romansten9

LOL. While you're "looking at lawn mowers at sears," the rest of us are buying essential supplies for the base, such as food, especially when we are at some point within a 14 day shift in which we are on duty the entire 336 hrs. As long as we are within our response time, buying essentials is no "less ready" than when asleep at night. Buying essentials is totally fine and encouraged by the base managers and the employer.

When you're on duty and away from base, you wear generally your flight suit. Thats how it works to be ready when on duty. You "look like a tool" when you are representing the company wearing street clothes. Highly unprofessional. Especially when you run into certain people that know you're on duty.

"I still see someone who is trying to blame educators and preceptors for the problems new grads are having. The fact that someone had enough book knowledge to make it through school and pass their boards does not mean that they actually "get it" or that they ever will. Seems as though you have issues with preceptors. Rough orientation perhaps? If that's the case, please think back upon what YOU might have contributed to the problem. " I am a preceptor myself. I don't have a problem with preceptors that try to guide a new employee along with patience and understanding. I do have a problem with preceptors that try to fit all new employees into the same mold, or preceptors that think that "everyone else only needed 3 weeks to figure everything out, so if it takes 4 weeks for some, they must be complete idiots and we should just fire them immediately" Yes, there is a point when it is clear that some nurses will never seem to "get it" I have a problem with those preceptors that are not good educators, are lazy or just plain mean people for whatever reason. I have no problem with preceptors that do their job faithfully and know how to adapt to an individual's learning needs. I have no problem with preceptors that eventually "give up" if its getting nowhere. I do think that preceptors need to at least give an effort.

"turnleftside" If you would go back and read what I wrote, I did not say that it is "always" the preceptors/educators fault if a student or new employee isn't trained well. I also said "most" people can be taught, if given enough instruction and patience. What I said is true for the following reason: The majority of nursing students and new hires will make it through school or through their orientation. Statistics prove this to be a fact. I did not say ALL make it through. Some of the ones that struggle will struggle even when helped. Some of the ones that struggle are not given enough help and are given up on too early. I think everyone can agree that preceptors aren't perfect. (who is?) And as long as preceptors are NOT perfect, there is room for improvement.

Leslie, I agree with much of what "eriksoln" said. There can be "slow learners" in any profession, but it is the job of educators and preceptors to take the new grad from where they are to where they need to be. Obviously the person has enough sense to make it through nursing school and enough sense to get hired. A struggling person is most often a sign that the educator/preceptor isn't doing their job. Most people can be taught, if given plenty of instruction and patience. Unfortunately, mean co-workers (and even preceptors) do exist. People don't need a reason to be mean to the new grads, sometimes it just happens. Despite how hard they may work, and even if they are very intelligent and hard working, they may be seen as a threat. (or who knows why people may treat them badly) I've heard many times that "nurses eat their young" I didn't want to believe it, but you know what? sometimes it is very true.

Great Job, you were prepared. I'm a Paramedic with 20 years experience. (more codes than I can remember) I also have a new job as a dialysis RN in a large hospital. We also take care of inpatients that need dialysis, some brought to us very sick, and some we treat in the ICU. I think I'm the only dialysis nurse with ACLS. They rely a lot on the ER and ICU to come help with codes, but they want me to run them through some "mock codes" soon. I hope several of them will take ACLS. The dialysis unit is considered a "critical care" area in this hospital, so there should be nurses with ACLS. (they have a crash cart of their own, so why don't they have ACLS???)

I did respond to the question directly on page 9. That was the most relevant post I made and I hope it is the one that Loner will focus on out of my posts. Many others here had great info that I hope Loner can use.

Diane, I meant that in nature the weak are often the easiest prey.

Absolutely13, If you think that ridicule will somehow make me respond in anger, it won't work. I refuse to speak to any of you in the tone of rage you have used against me. You claim I haven't used respect, when in fact respect is the very reason I have not insulted any of you. If not for me, for the profession of nursing please stop the attacks.

Stanley, Well, you got one last blow in right as I am about to exit. No need to continue the onslaught against me, as I will not be here to read it. Someone told me once to not apologize when you have done no wrong, but I did anyway. Maybe that was my mistake. (some think that apologizing makes one appear weak) I think we all know that the weak will be the first to be taken out, just like in nature. Best wishes to everyone and I hope that for the sake of your patients that you do not treat them as you have treated me here. Feel free to twist my words as much as you like without mercy, as you have already done.

I agree that I'm not perfect, I said so in my earlier posts. As far as how I sound to an atheist, I have no idea. I only know that from 20 years of talking with people of nearly all religions (and atheists) there has been an atmosphere of mutual respect. Words in print are not the same as spoken words. My tone or words can be easily twisted by someone that is repulsed by the mere word "Christian, God or Jesus" I could say "I love you" and someone that hates Christians could take those kind words and easily make me look like a fool if they so choose. What I said to "Loner" was with good intentions, and would be clearly respectful and kind by most people's judgement. For those that have a hatred toward God, I guess I'm fair game and have been throughly punished for my faith. Please stop. I haven't intentionally attacked anyone, but Loner and others have clearly attacked me without apology. I have apologized profusely myself.

Loner, I did try to offer some advice about your question about prayer in an earlier post. Your attacks on my Christianity tell me that this is really an issue for you. It may be very difficult for you if you are faced with these situations as a nurse. I have faced situations with just about every religion in the past 20 years and being respectful (and quiet) has served me well. I have been respectful of you and I continually said "I hope I don't offend you" and "sorry" and "you have every right to be an atheist, its your choice" On the other hand, every post to me by you has been an attack and you have twisted the meaning of just about every word I have said. I don't appreciate the way you have spoken to me, but I am willing to forgive you for it.

loner, i said in a previous post that i wouldn't attack or ridicule atheists. its unfortunate that you couldn't do the same for me. perhaps that is a difference in us because of what we believe. although you did say that you would "attempt to stop a thief from stealing from another person" and that you enjoy your life. the truth is that your very life was given to you as well as your sense of morality that makes you want to help others. god gave those to you. i have been fair by stating that i will not try to convince you to change what you believe. its up to you how you want to live your life. if you are ever interested in looking at evidence for christianity, it is out there. its in literature, archeology, astronomy, (you name it). the same cannot be said for any other "religion" i guess you and i will find out what the truth is when we stand before our maker someday. whether you like it or not, i will pray for you. (i'm sure you don't like to hear that, but believe it or not, i care about what happens to you) i will be interested in seeing if you continue to ridicule me for my beliefs or not since i have chosen to not ridicule you. "you can go be a sheep and get herded by your pastor" as for a pastor, i am not blindly following a pastor as one of his sheep as you say. my relationship with god is a personal one, not through any particular church, and its not a religion. religion is when people try to be good to please god. christianity is technically the only faith that is not a religion because we need to do nothing to please god, jesus did it all at the cross.

Loner, I stated earlier that I didn't have an answer for you. After giving it more thought I think I can relate. Although I am a Christian, I would be uncomfortable praying to another "god" since there is only one God to me. In such a case I would hold their hand and allow them to pray. If they wanted ME to pray in a certain way (according to their faith) I would probably try to find someone that could offer more than I could. I would not want to offend them by using the wrong words if they are accustomed to a ritualistic prayer. When I pray as a Christian, it is very personal and I talk just like I am speaking to a person sitting next to me, in plain language. I am not formal or ritualistic and I certainly don't use thee's and thou's. If someone asks you if you believe in Jesus, just tell the truth. I can say that it doesn't bother me at all to say that I don't believe in other gods or religious figures. If someone asked me about something I don't believe in, I would try to use therapeutic communication and ask them how their faith helps them. I would tell them that I am a Christian, you could be honest and say that you are an atheist if you wanted to. (if the moment felt right to you) I'm sure you wouldn't be the first person to tell them such a thing. I wouldn't share about being a Christian unless a patient asked me to. As I said earlier, I wouldn't say very much, I would let the patient ask me for more. Perhaps you could use the same approach as an atheist. Hope this helps.

HvnSntRN, Sorry to hear about your experiences. I would probably be an atheist too if that was the type of Christian I had exposure to. That's terrible. As I said in my previous post, you have every right to be an atheist. You know what; life doesn't become perfect after become a Christian. The problems are still there, Christian or not. However, I can tell you that coping with problems has become much easier and I don't carry the weight of stress on my back anymore. I don't openly preach to people myself, there's no point to it. If someone asks me about my faith in private, I will share a little and then walk away. 9 times out of 10 they will get a hold of me, because they are hungry for more after hearing the truth. I hope that doesn't offend you, it's simply the truth. I won't attack you or make fun of you for being an atheist, and I hope that nobody here will ridicule or attack me for my faith. Once again, I'm sorry that there are bad examples of Christians in the world. I guess every group of people has them, and I'm certainly not perfect myself.

Loner, I'm sorry to hear that prayer makes you uncomfortable, that's a shame. I don't know what circumstances in life have led you to become an atheist, but that is your choice and you have every right to that choice. I don't think I can offer you much advice, since I have a strong faith in God, which has enriched my life beyond measure. I used to refer to myself as a loner too, and my life was quite miserable (even while going to church) before I accepted Jesus into my life, which made all the difference. I am a Paramedic, an LPN and an RN student. I can tell you one thing for sure; our patients depend on us for hope. If we don't have hope ourselves, we can't offer it to them. My God is also the very source of love, caring and healing. I can't fully offer any of those things without God either. I'm not going to try to convince you to become a Christian, because you obviously aren't ready for that now. I can only guess that you haven't heard a clear presentation of the gospel, because I feel that anyone that hears it correctly stated would not deny it. Being a Christian to me is so valuable it's a little bit like being offered a million or a billion dollars, most people would consider it a great blessing, but would probably be skeptical. And skepticism is something that probably keeps many people from the joys of being a Christian. I'm sorry if I have offended you by talking about my faith, but it's the core of who I am and I feel that good news needs to be shared. I hope you find the answers you are looking for loner.

lovegoddess, since you are the person that started this thread, I wanted to respond to you. I agree that the letters behind your name have little to do with how well you will do your job, or how much you should get paid. We all come from very different backgrounds! I know of TRUCK DRIVERS that were formally Physicians! Society snubs their noses at someone that drives a truck, but you NEVER know who you are talking to! I'm sure there are many nurse aides that have higher IQs and more common sense than many RNs, you just never know...Some nurse aides may read medical school textbooks in their spare time.... That aide may understand way more than an RN about medicine and the human body.... As for myself, I am currently taking an ADN program...I will graduate with 7 years of school under my belt and 20 years of Critical Care experience as a Paramedic and as an ACLS and PALS Instructor. I fully expect to have "BSN" Nurses look down on me because I "only" have an Associate degree. ONLY? with 7 years of school and 20 years experience, I should be looking down on them! But of course, thats not my personality, and I won't do that...Its all very sad really. We take such great care of our patients and then we attack each other! Why can't we all get along?? Why don't we pat each other on the back and say good job! Treat everyone as an equal, all the way from Nurse Aide to Physician.(Thank you to those of you that do)

Yeah, it is disturbing to be responsible for lives for LESS than $11/hr. but I have been doing it for 17 years (as I mentioned before) as a Paramedic. with more danger and responsibility than most Nurses. When will Nurses stop compliaining? Probably never, I realize its human nature to want More More More..Gimme Gimme Gimme... we all do it..... But the next time you do, think about the Medic working 24 hour shifts out in the weather for peanuts and you'll likely become VERY thankful for what you have!

I agree that in your area it may be supply vs. demand but after 17 years in the business I have seen low pay even with a demand for Paramedics. Our state is composed of over 80% rural ambulances, and Medics are a RARE commodity. I currently commute 150 miles one way to help one town for $8.50/hr. and I help in another small town 75 miles away for $6.25/hr. where Medics are rare. I get no benefits, no sick pay, no mileage re-imbursement, I do it out of the goodness of my heart I guess.......

You mentioned carpenters and truckers, well I am a Paramedic (and student RN) ABOUT 99% OF PARAMEDICS make less than $11 an hour in the midwest!! and slightly more elsewhere..And what do they do for this pay?? Well, for example, Paramedics have to go out in all kinds of weather, drive high speed on ice and in heavy traffic, face dangerous people in dangerous parts of town with very little backup. Paramedics have to maintain skills that many RNs are not allowed to do, they have the responsibility to make decisions that MDs make in the hospital. They often work alone, handling a code blue or trauma patient alone without a TEAM of helpers, and often work in cramped/low light, very hot or very cold environments. A Paramedics should make at least what an RN makes, and for the items I mentioned, they could even make more! Everyone will always want to make more, so I understand why RNs complain. I was forced to go back to school to support my family. (no raises and no benefits after 17 years) I can't wait to graduate nursing school and make more than $10 an hour!!!

Smattles, Wow! You mean to tell me that your instructor didn't give you credit for that? I mean, how many pseudostratified epithelial are there? Like, ONE! I like my instructors because they let us "argue" about things if we have a valid point. It sounds like you got an excellent score anyway, so you probably arent worried about it. :) Good job!

I don't know the answer to the density question, we aren't to that point in our text book. But I do know that temperature is going to change the density. I would suggest if we are going to tutor each other, that we don't "guess" This stuff can be confusing enough! So make sure you know what you're doing if you attempt to help someone else, or you'll confuse them worse! thanks! : )

Very interesting! I agree that as a nation our health could be much better. But as individuals, we can each choose to be as healthy as can be and live wherever we want. For example, I eat right, exercise and watch what chemicals I put into my body through my skin, mouth, cleaning chemicals and furnishings in my home, etc. etc. Moving would not increase my health. As Americans we simply have to imitate what others are doing right, and stay put. I think I have a unique perspective on the 2 countries. I was born in Canada, 1/2 of my family lives there, 1/2 lives in the US. I have never lived there and have no desire to. I travel there all the time to visit. Growing up, I would "argue" with my cousins about which is better! It was a fun game, but of course they both have their perks. They couldn"t argue with the fact that almost everything in Canada comes from the US (I lovingly call them US wanna bees- or clones of our country) Besides great people, 2 things comes to mind about Canada, they have beautiful mountains, every bit as nice as our Rockies, and they have great wilderness & wide open spaces. But there is no way I would give up ten thousand great things about America (including beatiful warm beaches--warm enough to actually swim in the ocean!) As for healthcare, I like the American system. If I'm healthy I'm not forced to pay for something I'm not using. I have freedom to choose where I go for healthcare, and competition gives us the greatest care on the face of the earth. In summary, there is a lot more to life than living a couple more years. When I get old I will probably have sores and pains and I will be longing to be with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in paradise!

I'm currently taking Anatomy, Chemistry and Psychology. (and the labs too of course) I think Anatomy is the hardest, and thats the one I'm most familiar with. I think the human body is the most complex thing on earth without question. I don't consider myself very intelligent, but I have an A in all of them. (I study constantly) and most importantly, I am highly motivated and interested (especially in the human body) I have some good chemistry books: "Complete idiots guide to chemistry" and my favorite "The cartoon guide to chemistry" I got them at the local library. They make it much easier.

To memorize anything you can use a mnemonic (or make your own) just do a search for "chemistry mnemonics" or check these out: http://www.xs4all.nl/~jcdverha/scijokes/11_5.html#subindex http://www.medicalmnemonics.com/