Momma_Penguin

Hey I have an addendum to my post. I am not knocking the RN's...it's just tough to get a hold of one when there is only 1 in the building., and they are assessing or helping out another nurse with a diff or condition changed pt. And the other part about RN's who don't distribute the orders when obtained...well I think that could be improved & the those that do it know who they are.

Well it's about time. I have been very tired of getting orders taken by RN"s early in a shift then finally dropping them off before the end of the shift. I am also glad that I no longer have to play hunt a super when speaking with a Dr to take an order. It just makes sense..if yu are the one who calls about your pt , you should be the one taking the order on your pt.

I have worked nites for many years. I am not afraid to call a doc in the middle of the night if the patient's condition warrant it. But I can not condone this...I mean where were their brains at???? And what would have happened if the med they gave to help this person...had an opposite effect??? OMG I like my license tooo much to ever try a stunt like that. I mean there are lots of ways to try and make patients feel better before we call the doc. I wonder if those were tried before they decided to go out of their scope of practice? Just wondering? And you wonder why we have to carry liability insurance and why those malpractice lawyers are rich? This is a good example.

I learned that in nursing school. I also learned and have done it a few times when warranted..to refuse to give any med I am uncomfortable with/ don't know etc.... ( I will of course look up the drug or get in touch w/ pharmacy asap) You always have to know your scope of practice. Laura LPN

Welcome....and yes you are Worthy:kiss .....NOT too stupid to be the nurse you have always wanted to be!! I thought I wouldn't make it either but.. if you REALLY want to do this, perhaps you could start at being an LPN. If you want to see if you can do the classes and such, it is something to consider. The pace is fast tho... not easier as some people think. I am happy to meet you and hope you get to start your 'lernin' soon....:chuckle Laura LPN

I couldn't sez it any better meself...... itz dem vittles.... I have a feelin yuns r one fine bunch of nursez.......:chuckle :chuckle Laura "hillbilly" LPN

NICU Nurses aren't "REAL" nurses?????? OMG obviously they have never spent time w/ a sick baby let alone a critically ill baby!!! I applaude you and the work you do!! Don't let anyone make you feel diff......I bet all the Moms & Dads of the babies you care of would also have a comment for that person(s). Bless you for taking care of the little ones!!!!!! Huggsssssssssss Laura LPN

The BEST thing about being a night shifter is ....after I count the narcs w/ the day light goddess.... I GET TO LEAVE!!!! And it is amazing that even w/ all the nurses w/ RN & LPN after their names... there are things my ADON or DON wants me to do b/c they know it will 1. get done ... and 2. get done the right way. Everyone on our 11 to 7 shift makes a joke out of it. We are the 1 st ones to say.......yep it's time to make the coffee and put our feet up for 8 hrs. Oh yeah.....and our supervisor doesn't do nuttin either!!! ( More than some do in 2 days of work) You just gotta let it roll off your back hun. It makes you feel esp good when another shift has to work your shift.... and they leave exhausted in the morning. They never knew we actually did tx's and assessments on the patients! I kinda get an evil little smile when they find out no one ever really sleeps all nite!!! :devil: Laura LPN :devil:

Last year and this year our facility had inservices that week, and while we were learning, we were eatin ice cream sundaes-- make your own. I didn't make it to the meeting as I had an appointment, but the nice thing was they saved some pre made for nite turn...Yay! But I was too busy w/ iv's and patients and such to ever eat one, but I did make sure my nurses aides got theirs. I couldn't do it w/o them. And the next day, when out shift was gettin ready to leave our DON comes in w/ a big box of carnations, baby's breath and ferns in little arrangements, gives us each one...and then a big huge hug and said how much we are appreciated. I took it as it was meant b/c we do keep the place running and w/it being hard to get & keep nurses....I also appreciated the thought , however hokey some might feel it was. I guess it's like Christmas, some of us think we deserve lots of gifts and recognition and all, while some of us are just as content w/ a hug for a job well done. I guess I just like gettin hugs, ain't I a cheap date??????? Laura LPN

I gross about 1.300.00 q 2 weeks but I bring home about 925.00 after I have the family insurance and taxes deducted. Still for an LPN this ain't bad gravy! I think for the amount of butts I cover w/ my charting, mine being the 1 st, I am worth about 2 bucks more an hour ( in my mind:chuckle :chuckle ) Laura LPN--shift diff & weekend diff are wonderful things

I never take a break, b/c I want to get all my work done so I can get out on time to put my kids on their buses. I am not even going near the smoking issue. As long as my pot of coffee is working and I can have caffeine while I work I am happy. I lied I think I had a break in Jan of 2001.....I was working sick and had to get off the floor, and I am not kidding about the date of the last break. I get paid for all 8 hrs of work, and I give my pts all 8 hrs. Maybe I am wrong in doing that. I don't know if we can leave since our company changed to paid lunch/ breaks. It doesn't matter to me anyway. Laura LPN

I feel my answer/ opinion is so against the norm.... my husband was permanently laid off from his 15 yr job and suggested that if I wanted to go to school, it was time to try. I did all the pre req's and we both were students at the same time. Our kids said their mom & dad were going to school too. I got nuttin but support from him, and I gave him support too. I went all day, came home, we had dinner and then he went all evening. His classes were 18 mos, my LPN program 12 mos. I think that we got through it with lots of hard work and love. We both lost our Mother's that year, so there was more support we had to give each other. I think if it's good solid marriage it will withstand a lot. If he or she can't help you or support you then it will probably not make it. I have been an LPN for 7 years. He is the non medical hard working husband. I am happy to say we just celebrated 17 years. Like Collin Raye said....Thru it all, Love remains. :) :) Laura LPN

Our facility's policy... change q 4 to 6 weeks and prn... and most of the time it is hitting the last waning hours of the 6 th week. Laura LPN

I am in LTC also and I am responsible for everything that goes on, on my unit for that shift. My super is responsible for everything going on in the building. Our employer has our job description listed as LPN Supervisors. Ok. I can deal with that- I know my job. This what I try to express to the new nurses....it's all on you. Your job is keep them alive and well for your shift, it's scary at times. I have fixed errors by other nurses I have found, have had to complete tasks others have 'forgotten' to do or just didn't get around to b/c they didn't want too. I put it in the perspective that my pt's will be better if I get these things done, tests, specimens, tx's etc. But I am starting to get tired of picking up after the shift before me and try to get everything done so the daylight doesn't have to do it. I have apologized to pt's for staff being brusque or hurried, b/c it was on my shift and my staff and I am responsible for their actions. I have been told that I 'know better' when I said I am tired of doing other nurses jobs. I am thinking how did I get to be the responsible one?????? Laura LPN:confused:

I think Hallmark should make a bigger deal over Nurses Week.or even Nurses Day. I mean , who takes the most care of you wherever you are? It sure isn't the Dr giving you a bedpan or a pain med!!! Or even making sure your medication is correct. I think if we all try hard, we could get as much recognition as the secretaries. (I never met a ward clerk I didn't thank.) Laura LPN

I can tolerate a lot of "things" whether they are from the body or anywhere but 2 of the things that will gross me out..and I think my husband said I turned green even...was from.....OMG..THE HAIR IN THE SINK DRAIN.....EWWWWWWWWWW SORRY, I had to be ill.....I can stand blood , guts, BM...and a host of unfriendly aromas that we have at the home but that will make me run outta the room in like 2 seconds. The 2nd thing is....that slimy kinda vomit or BM.....ewwwwwwwww. Well there you have it, I am proud that was able to share my grossest with you. Hope no one was eating while they read these things. :) :) Laura:) :)