Empress

Not in my area, US pays more than nursing and you have your pick of full-time positions.

I think what the OP is trying to get at is why is it tolerated? I know I'm curious.

I understand where the OP is coming from, and I also understand why his approach is raising hackles. It doesn't mean what he is trying to convey is less important, just needs some polishing. I've worked in healthcare for 6 years off and on, multiple different settings and states. I admire the work nurses do, and I think I would love to be a nurse, but what is holding me back is the experiences I have had as well. Not "why is or isn't s/he doing this or that?" I understand that there is more to patient care then I would see as a tech And being low on the totem pole I haven't had too much trouble with nurses, I do my job and I am left alone. But I have seen a lot of unprofessional behavior, especially in group dynamics. Gossip, backbiting, rudeness, etc. Not just to other nurses, but to doctors, PAs, PTs, paramedics, RRTs, etc. It's shown here on this site, too. It's not professional, and it's a turn off to be a nurse.

Well, based on the replies on this thread and the one below titled "How to put doctors in their place?" I doubt his opinions of nurses has changed much.

Actually it was the opposite for me, we were taught that it more important to give COPD patients high-flow oxygenation instead of worrying about hypoxic drive issues since they took longer to present then usual tranport time. He may have assumed since you had a mask on with a lower concentration of o2, it was an issue of "silly nurse doesn't know better," without listening. It's pretty common to go into nursing homes and see a patient on 4 liters with a non-rebreather, and that is suffocating them. I don't know what type of mask you had on them, though. He was rude, but he did have right to decide treatment after making contact, i.e. by changing masks. They have to follow their own protocols, not the patients doctor's orders.

That isn't a database of people who have defaulted on their student loans, that looks to be a site about people who have either defrauded medicaid/medicare through billing or used Federal educational grants (like the one that pays for doctors med school to work in rural places.) I am not saying defaulting on a student loan is just fine, it is serious but you have options on how to deal with it. You're just not going to end up on some obscure governmental list barring you working in healthcare for ever and ever.

Respiratory, because the pay will be better, and you may have more autonomy and responsibility depending on your state.

I wouldn't rely on lab phlebotomists either, I work as one right now and if we cannot get it then we kick it back to the nursing staff. It's a good skill to have.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/occupational_therapy_p2.html http://www.aota.org/featured/area6/index.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_therapy

1. DOs are physicians, and complete a residency just as MDs. Many take the same tests and go to the same residencies as MDs. 2. If this guy's education and license were so suspect, then your hospital did a poor job of running a background check.

You sound very respectful and professional, and I bet you are wonderful to work with. :) Frankly, I think my hackles rise on these threads is the attitude of "my way or highway, I'm in charge and you're not, etc." Everyone needs to be a team player.

Science Pre-requisistes for a local school here: 1. Introduction to Biological Chemistry (survery course of biochemistry and organic) 2. Anatomy and Physiology 1+2 3. Microbiology That's it.

I've heard this before, and I have to ask; Would it be possible to regain them? When would current nurses find the time and resources to now be the Med techologist, OT, and PT? They are stretched thin as it is. I am not meaning to be rude about the science education thing, I know it came off that way. The programs, around here at least, require survery (a general overview) science courses for chemistry and micro, but pre-med/pre-physician assistant requirements are much more stringent. I always thought that was odd, you would think that since nurses deal with the same patients and problems they should have a similar educational background as MD/DO/PA until the training diverges for nursing model and medical model.

I think if nurses want to be valued for their higher education then they need to take harder classes in the sciences instead of survey classes or science for allied health.

While nurses should be paid more, it's unfair to say PT's (or anyone in healthcare really) are not as valuable. A nurse can do a lot of things, but they can't work with someone badly injured to help them walk again. Everyone has a role.