theofficegirl

I wonder if any of you know the answer to this. My state's (FL) site isn't very informative, and most RNs I've spoken to don't know. I am a CNA with a BS in Psychology (I was pre-med until life got in the way), and a bunch of clinical experience. I ...

Frequent bowl movements... and silverware and pots and pans! Dunno about your hubby, but my mom's a retired RN - makes me wonder what she did with her med cart!

I love misconceptions about BPs. Frequently, I have a patient whose BP is high, and they'll say, "No it's not - you're supposed to add your age to 100 and that's what your top number is supposed to be." I had one guy get irate and ask me where I wen...

There is a house under construction on my street. One day, on my way to work, I noticed a pickup truck parked in front of it (on the roadway), and a guy inside, partially reclined with his eyes closed. I stopped, backed up, and stopped next to the ...

I had to run into a grocery store en route to work one day. I was wearing dark blue scrubs, white crocs, 3 pens, a highlighter and a bandage scissor peeking out of the chest pocket, with a cell phone and a pager clipped to the waistband of my scrubs...

During a slow moment last week, a co-worker and I were discussing our parents, and I told her about how my mother (who lives with me) can't seem to remember where things go in the kitchen - for instance, I never know where the large mixing bowl is - ...

Every medical office I've worked in refers to CNAs, CMAs, and other non-licensed staff as "Nurse". I have never agreed with this, but I have been told by several doctors that "the nurse" is the one who provides assistance to the doctor in the offic...

This is the absolute BEST I've ever heard! I literally cried from laughing so hard. Oy VEY! :chuckle I realize it's a few years old (from 2001!), but I've called a few friends to share... this is priceless! I have a few to add, not nearly as fun...

This happened today: As I was preparing to draw blood from a patient, he asked the usual question, "You've done this before, right?" I nodded, and looked at the setup, pointed at the sharp end and said, "I think this end goes in the vein".

Yes, I've read the entire thread, thinking there was a resolution someplace. First of all, OSHA visited us last month, and the chance of HIV from a needlestick was stated as "0.6%". The chances of Hep B/C are greater, but like many of us, I focuse...

I'll try to be brief with the frustrating circumstances. I'm a CNA. I have a BS in Psychology with math up to Calculus I and two semesters of general chemistry. I was aiming at med school, but since money ran out, all I got was this lousy diploma...

I agree about the back problems. I should clarify that I'm capable of full duty nursing - it's just that one wrong move puts me down for a day or two. I've been trying to find out about accelerated programs (I'm in FL) - but they only seem to exist ...

The last poster is absolutely right - as an MA, you're trapped in "office hours". Like you, I enjoy the wider set of practical skills in a medical office, however, there is no way to go to nursing school, as those classes are held during the hours yo...

How about MD or DO? The only problem with that is (as I found out), you have to be able to spend a minimum of $25,000 a year, and have little to no other responsibilities. If you have the grades and the patience, go for it! I'm mapping out an ARNP (...

First note that crossed my desk this morning contained: "Abnormal rythm, Regularly irregular." Sure it's logical... still funny.

This is pretty vague. First of all, why were you to sign a contract to meet with the lab instructor? Then, what happened during the meeting with the lab instructor that forced you out of the program? Diahni, as I've said - much seems to be missin...

Thanks for the reply Dan - it answers a lot of questions. Believe me, I'm not looking at it as a way to "get by" - I was looking at it as an education opportunity - I would definitely give it my "all". Not knowing much about it, I was under the impr...

You might make a darn good lawyer. But don't jump ship too fast. Law school is more "who you know" than "what you know". Even getting into a law firm as a paralegal is impossible if you don't know the right people. Then again, this might vary s...

Background: This was back in the days when we wore "whites". I worked in an LTC where the major nursing focus was size, shape and consistency of BMs. They were a bit obsessive, to say the least. I was to assist an LPN in administering an enema. ...

I have a couple: A new patient to our clinic listed one medication: "Enfamil" He was a 70-something. I asked "What do you take enfamil for"? He answered, "Blood pressure". I guessed he meant Enalapril. When conducting a Dept of Transportation PE,...

As far as I know, you can work in an office or clinic as a CNA without the CMA or RMA. It really all depends on your state law and the doctor's policies. Honestly, it takes a lot of selling yourself to find a clinic which will train you on technic...

If you can't get into a hospital right away, try doctor's offices. And no, I'm not just saying that because I'm "theofficegirl". :) You may have to really search for an office who is willing to train you for that environment - but it's worth it - an...

This is what always bugged me about "the system". Someone else here mentioned that when she shadowed others to see what made them so quick, she found out they cut necessary corners. Odds are, the nursing supervisors were totally unaware - they just...

Let me repeat: YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE! :) It's natural to be afraid, but you're not giving yourself any credit. You've gone through school, you passed, and now you're facing your first job. RELAX! (Ok, I know, I'll shut up about that) To answe...

As I was happily driving down the highway, to start enjoying my shopping day, my cell phone rang, and it was the office. The weekend nurse asked me if I called in a narcotic painkiller, #150 with 1 refill for a patient. Of COURSE not! I don't kno...