SouthTXRN

I have seven sets with each set costing about $35.00 to $40.00 but I only replace them every two years or so when they look a little faded. I also own one lab coat which I've had for about five years or so that I wear during community events. One thing that no one has mentioned is shoes. I own three pair that I rotate everyday, I think this not only helps keep them new longer but it also keeps your feet from hurting as much.

Anything new can be pretty scary. Take things one day at a time and see how you feel. It's pretty routine for you to have to know all your meds, labs, x-rays, health history, nursing dx's and such but not from the top of your head. Carry your cheat sheets. Things will get easier with time, we all have to go through this but it's definitely worth it when it's over. Don't give up so soon you'll soon get the hang of it. Is there anything in particular that makes you nervous in clinicals or when you give meds, tx, etc? I'm also surprised you get a daily grade, we would get a grade at the end of the semester and it was pass/fail (and it was virtually impossible to fail). Keep us posted on how things go with you.

Thanks alliancemed and ICU26. I live in Laredo and I hate all the bad press we're getting in the news. Yes there is a drug problem but up to now it's in Mexico. I have yet (knock on wood) see any type of violence here in town. There's always the possibility that something might happen anywhere you live (look at Alabama). If your willing to come down here, be ready to adapt. As alliancemed said, be ready for culture shock, people either love it or hate it. Good luck on your job hunt and keep us posted.

Well if you don't mind the heat, we always need nurses in Laredo.

Thanks, Suesquatch, I'll give the starch a try on a lower setting. I really like the way starched clothes look. I've tried the cloth thing also but it's easier to just iron inside out. My scrubs didn't look shiny though, they actually became a few shades lighter on the side i would iron them on.

I ALWAYS iron my scrubs. The one thing I've started doing is ironing them inside out. One day I was looking at myself in the mirror and I noticed the front of my scrubs were a lighter color than the back. I looked through the rest of them, and they were all like this. I guess the ironing faded the side I iron on but not the other. I iron on the highest setting with steam to get razor sharp creases. On thing though, and maybe someone can help me out, I've tried using spray starch but always get flakes and splotches on the clothes......any hints?

No I'm WAY further south than that.

Have to agree. Nothing takes my appetite away quicker than suctioning a trach on a phlegmy patient. The ET tubes aren't as bad, but for some reason trachs are my kryptonite. But you know what's really gross? All the mounds of documentation you need to do.

Hi, I know where you're coming from. Several years ago, the hospital I work for was bought out by a large health corp. We didn't find out about it until we were called into meetings and basically told, "Guess what, you now have new owners and a new name." This was after decades of being owned by the same catholic system. We were in shock. Things went pretty smoothly though and the transfer was pretty much seamless. It would be a shame if your hospital closed, with the way healthcare is, we need every available bed possible. I wish you the best, and hope things get better. The way I see it adm didn't want to let out on the secret because they really can't afford a mass exodus while they're still operating. Oh, BTW we'll be more than happy to make room for you here if you don't mind the heat.