RNfaster

Sometimes I think if folks don't have the money, they should scale down their plans... Here's a link to an article on low-cost funerals, including free cremations. I now better understand why Costco sells coffins. Looking for a “low cost” or even F...

You might try contacting your state's labor board. Alert them of what is going on at this institution. If the institution does not pay you, advise them of that, too.

That amount of debt is too high. I wouldn't do it. Community college programs cost a lot less. You might even get a job with a healthcare institution that will help pay your school tuition while you are working on your degree. --Then when you get out...

SNF/rehab experience can get you into acute care. On the other hand, having had nursing experience at a SNF/rehab can disqualify you from new-grad nursing programs at an acute care hospital. ---Are there some stellar new-grad programs that you might ...

You might try discussing it with either the hiring manager or HR...(If you seemed to have a greater affinity for one versus the other, you might try that person.) ---You might ask how the pay is calculated (some places base in on verifiable experienc...

Sometimes the culture of an institution can make a difference... Are you in one that has a progressive culture (e.g., related to patient safety, diversity, accountability, etc.)? Have the places you worked in had good nurse-to-patient ratios, good eq...

Some employer plans offer designated Roth accounts... More info at:Retirement Plans FAQs on Designated Roth Accounts The combined amount contributed to all designated Roth accounts and traditional, pre-tax accounts in any one year for any individual...

The data just doesn't support that a majority of healthcare workers are colonized with MRSA, much less S. aureus. Below are some links to evidence-based articles related to MRSA and healthcare workers. --Note that S. aureus is described --with higher...

Check out the following evidence-based articles that suggest that healthcare workers are not colonized by C. difficile in high numbers: Prevalence of Clostridium difficile colonization among healthcare workers | BMC Infectious Diseases | Full Text ©...

No. I save and enjoy hitting savings goals. Once I hit those, I set new ones. As other folks have mentioned, debt is not a kind monkey to have on one's back. I think it's better to have a solid amount of savings, and then save for other things you w...

I agree with others that you should report it to your management. They will then be able to protect subsequent caregivers (and even you and your patient) better. What if you are out sick one day, and another nurse covers you that does not know the dy...

You are not incompetent. You are learning. And even experienced nurses have tried to flush an IV that is closed. Many experienced nurses have also had some medication spill on the sheets when administering them via an NG tube. You will get better wit...

Interestingly, Joint Commission classes eye rolling as a "disruptive behavior." http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/tjc-improvingpatientandworkersafety-monograph.pdf - page 98 Some other venerable nursing publications use the terms "bullying" ...

I hate nare (incorrect singular of nares --correct version: naris).

This thread is thought-provoking, with a lot of good input. I still must say that do not think that incivility should be accepted as a norm in our workplace. I am not saying it will not occur, but I think it should be rare. --I suppose I may be too i...

I do think it would have been better for the OP to talk to the "problem" nurse, rather than escalating it to management. (Sometimes folks have a bad day...) We do not work in a perfect world. On the other hand, it is true that eye-rolling and other r...

I wear 20-30mm Hg thigh highs by Allegro to reduce leg fatigue/soreness (they really work)... I get them at BrightLifeDirect.com. I wait for their sales where they have buy three get one free. I think there should be a sale coming in Dec or Jan.

Prepare for NCLEX right along side with your courses. Read extra pharmacology as related to your coursework. But, as others have mentioned, put first priority on required schoolwork. Read the textbooks. --It's best to do this before lecture (whether ...

Interesting...I guess that might be why some of the providers I have talked to say it's not really worth it to get a sample... Initially, I learned from nursing staff about using a catheter to get the sample... Just surfing the internet, and per dif...

I have learned that if family or the patient is questioning something, it's usually worth it to investigate further. With a Foley catheter, it's okay to take it from the sample port. Ileal conduit is another beast.

If patient has a urostomy, e.g., ileal conduit, the stoma should be cathed for the urine sample. Even, so, many providers will say U/A results from ileal conduits are going to be abnormal. Check this out: http://www.thepathologycenter.org/uploads/P...

Here are some links to some evidence-based data related to C diff and MRSA rates in healthcare workers... BMC Infectious Diseases | Full text | Prevalence of Clostridium difficile colonization among healthcare workers BMC Infectious Diseases - "Preva...

Actually, they can test solid stools... I have had solid stool come back positive for C diff... My lab usually refuses solid stool, except per provider order...(this is often done related to immunosuppressed folks)...

The more you read the material, the faster you will be...unfamiliar words tend to slow me down, but once I understand them, I can read many times faster. --Take the time in the beginning...it will serve you well later on.

I don't think you've given it enough time to decide if you are happy or not. You said you've been a nurse for three months. Three months as a nurse in one job is not enough, and it sounds like you are just starting a second job. It can take time to g...