LaborNurse1

I've seen the way WitchyRN describes used at one hospital. The pack used is betadine based and has a sponge on a stick and a 5x5in square sponge. The circulator has to wear sterile gloves to prep with this kit. We use Chloroprep sticks that we just snap the little lever that breaks the ampule in the stick/handle. This releases the chloroprep solution into the sponge. We start at the incision site and scrub back and forth for 30 seconds. Then we move up the abdomen in back and forth strokes overlapping just enough to not miss any spots. After the abd is prepped, we move to the groin. Chloroprep claims that there is no specific technique needed to scrub other than the 30 sec scrub of the incision site. Which of course threw all of us off when we switched because we were used to something different.

That's great!

Please don't feel like a loser about this. Every nurse I know has encountered a physician who wasn't nice to them. I actually had a similar situation where I was prepping the pts belly for a c/s when I was new to the unit. The doctor was watching me and told me I was doing it wrong. So I said I would do it again, but apparently the second time wasn't any better for him. So I said, "I want you to tell me exactly how you want me to do this because I am not going to do it a 4th time." The doc was taken aback (prob not used to a nurse saying something like this) but instructed me exactly how to scrub, which BTW was exactly how I was doing it. You may find that this doc will be more respectful of you since she knew her behavior was unacceptable to you. In the future, I would advise that you talk privately with the doc to tell them that you are open to learning but not in a disrespectful manner. I find this approach works well.

That's really sad, BabyNurselsa, about the 10 year old! Really sad. The oldest I've cared for: 55 Youngest: 13

Not sure if there will be any direct newborn discharge stuff here, but check out AWHONN's website: http://www.awhonn.org

They are not any easier...remember, students graduating from ADN programs take the exact same boards as BS/BSN students....so the nursing content is virtually the same. The 4 year programs have more community and management, but they aren't any harder!

If you are looking for a modest house in the $350k range then the Merrimack Valley area (Lowell, Tewksbury, Billerica, Dracut, etc) is around that. Albeit, the $350 is on the low end but its a good area for commuting. It's close to NH (tax free shopping), but still not a bad commute into Boston if you wanted to work in the city.

How about an activity assistant in a LTC facility? I did that during nursing school. I had fun and it made me more comfortable interacting with the elderly, families, staff, dementia, and being in front of a crowd. I also worked in medical records and it helped a lot with terminology, and I was always first to finish my patient research because I could detail a chart in my sleep!

Oh my goodness, these little devices and the programs are pricey! How do we poor grad students afford such luxories? And to think I was also considering a laptop as well! Thanks for the advice and tips!

Ok... so when you say the "full boat" what do you mean? What does this program offer?

Hi everyone, I am very PDA-illiterate but was thinking that I would find one very useful during my clinicals. What PDA's would you recommend? What programs do you use? I was looking at the PDR for pda's but it costs $100... or free to already prescribing individuals. Thanks for the advice!

I've never heard or seen these z coil shoes. Can someone provide a link to where I can see them?

Dankso! Dansko! Dansko!!!!!

The University of Cincinnati also has an online CNM program. http://www.nursingonline.uc.edu

Well, I certainly don't envy the stress you must be experiencing! Your college should have a grievance policy in effect where you have the right to appeal this decision. Also, most colleges will have a designated person on staff (not associated with any specific college program) who acts as your advisor kind of like an ombudsman. I would look into that. However, you must remember to not make your appeal on emotions, but facts. Think about how you could factually argue that you were not cheating. Good luck.

Athena, that's a good question. I am currently in school for an MSN, and the BS with a major in nursing was never an issue. Makes sense given that many graduate programs are now accepting non nursing bachelors.

Wow, I think this gets you more upset than me! I was just posting my frustration with the lack of awareness and assumptions, is all. I was never stating one degree was better than the other, just different. Yes it does aggravate me but clearly not as much as the post bothers you!

Good point you have there. I am sure it is disguised as a patient safety issue, but clearly these types of orders allow a nurse to use her/his assessment skills to decide which dose would be appropriate for the patient; the new method takes that ability away.

Thanks for including me and compiling the list!

This person clearly is unaware of what nursing is about. I've had that exact statement said to me and I fumed! I was insulted just like yourself, and in my opinion-rightfully so!

I think it depends on the practice. Many CNM's I have worked with do a 32-40 hour week. A day or two in the office with one day of call per week (24 hrs). But I am sure others do put in 80 plus hours.

I'm in a CNM/WHNP dual track right now, and find that most who do a dual track like this utilize it to be more marketable. Perhaps one field doesn't have many openings in your area, the other might, and vice versa, and I think that the credentials show that you are well rounded. I don't think your idea is a pipe dream... just something where you'll get a lot of red tape to try and trip you up. From what I have seen regarding the emergency c/s is that the CNM in the hospital has an MD collaborative partner that is the back up.

I'm not sure if flight nursing requires a 4 year degree, but I would guess that they do given that it is a competetive field. However, I did the ADN, began working as an RN while continuing on for my BS. I highly recommend that route, so long as people really do go through for the 4 year degree. I found that working as an RN with the ADN while going to school for the BS was highly beneficial. I made good money (the same amount as the 4 year degree RN's) that paid my way through school. I think the online programs are great for the RN to BS/N. Basically, you are just fulfilling pre-req's and do some community stuff. Much less intensive, in my opinion, and therefore less intimadating to do online.

I was a little confused about that myself. I have an ADN from a community college, then went to an RN to BS program. I have to give props to my ADN program for the excellent clinical preparation it provided, something that I noticed the 4 year program I went to didn't. Many of their "generic" (non RN to BS students) students also complained about their clinical experiences, stating that it didn't provide enough hands on and focuses on community nursing overall.

Very good point!