scared'o'needles!

Ok - liking the uniforms as they are not white, and much nicer :) Now for the buts - 1 no pockets to put pens in so they dont stab you when you kneel 2 - what happens when someone throws up or bleeds all over your uniform how do you take it off? With the ones we have now I unzip it and step out of it, cant do that with the new stlye, Are we expected to pull it over our head and face? How does this sit with infection control? Will it be ok top cut it off? Sorry to be critical, but this is costing shackfuls of money, when the nhs has to make all these cutbacks and it hasn't really been thought through. Who was it they approached to help them with this? Was it actually people on the wards, infection control etc., Sorry - I seem to always moan on this site, cant quite get into the thought process of why anyone would think that the new styles were practical

"i resent this attitude as an american born rn/fnp of mexican descent. i have heard this comment before but when you need me to translate for you then suddenly it is ok'd by people with this attitude for me to speak my first language which is spanish." .....and i resent that attitude! interpretating to ensure someone gets the right care can not be compared to what in my opinion is alienating behaviour!

while i understand that it can feel extremely uncomfortable listening and sitting in the midst of other co-workers speak in their native languages. so your agreeing it can be uncomfortable - yet reserve the right to do it? i would have liked to have kept the illusion that these people were ignorant to the fact they were making colleagues uncomfortable, guess i was just naive :'( it is amazing that it is okay for nurses from this country to speak in english and use curse words when they are upset with a situation, and form their own "clicky" group because that is in line with "being american." it is amazing - fancy that americans speaking english! the audacity of that! oh, and sticking to english speaking people...dont they realise what fun it is to be the only person in a group to not speak the language there freinds are choosing to speak! i never knew what discrimination was until i came to this country. however, i channeled my experiences into a positive attitude and i have continued to act as i did in my childhood (avoid seeing color and race) when things do not go my way and rather try to address the issue at hand ???????see previous quote! yeh - positive attitude...you really haven't noticed the race or culture of the "clicky", americans cursing, now, have you? oh yeh and what does "being american" mean to you? . hopefully, the experiences of the compliant will highlight the difficulties that arise when one feels out of place; fate foreign born individuals continue to face in this country. unlike those foul mouthed "clicky" americans - right? you want to take a good long look at yourself. at least americans realise there can be discrimination and racism and are looking at themselves to correct it.

Where are the top pockets for the pens? Everytime I have one of those in my bottom pockets I stab myself in the legs when I am bending

It could be a research thing thats going on due to the recent revelations on Vitamin d def. Just a guess, though!

Yeh, i was taught you can put linen on it but not tuck it in:) As for turns, they are turned, but less frequently than they would be. Turns are determined by when the pts skin is showing signs of marking etc.

Could it be reactive arthritis? Just a guess!

RN CArdiac said "How much data is really available about the long term safety of the H1N1 LAIV?" Spot on

:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

I seem to recall literature regarding the circardian rhythm and how it is responsible for surges in blood pressure during the sleep cycle and the increase in MI's etc., I also seem to recall that it was between 3ish - 5ish am....I could be wrong, but I always ensured my pt were always ok during this time on a night shift, just incase:-)

I thought the RCN would be obliged to consult its members before deciding on things like this? Am I wrong to believe that?

ayla2004 Bartels is a dependency score, the risk assessment was related to the falls score. After looking at what I wrote I can see why you thought it was a risk assessment.

Madeleine. Sorry to astonish you, but no I have only the knowledge of this that I have posted about here. This is not because I do not keep my practice as up to date as best I can in respect to my working environment. It is because until very recently I had no idea that this was on the go. A colleague of mine has not long ago attended a three day course to educate them and train them as clinical supervisors, so they can introduce it to us. At the meeting my colleague held to inform us of this service no-one in the room had any experience of this - even our CN, and many of these people have had many years service behind them. Why would they be 'introducing' something that was already part of the system here? Also why, after 2.5 years practicing have I not had a clinical superviser, or supervision if it was so widespread? Thank you for pointing out how we have to keep up to date with our practice. Now I know that about clinical supervision, I will welcome it. I can honestly say that I do strive to stay on top of developments, although it can be difficult with all the other pressures of living, I do what I can.

Hi, as sharrie said her ADL's need to be assessed. A few of the tools we use quite a lot are Waterlow score, Must score, Mobility assessment, Bartels and Falls Risk and Pain Assessments to name a few. Most of these tools have protocols that go along with them which can guide you as to the correct way to plan your care. There may be continence issues with this patient due to spasms so you may need to look at the bowel regimes that can be put in place to address this.

Thanx everone...I thought it was something like that:) This will be a positive thing, I think

From what I took from the talk it was like a kinda counselling, one to one with another colleague whom is registered (gone through the training for this) where we let off steam and address how we are feeling/getting on at work. We are supposed to establish boundaries etc, on the first session. I was wondering if this is to address mental health issues surrounding the nursing profession addressing the pressures etc., I only qualified a couple of years ago and I sorta remember going to lectures and some of the lecturers going on about the nhs going to be doing something to improve the mental health issues of the job. I think that the overall theme is that if you can support staff to identify/ address issues, strenghs etc., their professional practice will be improved, as will their pt experience's

I have just been to a small locally given presentation on this and been told it will soon be a compulsary part of a RN's personal development plan to be actively involved in this. To me it seems more like a kinda a counselling,and the name misrepresents it. Still not sure what it is all about other than supporting staff. Can anyone give me more insight into this, I do believe it is going to become an important part of practice.

Another thing to think about is also wether she has dependants, will the loss of his registration mean it will impact on his ability to contribute to the childrens upbringing. How would that affect her circumstances.

I have had an mri of my spine with no contrast.

I have to say that i have had many different investigations, flex sig and colonoscopy included and nothing prepared me for the pain that came with them....esp the flex sig which was w/o sedation. I have since been told if you have inflammation you have more chance of being in pain - which I have:-( I could not force myself to go thru that again without proper meds. I'm in awe of anyone that can tolerate this procedure w/o anything to dampen the pain.

as named...lol It's not the jab itself that worry's me....it's the fear and the worry after the event of blood borne viruses infection (as low as they may be). It won't seem that low if you are the unfortunate one that gets an illness.

I think you were right to intervene..I would have probably panicked if I walked in on the scene you described. I am wondering though, if this man was a member of a 'spiritulist church' and if what you witnesses was a 'healing' of some sort. If this is the case... I have to say you were still right to challenge him as he should have announced himself and his attentions beforehand, to allow staff to establish if this would be appropriate. I think it is always easy after the event to think of all the right responses to these dilemas and I have no idea how I would have handled this situation. Whatever the outcome (if any) hold on to the fact you had good intentions.

An easier question to answer is what exactly RN's don't do....we clean, cater, counsel and care for pt's (both clinical and personal care). Our job description goes on forever. Good luck if you go for it:-)

Sharrie said "Scared I've been having a think about some of your posts and your obviously having a rough time, does your trust have an employee counselling / support / wellbeing service it may be worth contacting them for some support. I know our service has been really well used in the last few months with the increasing pressure and stress of working in the NHS" Thanx or your concern and advice, but I think that counselling will not change anything. It is like what the previous responses have suggested, the answer is to leave. I feel like I am giving in though:-( I sometimes look around me and wish I could just ignore or be oblivious to what I see is wrong, like everyone else seems to be able to do.

I am a union member...(not rcn), I have already sought advice fom them on certain things and the conversation I had with them left me with the feeling that they were well aware of all the issues going on where I work and that they were just waiting for their oportunity to do things. Basically they were saying that it was time to get our selves organised. I feel am working within a calcified old regime and can't wait to 'escape'. I have had experience in other areas before I trained fully and have always felt that our 'clinical governance' was a very effective way of regulation...however, since working where I am I have only seen the this being used as a way to cut corners and save money:-( Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond....I do believe that I am seen as 'trouble' although I question whether expecting manageable workloads and decent rotas should be seen as being that. I am also worrying how this will affect my abiity to secure other employment:-@ I am the type who will submit datex for staff shortages etc., and I have tried to explain to others why this is important, I feel I am hitting my head off of a wall.