TCRNCOB61

IPN is in Florida. I am in my last year of my 5 year contract. ( my 3rd one, I have started over 3 times, am a slow learner!) This last contract I have really worked on my recovery like I did not before. I am not board referred, I self-reported. Life is good, One Day At a Time!

I live in Florida also and am in IPN. I have been in IPN for 8 years now, relapsed 2 times, I now have less than 2 years left on this 3rd contract. Each contract is 5 years and if you relapse you start over with your time. The IPN program is not hard if you just follow the rules. More than half of the nurses in my group do not go to AA/NA meetings. (we do not have to have papers signed anymore, even when we did you could get anyone to sign them, it did not mean anything) I did not really understand and "get" recovery until this last relaspe when I really started going to NA meetings, got a sponcer, started working the steps and working on me. This time I got it. I have more than 3 years clean now. I am very thankful to God that I have another chance. I look at some of the nurses in my "support" group I have to go to each week and know that they are not getting it. Recovery is life changing. You have to want it. My life is better. I am greatful.

I worked full time nights (8 hours, 5 nights a week), took 9 to 12 hours in college year round for 2 1/2 years, had a 5 yr old son when I started college, and a husband that thought I was his personal servant. It's all in how bad do you want it. I did it. I would NOT want to have to do it again. I am very glad I did it when I was only 25.

I always volunteer to work as I never did like the bar scene. (drinking was not my DOC) I work 12 hour nights so I am safe at work before dark and don't go home until daylight. My sponsor would like for me to go to the local NA dance and speaker meeting they have every year but I am still uncomfortable going to things like that. (part of my past we are working on) She would like for me to be able to pick up my keytag that night as new years eve is my clean date. 3 years this time.

I do not start my car until everyone has their seatbelt on. I also wear my helmet on my motorcycle.

Congrats!!!

My mother was just 64 when she died of unknown causes in her apt. She was not found for approx. 4 days. There are 3 of us kids, all 3 of us left home by the time we were 16 years old to get away from her. She was one of the meanest people on the earth. I would try over the years to get to know her and it would fail. She was just mean and hateful. She was a hermit and had no friends that I know of. The only reason that the neighbor got the manager of the place was there was a package from the post office at her door for 3 days and that was not like her. She had died in her sleep at some point. No will, no life insurance. I had to pay for everything even after she died. It's NOT always the kids fault! I can't tell you how much money I have spent on her over the years trying to make her life better because "I OWE her". I have had 4 years of peace now. I am sorry she died but she is in a better place. (other 2 kids could care less)

I work Mother/Baby and was called to the ER trauma bay when my son was brought in after a MVA (I was working that night). I am VERY greatful for the ER nurses down in the ER as I was a basket case on the inside. I have been a RN for years but in a sec. I became a MOM and just wanted to fix him. Fix him right now!! He lived thank God. We spent 3 weeks in the hospital, had 3 major hip surgeries to rebuild his hips, his was bedridden for 6 months, but he is back walking now. I hope I NEVER get that call again. He is my only child. He may be now 28 years old but he will always be my only child. He came so close to dieing. The EMS did a great job in the field and the ER did great.

We have to wear Black and White. Can be all black or all white or combo. That's for the RN's. LPN's wear combo of Red and white. Most of the male RN's wear all Black.

Does anyone know offhand what the postage is to Canada and the UK to send a card? I hate to stand in line at the postoffice if I don't have to.... TIA, Theresa

I must be one of those rare people then..... I got my LPN in 1982 and then went back to college Jan. of 1985. I went part time the 1st year then full time (2 years worth) after that. Worked full time (nights, 11pm to 7am), had a 5 year old child, and a husband that was one of the worst on the planet. It was NOT easy in the least but I did it. I wanted it very bad. I made straight B's all thru nursing school and was very happy with that.

Email sent. Thanks for starting this up again this year.

It has not gotten any better in the 25 years I have been on nights. I don't see it getting any better either. A day shifter will just tell you to "take a nap" and come on in! I would so love to call some people at 1 or 2 am and see how they like being woken up from their nights sleep. But that's another thread......

I can understand if you are worried about lawsuits but I for one will forever be VERY great full to the nurse that stopped and saved my son's life after his MVA. His truck hit another SUV so hard (not his fault), both femurs shattered his hips and with the combination of the air bag and the steering wheel compressing his chest and rendering him unconscious, he stopped breathing. She got to him and got him breathing again and kept his neck straight until EMS got there. He would NOT be here today if not for that WONDERFUL NURSE that saved his life. I am deeply great full. I would and will stop if at all possible to pay it forward.

After more than 25 years of nursing I still can't be in the room if my pt. is throwing up. I can handle just about anything else but that. But the nurses I work with love me and will go take care of the problem and I draw all their labs for them. Fair trade in my book!!