WakeUpRN

Yes, the OP would do well to make the post a bit more friendly on the eyes, but you would do well to be a little more friendly, period. I think there have been more than enough "hall monitors" here lately to do without the added cattiness. If the manner of post bothers you (granted, it is hard to read), at least add something of value related to the thread so that your post isn't just taking up space and please do it without the negativity. OP, I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but I understand your plight. Changing jobs may be worth the loss. I worked nights on a 38 bed med/surg floor where, though I loved the people I worked with (mostly, lol), it was completely impossible to safely manage 7 patients, with maybe 1 or 2 assistants. Usually half of my pt's were total care, others were on PCA's, undergoing bladder irrigation, had heparin and insulin drips, had GI bleeds, trying to escape, MD's didn't want to transfer critical pt's, etc. The paperwork load was unbearable-took at least 3 hours because of an antiquated charting system. MARs had to be copied 3 times-one for the chart, one for the docs, one for the med room (BY RNs with 1 copier! ) and each page signed-which means we often signed our names 200-300 times. UGH. MD's were nasty and were allowed to be. And I was SICK of trying to figure out shoddy handwriting and getting yelled at for it. After 10 months of nursing experience, turnover was so high that I was often the senior nurse. I had to find another job, and I did. Although there will be problems wherever you go, I think the trick is to let as much as possible roll off your back, do your best, and remember where you came from and how hard you worked to be where you are.

Hi, It will have taken me a total of 2 1/2 years to complete nursing school...I graduate from a private college RN-ADN program in 7 weeks (December). I started the program fall of 2007, and before that it took a year to complete prerequisites; so total it took 2 1/2 years. I think that is the fastest one can aquire their RN degree/license and complete prerequisites. Most RN programs will not accept you without your general ed requirements. Hope this helps. By the way, depending on where you are, you DON'T have to go the private school route. There are several areas in the country where waiting lists are not that bad for community colleges or universities. I could have attended one of many universities around here or the community college where I live, but opted for the private college because I liked the small classes and nice campus. I know many people around here (Central Kentucky) never had to wait on lists, and if I had to do it all over again, I would have attended a public college to save $.

Call me stupid, but is there a rule about drinking ETOH off duty, providing you are not under the influence? I TRY to drink a small glass of red wine before bed every night (sometimes skip a few nights). I don't think any agency should be able to mandate what a nurse can legally do off-duty if it doesn't affect their work.

Why is everyone so upset? The family had a Visa, not full citizenship. It's not permanent. Kudos to the government for stepping up and enforcing the law.

Why is everyone so upset? The family had a Visa, not full citizenship. It's not permanent. Kudos to the government for stepping up and enforcing the law.

Why is everyone so upset? The family had a Visa, not full citizenship. It's not permanent. Kudos to the government for stepping up and enforcing the law.

Hey! I said "feel like" using someone as a punching bag! But I do think there are times in life where one must use physical force, ie; protecting yourself, family, or those who can't protect themselves. I agree with you, but I don't think we would be much of a civilization had we not used violence in some cases. Not trying to be argumentative, but I just think there are times when you can't let people walk all over you. If I had to kick my hubby's butt to keep his harmful habits away from my children, by golly, I'd do it. (Actually I'm kind of a weakling so I'd probably have my dad do it, but you get the picture...)

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. Let's see what you'd do if you came home and your hubby was in bed with another woman. This woman has given her whole life to her husband, bore him two-plus children, and to top it all off, works to support her household. He has robbed her of her youth, and now, at a time when she should be able to settle in and start to enjoy the rewards of those years, some home-wrecker is stealing all away. Yes, I think you and I and almost every other cheated on spouse would feel like using the "other woman or other man" as a punching bag. Just because someone has 'RN' behind thier name doesn't mean they lose thier humanity. And they don't automatically turn into doormats, either.

Hey there! Don't feel bad or scared to quit. Most short-staffed employers are in thier situation because they are not doing enough to keep thier employees. You should do what's best for you in your life. These days no one expects nurses to stay at thier jobs for years and years. It is a field where people move around and move up- that's one of the reasons most nurses became nurses (or want to become, like me!) in the first place - boundless opportunities! And believe me, your employers probably didn't give much thought to your situation when they changed your hours. They most likely didn't feel bad at all. It IS all about the bottom line with them, and you only have one life. Don't feel indebted to them.

I am in my first semester of nursing school, and already the classroom instructor has gone over needlestick infection statistics. Not sure if this is accurate, but it is what we are being taught and tested on. She said the risk of contracting HBV after a needle stick is close to 30% and the risk of contracting HIV is under 2%.

The small private college I attend has a four semester clinical program after which students take the NCLEX and become an RN. There is no requirement for us to become CNA's, but we can after one semester of clinicals if we wish to.

Hi everyone, I was just wondering how many clinical semesters I must complete before I can test and apply for an LPN license. I know after 1 clinical semester one can apply for a CNA license, which I will do-NEED a way to pay for school! I am in an RN program now, but it would be nice to be able to work as an LPN somewhere part-time while I am finishing up. Thanks everyone for your help!

Another thing I'd like to add, is that I find it odd that nurses who are so caring and eager to take care of patients will not take care of a co-worker. We as women need to stand up for each other; this is the only way we got the rights we have now to vote, own property, etc. It is because women decided to support each other instead of tearing each other down. I don't see why pregnancy rights should be any different. I whole-heartedly agree with you.

I am 26 and have never been pregnant before, and I definitely have seen people use pregnancy as an excuse (and have actually worked with people who were faking pregnancy and trying to get on light duty) but I do think that since procreation is a fact of life, that there should be provisions for women who have to work while pregnant. Men don't get pregnant of course, and as part of our place in life, we do; it's not right that we should have to handle it on our own. Women don't always have husbands or boyfriends to make money for them so most have to work while pregnant. Maybe America has such a bad trend of pre-term labor because of the attitude so many people have toward pregnant women and working conditions. I know the extra work sucks sometimes when working with a pregnant co-worker, but most of the pregnant women I have worked with really do try and I definitely DID NOT let them carry anything heavy if I could help it. I have seen what can happen first hand: A good friend and co-worker was forced to work online with me in a factory. She was pregnant with twins and was having a terribly difficult time. She pleaded with our employer and her doctor to put her on light duty but both declined to do so. She started having problems while she was online and went home sick, and all the while I heard several people complaining that she was "milking it" and "just being lazy" and asserting their various unneeded opinions. Two days later she gave birth to her twin girls at 25-26 weeks. Both girls narrowly survived but after many heart surgeries and lots of lung troubles. It is still unknown as to whether or not they will have any developmental issues or not. She didn't have a choice to just "stay home." She had another child to take care of and a house payment. I'm not saying you're wrong about your coworker though, I know those people are out there, just saying that we really don't know the plight of others, and even if some people can work up to the hour they deliver, others might not safely be able to. I didn't think a pregnant woman should lift more than 20 lbs anyway...if your co-worker is 4-5 months pregnant, she probably shouldn't be lifting laundry or patients.:)

i am in nursing school now and am exploring my options in education and career choices. becoming a rn-crna sounds awesome so far, and as i have worked in a factory seven years (with hard labor 10-12 hours a day,6 days a week sometimes) and have vowed not to let a corporation rule my life again; i like the freedom nurses have over their employment and hours. i have read several posts stating that crna's sometimes have more desirable hours. is this true? ( i am excited by the way over the type of hours rn's work, just believe in having a life outside of work too, nobody ever lies on their deathbed and wishes they had spent more time at work;)) also, everyone says that you cannot work while in crna school. my question is, not even one day a week? and can you not work because of the course work or are you not allowed to? any info regarding the pros and cons of choosing a crna career will be greatly appreciated! when i tell my family i am interested in this(including some rn's), they scoff and say that there is too much responsibility/liability involved as people's lives are at stake. isn't this the case of nursing in general i say? aren't nurses at any level there to care for the sick and dying? most of the people i talk to don't approve, and i'd like to understand why. (not that their opinions will stop me!)