Brian

You know how you have that one favorite pen that fits just right in your hand and writes so smoothly? You get very attached to it....and then, much to your dismay it seems to grow legs and disappears. Be prepared by stocking up so you'll always have a backup.

Nurses, There are always a handful of people that stay with you like this! Let's hear your stories! I'm sure there are hundreds of wonderful stories to share with each other!

Nurses truly work hard every single hour of every single work day. Many times, they skip meals and bathroom breaks. Not good, of course, but let's fact it, it happens all too often. Once they leave the job and finally can come home, it's hard to just let it all go. Down time reflection for many of us reveals that yes ... we worked very hard, but the odd thing is, we enjoyed it especially knowing that WE made a difference in another person's life.

How many TV shows about Nurses have you seen? There have been many in years gone by. I remember watching reruns of one called "Temperature's Rising" that was made back in the 70's. And, of course we've had several more since then. They never seem to actually capture the true essence of the Nurse, however. And, maybe the Producers think that reality TV would be boring? What? I think a reality Nurse TV show would be a HIT! What do you think? Visit Nursing Toons / Memes for more cartoons!

What does being a nurse mean to you? This Poem covers a lot of ground, but I am sure you can add more to it :) Reply with your comments. Being a Nurse Means You will never be bored. You will always be frustrated. You will be surrounded by challenges. So much to do and so little time. You will carry immense responsibility and very little authority. You will step into people's lives and you will make a difference. Some will bless you. Some will curse you. You will see people at their worst - and at their best. You will never cease to be amazed at people's capacity for love, courage, endurance. You will see life begin - and end. You will experience resounding triumphs and devastating failures. You will cry a lot. You will laugh a lot. You will know what it is to be human and to be humane. - Melodie Chenevert What does being a nurse mean to you?

I started out in the nursing home and had those same feelings of just being a pill pusher and not really using my skills. I felt intimidated by all the experience nurses who were so wise and seemed to know everything. As I grew more confident, these feelings lessened. I tried learning everything I could from all the experience nurses, I asked tons of questions, got involved with as many new experiences that I could. Eventually I found my confidence as a new nurse. It just takes time. Be a sponge, learn as much as you can from those veteran nurses, they are full of gold nuggets! Once they know you are willing and desire to learn, they can be great mentors! I remember having so much respect for several of the LPNs who had worked for 30 years, they were such amazing nurses and could run circles around most of the RNs. They were experts! Best of Luck! It'll get better.

The Nurse's job description doesn't include "household maintenance" but how many times have we had to take care of something other than patient healthcare needs? Tightening a loose screw, switching out a soap dispenser, changing a light bulb are a few that come to mind. We wear many different hats in this profession. How about you? What non-Nursing duties have you had to perform?

Oh, how I remember those school uniforms. I couldn't wait to be rid of those things. I had a female friend who graduated from her program years ago who told me I was lucky because her uniform was a straight skirt with a kick pleat in back. For the life of me, I don't know what a kick pleat is, but sounds really uncomfortable. What is your Nursing uniform like and are you going to save one for posterity? Visit Nursing Toons / Memes for more cartoons!

FYI, I edited the title of the thread for more clarity to your question.

Welcome to allnurses! I moved your topic to the NCLEX forum for better chance of people replying. Good Luck!

Welcome to allnurses! I just wanted to reply quickly, I'm assuming this is for Sam Houston State University. Hopefully others will come by and respond to your post.

Great Article! Thanks for sharing. I bought my elderly mother-in-law a laptop several years ago when she was living alone in her apt. I got her hooked up with email, facebook, gave her some very basic instructions on how she could see photo of all her family on facebook etc... She loved it! She has since passed, but she really cherished the laptop and being able to connect with loved ones. She also was hooked on playing solitare :) It really helped her stay connected and follow the kids and grandkids activity. For all the LTC nurses, how many nursing home residents have their own internet access devices? Does your facility offer them for use?

Here is a great video of Two CVICU nurses singing about ACLS! I hope you enjoy the video. You're Not Gonna Die! {The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson Nursing Parody} I'd love to hear your comment on the video, post them below.

As Nurses, we strive to deliver compassionate and high-quality care to our patients with the utmost ethical standards. According to one source from December 2014, Americans rated Nurses as having the highest honesty and ethical standards. So, is it any wonder when we are dismayed when we hear harsh criticism of the profession? Social media could be a platform that raises awareness of our abilities, professional standards, and importance to the healthcare profession. Do you think that social media can be a positive thing for Nurses and the profession?

Visitors oftentimes become barriers to effective nursing care. Nurses sometimes have to "take a number" to even get into the patient room that is filled with well-meaning visitors. How do you as a Nurse handle situations where visitors become obstacles to the care you give your sick and/or dying patients?

Welcome Back Esme! It's so wonderful to hear you are on the mend! We all have missed you and have been thinking of you!

Yes, Nursing Students must stay awake for all the studying they do. But, I think that that much coffee might be a little too much. Unless, of course, your group is HUGE. Many of us do drink a lot of caffeine products to stay awake and help focus. But, there are other ways to ensure that you stay awake, study, and retain the material. What have you found that helps you put in a long night hitting the books? Visit Nursing Toons / Memes for more cartoons!

This is a serious topic for sure. In the news recently, a Nurse was brutally attacked and severely injured. We can all be prone to immediate danger and fall victim to patient assault. Have you been trained in early recognition of violent behavior? What precautions do you take to avoid an attack or at least improve your chances of not becoming that victim?

Feels like it sometimes, doesn't it? As Nursing Students, we are down to our last dollar and frantically look for the best deal when purchasing our Nursing books. Now, if I saw this ad, I would walk away, too. Have you found great deals when buying your Nursing books?

Sometimes it is hard to work during the week and on weekends and have any kind of social life when you are a Nurse. After a long day/night at work all you can think about is going home and vegging out in your fav chair. Who has time or energy for parties, a drink with friends at the local bar, or an extravagant date, movie, or dancing? How do you plan ahead and make the time to socialize? Visit Nursing Toons / Memes for more cartoons!

As Nurses, we've all probably been late a time or two. 30 feet of snow, car trouble, sick children, no babysitter ... the list goes on. But, potholes in the parking lot of the hospital? I can hear the Nurse supervisor now. You were late because of what??? So, what's your best excuse for being late for work? Visit Nursing Toons / Memes for more cartoons!

We've all done it. Oversleep for work and then make a mad dash to get ready. There have been studies made about this. One study stated that at least 20% of Americans are habitually late. I guess I might fall into the 19.5% category. LOL! How about you? Are you considering an upgrade to your alarm system??

Most all Nursing Students have the desire to stay on the good side of their Nursing Instructor. There are simple ways to do this and they probably work every single time. We can be prepared and come to class on time, be engaged in class discussions, use constructive criticism to improve, and be accountable. It's not physically tasking, costs nothing, and will probably ensure the Nursing Instructor's trust. How do you make yourself a stand-out Nursing Student?

Yes, Nurses have them, shortcuts. Not the ones that can place a patient's life in jeopardy, however. Planning ahead and prioritizing is a must to ensure safe outcomes. Some shortcuts may include, delegating as appropriate, stocking your uniform or lab coat pockets with items you will use frequently, documenting in real time. What shortcuts do you find work for you?

Wearing scrubs every day can be nice since they are comfortable. But it can get a bit boring. We can try to change things up and put a little fashion into our day by buying the latest prints, styles, and colors.......oh...and sizes to fit our ever-changing body. Are you one of those who has a growing collection of scrubs? You just can't bring yourself to part with some of your favorites that you've "outgrown". Who knows... you may eventually fit back into those size 2's...or 4,6,8,10.......in your dreams anyway.