EmerNurse

Both healthsystems I work in have implemented this flu or mask this year. I got the shot simply because I've never had a problem with it in the past.... BUT.. I do have a problem when this is directed only at nurses, not docs, not techs, etc. ANYONE who comes in contact with a patient should have the same rule. Now administration, heh, they don't have to worry, do they?

First, agree with everyone who says treat everyone with respect and dignity and even if you are accused of racism, you will move on with a clear heart. That being said, had one psych guy, who visited our ER 3-4 times a week, insist that he didn't want "that gringa" taking care of him... um, that would be me .

Yep same in our ER, both pedi and adults. I finally decided that people seriously don't think of going to "the EMERGENCY room". What they think of with vomiting x1 at 0300 is "hmm I should go to THE DOCTOR". And who's the doctor at 0300? The ER. Doesn't matter if they're insured or not. We're the 24 hour clinic, that's all.

How bout "just answer the question ma'am, please." ME (in triage with about 15 people waiting for me): Did you have a flu shot this year? HER: Well, um, no, you see, I don't believe in them, because , um one time a few years ago... ME So that's NO? Good... How much do you weight? HER: Well, I used to weight a lot more than I do now, but then 15 years ago... ARGH you get the picture...

OUCH! So sorry to hear you've gone through this. I had a similar experience, not as a new grad, but in a new specialty (PICU) where they had a "formal" preceptorship, but it was so insanely disorganized, nothing I knew was recognized and any questions I had were met with a roll of the eyes - c'mon, we're talking little kids here, I HAVE to know this stuff right, don't I? All through the perceptorship program the lead instructor kept telling us "if you feel this isn't for you, you should get out now". Well, after a very good midterm evaluation, I said, thanks but no thanks. At my age, I'm darned if I'll be treated like a moron and a burden. Then I was told I was "unprofessional" for quitting the preceptorship (go figure. Yep, I was sick to my stomach and nerved up for every single day I went in - loved the nursing part, HATED the way I was treated. If it keeps up, go find another place. No one should have to endure feeling so bad they're physically sick over a situation. And no situation should make someone feel that bad. Unfortunately, nursing has more than it's share of those situations. On the good side, there ARE great floors and units where the staff is supportive, kind and helpful, even in the midst of a chaotic workload. You'll find yours. As for the language thing... I have that everywhere I work in my city (agency) and I just say HUH? a lot with a blank stare - eventually people figure out it's easier to speak English than to repeat themselves every 5 seconds LOL.

1. Bring your baby in to the ER for a "fever" of 99.0 ("no, I didn't take his temperature but he felt hot") and forget to bring diapers, formula and other supplies for the baby, AND for the toddler who keeps running the halls. 2. Leave your sick 1 year old lying on the stretcher with the SIDE RAILS DOWN while you sit in a chair yakking on the phone. 3. Come in to the ER with a c/o vag bleeding but don't bring any pads (and it turns out to be your period a day late). 4. ETOH of 246 and you get out of the stretcher and pee in the hallway - here come the restraints, sweetie. 5. Call out NURSE!!! every single time anyone walks past your room, even though your nurse has been in there every 5 minutes and we all know it. Yep, we'll walk all the way around the floor to avoid passing your room. 6. (What do you mean, only FIVE??) Family members who stand at the doorway or curtain and stop everyone who walks by to ask for something, or how long will it be, etc, ad nauseum... 7. The parents in #1 who go into full-fledged hysterics when it turns out the baby needs an IV and blood work and blame US because we have to stick the poor thing. ARGH. Ok Enough.

I'm glad to see this thread continue, though I'd like to hear more from the OP's perspective, since that's the topic of this thread. I do have a comment though: I think that a lot of the "but WE'RE discriminated against too!" posts are a knee jerk reaction to guilt that's been drummed into us from an early age. I don't believe most of those posts are designed to take attention away from the very important topic at hand. From my perspective as a white female, I know that if I allow myself to really THINK HARD about prejudice against AA's in this country, it makes me feel just awful. That's a hard feeling to take. My family came to this country from Europe in the early 1900's, were dirt poor coming through Ellis Island, and had to struggle for food every day. They never owned slaves, and were too busy dodging their own challenges to attack anyone else. But because I am white, I feel lumped together with the white people who DID do these awful horrible things to an entire group of people. I feel guilty on behalf of my color, if you will. It's easier to play "I can top that", or push the issue into the past and neglect the still-ongoing issues of today, than to think about it objectively (even when it's hurful to do so). I don't WANT anyone to have been treated like that, I wish I could go back and make it right, change the past so that people were't like that. I want to go back and undo the Holocaust too but because I'm not German, I don't get that same guilt feeling, if that makes sense. That said - and I hope it made some sense, I have two questions for the OP and other AA nurses, since I work in a VERY diverse area: 1. If so much of the discrimination you face is insidious, rather than overt, how can a fellow nurse recognize such instances, and even avoid making them accidently. Are there differences in your experience from co-workers vs. patients/families? 2. What can others, who WANT to help change things, do to help get rid of this issue, keeping in mind that most of us are not in charge or supervisory positions. This is a great topic, and I think if we all stare it straight in the eye, however uncomfortable it is, together we can make some much-needed changes.

Agree with the other posters that Miami Children's and Jackson Memorial (Holtz) are terrific. Jackson tends to get more of the bizarre cases (on all their floors), is also a teaching hospital (affiliated with Miller School of Medicine) and does a TON of research. If you are interested in research stuff, that's the place to go. Just to be fair, there are several other hospitals in the area that have NICUs that are also considered very good. The two above are considered the "best" unofficially (don't ask me stats) and are well known. Good luck!

>>>Am I missing something? I was not aware that "queer" was an acceptable way to refer to homosexuals. Am I behind the times of what? THANK YOU, I have been thinking it as my hair stands on edge but was unsure how to approach it. Oh phew, me too! I've never heard the word "queer" used except unkindly (fortunately rarely) and I thought maybe it was one of those things like words that are acceptable but only for that population, to use? Not read all the posts yet so if someone's answered this quesiton already, thanks.

OK phew I took the test today... AND PASSED!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe I passed it - kept reading the paper over and over and over! I used Gasparis, Woodruff (though didn't like it as much honestly - failed his challenge exam twice!) and also the AACN NIT review course, which I thought was excellent (audio CDs). I had the Dennison book but LOST the CD - I'm sure I'll find it now that I'm done LOL! At any rate, I'm going to enjoy this weekend of NOT having to study!!! Love ya all and keep up the great work!

OK phew I took the test today... AND PASSED!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe I passed it - kept reading the paper over and over and over! I used Gasparis, Woodruff (though didn't like it as much honestly - failed his challenge exam twice!) and also the AACN NIT review course, which I thought was excellent (audio CDs). I had the Dennison book but LOST the CD - I'm sure I'll find it now that I'm done LOL! At any rate, I'm going to enjoy this weekend of NOT having to study!!! Love ya all and keep up the great work!

LOL I've been a Laura devotee' for many years so of course I have her review course. I saw here at an Acute Skills seminar a few weeks ago - she really is as good as we all seem to think she is! What a blast. Didn't know she was only 4'11", though - I can just picture her now - no wonder she tells idiot docs to "sit down!" before reaming them out LOL. Seriously, I've all but got her stuff memorized after all this time, and I'm using other resources as well, but I just feel SO unready. Have to get out of this "what if I fail?" mindset. ARGH.

LOL I've been a Laura devotee' for many years so of course I have her review course. I saw here at an Acute Skills seminar a few weeks ago - she really is as good as we all seem to think she is! What a blast. Didn't know she was only 4'11", though - I can just picture her now - no wonder she tells idiot docs to "sit down!" before reaming them out LOL. Seriously, I've all but got her stuff memorized after all this time, and I'm using other resources as well, but I just feel SO unready. Have to get out of this "what if I fail?" mindset. ARGH.

WOW - not been on the board for a while but have been studying hard. CONGRATS to the folks who've passed - you're awesome! Anyone using the Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care (from AACN) book? It has 3 practice tests and the questions are beyond hard. If the test is like this, I'd better hang it up now! OK so I'm stressing - I admit it - but my test date is in a couple weeks and I still feel SO unready. You awesome people who passed - any advice?

WOW - not been on the board for a while but have been studying hard. CONGRATS to the folks who've passed - you're awesome! Anyone using the Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care (from AACN) book? It has 3 practice tests and the questions are beyond hard. If the test is like this, I'd better hang it up now! OK so I'm stressing - I admit it - but my test date is in a couple weeks and I still feel SO unready. You awesome people who passed - any advice?

And just when you thought it couldn't get any more Kindergarten... Anyone ever heart of F.I.S.H.? ; (first impressions start here). If you get a kudos from a patient (I guess, never been inserviced on this), you get a fish STICKER that goes on a board next to your name. Kind of like the gold stars in first grade. Whoever gets the most, gets a ... PRIZE. And you thought it couldn't get worse. In an ER no less...ARGH.

Agree completely with the above. The Gasparis videos offer lots of info for the CEN and also for ANY nurse out there. She's got a knack for explaining things just right. i have the videos and the CDs - I listen to the CDs in the car but I'm glad I had the videos because I could "see" in my head the drawings and illustration she used in the videos. I'm a big fan of her's and going to her Acute Care Skills seminar in Key West in September - so excited!!!

Hi Everyone! I'm an ER nurse who is considering agency nursing, but it is a huge step and I'm nervous. I am considering agency because I've about had it with horrible schedules (3 nights on, one off, two on, you get the picture) with practically no say in my schedule unless I want to jump through paperwork hoops to make a "request". I've had it with administration's lack of caring or compassion for their staff and the constant feeling of being powerless to change anything at all. Everything falls on deaf ears. Several of my coworkers are also considering agency or finding a new job. How do you make that leap of faith from staff to agency? I can't "try it out" a shift here or there because my work schedule is such that I don't get enough days off in a row to even try it. Remember working nights, the first day off doesn't count for much. I used to love my job and I DO love the nursing part of it - but good grief, no one should have to kill themselves like we do because we're so short staffed we're dying, only to get a shrug from admin along with the admonishment to remember to do whatever we didn't because we were too busy keeping someone alive. I'm actually feeling the stress in a physical way and really need to make a change, but having been staff in other places, I know that it's the same all over. That's why i'm thinking agency. The money would be nice, but I'd work for less to have less stress and misery on a daily basis. All thoughts would be appreciated!

1. in which area of nursing are you working (ob, l&d, icu, er, med/surg, peds, hospice, etc.)? emergency dept of a county hospital 2. do you work at a hospital? if not, in what type of facility do you work? 3. are you working as a nurse and in school at the same time? if so, which scenario fits you: work ft, school ft? work ft, school pt? work pt, school ft? work pt, school pt? full time 3-4 night 12'ves per week plus online bsn (which is killing me, have to cut back somewhere) 4. how many hours a week do you work? 40-50 5. what type of shifts do you work? nights, 12 hours, plus mandatory meetings and education (all scheduled for daytime, of course) 6. are you married or single? married 7. do you have children? if so, how many? 4 kids, two grown and gone, one grandbaby, two teens still at home. 8. what age group do you fit in?: 18-22 23-27 28-32 33-37 38-42 43-47 48-52 53+ 9. are you physically fit and eat a healthy diet (all the time, most of the time, sometimes, never)? have recently started working out in my spare (?) time - am at a healthy weight but body fat % needs a lot of work. eat half-decently but need to definately do better. 10. what do you believe is the main factor that is causing you to feel burnt out? main factor?? administration's lack of respect and caring for their staff. they took away self-scheduling and now i battle with the one off, two on, two off, three on, one off, two on... thing. we're all dragging with this schedule. working three nights a week does not mean four nights off in a row, trust me on this. also, bullying from one or two nurses (one day, one night) who treat other staff like dirt, but are untouchable due to seniority (union) and because they're friends with the boss. add to that an overwhelmed er, patients who are there every week since we are they're primarly doc, long waiting room waits, spending a night in triage trying to apologize for the wait to people who don't need to be there, families who are nuts, short staffing (of course people call out, we're exhausted) and staff meetings where nothing is resolved, but we're all "reminded" of what all we didn't do and new things we need to do. forget about having enough time to actually really care for patients. just assess 'em, medicate 'em and get 'em to the floor (or out the door). no time for what we consider the real nursing. and always having 2 or 3 icu patients, plus a tele or two because they're "too unstable" to go to the unit. um... icu ratio is 2 to 1 - how does this make sense?? good grief, who wouldn't get burned out. thanks in advance!!! :)

We had a lady in the ER once who just tanked about coded. Was only 36, with 2 young kids at home, husband hanging over here simply BEGGING her not to die. We could save her. Every single staffer in our ER, docs, nurses, techs, male AND female, cried. It's not the death itself that gets us most of the time, it's the circumstances. Some things are just so horrific, so close to home, even when you only have them for 40 minutes. It was heartbreaking.

Our unit used to do self-scheduling, but because some folks just didn't cooperate with meeting the requirements (weekends, holidays, being inflexible), they took it away. Now, I rarely get more than 2 nights in a row off, am often scheduled with the one on, one off, two on, one off, one on... you get the picture. This I fight tooth and nail - no night shift person can do that for any length of time. Hate the scheduling situation now - it's exhausting. When we self-scheduled (and weren't quite so short staffed), my schedule alternated every other week (regarding which nights worked) but it was a regular thing and I always knew in advance which days i'd be working. Not anymore - now it's an exhausting crapshoot.

The Avatar is my Grandson, Dane, who is now 5 1/2 months old - he's my ANGEL!!! I just registered for a VonFrolio Acute Skills 2-day seminar in Key West for September - I'm so excited!!

The Avatar is my Grandson, Dane, who is now 5 1/2 months old - he's my ANGEL!!! I just registered for a VonFrolio Acute Skills 2-day seminar in Key West for September - I'm so excited!!

I'm planning on sending in my fee to take the test today - I hope to sit the exam in September. I sat (and passed) my CEN last October, and used primarily the Gasparis videos/tapes - I think she's wonderful! I have her CCRN stuff as well and much of it overlaps the CEN, so it'll be a good review. I work ER but have at least 2-3 ICU patients per each night I work, so the CCRN will be very applicable to me as well. I'd encourage everyone to get certified when they can. The boost in confidence is amazing, and it's great on your resume, too. With the cert, you always feel like you have options - an open door to a new position if you really are in a tough spot, and that makes the tough spots easier to get through. I've ordered Woodruff's stuff, based on the opinions I've seen here. I'd like more info on Patty Graham, if someone can provide a website? Any tips for taking CCRN would be great - and I'll be happy to post anything new that I learn. No one at my work is interested in getting certified (I'm the only CEN in my ER), so I'd love to have one online buddies to study with!

I'm planning on sending in my fee to take the test today - I hope to sit the exam in September. I sat (and passed) my CEN last October, and used primarily the Gasparis videos/tapes - I think she's wonderful! I have her CCRN stuff as well and much of it overlaps the CEN, so it'll be a good review. I work ER but have at least 2-3 ICU patients per each night I work, so the CCRN will be very applicable to me as well. I'd encourage everyone to get certified when they can. The boost in confidence is amazing, and it's great on your resume, too. With the cert, you always feel like you have options - an open door to a new position if you really are in a tough spot, and that makes the tough spots easier to get through. I've ordered Woodruff's stuff, based on the opinions I've seen here. I'd like more info on Patty Graham, if someone can provide a website? Any tips for taking CCRN would be great - and I'll be happy to post anything new that I learn. No one at my work is interested in getting certified (I'm the only CEN in my ER), so I'd love to have one online buddies to study with!