jetfuel

My personal favorite is the segment of our population (!) who believe that COVID is being spread via the 5G cellular network. As a current healthcare professional and former IT professional, I found this intellectually disturbing.

In a word, "no." But then, you can't (and shouldn't try) to put nursing school into a word, or a sentence, or even a book. It's a life - a lifestyle, an almost-all-encompassing occupation, energizing you and draining you all at the same time. It's a fascinating journey, full of experience and revelation and wonder. It's an incredible time and labor that I will treasure the rest of my life, and one that I would never want to have to repeat. Short answer: when someone asks me, "how's nursing school?" I always reply with two sentences: "I frickin' HATE nursing school! I frickin' LOVE nursing school!" If you aren't dedicated to it and passionate about becoming a nurse, and don't already see yourself as one deep inside, for heaven's sake, don't do it! It will destroy you! However, if you find personal satisfaction in making people's lives better, or keeping watch over those who cannot, and you know that the soul of a nurse is driving you, you had better do it! Keep your eye on "the prize" - follow your soul. And if it is a nurse's soul, you are meant to become a nurse. No one will be ever able to honestly tell you that it's easy - or even that it's less than very, very difficult. Don't give up on your dreams just because they're difficult to realize. Most worthwhile endeavors are.

A friend recently wrote to me about his aunt ("Mimi") who had heart valve-replacement surgery. "Mimi" is normally a strong-willed person and very health-conscious. However, after this ten-hour procedure (originally expected to take four), she became (as my friend put it)...lazy. She refuses to eat more than a mouthful, and has yet to use the spirometer she was instructed to use every half hour. It's like she "just quit." The issue I bring here is that the nurses on staff there didn't say word one to encourage her to recover or even take basic care of herself. It is as if they would rather avoid any confrontation and go on to something or someone else. I'm not suggesting that they force a patient against her will, but to not even encourage her to eat? Thoughts?

Anyone in healthcare should know the toll that stress can take on a human being. NO amount of money is worth a terrible job. Been there...cost me. Left...happier, healthier.

I'm 47 with a BS and MS in Computer Science. I started all over a few years ago at a junior college (has a better reputation that the local BSN program!). I was not much of a student in higher education, but this time around I have maintained a 4.0. Don't cheat yourself with an accelerated program; stick with the most thorough education you can get, especially your A&P classes. Best of luck to you, and welcome to the craziness!

Assuming it was cultured in the customary fashion...are you allergic to eggs? I can't help but wonder if it was cultured in something different, something you're allergic to...

Since I can remember (about age 6), I have always had an inclination to help and take care of people.

:redbeathe My specialty is cardiology; I use a Littmann Cardiology III. It comes with different types of ear tips; I found the squishy ones very comfortable and made for superior sound transmission. It was a staggering difference from the cheapie I was using before. If you can swing it, the electronic ones are worth exploring. I have Littmann's 3200 model; it can amplify quite a bit, has impressive noise-cancellation and can record and replay what it picks up. It is also Bluetooth-equipped so it can transfer recorded sounds to a computer via the included USB Bluetooth receiver. The only downside of my 3200 is that, without a battery, it's about as useful as my iPod ear buds (oh, and it looks really impressive ); no sound is passed through acoustically. If you opt for an electronic model, I would strongly recommend having a good quality standard model as a backup. I have learned to be wary of electronics and batteries that die unexpectedly. (though to be fair, my 3200 has a very visible battery meter on it) I agree with other posters: buy only from a legitimate source! The last thing you want is a cheap knock-off. My Cardio III came from Steeles (http://www.steeles.com/); the 3200 was a gift from my wife, who doesn't recall the source. Please post again when the issue is resolved. I'd like to know what the resolution involved and what worked for you. --David

for pity's sake, people. it's hipaa: "health insurance portability and accountability act". if there's a "hippa," i'm unfamiliar with it. considering the education each and everyone one of us is supposed to have, and the size of the shadow hipaa casts over us, you'd think we would all know this one inside and out. oh, and the title of this thread, "another nurse bites the dust due to facebook"...come on. facebook is not to blame any more than a soapbox is to blame for what people shout when they stand on one. :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ if we blame guns for killing people, can i blame my pencil for spelling errors?' --larry the cable guy

Being an older nursing student (47), I have it in my head that I have something to prove, that I need to have some advantage to compensate for my age, so for me and my wife (a 46-year-old law student), 89% is a failing grade. She's wrapping up her Bachelor's with a 4.0; I've completed my pre-reqs with the same. Here's hoping we can keep it up!

'The Few. The Proud. The Male Nurses.' :w00t:

AR student here, too. When it comes time to take A&P, look for Prof. Justin Moore. He's tough, but thorough, so you'll really learn the material. It's more academic work than you've ever faced (guaranteed), but it's good to have been through. Best of luck to ya. --David

Something no one has bothered to ask yet: Why exactly would you want to do this?

Well, I'm not exactly starting my pre-reqs (just finished them, actually), but I am a male nursing student in Sacramento. Your girlfriend is right - having students with whom you will have "survived" (A&P comes to mind) can be a great source of encouragement, camaraderie and support. Please feel free to post or reply if there is any way I can help. --David

I think the garrison cap is a cool idea, though I'm partial to some design involving a surgical scrub cap. Being Jewish, I'd be inclined to utilize a caduceus or rod of asclepius instead of a cross, red or otherwise. :) :hanukkahstar: