Karina212

Hi I was wondering if you could clarify something regarding care of catheter bags in the home care setting. Do leg bags and overnight bags need to be changed and cleansed daily if the patient wishes to use both? I have some patients that hang them to dry without the cap or anything after cleansing which seems odd to me but that is how they were taught. And if they only use the overnight bag, does it still need to be cleaned?? And if so, what is the most common cleaning agent? Our agency's policy is a bit unclear. Thanks, Ker

Just a question ( i dont work in pscyhe anymore). I used to work in a child/adolescent psyche unit. The kids were VERY often placed in the quiet room for behavioral types issues, like talking back or cursing, but NOT necessarily for violent behaviors. Our policy stated that the QR was only to be used (by MD order) for a patient that was putting him or herself or others at risk for danger (cant remember the exact wording). Of course, it was hush hush and not to be documented as it was abused. Even the MANAGER of the unit allowed it - I never understood this! Isn't this totally illegal and unethical? It just never sat right with me, along with other things on this particular unit. Does this happen a lot? Is this a common thing? Seemed so wrong to me....still bugs me. Any feedback???

i, too, get totally grossed out by dog or cat vomit. I cant tolerate it even the slightest! glad im not alone!!

I am new to home care and was wondering how many patients is the norm for most home care agencies in one day. i have been with an agency for several months and I am burnt out with too many patients and documentation. I work 12 + hours a day and have not much of a life anymore. Any comments would be appreciated!

Ive had negative experiences with med techs. I feel the only people who should be administering meds are nurses who've had extensive training. For example, I am a visiting nurse and went to see my patient in the group home for wound care. When I got there, the woman was in the respiratory distress (hx of asthma, multiple meds and prn inhalers) and the med techs did not even recognize she needed a respiratory treatment or a trip to the ER! When I asked to get her albuterol, the med tech barely knew what it was. I had to explain to him what it was and why she needed it. I know this is only one experience and there are no nurses in this group home. At least there should be a nurse overseeing the med techs. Maybe then it would be ok? I dont know...Im a little uncomfortable with this issue!!

I was EXACTLY the same as your daughter when I was her age. I also went on the pill at 16 and it was a godsent! Lighter and shorter periods and either no or minimal cramps. Don't worry about the idea of her being on the pill. It's going to help her ! Good luck!

Hi Alicia, If you want to become a nurse, you must enroll in an associate, diploma, or bachelor degree porgram. If you do decide to become a nurse, you can always consider the specialty of forensic nursing in the future. It is becoming very popular. Why don't you contact local colleges and see if they can give you some info on their nursing problems. Maybe some of the professors you speak to will be familiar with forensic nursing and can enlighten you. Also, read the posts on this bulletin for more info on this specialty. Good Luck! PM me if you'd like. Kerri

I have the same problem and I'm 27! I always had crystal clear skin until I hit my early to mid 20's and it just got worse. I tried everything OTC and nothing worked. I just got an RX from my doctor for Benzaclin. I know you said you dont have health insurance but maybe you could ask your family doctor to somehow help you out. Or maybe you could ask your pharmacy much it would be without an RX plan. I have been using it twice a day for two weeks and I haven't broken out once! If you don't want to do this, you could try getting a facial at a reputable spa. They may be able to offer good suggestions. Good luck!

I also saw the thread on thorazine and was suprised to find that not many places use IM thorazine. I have been working in child psyche for almost 3 months and the docs prescribe thorazine prn po or IM all the time....and unfortunately the kids get it quite often. What do you guys think about this?

i am interested in the answer to this also. the facility i just started working for in child psyche uses the seclusion room for time-outs without an order almost all of the time. sometimes, the child's in there for just ten minutes other times an hour or so. this seems very illegal....it doesn't sit well with me! what do other facilities do? please reply!!

Absolutely go into psyche nursing if that is what you want to do! It is definitely possible for you to work as an NP on an outpatient basis and not have to deal with bodily fluids. (Of course, you will encounter this in nursing school as you have to do clinicals in many specialty areas) Nursing is very diverse...you can go many different avenues. Sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error until you find what's right for you. Good luck!

very inspirational angel337. i think your words helped many. :)

Hello school nurses! I am looking into one day becoming a school nurse but would like to pursue a masters degree (MSN) and become either a pediatric or peds psychiatric CNS or NP. I'm not sure if i should shell out the money now and work as an NP or CNS until I become a school nurse (I know you must become certified and go to school for it) or wait until I become a school nurse and then go back to school with the hopes they would provide tuition reimbursment. I have a few questions. If anyone could help me, I'd be very greatful! Is there an advantage of being an NP or CNS when applying for school nurse positions (meaning will the school utilize you as an NP in the school nurse role and will you be better paid with a master's degree?) Also, do most school systems offer tuition reimbursement for a master's degree? I live in northern New Jersey. Thanks in advance!

thanks for the reply!

I posted this question in the psyche forum but didn't get any responses so I thought I'd give it a shot here. Does anyone know what the demand is for psyche NP's, particularly in the field of children and adolescents?? I live in New Jersey. Thanks!

Can anyone offer me any insight as to what the demand is for psychiatric NP's? I live in the northeast. I have taken an online class for my master's but I'm not sure if it's really worth pursuing. I am particularly interested in child and adolescent NP. Thanks!

Hello, I will be starting employment on a child/adolescent psyche unit as an RN in a few weeks and was just wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom they could share with me. Also, what is a typical day like? I am very excited about this career move...it's been something I've wanted to pursue for a few years. Any responses would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. :)

I recently accepted an RN position on a children's crisis intervention unit here in NJ. There are not many facilities in my state so it was somewhat difficult to find this position. It is also somewhat of a drive. I have been extremely interested in this field for some time now and am so excited to begin my new job!! I am also on antidepressants but weaning off as we speak. I believe those of us who have suffered with mental illness have more appreciation and compassion for psychiatric patients, so we are more drawn to them and eager to help. Just out of curiousity, what interests you in child/adolescent psyche? Good luck to you and let me know what happens! :)

Search under "adolescence" in the pysche nurse forum and you will find some previous posts on what to expect with this population.

I did an externship at Hackensack University Medical Center. They have a great summer student nurse externship program for BSN students going into their senior year of nursing school. I had a wonderful experience and would highly reccomend it!

Hackensack University Medical Center is up there in salary. It is also a great place to work!

I am not a school nurse but I am a RN working in a pediatric neurology office where we prescribe many neurostimulants, such as as Ritalin. I know school nurses do administer these meds with a physician's order, but a lot of the time we prescribe the extended release so the parent only has to give it once in the AM. I can not speak from experience as a school nurse about whether or not a particular child truly needs the medication, but I can say that I've seen dramatic responses from children with true ADHD who's life has been positively changed with these medications. Parents that are so skeptical about putting their kid on a stimulant have come back for follow up and can't get over how their child has responded so dramatically to the medication academically, socially, and emotionally. I have also heard that neurostimulants are overused but the doctors I work for try alternative strategies, such as behavior modifications and accomodation plans in school prior to prescribing meds. We also see many teenagers who don't put any effort into helping themselves and have a careless attitude who are also on stimulants. In this case we won't renew the medication as there is no point in pushing pills on someone who doesn't want to help him or herself. There are many factors in dealing with children with ADHD, including family support, the child's willingness to succeed, school support and accomodations, and the pediatric neurologist following up with the patient on a regular basis (usually every 4-6 months depending on how the child responds to the meds.) I personally don't believe that PCP's should initially be prescribing neurostimulants unless the child has been fully evaluated by the child neurologist, including neurobehavioral testing. A child study team evaluation would also be helpful, but it can be very difficult for the school to provide this if the child is not doing awful in school. I don't feel the doctors I work for overprescribe...if the med is not working for the child, in addition to all alternative strategies, we will refer the child to a child psychologist or psychiatrist to deal with any other underlying issues. The doctors I work for have a conservative approach to prescribing these meds - that is why I like working for them! I hope you find this information helpful. Feel free to ask any other questions!

I work for a pediatric neurology office and the physicians there would never prescribe risperdol for a 2 year old. I would encourage the baby's caretakers to get a second opinion.

I tried the patch for 3 months or so when working the night shift was messing with my birth control pill schedule. I found it very annoying. It would slide a lot and leave black bandaid-like marks on my skin. It also ripped off when I took my shirt off. I don't know how effective it can be if it's sliding all over and you have to reapply it. Now I'm back on the pill which is better for me now that I have a normal schedule again. Whatever works!

I make $48,000 as an office nurse in pediatric neurology. I live in northern New Jersey.