TopazLover

I went into nursing and felt that was the only path I wanted. Perhaps you could say it was a calling. I loved nursing and, in general loved my patients. I was kind considerate, professional, etc. The bad part about that was I always felt I should know more. It always left me feeling somewhat inadequate, as if compassion meant that I did not have enough skills. You don't need the total passion, perhaps it is better if you don't have that degree, especially as a new nurse. Burnout will be a real issue if you don't change as you grow older. All you have done is waste years. Nursing is special, but it is not the only way to go. Now I do something totally different and love that also. Soon I will be changing again, and I will enjoy that. At this point in my life I think I have learned to enjoy many things and recognize I have many skills. Nursing is one that will remain close to my heart, but I will not return to nursing. I will gladly have someone else take responsibility and I will happily shuffle papers.

Viva, as another retired nurse I agree with all 10. Of course I am old enough to recall white uniforms, sensible white shoes, and caps. I have not stopped being a nurse. I once said to a doctor that I was formerly a nurse. He looked me straight in the eye and informed me that I would always be a nurse, retirement does not change that fact. I agree. One gift I find I appreciate is that I do not get upset by anything medical. Seize in front of me, be it a store or anyplace else, I will calmly get you safe and call 911. Blood shooting out, cover, hold and head to definitive care. I see others who dither and shrink and thank God and all those who helped me along the way to know what to do. More than that. I think, is that nursing is being, not doing. Compassion cannot be taught. Empathy is more than a term on a test. The art of nursing is alive and well, even if the practice of nursing is no longer in play.

Did something change in the pt. condition to lead to having an RN on day shift? I agree that at this point it is time to change assignments and your manager needs to discuss with the family what the rules are for your company. If they want the services, they have to know the limits. I am not blaming you for the haziness of limits. Night shift nursing in the home is very different than day shift. They are in new territory, also. The parents need to hear from a supervisor that you were doing per policy and that the next nurse would be held to the same standards. If the company takes the side of the parents in a way that is not supportive of you, the employee, start a job search. You will see the same behaviors from the company over and over again.

Merry Christmas, a bit late, but I figure I still can say it until Jan. 6th. This is great. So on target for all nurses. Thanks.

This is my doctor. He told me not to get a tattoo because I could get an infection. I said most infections come from hospitals. I want a tattoo of a cup of coffee. I always need more for those 12 hour shifts.

"I don't care that you were up studying for the pharmacology test all night. Students still cannot bring coffee to clinical floors."

We cannot give legal advice. Get to that lawyer. Ask those same questions and many more. Domestic violence in any form is taken very seriously by any prospective employer (and I will not touch how any BON treats it). Also clarify what it would mean if your case were dismissed after following court ordered anything. A good lawyer is worth a lot in any case.

To me this is close to violating TOS, as it is almost medical advice. Read about what the test actually means. I do understand the fear you have, even if unfounded. There are many reasons for positive skin tests. It may mean exposure to TB. It may be response to some vaccinations you may have received. Try to stay in today. If it were bad news I am sure that you would have gotten an immediate response. One of my favorite pieces of advice from Al-Anon: For today only, I will not live in fear.

I agree a meeting is necessary. I am flabbergasted that the school would suggest a retake of the course without even suggesting how to improve the relationship. I have seen this type of behavior exhibited in one case that landed on my lawyer's desk when the instructor accused the student of illegal activity. The student won but the cost to do so was very high. She had to change schools, the original school would not release her transcript until the court system was involved. I have a very low opinion of private schools not affiliated with colleges as a result of this encounter. It may not be a fair assessment but... they are a for profit place. If you are not fighting back they could easily have you repeat a term (at big bucks). Respectfully ask to discuss as other posters have suggested. if there is no resolution be prepared to stand up for yourself and either repeat the term or find another solution.

A union would immediately file hostile work environment charges to management. They would support staff not being injured and would show the difference under new management. I suspect you might be in a "right to work" state. As can easily be seen "Right to Work" is a euphemism for "right to be abused". Document, Document, and more papers! Contact previous workers and ask them to write letters expressing the love of their job while working there and the flip side of that coin of love of quality of life that was endangered to the point where they had to leave. Create a committee to take copies of these letters and your documentation to all involved. If nothing is done call OSHA. Ask for an immediate inspection to include interviewing both workers on and off shift when they do the inspection. As much as management has the ability to hide the facts some of the time if good documentation is in place they will have to change or be fined. I suspect there may be whistle blower status available if progressive reporting is needed.

That is so sad. If vaccination can save any young people and their families this kind of suffering then the incorrect worry about it making young people more sexually active seems even worse. And the cruel statements by Bachmann et al about the dangers of vaccination need to be stopped each and every time they are put forth as if true.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/19/us-usa-cancer-hpv-idUSBRE95I1AW20130619 Reuters) - The U.S. introduction of a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in 2006 has reduced infections with the human papillomavirus or HPV - the sexually transmitted virus that causes the disease - by more than half among girls and young women, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday. The results were better than expected and may even suggest that unvaccinated individuals are benefiting because of a drop in the number of infections circulating, the team reported in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. "This report shows that HPV works well, and the report should be a wake-up call to our nation to protect the next generation by increasing HPV vaccination rates," Dr Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement. http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/19/19043487-the-political-significance-of-hpv-rates?lite It became a hot-button issue again last year when South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley ® vetoed an HPV bill approved by state lawmaker in her own party, despite pleas from state health officials. (South Carolina ranks ninth nationwide for cervical cancer deaths. This, alas, did not sway the governor.) As is often the case, science keeps getting in the way of far-right Republican talking points. Last fall, research helped document the fact that the HPV vaccine did not change sexual behavior among minors, and this week, new data published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases helps document the extent to which the vaccine is literally a life-saver.

I agree that nurse is abusive and negligent. That said, seeing a resident up at 3 am humming makes me wonder if she might have been having pain that she could not acknowledge. How do her late night habits work with any therapy or other day time issues? I am all for personal decision making. I also recognize that there are times when we need to enter the world of the resident and not wait until the resident inflicts her anxiety into ours. There must be a reason why there was an order, I would think. If going to bed is a real issue address it. If it is a fussy old biddy nurse then address the behavior of the nurse, which you did. Keep up the good work. Some of your best help will come from staff who have been working with these patients for a period of time. Some of the worst advice can come from others who have been working there at the facility for a period of time. There is a difference.

UTI giving stroke like symptoms that then caused fall that in term caused a rhabdo. Pneumonia from either stasis or aspiration, or both.

Juan, thank you for this really down to earth article that I really enjoyed for many reasons. Karen, that trip down memory lane with a look at the Bird was almost like a silent scream for me. We used to call Birds "the kiss of death" and worked really hard to keep away that kiss when all we had were those Birds. That was back in the early 70's. We thought we had reached a new century in vents when the MA-1 came in. When DH was on vent he was barely moved off back. His turns by staff were only a few degrees. That was one of the few things I saw where he was that I did not agree with but had not been involved in ICU for too many years to argue the point. I know it would not have made any difference in outcome but I am glad to see that the discussion continues about positioning. Thanks again.