Topic Toss Up

Hi Mean Old RN - I bet you are not so mean. Fed up is more like it. I think that RN's are going to have to TAKE BACK NURSING as their own profession all together. One of my mean old RN friends is looking into becoming a union organizer. My friend wants me to do it. I'm not ready to make that leap, but since she wants out of the hospital and will benefit to use her RN years of experience to make money in the future, it's really a great new venue that is not as physically taxing (no lifting/turning patients/running up and down halls). Every RN should talk about an ALL RN (Non-management/supervisory RN) SHARED GOVERNANCE committee and have monthly meetings, take RN concerns to the management/administration & physician groups. If it's supposed to be a collaborative hospital, then the MD's could show up also. Any members not present that were invited would be noted in meeting minutes. If something goes wrong that the hospital and doctors have failed to address, there is back up documentation that showed RN concern over the issue, offered suggestions, etc., before the event occurred. A Masters or Ph.D. RN who would like to do studies of data could do some research on topics of concern and show the hospitals that RN IDEAS DO MAKE SENSE. Imagine that, hard-cold data that would support RN's ideas? Magnet hospitals are supposed to have these shared governance committees. Of course, I'm not surprised that some Magnet hospitals have Magnet Status without having the committee. Oh - Why oh why would the ANCC let this happen? Beats me. I don't know anyone on the ANCC, but I'm curious. Did you know it costs $47,000.00 & some odd change to have the ANCC come in to review a hospital for magnet status? Gee, we could have staffed a little better for an entire year with that money, right? Not to mention that when a hospital prepares for this "charging experience" (ha ha), it takes away from other resources in the hospital. Resources that could be used for MORE STAFF RN's, or time spent meeting with RN's from THE SHARED GOVERNANCE committee!! Wonder how much JACHO costs? Why do hospitals pay JACHO, a non-governmental agency to review hospitals anyway. They are just one private organization WITH VERY LITTLE RN INPUT. Go to the JACHO website and see it's CORPORATE PARTNERS!!! Oh my! If that is not politics that need to be investigated for scandal, I don't know what is. I wish more RN's would go to the JACHO website and read about JACHO's role. Why is it that RN's are not part of the infrastructure that approves hospitals?? I would like to see more masters and Ph.D. RN's apply for these positions so nursing would be represented. TAKE BACK NURSING!!! Recommendations from hospital watchdog groups are OK. What is hard time understand is how a hospital doesn't listen to the RN staff as you mentioned. When the DELIVERY SYSTEM or DELIVERY METHOD is made by a committee without RN representation, then it's typical to see hospitals come up with completely impractical solutions that make an RN's job, at times, IMPOSSIBLE because the new system in so unweildy, time-consuming and unrealistic. And then the bean counters have the nerve to mention overtime. RN's - demand your overtime hours if the "system" is so ridiculous that you cannot get things done during your straight time! Thanks for your input and comments on the article. Good luck with the meeting.

The accelerated I went through was 24months long. We took about 3-5 classes each quarter along with clinicals. Make sure you have good glasses, a good support system, good health insurance and a counselor to go to if you get stress. My school provided free therapists for all students at the University. It saved my life. These programs vary from school to school. Make sure you investigate the differences. My school just changed it's curriculum. It was very strong in certain areas but very weak in others. Make sure you come out with just as much knowledge and practical skills as any other RN would. Look at some job descriptions for nurses and make sure the curriculum addresses all the criterion for hiring. I would sugggest working in a doctor's office, clinic, most importantly, something you are interested in while preparing for your entrance test. When you go into school, get immersed in it. If you are in an accelerated program, play nice with others because you will be married to those people for the duration. Since you have a background in pschology, the therapeautic communications and psych rotation (clinical lasting one term) should come easily to you. Ta Ta, good luck. Go for the BSN. It seems a little wasteful to get another 4 year degree since you already have one. It's overkill to go to school for 8 years when you can go for a total of 6. And remember that the ADN nurse goes for a (total of 2 years). If you enjoy nursing, you can go on to get your Master's paid for by an employer. There's more years of school to look forward to. Sometimes it's nice just to get the bills paid and get on with life! But always remember to do continuing education lest you become an early relic, has-been RN. Not good for you or your patients.

Buyer beware- hint... http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#cardinal This will make each RN realize how diligent they should be with all infusions. The "Smart Infusion Pumps" have computers that can be programmed with "soft guard rails" that can be overridden by a nurse. They can also be programmed with "hard guard rails" that do not allow the pump to function when the infusion rate is too high. I don't know of anything that shows compatibility and diagnostic purposes, but someone above seems to. The machine is only as good as ithe quality control of the hospital. "Soft guardrails" are judgment calls, but if you can honestly make a judgment call because you have know idea what the criteria is for the soft alert, time to call the pharmacy and doctor to get an order to override the soft guard rail. Word up! The machine can be defective. See this brand new link about an FDA "Voluntary Recall". Work a search engine to see the history of infusion pumps and the safety concerns all health professionals should be aware of. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#cardinal

To address your question, (will you look bad if you pursue this in a legal forum...) get the expert opinion on that question. Your local government should have a Department for People with Disabilities. Have them steer you to the local ADA department (not sure if they are state or federal). That's one opinion. Another opinion could be from an attorney who specializes in employment rights, ADA issues or a combo of both. Ask people if they know of any good attorneys. It may depend on what documentation/witnesses you have, detailed facts, accounts of events, etc. Be prudent not to broadcast what you are doing. If word gets tp your employer, she will be prepared. You want to take her by surprise and not let her know what your thoughts are. Otherwise, they will know how to defend themselves. Ask the attorney or ADA what kind of consequences or events might be faced with if you pursue. I believe what I wrote is basic generalities about some resources and options. Make sure you take care of you just as much as you attend to this issue. Some people get really involved with attorneyws and worry. Others let the attorney handle things and go about their life. It's great to win when you feel wronged. Winning entails a lot of work in time and energy. It can be different for you on how you handle the stress, what support systems you have, etc. Weigh the pros and cons, then you will make an informed decision with what you learn. Good luck and good riddance to this employer.