. I then politely suggested she admin. the med. and sign.She phoned the DR back and 5 min. later the order was D/C'ed. Interesting. So I talked with other nurses: Some said yes they would of given the med IM. Others clearly said No-way. What would you have done?

I would be more concerned with the hour drive, otherwise working in the ER while pregnant is do-able. I am 7 1/2 months pregnant and work ER 2 days a week, then the floor (med/surg) 2 days a week. "You have no idea (nor any control) what kind of patient you will be receiving in the ER." This comment bothers me. No, you will not have any control over what kind of pt you will be receiving in ER, but that goes for the floor as well. I have had pt's on the floor with HIV, Hep, MRSA, TB,umm prisoners.. etc..etc. "Your baby is precious and to put yourself and her/him in that position seems to me foolish." I , myself, am not a foolish nurse/person. Universal precautions should be standard, regardless of pregnancy. You will find most nurses to be understanding of your position. I am not assigned a pt with TB, but will take on an extra instead. As with ER, I have to leave the room when X-Ray rolls in, but most others do to. Of course you are going to have your limits...but I would base my decision on the drive/distance vs. being pregnant. Congrats! and Good Luck!

I'm in my 7th month, now. Wearing one size up draw-string pants below the bump, stretchy tee or polo, and a big lab jacket. Congrats!

Hi all. Although I am working med/surge full time now, I still pick up a shift in a LTC facility 1/wk. PRN, so I working someone else's routine. Last night's 2-10 was a nightmare. Unfamiliar with residents on the station, family complaining of AM breathing Tx not being done, no charting, etc. This could go on, but my main concern/question of the day being..... Say a Resident has meds at: 1600 1800 1900 (mostly Xanax here) Obviously,these meds are all being given @ 1700, with "supper". 1600 and 1800 fall into the time frame, but 1900 does not. So I have alert residents refusing the 1900 med because "they don't get a pill now"( But I went by the mars timeframe) I understand not wanting to be on the med cart all night, but giving xanax 2hours early seems extreme (and illegal?) As a new nurse I am trying to practice good habits, as well as what I was taught in school. I double check residents by comparing the picture, asking their name and having it clarified by a staff member, etc. I am already being classified as "a little anal". Any input? -Lelu

Thank you, everyone, for your stories, experiences, advice, and responses. Reading this thread really has given me a broader perceptive on Alzheimer’s. I commend any nurse with the patience and creativity to care for these wonderful people. I am, however, no longer working LTC. I started on a Med/ Surge floor last week and feel like I am getting a better foundation in nursing (as a new LVN). Alzheimer’s/ Dementia is to be found here as well and I have really utilized all advise offered. Thanks again. -Lelu

For me, it helps to gain confidence in the parents as well as the child. If the parent senses your discomfort, the child can cue from that. As vamedic4 said "let the parents be involved if possible". - Always explain to the child what you are going to do and that yes, it will hurt a little and then it's over. - Have your equipment set-up and ready, befor the child is seated, if possible. They tend to get nervous watching you pull out needles, tubes, etc. This can look even more invasive to him/her. -Befor I uncap I always ask the child to look at the parent. I think the kids invision the WHOLE needle going STRAIGHT into their body. Oh, don't put the tourniquet on too tight, their veins are usualy pretty healthy and easily palpated. Hope any of this helped. -lelu

So I have worked my third day as a LVN in a LTC facility. Orientated for one day then turned loose...on the alzheimers lock down unit. 21 residents. A little scary, but I am fairly comfortable, so far. (should I be?) Mrs. X is driving me crazy. For my three days she has asked to call her daughter to come get her.She is going home, looking for her car, easily agitated,etc. The aides pacify her: "Mrs. X your daughter is at work, you can call her when she gets home from work" " your going home after lunch" This goes on all day. I am new with Alzheimers behavior. I am new at being a nurse. I don't feel good about telling her she can call her daughter to get her "after she gets off work" , or that she is going home. Is this not implanting the idea even futher, possibly even creating a cycle? Any advice/ suggestion?

40? Is that all? As you can see from the posts, no worries, you'll be fine. I just graduated LVN school with an age group from 18-60. I think we all have insecurities. At 30 this is a second career for me. By the time my 18 year old classmates are my age, they will have 12 years of experience....you see where I'm going? BTW, Isn't 40 supposed to be the new 30? :pumpiron: Good Luck!! -lelu

Hi Yarra, I worked for ETMC in Crockett a couple of years ago as a PRN Phlebotomist, before nursing school. If you have had some phlebotomy training why not talk with the Lab. Director at your facility and see if you would be able to work as a phlebotomist. I am certified, but some of the staff was not. I think Phlebotomist make more money than NA's there.(if PRN=no benefits) -lelu

I am currently in nursing school, but worked as a commercial diver for 5 years in the GOM. I am not aware of any long-term effects of multiple decompressions in the hyperbaric chamber. Basically decompressing to (X)ft in the chamber is the equivalency of diving to the same (X)ft in salt water. ATA remains the same. As long as you are following NAVY tables accurately in both scenarios, there are usually no complications to the diver/tender. There are Divers in their 60's w/out notable complications of repetative commercial dives/chamber runs using Surface supplied air and/or Mixed gas thru-out their 20-40yr career.(could be wrong) I have never ran across any statitics on this, but I think I will check into it. Constant fluctuations in the ATA and O2/He02 sats. would obviously mean constant fluctuations in the body. I might would be more concerned about the long-term effects of constant O2 @depth or any other breathing media you might be using, like HeO2. But I have no answer to your question. If your in the Dive Industry, you probaly have visited offshorediver.com You might propose the question to John Roat, an old-schooler. Dive Safe, lelu

I have 3 mths left of a 12mth LVN program w/ no family, husband offshore and a six year old. My biggest tip is ROUTINE BEDTIME. Study after dinner, bath, kids in bed; even if if means getting a little less sleep. Or if you are a AM person, get up befor the kids. and Forget the housework. Do what you can and don't let the messy house distract you from your studies. I designate a small area desk as my "clean spot" This helps. Oh yeah, get a calendar. You can do it. Best of luck.

I am three months away from graduation, LVN. I feel like I should have a general rational behind my questions, but I do not. The ED nurses were very vague in their answers. While working the ED for clinical rotation: 30YO Over dose (poss. benadryl and tylenol) Vitals were w/in norm. while we were performing procedures.(He was a fighter) When pt. came back from x-ray to ED was resting: B/P was something like 84/58. I informed the nurse, whom informed the Dr. Dr. ordered IV fluids to be pushed w/ a pressure bag and a 2cd IV site started to hang another bag of fluids. Question: What is the rational behind pushing fluids so fast? (to flush kidneys?, increase circulating volume?) Also upon insertion of a foley cath, urine was very clear. As the day progressed urine became more colored. Question: Why was the urine initially so clear? Thanks in advance. L.fransis

Thank you everyone for the advise. My husband has told me all along to "not lie", so as to not have to sweat it out. I guess I will call the BNE and ask them , as well. Thanks again, C-

Hi everyone, I have a question concerning the declaratory order. I graduate in August and am sending my petition in this month. In all honesty, I am reporting the DWI that I got over 8 years ago. But: As a minor in high school(13 yrs ago)- I skipped school and went in the home of a friends grandparents and smoked some cigerettes. I was actualy charged with Criminal Trespassing and was on probation for a year. I have called the county about this and they are saying they have no record of this incident and that the records are sealed. In order for the records to be opened someone has to "petition the court". What am I supposed to do? Petition the court? Dig for these records? My Instructors are saying report this. My Mother(an LVN) and others, including the county clerk, are suggesting that I not. Does any one have any information that would help me make this decision by next week? Thanks in advance. C-

Thanks, all, for responding. The info. is encouraging. C-

Hi everyone. I am new to the boards here. I will be graduating LVN school in Aug.06' and sit the boards. My goal is to begin working toward my RN immediately(fall 06). I am currently looking into schools and various programs thru-out Texas. Befor I decided to begin a medical career, I worked as a commercial diver and hyperbaric tech. I have worked with the Coast Gaurd and Army Corps. of Engineers on many projects and have always wanted to join the military. I am quickly approaching 30. My question ( I can not seem to get specific info. from Gov. sites)- Basically need to know; Is it a possibility to join military as an LVN? and then pursue an RN? Thanks anybody, c.sides