kae rn

I did think about it when I was in nursing school, but quickly had a family and had to change my thought. Now 17 years later, no and never would I want to be a doctor. They deal with way too much! I would prefer to be their eyes and ears.

I think the rescue workers and health care workers did an awesome job. From what I saw on TV, everything looked so well controlled in getting everyone help. I found it very admirable of the Britts, hats off to them, as well as prayers for the wounded and deceased.

I think there should be a limit. But only what is fair to those who are poor test takers--maybe 4-5 times with interventions available. I feel badly for those who have troubles passing, but in nursing we need people who know their stuff. In my state kids in high school have 5 opportunities to pass a test in order to get their diploma--what is the difference between that and nursing exams? (aside from the responsibility of the job-that is a given)

Hope your mother does well. As for the diabetes, and high blood pressure--both are pretty common and should be handled fairly well. My biggest concern is regarding blood clots. Take leg measurements fairly post-op, on both legs. Make lines with permanent markers on thighs, and calves. Compare measurements to previous ones. Any major increase on either side could be related to a clot. Also make sure she is on some kind of prophalyxis--heparin, coumadin, lovenox. Rehab is a great idea!! Just make sure there have been dopplers done to the legs (an ultrasound) prior to transfer to the rehab facility. Where I work, we won't get a patient out of bed until we know they are clot free. That can be bad news if your mother transfers there on a Friday late afternoon, and vasc lab (where dopplers are done) is only open Monday through Friday.

It was so nice that you were there for him. I think that is what nursing is all about. Everyone is special and deserves a little compassion. As for the mom, I will share something once told me. I worked with severely handicapped children in a LTC facility, and often wondered why more parents didn't interact or even visit their children. It made me very sad. But, I was helped to understand that parents care in their own way. A lot of it has to do with their abilities to cope. When we see a parent visit, we don't see what happens when they go home--fall into a depressed state and stay in their room for months, resume drinking.... Thank God for nurses to step in and care. I know after having kids that the worse pain in the world is when your kids hurt. I have cried many tears for my "normal" kids, I can't even imagine some of these parents' pain. You deserve a big hug for being an assume nurse!

I work at a rehab facility. We use SCD's at night and TEDS during the day while they are at therapy. Shoes are mandatory, or slipper socks to prevent falls. The TEDS are stocked on the unit and easy to comply with. The SCD's come from central supply. The hospital at times have been out of SCD's so we have to wait. Then the physician orders dopplers to scan for DVTs prior to using the SCDs when they finally arrive. At times there have been a couple of days with no SCDs due to lack of availabilty.

I think it is great that you respond, snow doesn't get these responses. People just don't answer their phones if you call,.....Maybe there should be a better snow policy, like you should call in during a Level 2 emergency or ......

I agree with you all. Plan ahead!! I live very close to where I work and I am always there. I would welcome fellow nurses to stay at my house, but of course no one plans on it (It is easier to call off). They just plan on me being there and taking a double load. Of course I always pack extra food, and clothes for while I am there, because mandation is always a possibility. Never mind my kids are home unattended and some mature adult can't plan ahead, yes that makes me a little angry.

We use a product called simply thick. Pts seem to tolerate it well, doesn't change the flavor, and comes in convenient little packages. The website is http://www.simplythick.com if you have any particular questions. k

As for the position of your baby, don't worry too much. It may be a little painful for delivery, but my "sunny side up" child (of my four deliveries) is still a pleasant "sunny side up" kid. Wouldn't trade him for anything. All the rest of them tell me often how much they think life stinks--he nevers does!!! So a few hours of pain, means years of gratefullness... At least that is the story at my house. Goodluck to you, your child, and your family.

I admire all of those who do this, knowing it istn't "right". 3/4ths of my pregnancies weren't planned, but they are all good kids. Couldn't imagine dealing with this on a daily basis.

Haven't been assaulted recently. But work in rehab, and have learned to keep myself in between the door and the (TBI)patient. Have thrived on being athletic, and it sure pays off. By the way, I am not very young--37--just experienced.

Depends if she is competent or not. If she is competent, she has the right to refuse. Go ahead and chart it as such. If she isn't, then hide them. If it becomes a really big problem--such as blood pressure meds, heart meds,.... then whoever is designated power of those decisions, will need to decide on alternative measures to get her the meds--peg tube, ng...

I deal with this kind of patient frequently in rehab, not drug/alchol rehab, physical rehab. Medicate as soon as it is safe. Always be between the patient and the door. Yell really loud if needed. Usually I can talk a patient down, lots of psych nursing which I hated in school. I know alot of my patients have the potential to be frequent flyers, but until the funding for drug/alcohol rehab is increased, then this is what we will have to deal with. I know that I go to work everyday and want to do my best. I refuse to lose!

Thunderwolf, I happen to work at the OSU Med Center, and sent you a message. Good luck with your decision.

I have worked in multiple areas, and have found my favorite is rehab. Probably because it does fit my personality the best. I have always been involved in athletics, and still am with my own kids. Rehab to me is very similiar. Most of my patients are medically stable, and ready to work hard to regain as much as possible. I really enjoy the patients who come in trached, pegged, not moving, not speaking, not eating..... I tackle everyday with the attitude that I refuse to lose. I feel a real sense of accomplishment at discharge when they are decannulated, eating (feeding tube removed), talking, and moving. I love to see them come back for a visit, after continuing to make more gains. I go home everyday knowing that I have done my best seeing those kind of results. This area is hard physical work but so very rewarding.

No way, but of course when they are adults it can be hard to stop them. I have cared for lots of motorcyclists in rehab. They usually have many fractures, as well as a head injury, and sometimes a spinal cord injury. Those wearing helmuts do better, but still have deficits. Makes me extra careful on the highway around them.

I work inpatient as a RN. We have lots of LPNs, and all of the above is true for our facility. LPNs assume full responsibility for their patients, meds, treatments, cath, bowel program, checking (not noting) orders,... The really awesome thing they are doing is patient and family teaching. They teach catherization, bowel programs, dressing changes, really anything except giving IV medications to the families and/or patient. I often find my LPN has a superb relationship with the patient and family since they care for fewer patients. I include them in on every phase of discharge planning.

Wow, this hit me close to home! I am a nurse and husband is a graphic designer. We started on my salary, then he did well, now it is back to my responsibility as the primary income. If you want job security, go for nursing , but only if you like people. I would consider looking for a job at a large university hospital where you could go to school tuition free in any area, not necessarily nursing. Perhaps then you could get your graphic design degree and free lance on the side.

Working holidays is part of the health care career. As much as we would like to be with our families, so would our patients. It took me a few years to understand this. When my kids were young, it was hardest on me. Children don't realize what holiday tradition is all about. But as they got older, the holiday was harder on them. This last Christmas, all 4 of my kids waited until 5pm to open their gifts. They visited me at lunch (brought lunch), and saw how much more unfortunate they could be. I think it helps build character, my kids are soooooo caring. It is up to us parents to build that. It is the best gift that we could ever give them.

Wonderful idea. How to go about coordinating the "all nurse's march" will be the issue. Any ideas?

Those are all great questions and so happy to hear you are thinking early. I started at a nonprofit place of employment, loved by job, then stayed home with my kids and was not nursing for a few years. Now I am back, thinking retirement as well as college education for my 4 kids. I am now at a state funded hospital associated with a college. I really wish knowing what I know now, that I would have started there as my first and only job. Seniority really counts, retirement is good, and my kids can go to college for 1/2 tuition. There are certainly other benefits than retirement. I hope to catch up on my retirement plans, while my kids are getting a break on college education. Certainly something else to consider, I know you are young and probably have no children, but someday you may. College ed fees are growing faster than ever before. Just another thing for you to consider.

Hope both of your children are doing well. I was an Ent nurse for many years. Age and recovery time just don't always seem to match up. My guess is the cold preop could have affected the recovery time. Any child with pneumonia within the last 6 weeks we would always recommend that they come back later. Also every child's airway is a little different. Even though the parents are the same, the airways can be different. Did the older child also have sleep apnea? If I were you, I wouldn't worry about what might have gone wrong. Just count your blessing that you have healthy children. Give them lots of fluids, and pain control. Also beware that around 7-10 days those scabs are going to fall off and you will see an increase in pain. After that you are hopefully cured of strept, ear infections, sleep apnea....

I don't think you have to work nights. Look at working a day/evening rotation. Not everyone can work nights. Straight days is probably not a possibility unless you work in a clinic or doctor's office.

I have kids too and am a new returning RN. I guess I look at the holiday being more than the day itself. My kids are kindergarten on up to high school. They know mom is working, and we work the holiday around my schedule. I teach my kids compassion for those who are less fortunate. Celebrating family time is more than the day itself. As a new grad with young children I was not so happy about it. Spent a lot of holidays alone, sending the kids to spend time with grandparents. But as we age, we understand the true meaning of family. This year my family chose to stay back with me if I have to work. We work by seniority and more and likely I will be working. It is ok because I know I do good things at work, and my family knows that too. Kae