redhotzz

SMART lady, you are! I injured my lower back at an early age (24) slipped while cleaning a shower and herniated the L4-L5 and into S1 discs. Instead of running to surgery, my Chiropractor/Ortho MD hospitalized me for 8 weeks, in 35# of pelvic traction and kept me 'snockered' on pain meds and tranquilizers the whole time. ALL discs 'relaxed' and slipped back into place. I then went to PT for 3 weeks to a 'save your back clinic' specially for nurses/doctors and learned how to build my core, how to do the right exercises for lower back and what to do immediately, should I feel any 'twinges' of lower back pain again in the future. That was in 1976. In 2010, I finally blew out L1-L2 and was MIS-diagnosed by one ER doctor and then a clinic PA, so that I ended up with cauda equina syndrome on top of the herniation and by the time I got to a Chiropractor who would see me without any health insurance (2 months of constant pain) he took one xray and sent me to the Emergency Ortho Clinic and I was told IF I didn't have emergent surgery I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life. I feel lucky that the Microdiskectomy helped me walk 100% again and I again have feeling in my pubic area and right thigh. Because of the time lapse involved, I do have residual burning pain most of the time, but I walk 3-4 miles/daily and when things get too painful, I see the Chiropractor who, in a few visits, can get the searing pain to let up some. I rarely take anything for the pain. Before I would allow any neck or back surgery to be done on me, ESP if young and in a medical career, I'd try Chiropractic 1st for a month to see if they can help. I bought 30 YEARS, before my old back had to be chopped on, and only then because of which discs were involved PLUS the bladder involvement. Old L4,L5 &S1...they still support me! Hardest thing about ALL of it is learning to WAIT until you have adequate lifting help...esp in the ER. We stay busy, we work short-staffed LOTS, and we are harder-headed and think, "just this once" or use a sheet, etc to assist us...please get good help and save your necks & backs!

Sorta like us WOMEN who got pegged as nutty or druggies when we had HORMONAL MIGRAINES every moknth...with PVCs. Once I got pregnent, at age 39, never had them again. Now, all kinds of treatments for migraines.Lucky for me, I stopped being the medical guinea pig for every Neurologis, Internist, OB-Gyn after I was put on Ludiomil at work and started to see the wallpaper drip! It was a cousin to LDS used for migriines in 1980. I feel for people who have ANY disease with few symptoms...RDS, chronic pain, fibromyalgia...because they get treated differently...SMH.

This is my first-hand understanding of what the 'deal' is with ALL the NC hospitals as of this time, at least in the Charlotte vicinity: they are mandating ALL RNs that do not have a BSN, to get it IMMEDIATELY or look for a 'demotion' in job. They want PROOF that you are currently enrolled in a BSN program and check it each semester. Anyone in management, who doesn't take this advice is being sent back to 'floor nurse' status and pay. If you are a dinosaur, like me at 59, too bad so sad. I can join the others and get my BSN now OR retire OR leave to do ECF nursing or Home Health...and I got the message. loud and clear, that those options would only be for the few next years til all of dinosaurs DO retire. If you have a job currently at Novant or CMC (and they have ALL the hospital jobs now, pretty much) and are enrolled IN a BSN conversion program, then you can pretty much work as much as you can for now. I'm a young 59, but Nursing is my 4th career and I am TIRED and will not go to college again...for any career. I've retired, and really I am happy that I have. There are many disgruntled RNs around my age who don't want the added expense or only have less than 5 or 10 yrs til retirement to go and they are not going quietly (and also being written up for any cause possible)! We have been hearing, "You're going to need your BSN degree now" since I began my career in 1970. I suppose this is the only way to MAKE IT HAPPEN now, and probably the reason you are not hearing from any recruiters, internship programs, etc. It's a mess. I do know NC was one of the founding states to begin the Compact States Licensing so I am betting they are one of the states to do this mandatory RN,BSN conversion. I know young women in FL who have gone through not one, but two nursing programs and have a Bachelors in some other career, like Psychology or Biology and still can't get a job as a RN at this time...and they have been told so many different reasons for such. I can only speak about what I have been through. I believe that the RNs who already have their BSNs are being "encouraged" to either go and get their Masters in Nursing Science, or in Hospital Administration OR they can go back and convert to Nurse Practitioner or go to a PA program. I believe it is being done to get ready for all us Baby Boomers who are retiring and ALSO some huge change in our Healthcare System, which we all know HAS TO CHANGE. The Dino MDs will be retiring as well, and many new MDs will not want to do any form of Socialized medicine so more advanced practice RNs there are, they more responsibility they will be shouldering. Truly, i don't mind, as I have often been treated better by the ARNP in any practice than I was the male MD...not a slam, just fact. IF you know different about all this, PLEASE voice what you know or tell what you know. I just know what I have seen and been through. I look forward to hearing what other states are doing, as I was lead to believe this is going on nationwide. I hope this helps someone who was making a huge move and didn't know why they had not heard from any jobs they wanted.

I always try NOT to tell, but it depends on many factors. If I'm the patient, I'm an impossible stick (and have let RN/techs stick me up to 13 times before I insisted Anesthesia be called~WON'T DO THAT AGAIN). If the situation or family member ill warrants it, or I'm being treated like an idiot, then I will tell the doctor that I am a medical professional. It does change things often. I'd NEVER go in wearing my name badge, like I see so many others do...even if they work in the kitchen or central supply. I'm an ER RN, so we see it all the time. It doesn't change one thing in MY performance, as I try to treat all my patients like they are family. I especially am humored, when someone tells me they are a Doctor and then via conversation, they are a DDS or PhD. "doctor". We get that often in the ER...esp via phone. HIPPA has helped it. I really am glad to see that I am with the majority in "sometimes" telling. I wouldn't act like the "bad apples" that try to control the show. When my Grandma was terminal, she called for me to have her put on a Morphine drip. We'd discussed it for years prior to her even being ill. I had to drive 12 hrs to the hospital and when I got there, all the floor nurses knew who I was from my Grandma's telling them. They got the drip started when I got there at midnight, and gave her extra boluses in between (they asked me if it was OK). When they went on breaks, they came to the room and asked me if they could bring me coffee or food, they changed her bed sheets Qshift to keep her clean and comfy. If my BEING a RN got her that, then she deserved it! I really believe they treated their patients like that on that floor. It wasn't phoney at all, and I was able to share 2 extra days with someone I adored.:heartbeat

WE are living in the age of DEGREED programs.Save yourself the hassle down the road, even if you are now a RN and call the BOARD governing that specialty in your state and GET THE FULLEST degree to enhance your RN now and be done with it. It only takes a few law suits and before you know it a one year diploma means nothing. You can't get too much training on someone's skin and you will be happy years from now when you get a job with all the degrees and have that knowledge, too. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. good luck to you!

Just when you think you've heard it all, something else comes along!!! That ADMIN came and told you that and apologized to him is just NOT right! People just never stop blowing my mind! (we need THAT lil' icon...a mind being blown~he!he!

I have worked in an office and have NEVER seen the doctors sign anything off as to a MA's advice. In NC, I don't know what the rules are on this, but I have listened to the MAs talk or advise while waiting in the waiting room and some of their interpretations leave much to be desired.

Just MY opinion, as kids are who they will be by I think age 5~you need to be a stay at home mom til they get into school. After that, go for it! Nursing is one of the fields wide open to what you can do and what hours you want to do it. I was fortunate to be a stay at home (single) Mom Sunday thru Thurs and worked every Fri/Sat nights 7p-7a. My ex got our son EVERY weekend and he was only supposed to have him every other. I didn't have to pay for child care when he was with Dad, hence everyweekend. On the major holidays, I usually gave Dad his choice because I could do things with him all day and get some winks before work or just do our holiday the next day. But...I'm certain you'll get many other opinions from many other women and men who juggle work, kids and marriage or single parenthood.

Honest to God...I hope that I am dead before this happens. No joke...this would be a sad day and I'm a Boomer getting ready to probably be on the receiving end of this mess! #1. I'll be continuing to take good care of my body. and #2. I'll be keeping a 'stash' of pills for the time that the above comes to fruition.

If it was me...I'd be looking for a new place to work ASAP, new grad or not. It's obvious from your witnessing the Charge nurse in it too. Learn this early>>>follow chain of command...pretty much no matter what. And keep notes at home of what you did, who you talked to and what the date was...it will come in handy later on. Since you are so new, and it appears that this is a tolerated thing on your unit, I might go to HR and speak to the Nurse Recruiter who you spoke to with the "I need some help...I'm thinking maybe I don't belong here" attitude and tell her what is going on. I am certain that there are laws that cover this type of gossip and how would YOU feel if they were discussing YOUR being in rehab and assuming they knew all the details... the BEST of luck to you, but you do not need that kind of peer to learn from...you WILL be either dragged into it OR if you do oppose the clan, they will get rid of you....someway...been there and done that!

I heard that LPNs were being phased out in 1970...in Miami, FL...and it's yet to happen! IMHO>>>do not waste your precious school time on either one...go and get your RN. You will end up redoing a lot of what you have already done ESP IF you let 5 yrs lapse...colleges want $$$. They will tell you anything to sell you. You know, I bet that is how I am seeing advertisements now for Vet RNs on classifieds...pardon moi....but I take offense, even as an animal lover and owner, that MOAs, Vet Techs etc call themselves "NURSES" when they aren't. If you want to be called one, go and do the work to BE one...it's really that simple. Hope this helps and you change your direction fast!!!!:redpinkhe:D

I hear what you say and I know all about patient ratios and how busy things can get...I'm a lifetime ER RN, and was a ER Tech in HS, and a PARAMEDIC for 17yrs. I must say that 1hr check and sign thing looks great on paper, but is a huge waste of dry erase boards and the pens. That job...should be for the patient rep that is scheduled in our ERs in Charlotte 24/7. THEY round...they can do only certain specific tasks and mostly must run it pass that patient's RN because they looooove to give out blankets to patients with fevers, but I have to spend some time with my patients and it will be with assessment and teaching while I am doing. It really takes no more time, and I pick up all kinds of things in doing so. If I ever retire, I'm going to write a book. I agree to disagree with you, but thanks for the input! :cheers:

For me...I have NEVER wanted to be in administration at all. I make that known when I change jobs. I am a "worker bee". I will do charge, but not all the time. I absolutely love to precept new nurses and EMTs...BRING THEM TO ME!!!:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe but I want nothing to do with higher up, who BTW never sees a patient unless we go into 'diverting' then 'the suits' are crawling all over the ER. That is not MY kind of nursing. I love to teach, whether it's discharge teaching or as I do stuff to my patients. I spent 13 YEARS telling MDs in the 80s that I felt women were having a MIs when they came in with different symptoms...one eye twitching, jaw pain only..and was often patted on the noggin...and several times in the ER I went ahead and put women on a monitor (at least) or did an EKG anyway and lo' and behold...acute MI! For my yearly educational fulfillment I did a study on women presenting with 'stress' and acute MI and after years of people seeing it....DUH!!! lookey here...the goofy redhead who thinks stress is gonna be our #1 killer is pretty much on the $$$. I've thought about adrenal fatigue/exhaustion for years...again, associated with stress and why so many people now need anti-depression meds. I saw people having withdrawl type symtoms from sudden stoppage of their anti-depressants and now that's a reality. I belonged at the bedside, and that that is how I saw what I saw that made me think the odd things that I thought. Sadly, they pay bedside RNs 20% more than Masters degree nursing school RNs...a study I just read. It is not worth the time and $$$ FOR ME to do that when I can be effective at the bedside. We all have to listen to our own drummers. :redbeathe

In these days of "I'm a Phoenix" advanced learning, it matters not where you went to school. In 40 yrs I have never been asked where I went to school or what kind of grades I made. When you are checked out they check you via your license # and name via computer. Please do not flog me about internet university. I am all for it! I just used it to make a point. I am not against learning in any fashion that works! I may be old, but I am totally with the times!:typing:nurse:

Absolutely do not beat yourself up for leaving...my eyes were made WIDE OPEN when I went to level 1 Trauma Center which also is a teaching hospital. Med students are taught the "7 minute rule". It's dictated by insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid and that is WHY doctors don't want to talk to other doctors they CAN'T...that is why it's easier to tele-medicine. The docs of the past 15+ yrs know nothing different...I saw it taught to them and like I've noted before, when I was told on my evaluation and at other times, that I spend too much time with my patients I wrote that maybe bunk beds was a good idea for a Level 1 Trauma Center. I wasn't going to just jam in cardiac meds IVP that were supposed to be watched and walk away to the other hall because they put me on the 'split hall'. I absolutely saw patients die that didn't need to and that is why I will not name names. They were not mine, but you all know how you see things happen and can't do a thing about them except CYA in your notes. I lost 35 lbs in 3 months and kept it off over the 2 yrs I was there. I actually was afraid to go eat...I knew that nobody was really watching my patients when I was gone. I cried driving home at night...thinking how poor people were paying the price. I meet prior patients all the time who hug me and ask me, Are you still a nurse at such and such? when I tell them no, I'm working for myself now, they tell me, You were one of the only ones who cared at that place. They knew it and I knew it and it's dictated by the insurance companies these days. I've never met one MD who went to med school to take short cuts and do half-orificed patient care. Like us, they want to do a good job and most are compassionate, but they are taught from day #1 about economics and insurance companies and lobbiests in Washington. Sad....so very sad.

In 1989 I had a woman come in c/o abd pain...I put her in the room and a trauma came in...diagonal to her room, so she could see why I left and see me RUNNING back and forth to obtain 2 bags of warmed fluids at a time. The kid was 20 yrs old, helping a stranded motorist change a tire and an 18 wheeler came too close and took his leg off at the hip. The medics brought the leg in with the kid and we were readying him for transport to a level 1 center via chopper. That woman had the cajones to come INTO that trauma room and yell, "I been here 2 hrs and wanna know WHEN I'm gonna be seen???" When we all were speechless and didn't know what to say, as she could now SEE how bad this kid was....I asked her when her abd pain started and she told me 1967...and she didn't mean military time! I could NOT help myself and laughed...and of course that made her mad, but I just don't get people like that! If I hadn't had 7 others in the trauma room see it all come down I'd been the one to pay for her ignorance.

BRAVO for your honesty! I, too, think that this hotel mentality has gone waaaay over to the other side of insanity! I've done surveys...in many ERs and asked about people going elsewhere if they didn't like the treatment and for the most part...98% aren't going anywhere! They will verbalize to a patient rep who constantly circulates the ER and I believe often instigates complaints instead of snuffing them out when they can easily do so. I was sick to death of tripping over family sitting on the floor to get to Granny to start an IV and even angry when the 4 family members had made a "group decision" as to WHERE I could put the IV line. I HAVE crappy fragile veins and I always listen to patients who also have them, but I'm talking about family deciding for other reasons where I am going to be allowed to start the IV. It got me to leave the ER after 40 yrs! I have not one regret! I am happily doing another kind of nursing altogether and the people seek ME out, are happy to be there, and do not try to tell me how to do my work! So far, in 2 yrs, I've had not one complaint about my work and I actually love going to work again. :clphnds::redpinkhe:redbeathe

There are many companies out there that you can learn Botox and dermal fillers at, ALL very expensive. I have no current knowledge about them, but have seen them make promises that sound too good to be true, so I am wondering what KIND of injectors they are using or purchasing for you to learn with, which means you will be using them on your "model". BE CAREFUL!!! Also, make sure that you check your state's laws. I am not sure, but one of the Dakotas is not permanent makeup/dermal fillers by RNs friendly. Good luck and please post what you find out for others to learn from.

I was out in Arlington, TX last Fall and spent my whole internship in Arlington. If that is a true offer, I say TAKE THAT BALL AND RUN WITH IT!!!! (caps meant as screaming). Medical Center of Arlington was not a bad place and certainly not any worse than any other hosptial in any other city. You did not mention what type floor or unit it is, but if you don't take it email me...I will. I liked Arlington. People were nice, pleasant. Tons of shopping. Weather great. Holly

I bet that IS quite a combo to do at the same time. My suggestion...relax, take one chapter or one day or one test at a time. Find some time during the day, even for 30 min, for YOU...and if possible do some kind of meditation or yoga. Think of all the nurses that you know. Think of a few of the 'slackers', I'm pretty certain you must know a few slacker nurses...I sure do.....if THEY made it through Patho and Pharm, so can you!

WOW...thanks for the kudos. I hated to post such a negative, but I have learned and I check things out 10 ways to Sunday. It will not deter me! I am one who dusts my butt off and keeps moving forward. I take what I learned from that woman and move past her! I already think I know where I will go to school and should've gone there to begin with. The owner was the person who always promptly emailed me back and was very honest with me always. You are absolutely correct in your evaluations of places. Every Tom, Sally and Crystal is doing permanent makeup in the states of FL-TX-AZ-CA (the warm year round states) and it's so EZ to get teaching status. For now I do EZ RN work (out of the ER) and think of the days ahead when I will know more. My son has me held in NC for another year til he goes off to college, so I have time. I'm glad that I posted...hope it helps some people THINK before they give someone $3000. and believe they are on the road to aesthetics.

Chemistry because I'd not had it in HS...I was an athlete. Luckily, the instructor made cool examples in class like Fluorosene that CSI use to find blood and we made "Goop" too. I just took one test at a time. It was WAAAY harder than nursing school, but I'd been a Paramedic for 23yrs when I went to get my RN. Nursing school was just showing up for me...thank you, Jesus!!!

For thekid, I hate to be the one to come and rain on your parade, but I AM currently transitioning from ER RN of 38yrs to aesthetics and will share with you what I have found out. I began wanting to do permanent makeup and knew being a RN I'd be able to do injectables without an Aesthetics degree or diploma. That IS true mostly and in my current state, but EVERYTHING in this Aesthetics/RN business depends pretty much on the STATE you want to work in and the LAWS in that state for the procedures that you want to do. It also is important that the school that you attend is noticed in that state as "accredited" by the state that you will be practicing in or you will be tossing your money away. Be careful who trains you!!!! They can tell you anything, but check their licenses out. The woman who trained me had a RN diploma hanging on her wall and when I was talking to someone on my phone about that her daughter took me aside later and told me that she was NOT a nurse of any kind. She was a Nail Technician and Esthetician. I was there 100 hours and got training, even did a few procedures (eyebrows and eyeliner and got to do a few strokes of lips), and that was all in her catalog of 'hands-on training'. I even took digital pix of before and after of each person I did. Then I flew home and realized I do not have enough hands-on experience to do these procedures on others. I could do it, but I happen to have tons of scruples and have to put my head on my pillow and like to sleep at night, not worry who I might have hurt this day. This woman, in a state 1000 miles away, now will not take my calls. She is supposed to be one of the heads of one of the BIG certifying groups! She's been the President of one of them! But, she didn't supply me with the BIG BOOK of Permanent Makeup, like she kept telling me was on the way (I bought it for $150. when I got home and that is part of the 'problem') and she never showed up in the mornings before 10am. I've learned. It's OK. It will not happen again. I did a YEARS worth of homework before choosing her as my mentor. I had every intention of moving to that state and have friends there. NOW, I am working to save up to get my Aesthetics Certification which will be in addition to the Permanent Makeup Diploma I have now, the Bloodborne Pathogens certificate I have, and I will also go and take Permanent Makeup AGAIN from a school that is accredited in the new state in which I hope to practice. Then I will begin to do proceedures but be more marketable. The economy is part of it...less women are opting for permanent makeup at this time, where I am. They will pay for facials and waxing, tho'. So, I hope that this helps many people whose posts I've read through. Here is the bottom line, the worst case scenario (remember, I'm an old ER RN)...you will be INJECTING FOREIGN BODY SUBSTANCES into peoples skin and better yet, their faces. Take out you anatomy books and look at all the nerves, muscles, etc in the face alone. Are you willing to work on another person's face with 100 hours schooling and possibly them having someting happen and being taken to court or losing your license? This writing is in no way meant to discourage or be negative. It is meant to inform you about what and who is out there and what they can tell you on the phone or on a website. I did not call the Boards of the woman who taught me to check if she was who she said...probably should, but she owns an Institute~~which now I realize is just a name on a door. Check things out! This woman is doing facials and a few permanent makeup procedures so she doesn't care if I am doing them 1000 miles away! Thankfully, I can still work as a RN, which she can't. I'll deal with her computer made Diploma when I am not mad any more. For the ones who want to do the FAST N EZ courses one right after the other and think that someone else will pay for you to go and take these expensive courses, it's a nice dream, but probably NOT gonna happen, unless you are currently working for the Plastic Surgeon. YOU will be paying for the training of each class and specialized part of training and it's not a specialty where you can go and take all the classes in a group. MOST (99%) and the BEST schools require you to work in the beginner slot for a minimum of one year before you are eligible to go and take the paramedical courses. I wanted to do it all, one right after the other, too, but once you are DOING the permanent makeup procedures (and I guess facials, waxing, and DEFINITELY laser use) you will FEEL differently about this specialty. I was lucky to HAVE all the procedures done as part of my training and I am GLAD that I did that, too. I got to feel the type of pain, got to see the healing times with each procedures, and have a different slant, at this time on one of them (lips)...not that painful, but need touch ups (multiple maybe) and I am 1000 miles away.