eligrace

Demerol masks the pain with heavy CNS sedation. The sedation can impede recovery by not only not treating the pain, but by also limiting energy supplies that pts need to recover. And, if given for migraines, the heavy CNS sedation can promote rebound migraines once the sedation starts to wear off. There are many other pain medicines that are much "cleaner" for the pt that do a much better job at controlling the pain while able to be alert and participate in their recovery.

I worked at a hospital that did "team nursing" for about 2 months. HATED IT! You do all of the CNA work & 1/2 of the RN work. I didn't get to sit in on report, I was expected to pass meds, without any kind of report! Our shift started at 7 and I wouldn't see the RN until 9 or later. Meanwhile I am doing meds and cares on people that I know nothing about! It felt extremely unsafe and I feel that patient care really suffered! I would be very vocal and organized with your concerns right from the beginning and hopefully your hospital will not slip in to this mess.

I did work for Covenant, however not on the floor. I worked in the clinic.

Covenant is a good organization to work for. As a hospital CNA you will still be doing much of the same tasks however they will be geared toward restoration, not merely maintaining. I would suggest going to the website and filling out an application. I am sure they would love to talk with you. Good luck!

Nursing is an extremely physical job! Staffing, especially in LTC, can be iffy so you can't always depend on someone else to be there. And, as you can delegate the lifting and such, at the end of the day it is YOUR responsibility that it all be done. And remember, there is no delegating in clinicals. Most often you are the total caregiver. I would strongly recommend that you speak with your dr. first. You might be able to build your back up with physical therapy, they are really doing amazing things these days. I once had a CNA as a resident at a LTC facility. He hurt his back while working there and now is wc bound for life. We definitely need all the nurses that we can get however you do need to be sure that is a job that is safe for you.

I am thinking of a similar road. How did you get started?

I have been considering something similar, would you please let me know how to start. Thanks, Elisha

I'm glad that you got some relief! I got my cortisone shot in the office in the am and walked downstairs and worked a 12 hour shift on M/S. I could not believe how much better it felt! You have to get the pain and inflammation out of the way before any stretching or anything else will work. Now that it isn't so inflamed you can try a few gentle stretches to stretch back out the fascia and hamstring. Try propping your toes against the side of the wall at a 45-50 degree angle to the wall abd slowly lean forward and hold for a couple of seconds. Or, if you have stairs handy, let your heels hang off the step and slowly lower yourself down a bit then rise back up. Both of these exercieses will lengthen back out the fascia and hamstring which shortens with the inflam. This will help so that the pain doesn't come back. The nice thing about these 2 exercises is that they are totally portable and you can do them while working. You can even chart or look over your reports while doing them! I wish you and your feet smoother days ahead! Elisha

I am just now considering going back to agency. I loved it! I had very steady positions at some really interesting clinics. I worked for 2 different agencies, that way I didn't have to worry so much about not having any hours. The paperwork can be a challenge, but that never hurt anyone. Your patient care is always the same. If you have a CF pt, you treat a CF patient. The paperwork you can get done. And, as far as family calls and questions regarding patient history, your CNAs are your best resource. Find someone who has been there a while and knows the people and then keep them close! The agencies I worked for took care of taxes and I even had benefits! Most agencies like 1 years experience but it never hurts to talk to one or two. Good luck!

I am a nurse for the ARC blood services. As long as you have taken your last dose of atb you are fine to donate. As for wellbutrin, that isn't a problem. There are only a few medicines that have a long deferral period. Thank you for donating!! Our supplies get really low in the summer! Very few people who are able actually donate and when people get busy in the summer that number drops even more! So thank you!

I have a vine around my right forearm. It has caused me a bit of grief at work early on but not too much anymore. I got mine about 15 years ago. I was new to that area so I didn't know of anyone word of mouth. I had seen this parlor downtown. Nice looking building, nice neighborhood. Then I was talking to a gal at work who had a friend who was also an artist and did his freehand. I went to that one, was very happy with it. Then about 2 weeks later the original place that I was going to use got shut down for 3 cases of Hep C. Talk about squeaking by! Needless to say that is the only one that I have.

I am wanting to start my own HH agency and PRN staffing agency in Iowa but am at a loss as to how and what to bill for services, where to begin the insurance nightmare and how to compensate employees. I've never really been concerned with the compensation of care aspect before so now I am a little lost. Any ideas where to start?

I have been an LPN for about 10 years. I have worked LTC (to get my feet wet), Med/Surg, Tele, assist in ICU and ER. I have worked Mental Health, Clinics and now for the American Red Cross. Also I am about to venture into owning my own agency. There are a lot of possibilities for us.

I am wanting to start my own HH agency but am a bit lost as to how and what to bill for services, where to begin the insurance nightmare and how to compensate employees. I've never really been concerned with the compensation of care aspect before so now I am a little lost. Any ideas where to start?

It sounds like plantar fasciitis. It is when the fascia gets inflamed and then will shorten in the night. That would explain the tightness and pain in the morning. Try doing some light stretches in the morning. Put your toes against the wall and your heel on the floor and then lean into it slowly. Don't force it! You want to gradually stretch the fascia back out. There are a number of different treatments. I did PT to stretch the fascia and hamstring, had insoles made for my shoe and have this very attractive boot:o that I would sleep in while it was stretching. That keeps the fascia from tightening up overnight. I ended up with a cortisone injection that really made a difference. I would check with your Dr. again. Labs would show an inflammation in the fascia, muscle or other orthopedic cause for your pain. Best of luck,

From what I understand, the new orders were written and approved by the attending? If so, then the student wasn't giving the order. He was, however, giving her a heads up that there was a STAT order to be done. If he was snotty, cocky or arrogant, well that will get worked out of him in time. Meanwhile, he did prevent her from being late on a STAT order that obviously wasn't aware of yet. Whether it was barked or just spoken, she should have thanked him for the heads up and went to verify the order. The point to healthcare is working like a team. The goal is patient care. He may have been cocky, however she sounds a bit unprofessional. And he may not be writing orders now, however some day he will be. MS deserve some respect for the tremendous amount of work that they are doing to get to where the are. It is not exactly medicine for dummies!

You could say that. My mother diagnosed with bipolar, however, today she would also be diagnosed with severe PTSD. She committed suicide when I was 6 (she was 22). I continued to live with my step-father (who is the one who found her). He has been a "happy drunk" for as long as I can remember. I could tell when he was drinking to forget. He would get this look in his eyes and shudder. Like he was seeing it all over again. When I was 7 1/2 he remarried to a woman with severe untreated depression. She tried but spent a lot of time in her room with "headaches". She is better now too. I guess I became a nurse because I know how damaging pain can be. Noone should go through that alone.

I have several that really carry me through tough days. I remember one in particular. I had this 3 year old in with RSV. He was really sick and had been in for 2 days already and was really getting tired of being there. I had him for the next 2 days and really tried to give him as much and activity that I could. (A bored toddler is a miserable toddler). After he went home I received a thank you card with a little drawing of his in it. It was touching to not only be thanked but to have it sent from home after discharge! I still have it for those less than thankful days.

For a first timer I would definitely recommend hands on! There are some techniques that you really need to try first in the classroom before you ever try them live.

First, take a deep breath! Any decent ACLS program is there to teach you, not drill you. They are good at walking you through the steps. Remember your algorhythms. Remember your med doses and shockable rhythms. And relax.

I am an LPN and I want to start a home care/ home health and PRN staffing agency. Any ideas where to start?

I started nursing school when my daughter was 7 months old. The college I picked had an on-site daycare so I could visit her in between classes. Not sure if that was more for her or for me. I had tremendous support of my family! When I had something that I really needed to focus on, my mother would come over and play with her or we would go to her house. Your sister is not only being disgraceful, she is hitting below the belt. You are certainly not being a bad mother by showing them the value of education, commitment, and determination. They will see the work you are putting into this and the profession that you have chosen to help people. You can be a tremendous role model for your children. It will be hard going to school with children at home. There are times when you will feel guilty and like your missing out. But, just remember, you're not. It is a juggling act (we could work in a circus after this) but with good support, you and your family will do great! As for your sister, that is up to you how to handle her. Personally I would remind her that you and your family decide what is best for your family and that she could be supporting you in this. The very best of luck to you!

I am an LPN and would like to start a home care/ home health agency and PRN staffing. Any ideas on where to start?

Hi! Welcome to Iowa! The hiring process is slow for nurses no matter where you go. There is so much background checking involved that it takes quite awhile. Just be patient. There are a lot of jobs to be had here! The advice on Iowa City is a great idea, especially for a new grad. They are very accustomed to training and they have a little bit of everything there! Of course, since I work for the American Red Cross in blood services, I could always make a pitch for you! But whereever you decide, Cedar Rapids has a lot to offer nurses! By the time you get settled in I would imagine you will be hearing from some of the places that you have applied at. Good luck!