NHLPN

Thank you for your input.

No EAP here, private practice..............

I know there have been other threads about nurses with depression/mental illness, but I have not seen one that has addressed this. Have any other nurses here gone out on disability due to their depression? If so, does this affect your license? Does the BON need to be notified? I am struggling and have thought about going out on a leave of absence, but not sure how it will work, etc. I will be discussing it with my counselor soon. Any input would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

Had a lap choly 2/9/06. Took 2 1/2 weeks off from work. It was mostly the belly button pain/bruising that bothered me. As far as certain foods triggering any untoward effects, it is still new to me. I ate mostly low-fat food the first month. Then recently I had a bad bout of the "stomach bug" that has been going around. I think I am feeling ok though. No complaints. ~h

I use initials, if I need to refer to someone or if I've signed something off to another staff member....."Msg forwarded to XY,RN who will be working with MD tomorrow.." "...fall also witnessed by XY,RN..."

I have sent cards to family members, especially if they have been pts for some time. I feel it might make the surviving family members feel comforted that I am thinking of them and their loved one. I have also sent get well cards to patients who are very familiar in the office and have recently gone through surgery. I have also dropped a "thinking of you" card to pt's who are having tough times, just to let them know someone is thinking of them, especially if they don't have any family around. That is the great thing about Family Practice. You get to know your patients when they are healthy and then be there for them when they are sick. You learn family dynamics.

Sound like you need to go to the E/R for eval. Now! Good luck.

In my Family Practice office, we have 2 MA's. They do not triage. They room pt's and help with treatments (nebs, drsg changes). They both give injections (immunizations) - one will give Depo Provera and give kids injections, the other will only give adult immunizations. I have seem MA's triage in other offices (which I am not sure how legal that is.....). I have worked with great MA's who take the initiative to learn new things, and others who get by with doing the bare minimun. Some help with clerical things (phones, scanning consult notes to go in the EMR) I have learned from some great MA's and have gotten irritated by others.(same goes for nurses i have worked with also) Just my 2 cents. ;o)

I can't imagine life without massages! I love to go. I find myself almost falling asleep on the table, especially after a long day of work. I pay $55/hr - which to me is very reasonable for relaxation! I love to just close my eyes. Listen to the small water fountain in the corner. Feel the warmth and relaxation from his hands. An hour almost doesn't seem long enough. I was going every 3 weeks for a while, then had other financial obligations. No preference as to a male or female. I have had both. The one I currenlty go to (male) is by far the best. Sometimes you have to shop around to find someone you can "click" with.

I live in New Hampshire and I am an LPN. ;o)

I started out in a Nursing Home, then changed to a Family Practice office. I don't feel like I have missed out on anything, by not working in a hospital. In the acute care setting, I get to see healthy people along with ill people. I have a broad knowledge of different ailments for both young and old. I am IV certified. I do blood draws, EKG's, injections, triage, pt flow. I like being part of a team. I work 8-5 M-F, with a day off in between. I have holidays off and I make a decent amt of money (paid by the hour). I love being part of people's lives both when they are healthy, or when in time of need if sick. Just my 2 cents.

I started out in a Nursing Home, then changed to a Family Practice office. I don't feel like I have missed out on anything, by not working in a hospital. In the acute care setting, I get to see healthy people along with ill people. I have a broad knowledge of different ailments for both young and old. I am IV certified. I do blood draws, EKG's, injections, triage, pt flow. I like being part of a team. I work 8-5 M-F, with a day off in between. I have holidays off and I make a decent amt of money (paid by the hour). I love being part of people's lives both when they are healthy, or when in time of need if sick. Just my 2 cents.

Watch for ads in the Union Leader. A lot of Nursing Homes offer LNA courses and then employment with them afterwards. Hope that helps!

Just my thoughts: would a female not be accepted in to the nursing program because she may have excessive facial hair, or a male not accepted because he looked too feminine?? As long as this person is competent, there should be no issue. I would rather have a transgendered nurse who has great skills take care of me, than a beautiful, blond, but ditsy nurse. my 2 cents.

I'm sorry. **Hugs** from here in NH.