jeffrey_rn

This is THE definition of a nurse's worst nightmare!

There's the rub... when you're responsible for the health and safety of a ridiculous number of human beings (and living in a lawsuit-happy world), you can't know enough fast enough. If it feels wrong, unsafe, overwhelming- stay away! I work in a hospital, so the ratios I hear in this forum freak me out. I know the level of care is different, but I would NEVER EVER EVER assume care of dozens of people. I thank you all for the heads up. Won't be searching the job listings for LTC facilities in this lifetime. If our society cares so much about our elderly, why is it so unwilling to pay for the care providers needed to do the job?

This reply comes a year late and probably a dollar short but for those who do read this and are in a similar set of circumstances, I want to refer you to The National Association of Qualified Developmental Disability Professionals. It is a great resource for QMRP/QDDP questions and a nice central link hub. And, of course, there's always Google! The NAQ- http://www.qddp.org

Hopefully, those were two different husbands! I've seen that last excuse used by a nurse to leave work.

I was discussing this topic with some nurses at work today. One nurse had a contribution. She said she had recently called in and was asked for the reason: Nurse: "I'm sick." Nursing Services: "What kind of sickness?" Nurse: "The kind that makes me miss work!" I know, they had no business asking her what her sickness was but she didn't miss a beat!

We certainly are a diverse group. But unable to unite for that diversity? I don't know. I'm a pretty skeptical guy but I think we will. Maybe not now, but it will happen in time. Nursing is a unique profession but not so dissimilar that we are an exception. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, auto workers- all have been able to form strong political bodies. I can't believe we are any more or less opinionated or diverse than these groups. Lawyers argue the color of the sky! Doctors are divided into sub-sub-sub-specialties. If these trades can organize themselves, I know we can. I would first like to see the ANA become stronger and more politically active, but I haven't written off supporting a union. Again, my instinct is to stay away but I have seen things get overwhelming for nurses in my hospital. I have been forced to open my mind to drastic solutions. And I have watched hospital administrators tremble at the mere whisper of "union." I don't believe our forum debates, even when they devolve into heated arguments, prove that we can't get along. This is a great place for us to work out our thoughts and opinions, even blow off some steam. In fact, I think our active presence here implies that we do get along. We do come together. We are together even as we stand as individuals, with our own stouthearted opinions. We need this forum for a lot of things. But I bet if you could pour through every discussion, you would find a lot of agreement and unity. The disagreements tend to put off a lot more heat than light and stand out more, yet there is greater solidarity here than meets the cursory scan of the forums. We are going to make nursing better. And participating in these forums inspires me. I find myself becoming more political (and thoughtful, especially after reading others' ideas) and the nurse activist in me is coming alive. My future is getting brighter and I plan on playing a part in making the future of nursing brighter.

you're gonna be a great nurse. i can just tell from your comments! i hope today is a memorable one (in a good way!) and i wish you the best. i also hope you will keep us updated on your progress and experiences as you get your feet wet (that's water you just stepped in right?). remind us of our early days with your stories. and remember: we're here for you. :yeah:

Now that's funny!

I suggested those who want socialized medicine move to a place where there is a system which supports it. I never ever told anyone to leave because their opinions were different from mine. I love the debate. I was probably too aggressive though. I don't intend to attack. But I guess I'm just a spirited debater. As you clearly are! I like it though. Bring it on. And I did read the posts that I responded to. I don't think I took any quotes out of the contexts within which they were meant. But you see it differently and I apologize if I did take anything you said out of the context in which you meant it. Still, I don't think I did. I can't agree with you that I have been contradicting myself. I think a more careful reading of my posts will reveal a very consistent ideology. I don't need to reiterate that here. It's all right in the forum for all to scrutinize. I stand behind my comments and will be glad to personally clarify any points which might confuse. And lastly, I have read many of your posts and I enjoy the heck out of them. I appreciate your thoughts and your insight. I am happy to find nurses with such passion and energy. I'm glad you're here. I will try to be more sensitive to others with my comments. I get carried away with enthusiasm and often go beyond my points, making statements like "move there." That's not really necessary is it? Of course not. I want to be a productive member of this community. For anyone else who was offended by my words, I do apologize. Still, I hope I don't need to walk on eggshells around here. I am a nurse who works with nurses and my experience suggests we are a much tougher bunch than the average. Not many thin-skinned nurses on my floor! But I'll be a little more gentle. Peace, Love, and Understanding

Everybody loves Canada, eh!

Well, those aren't very humorous but they are all very good excuses. My dog passed and I was out of commission for several weeks! But back to funny...

There's two answers: 1. Your hospital most certainly has a time frame (ours is 2 hours before work). 2. As a charge nurse, the appropriate amount of warning is AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! If you are sitting at home before you go to sleep and realizing you're not feeling too well or you're just not up to coming to work the next day; pick up that phone. If you wake up in the morning and decide you feel ok, call and say you are good to go. I'm sure arrangements can be made to get you back on the schedule. Trust me.

My initial instinct is to stay away from the union. However, because Texas does not have much experience overall with unions, I have to be honest and admit that I don't really understand everything that a union entails. I am aware of the most superficial aspects of the costs and benefits but I would really love to hear from those of you who pay union dues. Tell me how things are better. And tell me the downside too. If it were a perfect thing, unions would be sprouting up like weeds around the country. But they're not. Why? I am here to learn. Thanks ahead for taking the time to share. -a fellow nurse-soldier

...or your patients!

yikes!