arynberg

I have pitting edema caused by cushings. I wouldnt say mine is severe but if you press above the ankle on the bone it will leave a mark for nearly an hour. The reason I say this, is because of the "sock ring" remark. Im wondering if they are talking about if it stays there for a long time being and indicator? When I take my ankle socks off I will have the marks for 2-4 hours depending on how bad the swelling is. The same with wearing a hair tie around my wrist.

Im sure you all have days where the stress can be overwhelming. So, when its time to go home....what do you do to transition or destress? I like to play guitar, garden or crank up the radio and sing like Im on American Idol.......LOL

So one for steroid induced and anthor pit. tumor. I would think that the person must have been on prednisone for quite awhile to get it? And the pt that you have doesnt have a moon face...huh. I would say that I kinda do....or at least my head & neck are ALOT larger then they were. Really, having to go through all of this is what brought me to the point of wanting to become a nurse. I was a Realtor and loved it! But, everything is put in to prespective when your the one with an illness. Selling houses - - -important, but helping people who are sick more important.

Just wondering. They say its really rare but the specialists say that its really just underdignosed. I have been told that I have the cyclical form, with a pituitary adenoma confirmed by neurosurgeon on the MRI. I wont let this stop me from becoming a nurse. I will just have to fit brain surgery in between semesters......LOL. So, if you did have a pt...were they there recovering from surgery? Or were they having other complications? I think things would be MUCH worse if I was florid...but cyclical cushings isnt as intense. I have only gained about 60lbs, and my striae isnt as horrible as all of the textbook pictures. I do however have alot of the other symptoms. Alot of people with cyclical cushings get blow off by Dr's because they dont look like a florid patient. Im here to say dont judge a book by its cover.......LOL.

I barely ever use metrics. Anyone know a good place to study up or what types of questions it may have? Im guessing its mostly conversions. Where do you use metrics the most in your job. I just took a nursing practice test and it looks like most of my errors were in the fractions area. I cant remember the right way to subtract or multiply. I also missed calculating volume. But to my surprise I did get 40 out of 50 right with no studying at all. Ugh.......HS was so long ago and I was a horrible unattentive student, .....wish I would have tried in school. Audrey

While you are working for that hospital as repayment for your education, do you have to work at a reduced hourly rate? Or, is just the 4 years repayment?

First of that you all for your replies, they are greatly appreciated! I did go into the regional area and posted, so than you for that advise. I do believe that quality is VERY important. I would consider a 4yr program if I could get in and there wasnt a wait. So there is a 3 yr wait for a 4 yr program that puts me at 7yrs down the road before I can be a working RN. Thats why I was considering the 2yr program that puts me at 5yrs, then I can do accelerated course to get bach. If I could have though of doing this like 10yrs ago it would have been much easier

Hi there! Hey, I am a Realtor in Grand Rapids (not practicing who is going into nursing. I thought I might be able to help give you some insight on the area. Grand Rapids is really a beautiful area. Like many others have said its big but not too big and there is alway something to do. You can check out the several of the many of the downtown attractions. We have several halls and a large arena where we host large concerts. Just north of toun the country is speckled with tons of lakes, streams and a rivers. Michigan actually has some of the most federal land in the nation. So if you enjoy snowmobiling, hiking, x country skiing, or atving....there are all sorts of trails. As for areas on the north end of town. Well it all depends on how far or how long you would like to commute. If you would like to be about 12-15mins from town (not including rush hours) you could live in Rockford (which has a great downtown area, nice trout river called the rougue, and beautiful countryside), or Sparta (small town in the middle of apple country...with beautiful orchards abound). A little further north (20min commute) you could choose Cedar Springs (smaller town with nice countryside) or Kent City (smallest so far, and about 8 miles from the highway). So really it depends on where you want to be...closer to work or closer to country. As for me, ....I have a 40 min commute,....but I think I live in God's Country. I live in a small community located on one of the largest rivers in Michigan, The Muskegon. We are a community situated on a large dam (Croton) just down stream a mile from an even larger Hardy Dam. So at the bottom of the dam we have some of the very best trout & samon fishing Michigan has to offer and above the dam is about 1500 acres of all-sports lake. I am surrounded by National Forest and close to all of the trails. Everything we like to do here.....so Id rather be closer to our ativities. If you have any questions about any of the areas just send me a message. I grew up in the Jenison, Hudsonville, Grandville area. But since being a Realtor, I am well versed in all of the surrounding communities. Best of Luck!!! Audrey

Hi guys, I am a 29yo female and have finally found my career calling in life. In HS I never had a clue about what I wanted to do in life and now after 10yrs, I know. So, this being said,......I am married with a household to run (like many of you guys) so I need to know quickest way to achieve my goal. I have looked at MUCC and like their campus.....but I think they said the wait list was like 3-4yrs (please confirm if you know). Gosh, Im kinda middle age so Im trying to think of different ways to get it done. Does anyone know of schools in W. MI with shortest waitlist? I was going to do 2yr RN then get working and do a RN to BSN. I have also heard of doing LPN then getting LPN to RN then RN to BSN. Really, there would be no issues if there wasnt this thing called a waiting list. My husband is very supportive about all of this. Im just trying to figure out the quickest way from point A to point B to reduce stress. All input is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!! Audrey

Seriously, Im getting lost. Im trying to research and study and cross reference things. Really what Im looking for is the quickest way to become an RN. So if that is becoming an LPN is there an LPN to RN program to take online? Or I know that a 4yrs is preferred (but not required here) so can I just go associates then get in somewhere and do accelerated schooling to finish up 4yr. So there are 2 or 3 community colleges in the area that offer and associates RN 2.5 yr program. Would I really be an RN or is 2yr considered LPN? Ugh! I think if I have a preference in becoming RT vs. RN Id rather be the RN.....but I think I would enjoy both. An RN is more veritile. So what Im looking for the the quickest way from point A to point B. This wouldnt be so difficult if the waiting list wasnt so long. Also, if I get on the waiting list I can do all of the general courses in that degree like bios, eng, math ect. Could I just do all of the bach. courses while Im waiting to get into the RN couses itself or are the bach. courses nusing specific. HELP! Audrey

Yes, some of that definetly sounds like you just gotta grit and bear it. I was watching Trama in the ER the other day and a guy was pruning bushes.......fell off the roof and landed on this spikey bush. 4' long x 3" diameter branch went up the rectum....YIKES! But the crazy thing was that it didnt damage anything other than the entrance wound. The branch made it all the way up just before his diaphram. Do you still do flight nursing. Hey guys, just wanted to say that I really appreciate all of your responses. Its such a BIG decision going back to school when you have a whole family and house to run. Its like we are all going to school.

I guess what I was thinking was going to school for RT and completing the 2 courses I would need to get on the nursing list. Like I said earlier.....its a 3-4yr wait, at schools in my area (west michigan). So I would be getting my RT and working a year before I could get accepted into RN program (which is associates). I was hoping to do 2yr program and then do more schooling as needed while employed. Or I can take all of the non nursing classes required for assoc. RN while Im waiting on the list: (eng102, anth103,bios, psyc, ect) which is about 35 credits. But is there any jobs I can do while Im waiting? Wonder if I can get phelbotimist cert and do that to bring in $$ while waiting for opening. So hard to believe we have such a shortage of nurses and its 3yrs just to get into school...crazy

Just trying to get myself as educated as possible before making a solid decision on what field to get into. So, Ive read about the poop, urine, vomit and blood. I read the post about catheters and 5" of foreskin,......then googled for images (Yikes, looks painfull....wouldnt want to be on the receiving end). I have read about some of the stresses (patients, docs, paperwork, shortages). So what OTHER procedures do you do as nurses that you would say are difficult or hard to handle, or invasive? What do you think the most difficult part of your job is? PS - I understand that poop is part of the deal, but do you see less of it in certain areas or depts? I figure Ill just carry some Vick's in my pocket just n case. Ive never even changed a babys diaper but I guess, ya gotta start somewhere right? Thanks! Audrey

im sorry, im not up-to-date with the abbreviations. what is a pta and pt? is it a physical therapy assistant? if so how long is the pt? its not that im settling......i would enjoy either. i like the "hands on" and i think i would enjoy doing some trama. so if pt is physical therapy, .....i dont know if i would like it that much. i prefer having lots of things going on i work excellent under stress. and because i am this way i feel that pt may be a bit boring to me. no offense to those who are working in the field :) thanks audrey

I have no college education at all. Actually, here in Michigan they have Associates programs.....I think its like 2.5yrs. I did take a Compass test to see where I would need to start and Im at english 101 and Math 040. Pres are just chem and math 040...thats all. So I could take those 2 classes and get on the list, most likely get into the program fall of 09. But between now and then I can take all of the other classes required, bio, math, ect. I guess I didnt know that there was 1yr RN program. I wouldnt even know where to find it around here. There is such a shortage, EVERYONE is booked solid for at least 2yrs straight. I wish I could talk to someone whos done both. I have a shadow lined up for next week sometime, if I feel ok with that Im going to go for the RT. I atleast want to get going on it.