styRN

Now that 7 provinces have made BScN minimum entry to practice, the bridge program is difficult to find and can be very selective. One of the biggest problems/concerns for professors and students was the lack of academic preparation at the diploma level to make the transition to a degree program successful. Profs have told me that the majority of students were ill-prepared acedemically and intellectuly to succeed. That being said, check into the program still offered collaboratively between Centennial College (Scarborough, ON) and Ryerson (Toronto). It may not be offered for much longer pending its success.

I'm north of the border in Ontario, and the shortage is in a crisis state. Just RNs alone, there are approx 20,000 due to retire this year and only 3,200 new grads pumped out. The average age of a nurse here is almost 50, so the shortage is going to only get worse, with the average age of retirement of nurses here being just above 55. Currently, across Canada, the projected national shortfall of just RNs two years from now is approx 78,000, and by 2015 is projected to have a shortfall of 115,000 RNs. The crisis out in the western provinces is causing recruiters to raid what nurses we do have left in my province, offering huge bonuses to relocate. Sad, since my daughter is entering the BScN program in September.

The regular weight fabric is almost like a light canvas when you first receive them - quite stiff, but two washes with fabric softener and they're good to go, and I agree: they age well, becoming more soft with every washing. I have Aviators in both materials and like them both, but probably lean a little towards the lightweight fabric. I tend to wear the regular weight fabrics in the winter, lightweight in the summer; it's a shame the lightweight only comes in a select few colours, but the regular weight comes in a rainbow of about 20 shades. To a previous poster re: pockets: the Aviator tops come in 6 different styles, from no pockets to 6 pockets plus additional pen pockets. Same with the pants, which BTW can be cutom ordered in any inseam you want. Yes, you pay for it but they're worth it for the quality investment.

x2 on the Aviators. Get over the initial sticker shock; they'll last for years. Order by the end of the month and save 20% off in-stock items. and no, I have no affiliation with the company except as a loyal customer.

From my recent post: "Thought I'd chime in - I recently ordered 2 pr of Aviators with custom options and they were on my doorstep within 30 days across the border to Canada". The leg opeings are straight cut. The 30 days from order to doorstep included custom added pockets to the scrub tops. I'm ordering soon for the third time - do it over the phone instead of online - they are very patient and helpful. I'm selling 2 pr of small aviator pants that have never been worn, if anyone's interested, PM me.

I met a girl in nurse's training and married her the year after grad. We're both RNs celebrating our 20th year nursing class of '88 reunion this summer, followed by our 19th wedding aniversary in the fall. Our middle child (daughter) is going off to university this fall for her BScN. I can't imagine being married to someone other than a nurse who understands me without having to speak. ...and our kids can eat through the most horrific/gross/nasty dinner table conversations without batting an eye!

State where you are currently employed? Ontario, Canada How old are you? 40 years old You describe your ethnicity as: caucasian heterosexual married (only once) with children. How's that! How long have you worked as an RN? 20 years How long have you worked at your present place of employment? 13 years What kind of educational degree(s) do you hold? Mark all that apply.__X___ Associate degree in nursing (closest equivalent to my 3 yr diploma program that I crunched into 2 years) Do you work as a floor nurse? __X___ Not per se Do you have a particular specialty? __X___ Yes Please specify: charge nurse/long term care/infection control as well as union leaderHow did you obtain your specialty?: certificate programs, training, experience At what point of your life did you decide to become a nurse? Can you recall a particular instance when you though “I really want to be a nurse?” 19 years old, beginning an apprenticeship in tool and die, when my best friend was hospitalized for an extended period for a difficult surgical removal of a (benign) spinal cord tumor . The nurses were amazing and I had my epiphany...awakening...whatever :) How would you describe your career goals? What would be the path to achieving them? Content to be a charge nurse; highest position available at my workplace for unionized staff, as I am also the union leader at my workplace as well as for my local. What does a typical work day look like for you? rotating days of the week (every other weekend) 8 hr shifts 0630-1430 in charge of 2 nursing units, 32 beds each, of geriatric residents of varying care needs. Co-ordination of care, supervision and direction of RPNs and PSWs on my nursing units as well as being the general charge nurse for the entire facility (320 beds) under the direction of a nurse manager and DOC. Also perform all infection control monitoring and outbreak management. How would you describe the communication at your workplace? Overall good, because I understand respect as a two-way street. I am highly regarded as fair and just with a great sense of humour and truly get along with everyone. I am respected by my subordinates, my peers and my managers, as well as outside agency personel, professionals and physicians, trusted for my skills. In many respect I consider myself lucky, despite my achievements being nobody's but my own. What is the most satisfying aspect of your interactions at work? I derive a great deal of satisfaction from the knowledge that I am highly regarded by my co-workers, managers, patients and their families. I am often the go-to person to problem solve or to act as a sounding board or to brainstorm creative solutions, by staff and managers. Could you give an example of one of the best interactions you have had at work? When my work, task or project is recognized as well done; quite often. How about the worse interaction? Rarely. How do you think at-work interactions and communication experiences would be different if you were a female nurse? For good or bad, truth be told, I don't think I would command the exact level of respect if I were female, but I cannot say for certain. Female co-workers in the same position as myself are as highly regarded and respected, perhaps not so the part time casual staff, as to be expected. I know I did not always feel this way, so it may just be because of my experience. Can you think of a situation when you felt you were treated differently (positively or negatively) because you are a male in a female-dominated profession? Could you give an example? Physicians, unfortunately for my co-workers, still treat me with a little more respect at times, as more of an equal. Patients and their families initially as well, actually. I am, as a male, however, called upon more frequently as work as a maintenance man, a carpenter, a mechanic, a forklift and stern father figure when necessary :)

Of course it's true! We guys call on our female co-workers all the time to find us things when we think we've looked everywhere and we return the favour by fixing anything on the unit that's broken :) (Or at least we'll take a crack at it, maybe take it apart before we realize we shouldn't have) It's still quicker than waiting for IT or maintenance dept to get around to doing something. Seriously, though - ego? I don't know. I will perpetuate the stereotype and say that I am pretty mechanically and technologically inclined and keep a small toolbox on my unit for anything from loose w/c pedals to jammed printers and have had to reinstall some software on our unit's network just so our staff could do their documentation on a stat holiday and the system went down.

My books cost about the same as my tuition, if I remeber right. Total cost RN diploma $500/semester x3/yr = 6 semesters =$3000 total tuition circa 1988.

Dulcolax or glycerin suppositories, but more commonly I've seen fleet enemas given.

I know it was clear in your post that you don't like scrub tops, but these uniforms stand out, come in a gazillion colours and look very masculine. The company will add up to 3 lines of embroidery for name, title, etc in block or script letters on the shirts: www.aviatorscrubs.com and I've been told that they can do some custom embroidery, like for a logo, design, caduceus or rod of Asclepius, etc. They do tend to be a bit more expensive than plain/unisex scrubs, but they are heavy-duty/bulletproof and will last a long time. If it looks like it might be something worth considering, do a search on this forum and you'll see many of us swear by them and won't go back!

Well, after the priorities of time with wife and 3 kids... It's been 5 years of constant renovating our 1890 Queen Anne home - we're in the middle of gutting/restoring 2 master baths and then all we will have left is the kitchen, slated to take place in spring/summer. We're trying to maintain a historically accurate restoration with the intent of turning it into a B&B. The remainder of my free time is spent running, cycling & strength training - I started triathlons in 2005, but mainly compete in duathlons now and will be competing this season in AG40-44

One word: BODYGROOM www.shaveeverywhere.com

I think your question would be better answered if we knew what type of nursing you were doing and the types of things you were exposing yourself (and your hands and your ring) to. I wear my plain gold band everyday to work, but off it comes, along with my watch and medic alert bracelet for those few times a day I might need to perform a procedure with aseptic technique. Otherwise, good handwashing and alcohol-based hand scrubs in-between and I'm good to go. I am responsible for monitoring all infection control practices at work and it's allowable as part of our nursing dress code, but common sense should dictate if/when it would be inappropriate and use your own judgement accordingly.

Will your job entail long periods on your feet walking/standing, or is there deskwork involved to give your dogs a rest? If you'll be on your feet most of the time, and need a dressier-style of shoe than running shoes, I second the 'chef shoe' recommendation - they are usually black, sensible and comfortable and your legs and back will thank you. Think Dansko; Google "chef shoes". I wear this type of shoe as a flloor nurse. Another option for a very comfortable shoe that looks great with khakis is Dr. Marten's. They come in laceup, slip on and clogs, many styles to choose from, black, brown...very comfy!