SCB

That's nursing!

It's funny how this thread seems like a united front, but the rest of the wedsite discussions do not, except for a few. I never said anything about a BSN nurse being better than a ADN/diploma. After all my arrogant self was a diploma nurse for many years. As far as management goes, the hospital can't keep good managers, the STAFF NURSES run them off. as an advanced practice nurse I do not want to leave my patients in the care of - no care at all.

I am concerned about the patients in the hospital. The care is not good, and there is much neglect, and many errors. It's not due to a shortage of nursing staff, because the ratio is 4-5 to 1 RN. Many of the nurses do sit in the lounge most of their shift. Families are up set, and so are the patients who are not getting the care they should. Neglect and errors is not something that happens with a caring educated nursing staff. Nurses who take pride in their work also thke pride in themselves, and there is nothing wrong with that.

#1 Patient goes into hospital for liver bx. #2 Doctor orders Tylenol for pain. #3 Nurse gives Tylenol. #4 Patient go into coma. Did the nurse give th wrong drug? could be. Did the patient have a bad liver, and Tylenol is never given to patients with bad livers? could be Everyone wants know why the doctor ordered Tylenol. Frankly, I would like to know why the nurse gave it. I know, the nurse was just following doctors orders.

Are you saying that docs are arrogant, pompus jerks? Gee, I have to wonder why they are this way. Are the docs nasty to the nurses, do they disrespect them? Q: Why does a dog lick his butt? A: Because he can. Q: Why does a doctor disrespect a nurse? A: Because he can. Mabe law is a better fit for me. I could help push laws that hold nurses responsible for the harm thay do to patients.

:kiss I never said anything about level of knowledge and the BSN, you did. I did not say "all" nurses sit in the lounge, but many do. Many nurses can't think beyond following doctors orders, but they did study A&P, pharm, and disease processes. What did they do, hit the eject button after they landed their first job, or better yet, passed the test with a C-. You don't know if you could work circles around me, you don't even know me. Teamwork is far from my problem, but it does seem to be a problem with most staff nurses. This is one reason for the shortage of nurses, and safety issues in patient care. The patients who die due to medical error - whose fault is it, the doctors, the nurses?

I'm very much for REAL! My expectations for the care of MY patients is very high. I give excellent care, and there is no reason other nurses can not do the same thing. As far a my "superior attitude" well, a nurse who is caring for patients on the level of advanced practice had better have the attitude they do, and most do, because it's the only thing most staff nurses unterstand.

Now that I have completed my BSN, and all the other course work to start the CRNA program, I'm having second thoughts. The concern I have is letting the staff nurses care for my patients. Their level of knowledge is, in most cases low. As a staff nurse, I did many inservices. It seems like retention is a problem for many nurses, not all, but many. Laziness is another problem. It seems that the nurses find it more important to sit in the lounge, than care for the patients. It also seems that most, not all, of the nursing staff don't have to listen to management. These nurses know that they won't be fired due to the shortage of nurses. I'm concerned about my patients. In the future, if I go the MSN route, I will have to turn my patients over to "third world care". Have any of you all thought about this, how do you see it? SCB

I was a Navy nurse for 10 years, and my last duty station was Balboa in L&D. This was only 2 years ago. I can tell you that your wife will get the best of care. They may not come across as the kindest of folks, but I can assure you the care the best around. The midwives are always around, as well as the MD's. The nursing staff is the best, and well educated. I got out of the Navy and went to work in a civilian hospital, the place was a danger to the patients, I quit. The midwives care for women who are not high risk, so the MD's can focus on the really sick women. If it were me having a baby I would want to go to Balboa. Your baby will also receive the best of care. I wish you all the best.

If the new nurse will not ask questions, I ask them questions. I do expect them to know, or be willing to learn what is going on with the patient at the anotomical & physiological level. How many nurses do we all know who fail to keep up with the knowledge base. There is an art to nursing as well as a science. We don't want or need nurses who just follow MD orders without knowing what they mean and what the patient outcome will be. If they don't ask, then ask them.

It's o.k. with the California nursing board, but up to hospitals if they let the RN AROM. I do AROM and I have the training. Never AROM with out an order. The fetal head must be fully engaged to keep a cord from prolapsing, and at least 3cm of cervical dilation. SCB