Lizstill

Defniitely bring that lab book and drug guide, until you have them memorized you'll use them every day. After awhile you can leave them in your locker and only drag them out when you run across something unusual. Have fun on medsurge. I could never handle that many patients. I get too worried about them. I hate pain. I want to help everyone all the time so I went to ICU so I could be with my pts constantly. NICU actually, because the diapers are smaller (and the pts are cuter).

I just got a GREAT public health job working for the Los Angeles County Office of Women's Health. Search for government jobs first. Also, many hospitals need a public health nurse in thier community outreach department. I worked in a dept like that when I was in nursing school and loved it. I'm just a little over a year out of nursing school and feel soooo lucky to have found my nitch. Liz:typing

Thank you! I have had to mention how I was taught differently a couple of times and did get slapped once. I was just puzzled and trying to clarify. I was so shocked an experienced nurse would be so offended by my innocent question. I guess insecurity doesn't always go away with experience.

I had a friend that HAD insurance and needed open heart surgery at age 40. The copays alone amounted to over 500,000. She has not been able to pay and will end up in bankruptcy. Some say, "let her pay for her whole life if that's what it takes." But then she will end up an old woman with no savings. Is that what we want? Who will take care of her then? Shall we let her die on the streets? I believe we should band together as a nation and a species and help each others when need is great. We send money to poor nations. Why not help our own disadvantaged? A federally run system with a tax on everyone in exchange for universal care is the best way. If the young, healthy, earners opt out it will weaken the system and the coverage may not be there for them when they decide they need it later. Insurance is the most economical and fair if EVERYONE participates.

The only problem with state based insurance is some states are so much more properous than others. I want the residents of Missisippi to have the same health care as New York and California. Single payer is the best way. I like Hillary's energy but I need to read up on Edwards' and Obama's health care plans.

I think your physiological ND is great. For the psychosocial you'll have to ask him how he feels about his disease, how he is coping, how he feels about being on crutches for the next few weeks. Then you'll know if he is suffering from low self esteem or lonliness or powerlessness. Good luck.

Slamming a flush means pushing it too fast. Flush refers to saline that is pushed after the drug to "flush" the IV and get the last of the drug in that is sitting in the IV. So the flush may be only normal saline but it was pushing the meds in and if that goes too fast it can cause problems. I'm a student too but I just learned to flush (always gently) last week.

Dear Jennifer - I too come from a crazy bunch and have deal with my own mood "challenges" for years. One time I was asking my MD for a referral to a psychaitrist and he warned me, "They're all nuts you know. It's because doctors self select their specialty and we all select what we know." So, I am also in school considering psych nursing for that reason. But I might burn out too soon since I've already been doing it 24/7 for my family. I don't want to take my home problems to work too. I figure the rough parts of life have made me stonger and more empathetic. I hope I can chanel it into something positive. Best of Luck Liz

REPLY: If your hospital is JCAHO approved please call, write or email them with your story: Joint Commission policy forbids accredited organizations from taking retaliatory actions against employees for having reported quality of care concerns to the Joint Commission. E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: Office of Quality Monitoring (630) 792-5636 Print a Quality Incident Report Form Mail: Office of Quality Monitoring Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations One Renaissance Boulevard Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Print a Quality Incident Report Form If you have questions about how to file your complaint, you may contact the Joint Commission at this toll free U.S. telephone number, 8:30 to 5 p.m., Central Time, weekdays. (800) 994-6610