paticake

I'm curious if anyone has had a patient with this syndrome, or if any of ya'll have even heard of such. The patient will have lots of scars or open wounds that look like huge, deep scratch marks, and will complain of feeling like bugs are crawling all over just underneath their skin. They may also state that they've pulled 'fibers' from the wounds that are either black, blue, or white. It's not scabies, but could be a type of lyme disease. Doctors and physicians can sometimes diagnose this as a psychiatric disorder, and/or as DP (Delusions of Parasitosis). The number of people that have been complaining of this disease is growing, and because of numerous complaints, the CDC is finally looking more seriously into it. For more information, go to: http://www.morgellons.org/

I just went through my first year of nursing, and boy, was it rough! I found the thing that helped me the most was going over the notes from class, reviewing the textbook, and getting a NCLEX review book, and studying it as well (or any other general nursing books with condensed important facts in it!). If we were studying respiratory, any chapter in the NCLEX book that had to do with respiratory, I studied it. This gives you a condensed version of the most important information you'll need to have as a registered nurse. Also, any practice sessions online from your textbooks, or NCLEX review questions really make you think through the information and help with putting it altogether. It also helps by explaining why you got a question wrong, and how to think it through correctly the next time. The textbooks from class are very good for learning the basic info, but anytime you can get your hands on different material about the same subject that can give you a different angle, with condensed information--that is very helpful, because the teacher may or may not have went over everything in class that may or may not be on the test. Just remember, whether you study 10 or 20 hrs a day, there will ~~always~~ be a question on the tests that you wonder where did that get that from!!! Just study, and read and study and read and study and read and study some more! Good luck to ya!

Another thought.....there are more ways than money for someone to support you through school. Is he supportive in other ways? When you and your school friends are talking, you could say he is supporting you (whether it be by being there for you, helping you study, urging you on, etc., or money every once in a while...) it's none of their business how or how much......If he honestly cares for you, and is supportive of you in other ways, then as my sons say....It's all good!

You didn't say if you lived with your parents or not while you're going to school? It's good that they can help you with the gas in the car, etc. As far as your boyfriend goes, actually, it's up to him. Does he realize what a pinch you're in? If so, and has not mentioned helping you, that may be a good red flag for you to see. (Unless of course, he is not in a position to help you, and is struggling himself). Have you all had any conversations about this? Don't worry so much about what others are doing. Just think: YOU are putting yourself through school, and your parents are helping as much as they can, but YOU will be the one to make it. You won't be dependent on any man to help you with anything, which will make you more self confident, and more able to be with someone who will not take you for granted. If you've been with this guy for three years, obviously, there's something there.....any plans for the future, or are you all just coasting along? If so, don't worry about it, and just go for your dream. Try local banks, see if any of them have special plans for students, see if your parents can co sign if needed, just until you can get through school. It'll be well worth it! Also, check out scholarships, and local hospitals--they sometimes have scholarship programs to assist students through school, and all they have to do is work for them for a few years when they get done. Might be something to think about..... Either way, don't give up, don't give in, and keep your eyes on your road.....other's may seem like a 'nicer drive', but you aren't sitting in their driver's seat, and may not see the same as they do. They may even be jealous that you are putting yourself through school, independently.

The medical number from the patient's bracelet is a good idea, but a person could get that information from the patient while visiting and use it later. Using the last four of the patient's ss# is also good, because the patient would only give the pass code (the person wouldn't have to know that it's the patient's last four digits, the patient can just say, the pass code for information is ####, and leave it at that). This gives the patient control over who gets information, and who doesn't.

I really enjoyed what you said: " What if it is not what we do, but how we do what we do that really matters?" My goodness! If that's not the truth, I don't know what is! It IS how we do that really matters! Anyone can go into a patient's room and take vital signs......but it takes a special character (be it a nurse, or a PCT, or a hospital aide) to go beyond the mechanical motions of Temp., Pulse, BP, and Respirations. To actually SEE the PERSON in the bed, to SEE the family members/friends in the room, struggling with the situation, to not only see, but to reach out, and in some way, even if it's by a smile, nod, or asking if there's anything you can get for them, ~~~ANYTHING!~~~ other than the basics, THAT'S what counts, that's what matters, that's where the true heart of the matter is. SEEING the patients, BEING in the room while you're there, and letting them know you see them and are with them, that they are not alone! Thank you for sharing! It was great!:heartbeat

aaahhhh......actually, the title did promise it to be funny. How can one read an article with such a claim and take it seriously? lol.....

Where I work, we tell the patient that anyone they would like to receive information about their health status must give us a code. The code is the last four digits of the patient's ss#. This helps us find the number quickly and easily for verification. Hope this helps.