dragonflycafe

Thanks for the replies and thanks for not flaming me (so far!). I agree with a PP when she said that she wished there was more info on the subject (I've been to the CDC site, etc). I think that's what really bothers me. There seems to be a lot of differing information and different procedures with it. So is it terribly dangerous and if you have it once you carry it for life? Or since it is everywhere hospitals don't really need to check for it any more or require special precautions? If you are colonized with it is it just waiting for you to become under the weather for some reason then strike and give you a wicked infection? I understand it isn't really a problem unless you have an illness or if you are immuno compromised for some reason, but we all get sick now and then. Yes, my husband got a strep infection (different from MRSA, right?) from the community so it is everywhere. I just don't know if I want to jump right into the fire though. However, nursing sounds so very interesting and rewarding. That's why I'm posting - it's not as easy as, "Well, gotta move on!" It just seems a bit silly of me. Wow I do babble, don't I? Thanks, guys!

I have lurked here for many months and posted a few questions about nursing. After many months of considering this path I thought I was all set to start my BSN prereqs (degreed, career change stay at home mom). I was excited and thought I could deal with most of the negative aspects of nursing because so much of it is positive. But alas, I am just too worried about MRSA/Strep/etc. I've read several posts here about nurses using universal precautions, then getting bumps and getting seriously ill. I can't imagine bringing it home to my kiddos. I can't believe I'm letting this one thing deter me. I suppose seeing my husband so ill from a mysterious strep infection (elbow) a few months back really got me. Never thought I was such a weiner! And no weiners allowed in nursing! Just thought I'd vent and say 'thanks' from a layperson who now knows so much more about what you do.

Those are both great books. I also recommend Dave Ramsey's books (Total Money Makeover...etc) as well. He has a great radio show too. Oh, and The Millionaire Next Door is THE benchmark book on this subject. I read on MSNBC today the headline, "Is Thrift the New Black?" I'm not terribly frugal but live way below my means now. I don't try to keep up with everyone anymore and have more money in the bank thanks to that!

Hi there ... Have another 'newbie' question. I'm seeing a lot of news about C-diff lately and was wondering how disturbing it is for you practicing nurses? Is the media blowing it out of proportion like MSRA? ("DRUG RESISTANT STAPH THAT WILL KILL YOU! TONIGHT AT 10!!!!!!" Without telling you that it DOES respond to some meds.) I understand Cdiff is more common with hospice and geriatric patients and of course ID patients. How worried does it make you to come in contact with it? How common is it for a nurse to be infected with it? In a previous post I mentioned that I was worried about staph and strep (husband got a nasty case of strep in his elbow in March and was in the hospital for 4 days - never seen him so sick. Don't know how he got it.) However, with lots of reading and thinking on the subject it doesn't bother me as much. The difference with C-diff seems to be it hangs out a lot longer and is only killed with bleach. Seems that MSRA and Strep are easier to control. Any thoughts? And thanks again for all you do!

Wow, great replies - thanks for taking the time! I liked what Sillystudent had to say, "You will be in your 40s anyway..." So true! And Batman24 mentioned being assertive. I am a black belt who used to work for Chuck Norris and I own a karate school with my husband.. who knew it might come in handy in nursing! :chuckle So I need 42 (!!!!) hours of prereqs at UTA before I can even apply. Holy smokes. With two young kids that isn't easy. I wish I had been more grateful in college years ago - all that time just to study! But back to the prereqs --- I checked UT Southwestern's PA program and they require half that amount of prereqs for a MASTERS level program. That's crazy. And lastly... I start having 2nd thoughts after reading posts about bad hospitals, etc and then my heart always goes back to wanting to do it. If I can just figure out the kiddo situation - hard to be a stay at homer for 6 years and then stop. But I gotta get back into the game. You guys are great, thanks again.

Hello - I am a degreed woman wanting to go back to school to get her BSN and eventually her CNS. It has been interesting to see all of the negative comments on nursing from this site (and all over the internet). Are you more satisfied with your career now that you are a CNS? Since nursing encompasses so may different education levels I suppose I am trying to figure out if there is one 'set' of nurses that seem to be more dissatisfied than the others. Also, do you get the respect you hoped for and are you comfortable with your salary? Thanks for your time and all of the hard work you provide!

I have a 'newbie' question! I am thinking of going back to school for my BSN and eventually my NP. I am trying to calculate what I could make as a BSN as a new grad. I hear it's generally 21.50 per hour to start. Do I multiply that by 36 hours a week (3 12 hour shifts) or do I muliply that by 40 hrs a week? Or neither? Thanks so much for your help!

I do know that UTA has a high ranking NP Program according to US News and World Report. It is well respected on campus too. UTA also has an excellent engineering and sciences program. I went to school at UTA some years ago and enjoyed it. Arlington has some nice areas and some run down areas, but the campus at UTA is quite nice. Arlington will also get even prettier once the stadium is built - which is quite close to the school. It's also a great location - right at DFW airport and in between Dallas and Ft. Worth. I'm hoping to get into the program once I'm done with prereqs. Hope that helps!

From the previous post... "So I am not sure what you want to hear. Do you want me to say that the bad post are a lot of BS?..." Nope, I am just looking for some insight - not a pep talk - just the truth. Want to go in eyes wide open if I choose this route. It truly seems that much of the problem seems to be in the hospital setting. And I will have a lot of prereqs before I start the degree. I would probably be in my 40s before I become a certified nurse. Thanks, all!

I am a lurker here and decided to post yet another 'should I become a nurse?' question. Quickly: I am a 35 year old stay at home mom with a bachelor's in another field and think I might want to do nursing with a BSN and then Master's. I am attracted to the medical field, having a job 'that means something', the flexibility, the good pay and abundance of jobs. HOWEVER, whenever I do a search on nursing I get hundreds of links to something like "I HATE NURSING!!!" and it is starting to make me think! What is your opinion on this? Is it because there are so many nurses that of course you will find a LOT of unhappy ones? Do BSN's and NPs generally have a better experience than ADNs and LPNs? Is there a part of nursing that has happier employees? Perhaps it's because nursing is populated by women who like to vent?! Also - do you always have to do a certain amount of time in a hospital after graduating? Seems to me this is where most of the unhappiness is. (don't laugh, I just don't know!). I would think you would learn a LOT in that setting however. I would hate to judge the entire field without getting more detailed info. Also, I must admit to being worried about MSRA and Strep. My husband was in the hospital for 4 days with a strep infection in the elbow and was super ill. (Yes, another 'germs' question!) Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks to all you nurses that have taken care of me and my family! You are an inspiration!