kjp1962

Good question and comments. I wondered myself about some of this. I've come to the conclusion that this scale is mostly utilized by the hospice certifying physician (when typing the report that goes to Medicare). We call admission information into a report line for the doctors and they're aware we don't have records in front of us at the patients home. The doctors don't seem to be particularly concerned about the type of dementia/alzheimers anyway. The focus is more about whether the patients dementia/alzheimers has advanced to the point that speech is diminished significantly (or is more a "word salad"). But each hospice is different in their instructions. And one thing I've learned is that those instructions change all the time!

I work only hospice admissions only in southern Cal. Currently gas is about 4.20 a gallon. We are getting a 4 cent increase after we complained so the new mileage reimbursement is now at .47/mile. Not even the federal rate. The entire topic gets me so irritated. If I drive 30 miles away, they tell me I can only claim mileage starting from "the office and back". I live 20 miles from the office. So, I get reimbursed a total of 20 miles (10 miles to and 10 miles from) that 60 mile round trip visit, which translates into 9.40 reimburseable for a trip that costs me 12.60 in my jeep. To buy a newer vehicle to save gas would be not smart as it would take 7 years to make it cost effective according to a program I used online. So, when I heard gas will reach 6.00 a gal this summer, I am thinking of changing jobs because eventually it may be too big a hit to absorb.

Any nurses out there starting to feel the economic squeeze at their job? For the first time in many years, I'm concerned about my hours. Just 2 months ago I read an article that said nursing was recession proof. Yet our census drooped and everyone has lost on average 1 day a week for the last month now. 1-3 nurses a day on our small unit have been cancelled. We're wondering about taking on 2nd jobs. But, I've noticed there are not as many nursing jobs advertised anymore. If your curious about what is going on in our profession around the US then input data below and share. Speculative E-articles are just that...speculative. We need information straight from valid sources. I think we could get a better picture of what's going on. Your information would be appreciated. I'll start first. Title: RN status: Full time, staff (non-traveler) Category: acute care hospital Specialty: oncology # of beds in the unit:20 Geographics: Orange County, California How has your facility or department been affected?: low census for tele and medical. Unsure about surgical and ICU. I've been called off 3-4 days last month. Looking for extra job. I heard it was slow at all hospitals in this area. Registry very slow. In the last year, I've only been called off once I think. Now I've ben called off 3-4 days this month alone. Doesn't look like it's going to turn around fast either.

Just found out I passed!!! I took the test on Tuesday in California and found out the results today (Friday) on line. It's a big celebration here at work today!!

I did the whole book including most of the case studies. I ran out of time. Waiting for results is taking a toll on me....as if the stress of preparing for the test wasn't enough. I find myself pacing and fretting so it's really nice to just be able to hear those words of encouragement from everyone who understands. Thanks a lot and again....good luck to all

Hello, I was a wreck for weeks before the test and now I'm just exhausted. I was less nervous after the test due to sheer relief but I don't want to give the impression that I wasn't nervous afterwards. I'm going to be a nervous ninny until I know for sure. So I'll keep checking the boards for my license. I ended up getting 3 select all that apply. I knew going into the test that I don't do too well on those ones. I'm always off by one. Okay, now I'm getting that "what if" thing....starting to feel my nerves all over again....oh geesh. I didn't get any other alternative questions. I didn't get any med math. Good luck taking the test! I wish you success.

Phew...glad that's over. It stopped at 75 questions and I'm fairly confident I passed but there were about 5 questions that had me debating pretty hard between two possibilities. I think I even broke a sweat :) Anyway, I'll find out for sure in a couple days I guess. I wanted to recommend a work book that I think made all the difference for me. Since the test has a lot about prioritizing you may want to consider this book too. The workbook is actually pretty in depth and gives rationales. When I took the NCLEX I didn't really find those types of questions all that difficult and I think it's because I did the workbook. It's called Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment by LaCharity, Kumagai, Bartz. I found if on Amazon. I studied a lot of different prep books but if I were to narrow down the ones that were the most essential it would be Saunders and Kaplan. Hope that helps. By the way, I didn't get any math problems which surprised and delighted me