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first born, father was alcholic. I am definately the caretaker of the family. like SBE and Lizz I don't speak with my family. Or at least my dad's family. They are all alcoholics His mom is actually quite ill right now and last I heard they just signed DNR papers on her. I kind of have mixed feelings about that. Some guilt that I should feel more than I do. I haven't spoke to them in over 14 years, since my dad died. My mom is wonderful and has since remarried a wonderful man who is a great grandpa to my kids. I have a wonderful husband who knows how I feel about drinking a lot and it is something he wouldn't ever do!! This is an interesting thread. Smoo

Zyban and Wellbutrin are a couple of the anti depressants used. There is also a new one out that is suppossed to be helpful, but I can't remember what it is called, it begins with CH, alot of help that is. smoo p.s. I am also a smoker who needs to quit. I can't smoke at clinicals. I go 8 hrs without a cig and am really fine, it only bothers me if I think about it and even then not that bad. But, the minute I get to my car, I light up and smoke 2 right in a row. Pathetic:o

I have to add my thanks too!! I love this site. I mostly just read, but read it all the time. I check it before I leave in the morning and off and on all noc once I get home!! My husband even knows not to close the window if I have it open if I have to do something else. He is often saying to me, "Haven't you read every possible post on there by now?" lol I am addicted also!! Not only do I laugh till I cry, cry cause it's sad, but I also learn so much!! smoo

I was always taught to rub it in a hairless area. We used the inside of wrist frequently, also as someone else said on the back. smoo

You know, if myself or a family member was going to die without a transplant of some kind and there was another person willing to donate I would take it regardless of sexual preference. I guess I just don't understand. It's sad to think someone's life could have possibly been saved, but because the person was homosexual he couldn't donate an organ to save that life. What if it is a heterosexual who has had an active sex life? Are they disqualified too? smoo

I hope so, I don't know about organized, but can be very anal....lol smoo

This isn't a research paper, it is just about our clinical experience and the patients we see in OR. I haven't actually done the OR clinical yet and wanted to be somewhat prepared when I go into the OR room. This way I can somewhat understand what I am trying to find out. Thanks smoo

Thanks, this helps very much. I couldn't find anything near that detailed in my books. Appreciate it smoo

I need help........What exactly is an ASA rating and wound classification in the OR? I need to write a paper for my OR observation and it is asking me these question. Any help is appreciated. thanks smoo

Heather Thanks for the info. I just recently heard about this from a nurse friend. Currently I am in the LPN-RN transition, so why I am even thinking about another year of school, I don't know!!... You would think I would be miserable enough as it is. lol I will look into more once I graduate this program thanks smoo

Hi everyone, I've been hearing things about an ASN - BSN pod program at IUK. Does anyone have any info or experience with this program? smoo

The LTC facility I worked at had LPN's in ADON positions that supervised the RN's who were floor nurses. They also had charge nurses that were charge of the hall even if they were working with other RN's. Not sure how it is in other LTC facilities in the area. smoo

Old Navy and Wal Mart!! smoo

When I was a mentor I expected a student to have a basic knowledge. Did i expect you to know every disease process, med or what have you? No, I don't know everything myself. But, if you don't know something, then I expect the willingness to learn, and ask questions if you don't understand. Also show an interest, offer to do things, or at least a demonstration, then you do it the next time. There is nothing worse than a new nurse who already knows everything or who expects everything to be done by the book. We try as much as we can, but there just isn't enough time in the day to do every little thing by the book. Hopes this helps some. smoo

I couldn't imagine doing anything else. So yes I do love nursing. (most days) There are days that I can't believe I actually paid money to do this! LOL Mostly, it is the politics that drive one nuts!!!!!!!! smoo

Something I've never understood is ER gets upset when they call and we don't know that particular patient, or haven't rec'd report yet and don't know what is going on, but when I call ER, I have to wait forever and usually go thorugh 3 or 4 people before I find the one I need to talk to re: the pt I am calling about. Don't get me wrong, I understand they are very busy and can see why this happens. It's the same thing when they call us, though. I many not have the emergencies they have, but I have a whole hall full of pt.'s with issues or families with issues. I think it comes from little understanding of what we actually do in long term care. A good friend of mine who was a paramedic, then became an LPN told me once that he thought LTC didn't do anything or know anything, then he worked in one. Needless to say he ate his words. It was very hard for him to adjust to not having a MD around. Not trying to bash, basically just leading up to the fact that I think it is from not knowing what we actually do. (just like I don't have a clue what they do in OB, peds, ICU, ER, etc.) smoo

Joey, You are a true inspiration to anyone. I have cried my eyes out reading these posts from beginning to end. Good Luck starting your job, but you will do fine. I don't think there is anything you can't do. Your dd is very lucky to have you. smoo

I think this was a very wonderful story............although I'm not for sure d/t the tears in my eyes making it difficult to see the screen smoo

I was thinking the same thing.......... Smoo

Our pharmacy has nurses who do IV's if we can't get one started, or place Midlines, etc...also has nurses who come and check our med carts periodically to check for expired meds smoo

Thanks everyone. I will try all those sites out:D smoo

O.K. I remember seeing a thread on here before with all kinds of links to practice math problems. My classes start next week and we are having a math quiz and I wanted to brush up on my IV calculations. Can anyone help me find the thread or where to look. I can't find it........... TIA Smoo

ISTJ here, quite a few of us..........huh smoo

When I first went into the nursing field, my family, my husbands family and all my frientds told me I would never be able to handle it My husband was the only one who backed me up and said if it was something I really wanted, then I would succeed. Everyone else said I was too tender hearted and wounldn't survive. I am still very tender hearted and cry at the drop of a hat, but I am a very good, kind and caring nurse. There are times that it is very rough, but in my opinion, so is everything in life at some point or another. Often times coworkers will laugh and say don't tell her (meaning me) that story or she'll be bawling...lol. I think you can do it if it is something you really want. smoo

I always just say what I'm going to do and give the pt and family the option of staying in or leaving. There have been times, such as one lady who was a very hard stick and a couple people had tried before they called me, that I knew I needed to really concentrate and would do better without an audience, so I told the family that and asked if they would mind stepping out, as I didn't want mom to be stuck anymore than she needed to be. They stepped out, one dgtr clearly wasn't happy, but I got the IV in.. On the other hand as a family member....my grandpa was in the hospital and the CNA came in to do something and next thing I know there is my grandpa naked from the waist down, she had just pulled the blanket down. Well needless to day he was mortified as was I. You better believe I let her have it Smoo