Flatbelly

This is no easy task. The proper sequence should be: 1. Observing how it is done by someone who has experience. 2. Assisting. 3. Performing under supervision. 4. Performing independently. Looks like you jumped straight to no 4. Call me panic-queen, but that is dangerous IMO. Too much of a risk of serious injury to yourself or/and the person you're taking care of. I would refuse to do it.

clemmm78 thank you so much for clarifying! I browsed through several threads on this forum trying to find concrete info about Quebec nursing, and I agree that it can be confusing. A lot of stuff mentioned contradicts itself, especially when it comes to the French exam part. Sadly, I'm won't be able to start French lessons in the nearest future, I have my final semester and NCLEX to worry about. BTW - I write too!

I am currently in an ADN program that i will complete in May 2011. My fiance, who holds dual citizenship (Canadian & US) and has been working in the US for the past 6 years, was currently offered a fantastic position in Montreal. He plans on moving there in December 2010, right after we get married just before Thanksgiving (yay!) :redpinkhe and start his new job in January 2011. He will then sponsor me to join him in Montreal. According to the Canadian immigration website, this may take several months, so I will have time to finish school and take the NCLEX (I just hope I pass! LOL) I have done my homework, and I already know a bit of being a nurse in Quebec, which, as I understand, does not have the requirement of a bachelor's degree for RNs (please correct me if I'm wrong). According to http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/publications/en/professions/Nurse.pdf , in order to be able to work as an RN in Quebec, I will have to: 1. Be approved (have my ADN diploma and work evaluated) by the OIIQ. 2. Complete an integration/training course after which I will be a CPN. 3. Pass the professional examination and get my nursing license. 4. Pass the OQLF French language exam. I understand that if I fail, I will be be granted a temporary work permit for 1 year, renewable up to 3 times, until I pass the language exam. I do however have some questions and hope to find advice and information: 1. The integration course/program: I'm considering John Abbot College in Montreal http://www.johnabbott.qc.ca/continuing-education/come-back-to-nursing/professional-integration-nursing-in-quebec-for-internationnallly-educated-nurses , however, I've heard that the OIIQ selects these programs individually, based on education and clinical work experience (I will have none). Is this true? 2. I'm confused about the sequence of the exams. I read that the OIIQ Professional Licensing Examination can be taken either in French or English - does that mean I can pass the language exam later? Or must I pass the language exam first? 3. My future husband was raised in Montreal and speaks fluent French, but I know only a few phrases Since we consider our move to Quebec permanent, I will of course learn the language. Has anyone here taken the OQLF exam? How difficult is it? Are 3 years a reasonable amount of time to learn enough French to be able to pass it? I know this depends on the individual, but I'm curious of the experiences of others. I plan to attend the French classes offered to immigrants by the government, is this a good idea or should I look for other options (immersion programs, private tutoring, etc.). Although my fiance already proved to be a terrible language teacher I will have the opportunity to polish my French with him at home. Any additional ideas on how to beef up my French are welcome :) 4. I searched like crazy, but I haven't been able to find any RN-BSN programs in Quebec except for the one at McGill, that is open only to Quebec 180.A0 DEC graduates. I therefore plan on getting my BSN at The University of Illinois (where I currently live). It is an online program, and the tuition for residents of Illinois and international students is almost the same. When I get my BSN, how do I "upgrade" my degree in Quebec? 5. I know it's difficult to find a job in Montreal without knowing French, but I would appreciate any suggestions of hospitals that may consider a Anglophone nurse. Is volunteer work easy to find when you don't know or have limited knowledge of French? Money will not be a serious issue since my future hubby will have a nice salary, however, I hate the idea of sitting at home when I've worked so hard to become a nurse (OK, I'm not a nurse yet, but hopefully I'll be one soon! ) Thanks in advance to anyone who takes time to answer any of my questions.

Trying to impress a cute resident I always joke around with a lot, I entered a pt's room doing my sexy walk, tripped, crashed into the bed-table, spilled ice water all over the pt's sheets, and fell down to the floor where a open, half-full urinal was placed, emptying the contents all over my scrub pants... The resident threw himself to help me up, tripped over the SCD cord, and lost his glasses. Together we wandered on all fours across the room, looking for them,while the pt kept screaming "What in the hell is going on down there"? The glasses turned out to be covered with pee. While the doc frantically tried to wash and dry them off, one of the lens fell out and smashed into pieces on the floor. I hope the resident never visits this forum

Yeah, I forgot we're stupid as doorknobs.

WHERE did the OP state he/she refused care/saving life???

Triton College in Illinois has no waiting list, contrary to popular belief (I fell for the myth myself, luckily was corrected during their nursing information session). If you have a nice GPA, pass the ASSET test in flying colors (not very hard to do) and LIVE IN DISTRICT, you will get in a good ADN program that is rather cheap. Living in district is crucial, as you will have priority in being accepted (for the last few years nobody out of district was accepted). I finally decided on another school, so tell your friend to contact Triton and ask more specific questions. This is the website: http://www.triton.edu/cgi-bin/r.cgi/index.html

While I agree severe (even moderate pain) can decrease/disable a persons ability to work/think/whatever, I can't help feeling that people today are so afraid of the smallest pain it has become ridiculous. If you can tap away on your laptop, you can pour your own juice, even if it hurts a bit This of course is my private opinion, and I would never share it with a pt in pain.

When diapers have to be changed very often (and no bowel movement is present) I use plain water and gently pat the area dry so to not remove the barrier cream. Frequent use of soap dries and irritates the skin, it also unnecessarily removes some of the barrier cream. I do use it though while cleaning the peri area while giving a full bedbath. I was instructed so by the wound nurse. BTW if it were up to us, the pt wouldn't wear diapers at all (I hate diapers). IMO a pad, especially when urinating is frequent, is better for a pt who is bedridden. But the family member insists on diapers.

LOL. Don't let it get to you. I had to deal with a "CNA" who insisted I clean her grandmothers peri area with soap each time the diaper was changed (the pts was on massive ammounts of IV fluids, peed about a gallon a day and had to have a diaper change every hour) and SCRUB OFF the barrier cream each time in order to apply a new portion! I called the wound nurse, who gladly explained why the idea was complete rubbish. She still didn't believe we weren't neglecting grandma... oh well...

The Diaper Lover - insists mom/dad/grandma/grandpa be diapered. Reason: when he/she poops or pees, the bed is a mess. Yeah, like THEY are the ones who clean it up! I personally hate diapers and avoid putting them on pts whenever I can.

Don't feed the troll.

No you don't

While I understand many might not enjoy dealing with feces, I find your post insulting - not to nurses, but to patients. You don't wipe just every butt, you wipe the butts of people who can not do it themselves. It is not their fault, and they are often embarrassed by the fact.

well, why not? the topic is interesting, and this happens to be a forum where everyone can throw in their as long as it does not offend anyone.

Hm, what about complications immediately after an abortion? Or something of entirely different matter - aborted ectopic pregnancies that are life-saving to the pt? I do find it odd you consider caring for a pt right after an abortion as part of the abortion itself. I don't. Of course, it's only my opinion, not something you must agree with no matter what :)

My condolences :redpinkhe I too have lost a father I adored, I know how you feel.

I swear I almost cried my eyes out with laughter. Thank you

To the daughter stuffing a pt with laxatives: the next time grandma poops on the floor (uses a walker) while trying to get to the bathroom, I'll use YOUR FACE to clean it up. In general to 90% of the visitors: SHADDUP! and GO HOME!

Can't speak for all CNAs in the world, but can explain myself. I sometimes do it because the pt is making it impossible for me to do my job. I've actually had this situation today. Instead of assisting the pts that really needed my help, I ran in and out of the room of a whining bimbo (let's call her Lucy), who complained she had a headache and needed a Tylenol AT ONCE. I understood, pain is no fun, but the RNs answer the call lights only when the CNAs can't, meaning I'm in Lucy's room every 5 minutes, explaining I can't give her anything and the nurse knows about her pain - she has to be patient and wait. Well guess what, Lucy didn't give a RA of what I said, and kept pushing that call light button every time as soon as I left her room. I nearly kicked poor Lucy in the butt, I was so mad. I finally jumped to the RN and told her to give the damn bimbo the damn Tylenol, because I'm not able to take care of two of her other pts until Lucy shuts up. I actually used those words (I feel a bit ashamed now) but at least they worked. I do agree however that treating the RNs as heartless ******* is unprofessional. Most units in my hospital are understaffed, it's not the nurse's fault she can't run to every pt every time the pt requests it.

Always.

Ahhh, I see :) We don't practice CNA to CNA reports on my unit, that's why I misunderstood you, sorry.

We get verbal reports (I'm a CNA). The idea of report sheets does not appeal to me for a couple of reasons. I often ask for more info while getting a report, as the RN may forget about something important or simply assume it's not important to me. Sometimes it's actually ME giving a 'report' to the nurse - when the pt is new to the RN but I've been taking care of him/her for a few days. Also, when I'm 100% certain I'll need the nurse's help (or/and vice versa) with certan tasks, the nurse and I together plan the pt's basic care during the report. Finally, there are things that are best kept NOT in writing. Yes, we all know it's not professional to say a pt is a pita, but some pts ARE pitas and little can be done to change that. A few hints from one another can help avoid certain situations. I see little sense in report sheets since verbal reports are usually necessary anyway. But since every workplace is different, let's just say I speak of my unit in my hospital :)

GO SEE A DOCTOR! While I wouldn't dream of making a diagnosis, panic attacks coming out of nowhere were among the first symptoms of my sisters' depression. This of course does not have to apply to you, but shows that what you are going through CAN be serious. Don't ignore it, don't rely on info gathered through the net, from friends, friend of friends, family members ect., seek professional help.

I even posted this on the Illinois forum - I too couldn't find a job as a CNA. Other than you, I applied mostly online, most hospitals (several nursing homes too) in the Chicago area make it impossible to apply differently. Then of course I started to panic when nobody contacted me And I complained on the forum... As it turned out, a few days after my woes, job offers started to attack my e-mailbox and phone. I had 7 interviews, and was finally accepted to a hospital and 2 nursing homes. I chose the hospital. I waited 3 months before anything happened! I still get offers, to which I proudly reply I already have a job. Good luck to you! :) If you really want it and show determination, you will find a job.