Lily631

I'd like to second what NurseMama5 said. I have recently transitioned into an ICU setting and I am experiencing some of the most incredible teamwork. We too confer with each other about decisions and are always happy to lend a hand. The nurses I work with are passionate, intelligent, and love to teach. Yes, you will hear about some bad situations on these boards, but you are correct in realizing that nurses often come here to let off some steam. I'm not going to tell you that every day you spend as a nurse is joyous and satisfying because I'd be lying. And sometimes after a rough day, one needs to have a place where they can air their frustrations, work out the issue, and then get over it. Where better to do that then in a forum full of people who get it? You might also notice how often people post about the amazing things that nurses get to take part in: their first success in a skill, their first "aha!" moment, the way they helped a patient (or how a patient helped them), etc. There is also a great deal of discussion about evidenced based practice, comparison of technique, and education on labs, tests, and diseases processes. Again, people are sharing with a forum of people who get it...people from whom they can learn. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone: Do not ever take another's opinion as law and do not ever take another's experience and assume it will be your own. Good luck in your studies. We look forward to your posts about your successes. And don't be afraid to complain about your bad day either. We'll be here to commiserate.

I've been hoping to get some inside info on nursing in Dublin from nurses working in both the private and public sector. I thought I'd turn to allnurses first, in hopes that some of you lovely people would allow me to pick your brain and give me some advice. I am a licensed RN in the US with over 2 years of experience (previously telemetry, and currently intensive care). I plan on moving to Dublin in early 2013. I've already paid for and received my application to An Bord Altranais,which I will be returning to them within the year period that is allowed. Once I've relocated, my boyfriend and I will begin the process of obtaining a DeFacto Partnership Visa. I think I've got a pretty good grasp of the "paperwork" end of the deal (though of course if I'm missing anything, do let me know). I'm looking for more details on nursing in Ireland, specifically Dublin (What are your responsibilities? What kind of facility do you work in? What hours do you work? Etc). Keep in mind, I'm aware that I have no chance of working in the public sector as the situation stands. I think I'm ultimately wondering what my choices will be. In summary, I look forward to hearing from any Irish nurses who are willing to chat with me and provide some insight. Whenever I'm over visiting, I wish I had some kind of nursing network to get together with who could talk to me about frontline experience, but instead I wind up in a conversation with someone who knows someone who's a nurse or someone who's mother was a nurse. Not very helpful, as you can imagine. Private messages welcome. Cheers.

Thanks, haji. I'm checking it out now.

For a new nurse, the job is particularly overwhelming. I just passed my one year mark, so I can assure you that the transition from six months to one year will bring about a significant difference in your time management, clinical skills, and overall confidence. You are at a precarious point in your career right now. You've gained a large amount of knowledge (in a small amount of time) and have been expected to take on the responsibilities of a full-fledged nurse, yet you may not feel like one yet. In this vein, I do believe that a little more time and trudging through will bring about some big changes for you. However, you also need to ask yourself if your support network at your current position is working for you. Are there other nurses around that can lend a helping hand when you're feeling stressed? And if so, are you asking questions and requesting assistance when you need it? I was probably the most overwhelmed at around six months, but my co-workers were always there to pull me through to the end of the shift and beyond. Maybe LTC isn't for you. Or maybe it's just this particular LTC facility. But please, don't jump to the conclusion that you aren't cut out for nursing. There are so many areas of nursing to explore and you've literally only just begun. I would suggest seeing it through at your current facility for a few more months. Get a little more experience. I just wouldn't want you to confuse normal first year anxieties and frustrations with a feeling that you can't continue nursing and/or LTC.

The nursing world is facing changes and creating goals for increased professionalism in the field, as evidenced by the RWJF "Initiative on the Future of Nursing. (http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health.aspx) While we follow the progress of this initiative, we must continue to effect change in our own sphere. Nursing is only as professional as we treat it. The age old issues of doctor's degrading us and nurses eating their young aren't going to just disappear, but we can urge a shift away from that type of negativity. I like to think of every action I take as a nurse as having ramifications for the entire field of nursing. For every positive relationship I establish with my colleagues (nurses, doctors, respiratory therapist, etc), I consider it a benefit to nursing. For every new skill I acquire (both at work and during my personal studies), I feel that the nursing field benefits from that knowledge. Every time I figure out a way to make my night run more efficiently, I consider it a win for patient care as a whole. Take your career seriously. Practice as a professional and lead others by example. Expect the best from yourself and your colleagues. Continue to educate yourself. And don't get wrapped up in BS.

You may be interested in the following letter written in regards to nursing and it's portrayal in Hollywood from about a year ago. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/718032

Thank you! Without fail, my google searches for nursing and healthcare-related things always bring me back here.

I would just like to stress this point. The manner in which we write and speak is a direct reflection of our capabilities and knowledge (and I mean humans here, not just nurses). Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling in writing is as important as good diction in speaking. With proper and precise language we convey not only our meaning, but also our education and a sense of confidence that shows the reader or listener that we have a firm grasp on the topic and that they can trust the information we provide. It may be helpful to remember that even when we are not at work, we are still nurses, so anything we write is the work of a nurse, whether it be instructions for the baby sitter, or an op-ed piece for the local paper.

here is what i pulled off of the suny farmingdale website (www.farmingdale.edu): q: how will my credits transfer? a: farmingdale will accept transfer credits earned at approved post-secondary institutions that were passed with a grade of c or higher. it is highly recommended to have transcripts from overseas institutes evaluated by an organization such as wes.org. applicants will have their credits evaluated for applicability toward farmingdale's general education requirements by the admissions transfer office. any course to be applied toward an academic major must be evaluated by the appropriate academic department. according to this, your c is technically acceptable. the credits for this class will be transferable to farmingdale college in general. whether or not a c in a&p1 will get you into the nursing program is a different story. when i was applying to farmingdale's nursing program, they advised me to get no less than a b (and ideally get an a) in both a&p 1&2 in order to ensure my acceptance to the program. remember, they need a basis for choosing students, so you want your odds to be as good as possible. if you're looking to apply to the nursing program, your first step should be to make an appointment to at least see an admissions counselor. you call call farmingdale admissions at 631-420-2200 or 877-4-farmingdale. the staff in this office have a great deal of knowledge about not only general admissions, but specific departments as well. farmingdale is holding their spring open house on saturday april 12 from 10:30 - 1 in nold hall. this is a good opportunity to meet some directors and professors of the nursing dept. go there prepared with your questions!