robynrn2b

I would LOVE a cruise-but I get severe motion sickness. I get nauseous watching COPS--don't laugh! it's true. I also can't watch home movies-I'll toss my cookies. Airplanes-I have the Dramamine in hand before I even enter the airport. Riding in an RV does it to me too--barf city. I know I can use the scopalamine patch but I'm afraid it will make me drowsy like the Dramamine. Forgot I had taken Dramamine for a boat ride and drank some rum punch in Okoboji--big mistake--can't describe the weird-out of body feeling--but not fun!!

Are you intelligent enough to be a nurse??? You passed your program, Right?? You passed boards, Right???? Then WHY are you asking that question? Please realize that alot of what you are feeling is the depression talking--plus being exhausted from working so much! You cannot expect to be an expert at everything when you have just graduated. Take it from me---you learn 90% of your nursing skills on the job. I too have never started an I.V. But keep trying. Some people are great at it, some not so great! It dosen't have anything to do with how good you are as a nurse. You are taking the right steps-getting counseling and anti-depressants. You are taking control of your problem. Good for you. As for the I.V.'s have you looked into taking a specialized I.V. class if it is offered in your area? See if there is a nurse that you feel comfortable with that is good at I.V.'s and have her help you--maybe go with her when she starts them and see if she can give you any tips. Good luck.

Can anyone give me some tips on choosing a good place for a vacation? I have never been to Cancun, Bahamas, etc. My hubby has and liked Cancun but I would like some more suggestions. Just want somewhere WARM! with a cool beach and neat things to see. Just to relax. Any--like most we are on a budget. Any suggestions from anyone who has stayed at a great place! Thanks!!

I think most surgeons have arrangements if you choose to go to a recovery center. I had my surgery a couple weeks ago (re-do) and they do offer it but.....$$$$$

I would keep track of things that happened, and contact your state board of nursing!!!!!Along with running as fast as you can out the door! YIKES! This is abuse, abuse, abuse!!! The families also need to call and complain to the state!!! Call the state!! This is why these things go on---because people dont report it. Think about it--what would you do if that was your mother or father that was treated like that???? You would report it immediately---right???

I would have him checked as soon as possible. Could be nuthing--or something. You would hate to look back and say, "I should of taken him in."

We do get double time if working and a free meal (not too bad-it's edible.) But for Christmas-a party-though you have to pay for your guests meal! But--better than nuthin-which is what my hubby gets from Hormel.

When I had mine, I was back to work within a couple days. Only took a day and a half off. Wasn't really sore at all. Maybe some mild tenderness at the incision but other than that--it was great!! I've had more pain from tooth extractions!

i truly believe that there are too many occasions where the patient is trying to tell you she is ready to go--i.e. not taking pills, not drinking, etc. There is a REASON why people refuse their pills, food, fluids, etc. Their bodies are ready to go!!! It never fails to amaze me how many try to stop this natural process! I am not saying that every person 65+ who is refusing food/fluids, etc. is ready to die, but too often, I see family trying to hold on to them.

Oooooooooohhhhhh---that drives me INSANE!!! "Well, I normally run about 96., so I should actually have 102 temp. GRRRRRR. Okay, mine normally runs 99.2, so does that mean when I have a fever, I don't have a fever???? Sometimes when I have someone getting smart with me about their care and as they are telling me about how much I don't know, and how much they know, I hit them with a big string of medical/technical language, as if they SURELY should know what I am talking about. I have had a few CNA's, who think they are nurses (nothing against CNA's--we have excellent ones) but some of them who argue with you about how to do your job, I do the same thing to them---bowl 'em over with medical jargon that they coulden't possibly understand--they back down every time.

We have a nurse that drives me crazy, charts, "antibiodic." Since when is there a "d" in antibiotic? Also oxygen staturations. They're "saturations" for crying out loud!

Excelsior accepted several of my credits that were pretty old--10+ years! I ended up finishing my degree with a traditional school, but I never had a problem with my credits being "too old."

I have also heard the new thing is taking excessive doses of Coricidin? (sp?) I believe it gives you hallucinations. Can't remember exactly what's in it, I think phenylephrine??? Just don't understand why anyone would WANT to hallucinate. I never wanted that experience. I was always scared to death of LSD and mushrooms, although my friends thought they were great---never touched the stuff.

I have never tried the forearm thing. My wrist cuff is an Omron and the one I recently bought works better than the cheaper ones. Mine was about 100.00. I have found it to be accurate....but I know other people have had problems with them.

BM= bowel movement DM=diabetes mellitus

Wow!! Thanks for the info. I had my "interview" today and they will be deciding tommorow. I'm a little scared, however of being out of my comfortable "charge nurse" position. Something new is always scarey for me!!! But I guess I will never know if I will like it if I don't try it. I just hope I can learn it all. It seems SOOO complicated.

Absolutely WITHOUT A DOUBT, I would fill out the paperwork, give it to the DON and MAKE COPIES!!!! Then make sure you keep all copies, check with the state to make sure these were filed-I believe you can remain anonymous---and if not--send em your copies and document, document, document. If possible have another nurse present during conversations with the DON. It dosent matter WHO saw the abuse---at our facility--I don't care if it was the housekeeper, cook, nurse, maintenance or a family member of another resident, a visitor, the pizza delivery guy, WHOEVER--we take every report and file it!! No matter what!!! Sometimes there are times when a resident strikes another resident and barely made contact, we file a report----no way around it. Then after you check with the state, I would get out of that facility. I realize you get attached to the residents, staff, etc. but you are asking for trouble staying in a facility that does not take abuse seriously. You don't want to go down with the ship.

WOW! and I thought ours was long when I had to wait about two years.!! Sheesh! No wonder there is a shortage. Have you checked into all programs in your area? Even if you had a long commute it would be worth it/.

Actually we do have an MDS coordinator also so that helps the workload. Usually about 10-20 MCare residents.

Personally, I have been given grief about not allowing people to give MOM without an order. Many nurses and med aids think, why not??? It's harmless. Maybe I'm paranoid, but what if that person is in renal failure (with the MOM) or maybe the person who you want to give a Tylenol supp. to and you only have the p.o. order has some sort of rectal anomaly? I know I am stretching it, but I will not give ANYTHING, OTC or otherwise without a doctor's order. And if I have to squint and hold the order upside down to try and figure out what he wrote, I have no problem with calling or faxing the order to clarify. If the doctor can't write it correctly, then I can't give it correctly.

I know I posted this before but here goes again. In the facility I work, we have a position open for a medicare coordinator. I don't know very much about it, just that it involves care plans, and basically trying to keep medicare patients on for as long as possible for reimbursement, etc. Can anyone enlighten me on what you actually do???? I know there is much more to it than that, but can anyone explain? I would really appreciate it. Any tips?

How long is this going to last? Hopefully it will not be for long, you can complete your requirements and move on. Unfortunately, you made a lapse in judgement and now you are paying the price. But you are hanging in there and for that I commend you. Keep looking. We have hired a few people in our LTC facility who were on probation, so it is not impossible. Perhaps you can speak with someone when you put in your application to explain your story. If you can get a live person to talk to it might help. Or possibly include a typed letter with explanation. It couldn't hurt??

We usually have anywhere from 10-20 Medicare. Usually no more, although I realize that could change at any time. Actually I do work about 20 hours of overtime per check-(10 per week) and have done more, so I'm not afraid of the hours. Just wanted to try something different???

My facility has an opening for Medicare coordinator. I am considering it, but I have no experience working with Medicare? Anyone here who is familiar with a position like that and any hints/suggestions?

Does anyone know if the soldiers in Iraq still need care packages. I hear yes and no. I would like to send something but I don't know anyone personally and you cant send to "any service member." If anyone could answer this or pm me with a name and address, I would be HAPPY to help out.