floridaRN13

In the interest of science, check this out:

FYI-in the state of Wyoming I learned that a registered nurse with 7 years of experience can expect to make approx. $23 hr. in a hospital setting, with no additional compensation for having a BSN vs. an associate's degree. A registered nurse working in a doctor's office setting makes approx. $15/hr. I was shocked at that low rate, but a RN friend of mine with many years of experience confirmed it with first hand knowledge. Oh, and hospitals often require/expect a nurse to work both day and night shifts.

I was in my 40's and single when I began nursing school and yes, I worked full time all through my Associate's program to become and RN and graduated with honors. I went to school during the day and worked 4pm-1230am after my school day ended. My advisor had recommended not to work more than 20 hrs. per week, but in my case, I didn't have the option. I decided to take it a semester at a time to see if it was doable. I got about 4-5 hours sleep most nights. I do believe God blessed me with health and stamina, because normally I need 7 hrs. per night to function. I didn't have much of a life during this time, but I did reach my goal and graduated with honors. I am glad I did it.

Your experiences sound rough. Hopefully, you have acquired some good clinical skills enroute.I agree with nursej22, that not all nursing environments are like the ones you have experienced so far. Not all hospitals require nurses to work night shift, just because they are new to the hospital. Working nights may be playing a big part in the difficulty of your nursing career. I know personally I could physically not work nights. I was a new nurse just 6 years ago and was told by a rural hospital that all nurses must start med-surg, night shift. Their sister hospital less than 30 miles down the road had no such rule, and I ended up starting there, on days, and it turned out to be a really good work environment. A few years later I moved back to FL, and was able to secure a day shift in a women's unit (different specialty for me), also a good experience. So I encourage you not to give up.

I became a nurse in my 40's, going to nursing school full time while working a full time job. Here are some of the ways I found effective for my studying: 1. Take good notes in class. Rewrite them, listen to them on tape, whichever way you retain best. 2. Re: Reading-try to determine what you can skim and what you really need to read. 3. study what is in the "boxes" in your reading. These boxes usually highlight what the author deems important. 4. I didn't have time in my schedule for a study group too often, but when I did, I found it helpful, especially in quizzing each other for A & P exams. 5. When we would get an exam back, I would make note of the questions I missed, so I could study them more later on. Best wishes to you!

I am in my last course for RN-BSN online through University of Wyoming. I honestly don't know what their humanities requirements are (I already had at least 9 hrs. from my AA I had before entering nursing) but maybe I can give you a link that might help. I think UW is reasonably priced compare to lots of other schools, about $140/hr regardless of state you live in. http://www.uwyo.edu/nursingsupport/Forms_Handbooks/Course%20Sequence%20Sheet/RN-BSN-USP2003_March_2009_current.pdf for the degree requirements and http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/nursing/info.asp?p=5183 for the homepage for UW's RN-BSN program Best wishes! Trisha

Yes, I think this is a infection control issue also. We take the same BP machine/cuff room to room at our facility. We do have a separate one for pts who are on isolation, which stays in the pts room. On a similar note re: infection control. At our facility, they are "encouraging" nurses to carry their lap tops room to room to administer medication. (they really want us to do all charting at the bedside, in real time, taking these laptops room to room, but for now are currently requiring us to carry them in for med administration). There is not a special place to set these down in the rooms, like a nurse server, so we either have to hold them in one hand and type with one hand, or find a place to set them down in the pt room. We actually had to sign a paper saying we would carry the computer into the pt room. Comments?

Universal health care: Question: If I as a US citizen, were in say, Canada, and became ill, how would I receieve health care and who would pay for it? Would it matter if I had health insurance in the US or not?

No, no, no--I do not want universal health care. We already pay taxes that are too high and I agree with a previous response that I don't think the government could do it without fumbling it up. Also, while we are on the subject of government involvement with health care: Our government's current health care costs would be greatly reduced if we had a better handle on illegal immigration. We take care of soooo many people at our facility who are illegals, and often they come to the US to have their babies, who then become US citizens. (they get emergency Medicaid) My heart goes out to the people who want to come to another country for a better life, but there are legal ways to do this. It gets very complicated. ( I do not let this get in the way of my nursing care, I am just venting that there must be a better to way to manage the situation!)

To the person who asked me (several weeks ago) about where we get our footprint/handprint clay impressions for the stillborns... After weeks of forgetting to ask the person who is in charge of this, I finally caught her in the hall a few days ago. She says they just buy the impression kits at a craft store (Joann's or Michael's in our area of Florida) and use those. They generally come in a little tin and you can imprint the baby's hands or feet, so they have a lasting memento of their precious little one. Also, and I think this is so thoughtful and sweet. There is a church in our area that makes and provides tiny garments for the babies that need something to be buried in. They look like a small shirt/gown, the size of doll clothes, and come in a small box with a sweet card with a special verse expressing sympathy to the recipient. It started with a lady who lost a baby and had nothing small enough to bury it in. There is another group of special people who make and donate specially weighted teddy bears, so the families have something to hold, that sort of feels like a baby. (I know this may sound weird to some, but some people find comfort in this, and if it helps, great!)

Bereavement info-our hospital has a "shattered dreams" packet we give our patients. This includes a memory packet (length of baby marked, clay impressions of footprints and a lock of hair if parents desire), an information booklet and their baby's photo(s). There is also the option to have professional photos taken by a special photographer that offers this service, and does a beautiful, tasteful job. There is also a support group that is offered to parents that meets for I believe 12 weeks, and the facilitator is a mental health counselor who experienced a stillbirth. This counselor brings in various speakers over the course of the group's meeting, including an OB physician who will answer medical questions. On a separate note, nurses at our hospital who work in the women's area take a one day bereavement course, which is very helpful. We review the medical, documentation, spiritual and emotional aspects, as well as cultural differences. Hope this helps.

Hi Holisticallyminded- When I got out of nursing school in Orlando in 2003, I moved out west to a small town of less than 10,000. I, too, was told I had to pay my dues and start as a med-surg night shift nurse. I knew I would not fare well on the night shift and had no desire to try it. I considered home health, and while they said they would consider me if they had an opening, they did prefer experience. I tried the next town, approx. 30 miles away, and got on there per diem, days, and after 2 weeks on the job, I got hired full time. So, I say, don't give up on the type of work you want to do. If you are in a big city like Seattle, keep plugging and see what all is out there. While it IS good to get the hospital experience, there is not only one way to enter the practice of nursing. I wish you well!

dotidot-I graduated with my Associates' degree from Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, located in Orlando, in 2003. I liked the school and the instructors. I have not participated in their online program, but can recommend the college from the standpoint of having been an on-campus student. It is expensive though. Isn't it around $300 per hour now? Due to the cost, I did not persue their online program, I am in the University of Wyoming program. See my other post here regarding that. Best wishes!

I am in the online program with the University of Wyoming, only about 5 classes away from graduation with my BSN. There are no residency requirements. The cost is $134 per credit hour (it breaks down to $90 per credit and $34 per hr. "delivery" fee). Overall, I find the cost and program to be good, and I have been in the program for several semesters. All of their nursing courses are online but you may have to go outside the program for classes like art or math if you need them. I started wiht U of WY. while living in Wyoming, and continued when I moved back to Florida. I did check out other programs but this was by far the most reasonably priced. Best wishes in your pursuit!

I have had my crocs for 3 years or so, and I have croc-stops every now and then. I thought it was just me till I read some of the threads. They are so comfy to wear....until I get home from my 12 hr. shift. That is when my feet and back begin to ache, ache...They have virtually no arch support and that is when my body starts screaming it to me. I have pretty much stopped wearing mine and most recently have tried Reebok DMX walkers for my size 9wide feet, and I added an arch support. I have been happy with these, would buy them again. Good socks are important, too, I can't stand for my socks to be too tight or too sloppy-loose, making shoes slide up and down.