headin'there

Hi LunahRN! I remembered my original sign in name and have logged in as that instead of 'mrsrite', but it's all me. I am attending Pikes Peak Community College. I took some pre-req's in Phoenix while I lived there (been in CO for a little over 2 yrs. now) and am continuing to hack away at them here. I'm loving the Psych class this semester; it's all about the life cycle. Very interesting...Also, taking some Math this time around. Hope you have a good day! Renee :wink2:

The more responses I get, the better I feel. I sure appreciate all of your good wishes. The prayers and all are working as Grandma is out of ICU and looking much better. She was transferred to a hospital 25 min. away to have a 'scope' procedure done and then most likely surgery. When they got her up to the new hospital and the GI specialist took a look at everything, my dad was told that surgery would kill her and they are not going to do the scope either. I don't know too much more because my dad doesn't ask much so he 'doesn't make waves' and my mom stays away from the whole thing pretty much (as a team, those two successfully drive me crazy - Ha!). I'm armed with the docs' name and number as of tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I can find out a bit more (like what the course of action is from here and how long she may be in the hospital, etc.). Have a Wonderful Rest of the Week You All!! Hats Off to Ya! Renee :)

I've been lurking around more than posting for the past two years that I've been a member and tonight just proves what I've already observed...you guys are the best! As far as him needing to do an initial assesment...good idea, but not very likely since she had been in the ICU almost 20 hours at that point (you do only conduct an assesment in the very beginning of the stay, right? Not at every shift change, I'm assuming). She also has dementia and is so weak she can barely talk. I can't imagine that anyone would think that she would give consistent and proper answers anyway, but who knows? NeuroICURN...your thoughts and prayers are sooo appreciated!! I understand what you are saying about the 40/60 thing. I won't quote you! Ha! I'll also follow your lead and not do that when I'm a nurse either. CCU NRS Grandma is VERY dehydrated, so I'm going to go with your thoughts on the 'nervous' theory. It just didn't sit well with me so I'm glad that I could come here and get some opinions worth hearing. Thanks a ton! Renee :)

I appreciate your quick response! Do you have an opinion on the second item I mentioned? The 40/60 'thing'.... Renee :)

Hello All! I'd like to draw off of your nursing experiences if I could please. I'm not far enough into my nursing education to be able to answer these questions on my own. Any and all replies are greatly appreciated! My grandma was admitted into the hospital yesterday. The nurse that needed to draw blood from her arm today asked me and my dad to leave the room so that he could do so. Is it normal for a nurse to have family leave the room for such a normal procedure that doesn't require patient privacy? He also said that it would be about 20-30 minutes. Is it my imagination or is that a really long time to draw blood? Also, the doctor told my parents that my grandma has a 40/60 chance when she has the surgery she'll need. When doctors/nurses give odds such as that, is the first number given the chance of survival or death? I'm assuming that it's survival, but wanted to ask some pro's since I wasn't there to ask the doctor myself. Pre-Nursing student signing off... Have a great evening!! Renee :)

Hello! My favorite hospital is John C. Lincoln. You can check them out at http://www.jcl.com. Also, try these two sites to find out more about AZ living: http://www.azcentral.com http://www.arizona.com Good Luck! Renee

It sounds like you are quite the determined one! Payson must be a great place to live, but would tend to make things difficult in a case like this. I'm sure that all of your efforts will be rewarded in the end as you'll have a rewarding career and a few bucks to boot! Good Luck! Have a great holiday season! Renee

Sorry to not have replied sooner. I haven't been on here in way too long and have missed it! Anyway, I personally attend Phoenix College and have liked the experience so far (I'm still wading through the pre-reqs). I would think that any of the community colleges would be able to give you a good education. Find the one closest to you and head into the advisement office. The financial aid office can help you with grant/loan information. Just put one foot in front of the other and go....Good Luck! Renee :)

Thanks a bunch you guys for taking the time to pass along this info. It means alot to those of us who just can't get enough! I'll be happily searching and learning... Have a great day! Renee

Hi Brown Suga! I volunteer at John C. Lincoln Hospital (taking pictures of the newborns, 'stealing' hugs when I can and doing other misc. things as needed in the OB department) . I have been welcomed with open arms by the wonderful nurses there which leads me to be to think that I'd love to work there when I get some education under my belt. I'll be just starting to hack away at pre-reqs in Jan. I'd like to work there part time when I'm able to be a Patient Care Technician (they've had an opening posted for the OB dept. for a while now) on my way to becoming an RN. How far along are you in school and where are you headed (ADN, BSN?, etc.) ? I had heard that they were going to open up a women's center at the Del Webb hospital. Good luck to you... I hope you get into their L&D dept. and that it turns out to be a wonderful job for you!! Hope to hear from you soon! Have a good one!! Renee :)

Hi Jessjoy! I just recently learned of such a thing myself. Here in AZ at a hospital that I volunteer at, the name they use for them (if I'm on the same track as you) is Patient Care Technician. I wasn't aware that they had these in the OB department. I asked a nurse what duties a PCT would have in the OB dept. and she was kind enough to fill me in. She said that they set up and take down equipment and such needed for a delivery. They clean up afterwards. They help hold up legs when and if it's needed. They get things that nurses need (errand runner), etc. As for whether they are in high demand; I'm not sure. I know that I've been 'drooling' over an opening that I've seen posted for 2 mos. at 'my' hospital for 11pm-7am. As I'm just beginning to tackle my pre-req's in Jan., I'm not able to work in that capacity yet because as far as I've read (you might get info. from your local community college) I'll need a CNA license and then a couple of courses on top of that (Phlebotomy, EKG, etc.). Hope this helped a little. Have a great day!! Renee