jcbhappy

Non issue. Period............. Live and let live.............

If you only had tomorrow, maybe the next day, maybe the next, what would you say? Would you say I AM SORRY? Would you say THANK YOU!!! ?? WOULD YOU SAY **** YOU and the horse you rode in on? Just asking because an amazing friend is facing difficult choices. As nurses, we know when enough is enough. If you were there, what would you say, want, need?? Young'ish woman, old enough to have lived, but brand new grand kiddos......Tough!

My current facility is attempting to go paperless using a program that is not EPIC. I would prefer to learn EPIC as it is larger and more compatible with government billing requirements. Our DR's are not happy that the new system is not EPIC, but hopefully after this new system goes live they will push the hospital to move forward with the larger, more user friendly system. I have been trained on EPIC for my PRN job and love it!

thou shall not put your face or body in front of any human orifice!!!

THIS!! Unfortunately, lately, the family dissatisfaction has been the reason I have been pulled into the office. Again I say, my patient is safe, cared for, loved by me and still breathing. I will take the customer service lecture any day over compromising my patient's well being or my hard earned and much loved nursing license.

Don't focus on the negative, add a positive to every negative. Thank randomly for a job well done. Buy a coffee/tea/pop randomly. If possible answer a call light and complete the task, don't find someone and report the need if not necessary. Be a goat herder, not a dictator.........

THIS! Truth! Thank you. Ready to grow and learn. I know my worth and no one can keep you down from pursuing your dream. Takes work though in this economy and over saturation of nurses...

Six?!?!? I would consider that an easy day lol... Between post-ops and discharges I can have up to 15 in a day. I do enjoy the challenge and the amount of learning. I am only a 2 year old baby nurse on a busy ortho/urology/neph plus random med/surg floor. Oh and a charge nurse with a full assignment. Looks good on the resume though!!

Currently we have lab doing all draws routine and STAT except central lines. Later in the year when we go paperless (rolling eyes god help us all), our techs/PCA are/have been cross trained to both except central lines. Feel grateful at this point to have support of lab/phlebotomy, but curious to see if our staffing will be increased to support the extra time the techs need to spend with the labs demands... Reality says get ready to brush up on my phlebotomy....

I worked as a bartender/waitress at a couple of different small town veterans/private clubs in my area. It was nice because the pay was higher than an average restaurant/bar job and I was able to study during slow periods. I had a whole team of "older" people rooting for me and my success! It was great! After my acceptance into the RN program I found a SNF that had paid CNA orientation and worked PRN for them which gave me class credit for basic ADL skills. That saved me $500.... After I completed my first year of the program, I took a student nurse position in the facility I currently work at. When I graduated, my customers that supported me during my journey were just as proud of me as my family. They still follow me and my career and always ask how things are going. I gave them all thank you cards when I was done because I couldn't have done it without the constant encouragement!!

This week I have had the honor of taking care of a woman who has had a "hard" end of life. Unfortunately sometimes family is tired, caring for the elderly can be "exhausting". The hard part is.......If I have to Code her, I will puncture her heart........ I unfortunately will never be desensitized once I am home and the day is over. God Bless Us Each And Every One......

THIS!!!! I am part of the "non compassionate" group. I will take a "crusty old bat" that knows their stuff over the nurse that spends 25-30 mins appeasing the consumer, ouch, I mean patient, and facilitating their care and keeping them alive on my/our watch. Had this experience this week. Pt had several complex dx along with an elective sx. Standing orders for elective sx could have adversely hurt said pt. Elective doc which was admitting, overrode consulting that treats pt long term. BUT I was not the nurse on the case but pulled into room by consulting because I knew the pt from frequent fly visits and consulting knew this. You can only do what ya do. Share your knowledge, bring it to the attention of those in charge, and keep your fingers crossed! Nursing is diverse and complex, and that is why I LOVE IT! Every day you leave and they all breathe is a GREAT DAY!

Smoker. Rn. Hard worker. Stressed. Work 12's and enjoy the fact that my facility is smoke free. Smells irritate certain illness and I am proud that when I decide to divulge the fact I smoke to a select few that they say "WOW never knew!!" (Again a compelling reason Not to share a FB page with co-workers...). My habit, no need to share the stink, choose your brand carefully and the more natural the nicotine, the less the smell. Please do not judge the co-workers who have yet chosen to work the 12 without the fix of nicotine. I can go a day or so without a cig (or pack) depending on my current activity. Please remember that every time we are told no about a personal habit/choice, that is one step closer to losing a constitutional right. Just sayin'.... P.S. don't get me started 'bout the flu shot:yes:

Yes, touch is a very therapeutic measure of comfort and pain control. I am a brand new RN and make sure I use touch as measure of assessment (sp) and comfort. I had a COPD pt the other night that calmed simply because I gave her a back rub when asked. While doing that, I was able to assess her needs....Anxiety -vs- fluid overload, etc... It seems my COPD pt's along with painful pt's respond so much better with touch. (as long as they are comfortable with it...)

Would love to hear some of the stories of nurses who participated. Painful as it may be, would love a chance to say thanks and kudos...You dedication will always be appreciated!!

To all of the about to be new grads, newly graduated, and currently seeking jobs as RN's, there is hope. In a nutshell, I have beat the odds. I have a criminal background, graduating with ONLY an ASN ( for those who must know), and I am what you would call a mediocre student. I work hard, study EXTREMELY HARD, and PLAY just as hard. My family has been on the back burner, my social life is barely existent, and I long for my previous career. ( Seems much easier since I have began this journey) That being said, I am grateful for the opportunity too pursue my nursing degree. Many moons ago I began as a Registered Medical Assistant. My career moved into management, ran my own business, then like many others, was faced with choosing failure or a second chance. Do not give up. Network with your clinical contacts. Prove you are worth their time. Market yourself. If I can do it, ANYONE can. I am scared to bits, but I know I will make a difference. Work hard, stand out, and be just a bit annoying, it really does pay off. This forum has been wonderful and I look forward to learning much more from the people that share their knowledge. THANKS ALLNURSES!!! You all ROCK:thankya:

I have been fortunate enough to be hired as a Student Nurse while finishing my last year of school, my biggest educators have been the LPN's who know their meds and pt's inside and out, not afraid to jump in and get "elbow deep".... While I am polishing my assessment skills, they are continually teaching me bout the real stuff... IMHO you MUST get the floor experience to command the respect for the future career.....

Treat them the way you would like to be treated... Speak in terminology that fits their background. Today I was working with a gentleman that was stage 4 or 5 AD, but I still spoke to him as if he was intact(within reason, I know the reality...) Compassion goes a long way, not only with your pt, but family and yourself......

Sell your car, get an affordable one, go to school. Only you can decide. If you are truly so close to RN, why even start LVN?

Now what! I am thrilled, grateful, and excited to start this position. Where I live, the hospital hires student nurses to work as PCA's while also training in Foley, IV, meds, etc. I will be gaining invaluable experience that I do not always get in a clinical situation r/t too many students fighting for that "stick" . As a RN, how do you feel about student nurses actually working on your floor? What can I do to help you while optimizing my experience and help to make sure I land that job when I graduate in May and pass NCLEX in June? ( And I WIIIIIILLLLL pass in June!!) Thanks in advance for your responses! I am so excited to have obtained this position because the hospital my school is affiliated with has a really good retention rate of student nurses once they obtain their license.....

I graduate in May 2011 (forces above willing) and my passion is geriatrics and wound care. My goal is to become wound certified. I like the idea of LTC acute, sub-acute, etc. because you actually have a shot of getting to know your patients. Sure the nurse to patient ratio can be a scary thought, but in the end, the time management, assessment skills, and experience you can potentially gain from these patients is invaluable. I am scared to death to think that someday I am gonna be that "real nurse" they keep telling me I am gonna be...... Even though the other day in clinical in an OB rotation, I ACTUALLY felt like a REAL nurse ! Soak up everything you can from your aides on the floor, nurses that have handled your patients before you, and LISTEN AND LOOOOOK!!! Good luck and enjoy!! Always something to learn from our geri population...

I see your point. In my previous life, I managed females in a medical office, then moved to managing a larger group of men. I would prefer, as a female, to manage men over women any day. Yes, our field is mostly comprised of women. A lot of drama comes with the majority of women. Unfortunately, women do not always know how to keep the drama at home. Yes, men have drama also, but in my experience, you address the men, say enough is enough, it stops. With women it goes on and on. I know S*** happens, kids, life, DH, etc., but leave that at home, come to work, do your job, make a difference, then go home.

REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, but there are larger fish to fry............. Just ask her to remove the glasses for her own safety r/t risk of infection..... aeb.............. if you have been friends for years you should feel comfortable asking her why she feels the need to where the glasses.........

WOOOOP WOOP First year of ASN program is finished and I survived!!!! I just want to encourage everyone to keep on keepin' on. If I can do it, anyone can. The first year is the hardest. I am grateful for my instructors who pushed us all to the ends of the earth and at times our breaking points. Nursing is tough and you need to be tough to survive. At the same time, I want to thank my instructors for showing how much they care about their students and the compassion they show towards the patient. Just wanted to celebrate and sending encouragement to anyone who is thinking of delving into nursing, and students in the middle of their journey!!! :cheers: Now, off to celebrate!!!

For what it is worth, some foods such as tomatoes are better for you once they are cooked. A simple google search regarding vegetables raw vs cooked will yield valid arguments for the veggies that are more healthy raw and the ones that are more nutritionally sound cooked. Protein is invaluable, never underestimate the value............