Spritz

I use the formula drug ordered drug on hand Ex: 150 mg Demerol s/c Q2-3h prn pain. Amps of 100mg/1ml available 150mg = 1.5 ml of Demerol You will use 2 vials and waste 50mg of Demerol 100mg I always double & triple check my calculations and if I am not 110% sure, I ask a co-worker to check with me. I always get someone else to read insulin orders with me and confirm. I was a pharmacy tec before going into nursing and it's vitally important to be 110% with your meds. Yours in nursing

I have to agree. I will correct a patient by saying "This is a brief, not a "diaper"and will further explain that diapers are - as many have mentioned before are for children/toddlers/babies. A brief is a more respectable term - and that is huge to some patients. Even where I work in palliative care, I always refer to an incontinence pad as a brief. Further on that note, I always refer to "bibs" as "clothing protectors" as again, babies wear bibs :) Just my 0.02 worth Yours in nursing

Here in BC where I work (VIHA), there are student nurses (in the RN program heading into year 3) that can get paid student positions. I am not sure of the parameters around their practice or supervision required. I am an LPN and love it. I know the college I went to offered an RCA to PN bridge type program - perhaps as you already have some of the skills you could look at something like that - maybe the lists would be shorter. Good luck on your choices Cheers

HSA (Hospital Sciences Association) does not want the LPN's. They were approached a few years ago when HEU negotiated a 15% CUT to LPN wages. So those initial LPN's approached BCNU and it has been a work in progress for 3 years. BCNU does good work for their members. HEU wants to keep LPN's in with care aides - and negotiate as such. We want to be stand alone but the current union won't do that for OUR needs. It is frustrating. Thanks for the reply Cheers

Currently in BC, the majority of LPN's working in hospitals (and some private facilities) are in the HEU (Hospital Employees Union). This union consists of Support Workers. http://www.heu.org/ LPN's have mixed feeling about HEU in their history both positive and negative. LPN's have approached (this has been a 3 yr process) the BCNU (BC Nurses Union) http://www.bcnu.org/ and BCNU is currently offering LPN's and other health care workers an associate membership in BCNU for us to "check it out" http://www.bcnuassociate.org/ In the provinces (NS ? and Manitoba ?) that are in ONE union with the RN's - how is it working? Are you getting your needs met professionally? and supported? good thing? bad thing? what needs to be looked at? downfalls? Here in BC the RN's in BCNU are approximately 26,000 strong, LPN's around 8,000 strong. Personally, I feel a Union built by nurses, for nurses, makes the over all needs of nurses better known and understood. Being ALL together in one union makes sense to me as far as bargaining, contracts, education, support, training, etc etc. We have more in common with RN's than we do with housekeeping staff, kitchen workers, plumbers, electricians etc - as we have a licensing body, are professionally recognized, have a code of conduct, Standards of Practice etc etc. We are nurses and legally entitled to use the title "Nurse". I look forward to hearing thoughts from others Nurses for Nurses :) Cheers

I think we also need to consider the patients we are caring for. The older more senior population could/can be offended by your ink. I personally have 2 tatts and they are covered (lower back and inside left ankle). There are SOME cultures that see tattoos on females as offensive - just another area to think of when caring for people in our multi cultural society :) Cheers

I lived in PEI from 1986-1989 in Summerside - hubby was in the Canadian Airforce. The winters are brutal, the summers OK. Beaches are nice, lobster dinners fantastic (Mother's Day they start). You take a step back in time about 20 yrs - the island way of life is VERY old fashioned and laid back. We travelled to Charlottetown to have our 2nd child as the local hospital was VERY old and dated. On the base the wind was charted and recorded and in a year, the average wind was 30 km/hr. Our daughter had chronic ear infections until we left there which was partly attributed to the potato fields (caring of the crop additives) that fill the island and constant blowing winds (few trees). Remember, they base their entire tourist industry on a made up tale called Anne of Green Gables. We also lived in NS, in the Annapolis Valley from 1993-1997. Again - big time winters and you get the end of all the East Coast Hurricanes up the coast. Lots of no-see'ems in the spring - snow could fall in Sept and not be gone till April/May. WE lived in a very small rural community with a small hospital. Anything major was 1 1/2 hr drive to Halifax. Fall is beautiful in the Maritimes, the people are very welcoming and homebodies :) Having grown up in Victoria, B.C. the West Coast is home for me. Good luck in your quest :)

I work at Saan Pen - we live in Brentwood which is less than 5 minutes from Saan Pen. AND I also work at RJH and for a 0700 shift, I leave my house by 0620, and am parked and on the unit by 0650. Coming home can sometime take 40 minutes depending on time of day etc. Check usedvictoria , craigslist victoria and Kijiji for accomadation. Hope that helps Cristina Cheers

http://www.viha.ca/careers/job_postings/nursing/ That is for the public job postings. Once you are hired - likely casual at first? then you can apply for the internal job postings http://www.viha.ca/careers/internal_opportunities/ for all the other opportunities Wishing you the best :) Cheers

downtown victoria proper does have people on the streets but nothing like the east end of vancouver. the mild climate brings transients to the west coast. we are on the peninsula and you don't have that homeless quota as the facilities are down town as is the traffic for the begging. a survey was done by the local tv station and even with victoria having the lowest unemployment rate (more jobs than people) - that population would rather beg as they make more money - what does that tell you? the facilities in victoria for housing and caring for the homeless/addicted is growing however, it's all about choices and we know that everyone has the right to live at risk, right? email me at and i can give you the managers name at saan pen to contact - if you are interested. cheers mod note, please do not post email addresses as per terms of service, please use the pm system

Congrats

"We have a long way to go with this in Canada" To add to that comment, each province and then within that province, down to each hospital there are HUGE differences. Example - As an LPN in BC, in my scope, I can hang a bag on NS with KCl - that KCl being in the bag at time of manufacture HOWEVER. the health authority where I work say No No, you can't do that so I must get an RN to hang this for me - which is rather ridiculous - there are many "little" things like that where LPN's can be better utilized if the health authority would wake up. In another health authority in BC, LPN's may be fine to hang that bag of NS with the KCl. Everyone needs to get on the same page and be consistent now just for those in the work force but patient care as well. Just my 0.02 worth Cheers

I agree with you Pepper. We loved our time in Comox. Two of our 4 children were born in St Joe's. My brother & family live in Black Creek (between Comox and Campbell River) and it is lovely. I didn't like the thermal inversion that sits in the Valley in the winter but it's not like you don't get use to it - and when it's clear - the Glacier is splendid ANY DAY. I found there was lots to keep our children busy with for activities but that's the type of parents were are - everyone has different wants and needs in a community. We moved every 3-4 yrs with the airforce and I have my own thoughts about moving and getting active and into the community. Hope is still that there will be a new hospital built between Courtenay and CR - but it appears on hold for the time being. Who knows with the current gov't budgets and such. I love the island very much - born and raised in Victoria myself. Comox area does hold a soft spot for us, along with lots of great memories of our time there, it's a lovely spot. I work at Saan Pen as a casual and find it very supportive! Not as modern in some ways but very community oriented in all ways. Cheers

We had a fair dump of snow this year but for the most part, normally, Victoria does not get much snow. IF we get snow, it usually melts within a day or two. RJH is having the new 500 bed patient tower built, to open in 2010'ish (so they say). The cardiac unit is amazing and is in the new diagnostic centre. The Cancer Agency also has a large centre on the RJH site. Victoria General is a great place too - they take all the major traumas, maternity, neuro, paeds etc. Look forward to hearing what you find out of your venture to the island. Take care and all the best Cheers Teresa aka Tee

Hi CristinaUK - Not wanting to bash the Island as I am an island girl born and raised - but the interior - Kelowna/Penticton area is really nice too - some people feel *trapped* living in Vancouver Island - just an fyi. As I said, born and raised Victorian here - love it. Up island - Courtenay/Comox/Campbell River is very nice area - smaller than Victoria or Nanaimo. We lived in Comox for 4 yrs with the airforce. I quite liked it and hubby would eventually like to move back up there. You could check ou the VIHA site for jobs in the local area hospitals. We live outside of Victoria by 30 minutes or so - on the Peninsula and like it very much - more rural - great schools (infact one of the reasons we bought this house was so our kids to attend these particular schools - mother of 4 speaking) Message me if there is anything more I can help with. I work in town at Victoria Hospice (30 min drive) and our local little hospital - 7 minute drive. Cheers

I wrote the PN Exam in BC on Sept 10th. I found using the study prep guides to be a great help as that was the exam format. I studied throughout the summer while I was on preceptorship - just a few times a week and a bit of review on the math calculations. I think there was 1-2 math questions on the entire exam. Good luck Cheers

I too wrote the exam Sept 10th, here in Victoria. I felt Camosun College prepared us very well for this particular exam. I used the prep guides for study and practice. I felt confident writing the exam. My results arrived Tuesday Oct 14 with a pass. I started a casual postion Sept 17 at Saan Pen Hospital in Acute Care (VIHA) and also casual at Victoria Hospice (my heart of heart choices). Congrats to all those who passed, and all the best in your new careers. Blessings

http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/pn/pn-study.html I just completed my LPN here in BC. The licensing exam was Sept 10th and got the letter Tuesday with the PASS. The course at Camosun College was 50 weeks. BC is the only province with the condensed course. Inspite of lobbying for spreading the course out with a summer break, the gov't feels that it is working now so why change it? It was a very intense year of study combined with practicums. Everyone is our class of 32+ passed the National Exam. Heading back to school as a mature student (mother of 4) was a huge undertaking but am SO glad I finally did it! I am now working casual at Hospice and a smaller community hospital where I am full scope and very supported by my peers. Last night was my first shift on my own and the RN I worked with was wonderful. Not all RN's eat their young Hugz, Tee

Personally I would take the Comox Valley over Nanaimo any day of the week. We lived in Comox from 1989-1993 - with our 4 kids - 2 born in St Joe's from there we were posted to Nova Scotia. My brother currently lives in Black Creek which is about 15 minutes from Courtenay/Comox. It is more rural than Comox/Courtenay. You have a wide variety of activities in the Comox Valley- lots of outdoor recreation. The Comox side of town is not as questionable as the Courtenay side. I guess it all depends on what you like to keep your children active in as far as *nothing to do*. North Island College offers very good programs. Further education could be found at Malaspina in Nanaimo or UVic or Camosun College in Victoria. The Comox Valley does get a thermo inversion in the winter causing the cloud to just sit in the Valley limiting sunny days unless you head up Mt Washington for snow activities. Nanaimo has a reputation of a very rough town - drugs and gang activity. I grew up in Victoria - there are lots of opportunities here but the COL is high. Duncan is 45 minutes away but you are dealing with a highway that can be questionable for weather in the winter with fog and snow. You could always look at the Okanagan Area - Kelowna, Pentiction which are more affordable with lots of activities - summer and winter. Wishing you the best, Cheers

Hi 2bornot2b - I only just got your message now and there was no way to reply - so sorry. The link I have that is helpful for APA Formatt is http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01 sorry it's late Hope to hear from you Cheers

My hubby and family (4 kids - son who will be 23 soon - on his own, daughters 20 1/2 - who moved back end of June - daughter who will be 19 soon and 17 1/2 who will be grading in June '09). where extremely supportive. Unfortunately hubby lost his job Aug'07 and I started school fulltime Sept '07 so in some ways it sucked BIG time but in other ways it was a blessing. I am a little anal about my assignments and studying. I always did my best and yet other *younger* students would just coast by. I made the Dean's list and received a couple of awards at the end of course awards ceremony. I take a huge amount of pride in what I am doing - perhaps it is as a mature student? I don't know. I found getting a couple of like minded individuals as study buddies helped. When we had huge volcab lists, we split them up between us and shared the info - was very helpful. Same thing with patho - i always tried to be a class ahead of what was coming in regards to knowing what cardio problems are common on geriatric pts. Anyway, teemcf at gmail.com I was a pharmacy tec for several years so come pharmocology, it was good. I ahve some good links I can send you as well. take care

I have just completed the PN programme at Camosun College in Victoria BC. http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/pn/pn-study.html I am delighted to be done - it was a fast and hugely busy year (ask my family). If there is anything I can do to help out, please let me know. I am on facebook or private msg me. I have all the power points and assignments so do let me know. All the best

Hey 2bornot2b I am in BC and just completed my PN course. I am writing the National licensing exam on Wednesday. In BC LPN's are full scope. LPN's handle the stable pts, RN's the unstable. As an LPN I can not hang blood but I can monitor the infusion, I can not insert an NG tube but can monitor, suction etc, and I can not hand IV meds (yet, it's coming we have been told). Otherwise I do everything. It's a team approach. At this point in my new career, I am fine with the RN's having the unstable patients. I know we have a huge resource availalbe in the healthcare team and look forward to learning from them all that I can. At 46, going to school for 4 yrs to be my BSN is just not in the cards. Currently we only get 6 months credit towards the BSN programme from LPN. During my practicum there were student rn's who were not able to insert subq butterflies as they had not covered that yet. It is definately a team approach for patient. I wish you the very best for your year ahead - it's a tough one but well worth it Take care

hi 2bornot2b I am in BC and will be writing the National Exam on Wednesday. Here in BC - LPN's handle the stable patients and RN's the unstable. As an LPN I can not hang blood but I can monitor the infusion, I can not put in an NG tube but I can monitor, suction etc and I can not hang IV meds (yet, it's coming we are being told). I can have a pt with an iv and change that bag, monitor etc. I am very excited to be starting into the every increasing and demanding field. At 46, I do not have the time or money to be in school for 4 yrs (in BC you must have a BScN for RN's now). the LPN programme only gets 6 months credit towards the BScN. I am very happy doing bedside nursing. All be very best in your endevour. I am sure you will love it. Cheers

I am doing my preceptorship as an LPN in a hospice facility in Canada, in BC, on Vancouver Island. LPN's are part of the whole team. I am currently on practicum in acute care on a surgical ward - EENT, urology and plastics. On Monday I start 2 weeks in Medical GI. My precept. starts after that. I am nervous, excited and scared. I feel it is an honour to be with someone when they die and to help the family. I just hope I am up for the task. I was hand selected and it was unanimous by my instructors for this placement. Hugz Tee