rustyshackleford

restraints? in a no psych ward/ hospital? i'm not even sure if we (Scotland) have physical restraints i psych wards.... i'd be all for them for the right patient's like, both for their and staff's safety. i had a fire extinguisher swung about at me the other month and all i could do was dodge out the way, block the guy from getting to other patietns and wait for the police!!! but hey, sadRNsinceYesterday, i'd say these crappy things are at a minimum and most patient's are grateful and appreciative. as long as you can go home after most shifts feeling better than you do now, keep at it:)

i'd say i can generally agree that swearing at work around patient's should be a no go : it looks bad on you and your institution. HOWEVER, i would say that there are definately situations where is is acceptable. many patietns use profanities in there general vocabulary and as long as you're in a SSR, i feel that you can connect and communicate more effectively with them if you use their language. i can appreciate why many folk wouldn't agree with that, but i speak like that with lots of my patients and i think it lets them appreciate you as more of a human as opposed to "the nurse". i did read an article recently (sorry, but cant find it for reference) that supported the view that my generation communicate more effectively when using "socially unnaceptable language", so i'd say there is an argument to say that maybe things are, or will be shifting along...

just forget all those previous posts, man, just one thing you MUST remember to take with you. A hipflask. The contents of this are entirely up to you, whatever your tipple is. Me? I generally go for Havana rum or Vodka, but there really are no set rules... i jest, of course! i'd say pens (more than one because i always lose mine) and a tourniquet are about all i always make sure i have.. and a bit of paper...

I apologise if this topic has been covered elsewhere, but i haven't found it.. i'm just curious as to the nursing/public opinion towards these new plans of Obama to shake up the health care system in the US. As a nurse in the UK, looking in from the outside, it would appear to me that changes would aim to benefit the less fortunate and those unable to afford private insurance...??? I have notcied adverts on this site clearly against these changes, but apart from them perhaps taking money away from some private insurers (do they own hospitals?), it seems like this could only be a good move for the american people? now i freely admit i don't know too much about the topic, but am reading more and more about it would appear to be causing a pretty big rift throughout the states....????

what are you, 12? you may not plan to burden anyone, but unless you are a complete hermit that has no friends, family and are completely self sufficient and wont need any government aid or anything, then you are gonna burden folk. the only thing is, they wont see it as a burden cause they'll love you and do anything for you.. i'm not saying that it isn't up to you or its not your "right" to smoke or anything, but at least appeciate the consequences associated.... no? maybe i'm being a total nutter!!!???

hypoxic patient a little bit different me thinks,but thats not the point i was trying to make. i understand the concept of addiction and thats the how i've managed to stop, but it just really annoys me when people state that most folk dont get lung cancer etc because its SUCH a stupid statement... well this is certainly the most interesting and well responded poat i've ever started!!

Oh come on! saying that those statements are not ignorant.. well actually, your statements probably arent ignorant, just stupid when comparing those things. my brother has a severe nut allergy, but cause he knows this, he doesn't eat any fing nuts!!! people who smoke often say something like "you could get hit by a bus tomorrow" and this is true. the defining difference, though? you dont go walking out in front of buses, but smokers do continue to smoke despite being fully aware of what its doing to them.. and as for those folk with the "80% of smokers dont get lung cancer" speel, why is it only lung cancer that gets focus!!??? heart disease, ANY form of cancer, COPD, emphysema, impotence, sterility, and the 101 other problems associated with smoking are all just as real and impacting!

I am NOT being patronising here, and i am no trying to preach that holier than thou crap, but i though that too... but, Allen Carr. Allen Carr has books, dvds, audio stuff and clinics that have a 95% success rate in getting people to kick the habit. i watched the hour long dvd and haven't looked back. really can't recommend it all enough!!

yeah, but at least there's a degree of justification in those things in moderation.. no such luxury with smoking it's just a nasty disease that grabs people and doesn't let go.. even when you wake up coughing up a lung, you still reach for a smoke first thing.. its bizzare!

i agree with the outright banning of smoking, but can never see it happening. as you've said, SD, TAXES!! way too much money to be made.. and also i think the outcry would be heard from outer space!

I dunno... i guess life's totally different for a nurse on either side of the pond, so my opinion might not count for much.. but, you get abuse from patients, managers, relatives, doctors and anyone else who thinks they can give it to you, but you dont have to take it. just be tactful and sly when responding to patietns and relatives (verbal replies not physical Ha-Ha!!). as for Docs etc. they're no better, so dont let them act that way. i really enjoy my job, most days go home absolutely wiped, but i know i've done a good days work.. money's not great, but it's not bad for a guy with no kids living with his girlfriend and two kittens. anyways, people going into nursing for big bucks?? think they might be in it for the wrong reasons!! .and as for holidays? well over here you start on 7weeks paid/annum, but if you self roster, this can easily be bumped up to 12-14weeks.. cant complain at that! i really hope you get out of nursing what you can and enjoy it, all the best to you..

just curious to see how many of you guys are smokers? i've (very) recently stopped after about 12 or 13 years of filling my body with the many impurities cigarettes have to offer and it was just for mine and my girlfriends health. BUT i've expereinced first hand over the last eight years people dying horrible deaths due to smoking related diseases and it never put me off, and still never realy did - it was just that i was out of puff climbing the stairs and thought " thats not right!!". so, how many of you guys are the same?????? still smoking / recently stopped / stopped since nursing??

second born (of two), neither parents alcoholics. is this a genuine poll? seriously? people actually believe that because their folks liked the sauce, it moved them towards nursing? c'mon...

i am a 3 year qulaified RGN specialising in haematology. currently have BSc, looking to begin MSc next year. 1.) What kinds of writing did you have to do to get the job you have? To get into university course for nursing, national educational level of written english is expected. 2.) What kinds of of writing do you do routinely on the job? Daily notes, care plans, incident report forms, family dialogue sheets. 3.) How important are writing skills and communication skills to your profession? Communication skills are paramount, as are writing skills to a degree. hand writing, however, can be difficult to decipher, depending on who has written it! (mine is very poor) 4.) Which skills are the most crucial? communication and an empathetic outlook. 5.) How prepared were you for the writing tasks demanded of your job? fully prepared. essay tasks, placements etc all put me in good stead for the job. 6.) What do you wish you had known in terms of writing before you started work? needed know nothing more than i had experienced throughout my training. 7.) Do you write for personal reasons outside the job. Letters, blogs, journals?:typing nope.

well done on writing a very eloquent and poetic piece of your nursing career. wishes of patients often seem to be ignored, forgotten or just lost along the way, eh? i dont know if it could be seen as a good or bad thing, but over here, neither patient nor family need be consulted as to a DNAR decision. as for failure, i dont think so. as long as you put your heart in to caring for someone, irrelevant of any circumstamces, i would agree with everyone else that you've succeeded in your role as a nurse... G x

thanks for all the replies, guys! does seem to be a much more complicated system in the US re salaries. with the nhs, salaries depend completely upon experience, with everyone getting annual increment rise, irrelevant of specific skills. obviously going for a job higher up the ladder depends on experience/skills, though... have had a look at the NCLEX exam, have to say, seems pretty tough in the sense that it covers every aspect of nursing from paeds to med to surgical. our training incorporates nothing to do with maternity or paeds. would love to come over to east coast and do a bit of traveling, ideally for a couple of years to work, but the missus isn't too keen.. (gues swho'll win that argument!!!???:icon_roll ) but yeah, holiday is DEFINITELY on the cards, now just have to work out how to cover the cost on a nurses salary! what are you guys' perception of our NHS (national health service)? FYI, Scotland rocks and you should come over any time you can... reckon friendliest people in the world, some of the most stunning scenery.... damn shame about the weather, though!!!:wink2:

hey guys. just a few quick questions to you fellow nurses across the pond (and anywhere else that may be reading!) my knowledge of foreign helathcare systems is a bit patchy so was just wanting to get some comparisons to our own NHS... OK, so over here, newly qualified nurses start on a salary of around 19k (GBP) and are entitled to 7wks paid holidays (based on 37.5hr wk). generally, seems to be 1 nurse to around 6-10 patietns, with the 1 auxillary to 10-15. also, what are the general expectations? ie cannulation, venepuncture, ECG monitoring etc..? any input would be much appreciated, all just for my own curiosity!!!

i am there, guys! it's 0414 GMT and i'm on my last night shift before days off... currently reviewing patients notes and drinking REALLY strong coffee (i think that might be what's causing the twitching). all's quiet (touch wood) and the day shift should come sauntering in in around 3hrs time... worst bit for me is multiple hickman lines @ 6am, making up abx and getting the trollies ready.. anyone else suffer from hyperactivity and crazy fits of giggles?? finding the worst jokes ever absolutley hilarious??

can honestly say i've never cried due to a patient i've cared for dying. not being a hard orifice or morbid or anything, i just feel that it's really important not to get to attached or emotionally charged with your patients. i'm not saying i dont connect or anything, just know where to draw the line. recently had a 34yr old mother leave behind a husband, 4 year old and 9 week old... it totally sucks, but dealing with this kind of thing is in our job description..... No???????

don't know if the stats of an overseas nurse will help, but thought i'd be as well throwing some info your way, hope it helps. 1. how long (years) have you been a nurse? 3+ 2. what is your annual gross income? less than 30k, 30-40k, 40-50k, 50-60k, 60-70k, greater than 70k 30-40k (converted from gpb to usd) 3. do you have an associate or bachelors degree? bsc 4. how long have you worked for your present employer (seniority)? work for the nhs, have done for the full 3+ years. 5. on average how many hours do you work weekly? 37.5 contracted, extra shifts can be optional 6. do you work during the week, over the weekend, both? day shift, nightshift, weekdays, weekends, we do em all! 7. what is your gender? male

before i was a student nurse, i worked as a care assistant in a nursing home. gp was in doing his rounds and had to to take some bloods from her. being reassured by a young nurse, the doctor took the blood with out problem. "there,"said the nurse, "that wasn't too bad now, was it?" "no" replied the resident, "but i'd rather have had his ****!" i laughed, doctor laughed, poor nurse nearly died!!! :roll

i'm an RGN (?RN to those from the US) with a Bsc(?BSN?) in Scotland, qualified 3 yrs. currenlty working in haematology ward, but have been in cardiology, surgical, CoE and rehab. have to say that over here, we all have pretty standardised uniforms - navy blue tunics for staff nurses, dark blue for charge nurses and white for assistants. we wear dark trousers and as long as they're not some mad pink or green, we get to wear what's comfartable on our feet!! wouldn't get me wearling a cap and a dress, though!!!:chuckle

Learn to breathe through your mouth and block off the nasal passages - makes one hell of a difference! and to be fair, you just get used to it - clean up one big mess and then go grab your lunch ; be it curry or chocolate sponge with chocolate custard!! :wink2: