jtrauma

Hello all. I am not a psych nurse and the only experience I have in psych is when I was did clinicals in nursing school. I was needing a little direction of a personal sort. I need to know if I should pursue my thoughts any further. My sister is 24 years old and seems to be with the mind of an 18 year old. She has taken on some of my personal likings as her own, to use as her own identity. Yes I could take this as she looks up to me but I think it is more then that. Other personality traits of hers: does not express opinions, agrees with everyone else around her, always has someone else to blame for her decisions, she falls so "in love" in her relationships but once they are over hops right into the next without much devastation, dependent on those around her, needs many different perspectives on situations and approval before making a decision, most her decisions are irrational and irresponsible, dependent on a male relationship, when being spoken to about a serious issue just agrees with everything but never makes a change, very flirtatious, blind to reality. I could probably go on. She has only had one real job and she was fired from it for making a very bad decision. She has never lived on her own, always dependent on others. No schooling past high school and cannot make a decision on what to do with her life. She is very naive, unknowing of who she is and lost. Her childhood is something I could go on about as well. If information from that would be helpful in giving me direction I will disclose what I can without being too wordy. Can anyone help me? Is there something I should talk to her about? Should she see a doctor?

Hello everyone- I know that is quite the spread of cities but I am trying to hit everyone. My husband and I are looking at relocating and these are some of the cities we are interested in. All have Level 1 Trauma centers, neuro and trauma are my specialties, and this is what I am wanting to do. Big city with a nice cutting edge Level 1 Trauma center. Can anyone tell me about the facilities, the cities? Are these good places to live? What areas are good to live in and possibly start a family in? Are there things to do, cultural, museums, nightlife etc...? We live in Springfield, MO right now and it is an ugly city and boring. We just need something different and more exciting and somewhere that my career can flourish more. Thank you for your time- Julia

My husband and I are wanting to relocate for my career, to gain more experience in a bigger city with cutting edge facilities. I am currently working in a Level 2 Trauma center in the Neuro Trauma ICU. We are a 12 bed unit that cares for TBI, ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, craniotomies, AVMs, spinal cord injuries as well as multi system trauma and other diagnosis. We care for a wide range of patients. I am wanting to be somewhere in a Level 1 trauma center with cutting edge facilities and program. I would like to stay with both neuro and trauma whether it be in the same unit or floating between the two units. I have a huge passion for both and am wanting to further my education in one of these areas. Does anyone have any suggestions on areas we should check out for relocation? What hospitals? We are currently looking at Houston, Tampa and Dallas but would love more ideas and feedback on hospitals and programs. Thanks

"3.) Initial Rank/TIS/TIG according to experience? Prior service, 4 years as LPN, 1 year as RN. I'm almost certain that they will not give you credit for any experience you gained PRIOR to obtaining your BSN. This means that even though you have some great experience, they will not give you TIS. As you already know you'll get to skip NTP so that's nice." I have talked to several recruiters throughout the past 6 months and they have all told me that prior experience does count. You would receive 1/2 year experience for every one year worked. So I will be going in with 3 years civilian experience so I will get 1.5 years AF experience and hopefully within 6 months move up rank. Just thought this might help.

I give all of you kudos:yeah: it is amazing what all of you are doing and have accomplished, it gives me hope that I can do the same. I am planning to start filling out paperwork for the AF in February and want to be below the weight by then. I don't have a lot to loose but I don't like to watch what I eat either, I love me some sushi and a good piece of filet. Anyhow, I meet with a personal trainer for the first time in my life Thursday to start this transition. I've decided that this is something I can't accomplish on my own without some education and accountability. Thanks for the confidence, all of your stories have helped. Julia

I have a couple of random questions about the AF, or any other branch member that may be able to answer. Has anyone had experience being stationed overseas and taking animals with you? My husband and I have a cat and a dog that we would want to find a way to take with us if we transferred to Germany. How would we go about that? Also, how easy is it to get the shift you want? Days vs nights? I didn't know if it was like civilian nursing that its pretty much if you are new you get nights and work to your day shift or if you can request days and have a good chance or not of getting it. Thanks, I hope everyone is doing well in their endeavors. Julia

Hello Everyone. My husband and I have finally come to the conclusion that me becoming an Air Force Nurse is a for sure thing, we are totally stoked. I will not be able to do my training until next Oct because I won't have my BSN until the end of next summer. We are looking forward to the adventure and experience in not only our careers but personally as well. I have a couple of things, I am taking a course right now that I have to do research on a nursing path that requires a BSN or higher that interests me so obviously I am choosing to write about AF nursing. Can anyone give me some insights on the ethical issues you face as an Air Force Nurse? Are they different in any way from civilian nursing? Also, I need some pros and cons on AF nursing from those of you that have the experience to tell. Also, is there anyone with a good amount of AF ICU experience that I could write a more in depth email too with questions. We know this is what we want but there are always still questions. Hope everyone has a fun and safe Labor Day. Thanks- Julia

I am currently working in a level 1 neurotrauma ICU and am 1 year away from my BSN with 3 years NTICU experience. I am seriously considering becoming an Air Force Officer, however, I'm concerned about getting pulled away from the ICU during my time in service. Upon joining, am I likely to stay in the ICU (at different bases) over my tenure, or am I likely to get pulled away from the ICU to go to other areas such as LND, PACU, OR, ER, NICU, etc. Civilian or not, I want to focus my efforts in an ICU and this is the one doubt I have in my mind to joining the Air Force. Any military ICU nurses out there wish to share their experiences? Also, would having my CCRN help my chances of staying in an AF ICU? Thanks - Julia

I'm totally all for giving MS to make the passing more "hurried". I agree it keeps the patient from suffering more than necessary the family as well, I would think watching someone die for days is a lot more torterous than watching them for a couple of hours and they are comfortable.

Brain dead is brain dead, there is not hearing there is no feeling of pain, the brain is not receiving blood flow or oxygen so therefore those sensory functions are lost. So why you would give morphine to a brain dead patient is beyond my comprehension because the body is feeling nothing. DCD (Donor after Cardiac Death) is, I think, a very important part of saving peoples lives. A family has decided to withdrawl care and take away ventilatory support but wants to help others and the patient would want the same. This is something we consider and do a lot in the hospital I work in and it is very rewarding for everyone. The family get to stay at the bedside after care has been withdrawn and be there with their family member as he/she passes. If he/she does not pass in, if I remember, 30 minutes then the donor process is ceased and they are transferred to a private room to pass. If they do pass within that 30 minutes then the family is allowed to say goodbye and the patient is taking to the OR. To me this is no different then just letting someone pass after withdrawling care and checking for heart tones as we do all the time its just that in this case the patient is able to provide for others. Julia

Actually, I have spoken with both a Navy recruiter and an AF recruiter and the Navy has bonuses and stipens for RN to BSN and the AF does not. Navy gives $5000 initial sign-on bonus and then 6 months later if you are making a >3.0 GPA you get another $5000, all the while recieving a $1000 stipen per month for up to 24 months while in school. Its called the Nurse Candidate Program. The AF offers a sign-on bonus but only at certain "open" times, whatever that means. The last sign-on bonus they gave to nurses was 55K, I almost choked. Anyway, just some clarification cause this is recent info in the past week that I have received from Healthcare Recruiters. Julia