caren19

caren19's Latest Activity

1. 

   Physical demands?

   caren19 posted a topic in Psychiatric

   Hey, thanks for taking the time to read this, and hopefully offering your input... I've worked in a PICU for 14 years, and have developed some bone spurs in my neck and lower back. I'm in an office position right now, but it's just not for me. Nursing was my second degree, my first is in psych, and I had taken a few couses to get my masters in psych, until I changed my mind and went to nursing school for nursing. For the past 3 months I've been pouring my thought and heart in getting a post-masters cert in psych specializing in peds - we did a terrible job in the PICU dealing with issues like PTSD, suicide attempts, molestation, etc. ANYWAY: BACK TO ORIGINAL QUESTION: I want to get back into bedside nursing - how physical is psych nursing (excluding patients with psychotic breaks, etc, where you're going to get your butt kicked regardless)? Would I be turning and changing the patient every 4 hours, etc? Thanks in advance for your input, sorry for the rambling..
2. 

   New: Transcript requirement?

   caren19 replied to caren19's topic in Activism

   Thanks for your response, in looking into the matter a little further, it seems that the while our transcripts are in our HR folders, it would take to much man power to physically move them. So, instead, we are asked just to forward them. It's all very odd.
3. 

   New: Transcript requirement?

   caren19 replied to caren19's topic in Activism

   Google long enough and you will find an answer! It is from the College of American Pathology! So much for reducing paperwork!
4. 

   New: Transcript requirement?

   caren19 posted a topic in Activism

   Hi, We were told at my facility in PA that a "new policy" required a copy of our college transcript. I spoke to someone HR, and she said all employees must submit new copies of them. I have been searching the internet, but can't find any new JCAHO/Dept of Health requirements of this type. Anyone have any clue on this one? Your help is appreciated!
5. 

   Can't stop the nightmares- please help

   caren19 replied to caren19's topic in Stress 101

   UPDATE: I got an email back earlier this week from the EAP, I'm to email her back and set up a time to chat or have breakfast with her (i'm permanent nights). I've tried to discuss this sort of incidence in general with some of the other nurses without positive results. Maybe I should try talking to some of the older nurses, those who have been in the profession longer. Unfortunately, or not, myself and the fellow and the residant were the only ones who actually witnessed the herniation- I know they were as shocked and upset as I was, but I don't really feel comfortable talking to either one of them. So, I'm just going to follow up with the EAP woman. It also helped that the next shift I was on, i had a little baby girl- neuro watch who was just as happy as a clam, and cute as can be. I got to discharge her in the morning, which made me feel really good. thanks for all your support. I really appreciate it, and need it.
6. 

   Can't stop the nightmares- please help

   caren19 replied to caren19's topic in Stress 101

   Thanks for all the words of wisdom. I sent an email to the clinical psych nursing resource (our EAP), so hopefully I'll hear from her soon.
7. 

   Can't stop the nightmares- please help

   caren19 posted a topic in Stress 101

   I've been a Pediatric ICU nurse for 3yrs now, and I've seen it all. GSW on 4 yr olds, deglovings, MVA, ped vs. car, abuse- I was able to deal with all of that. But when I was in work on Friday I saw something that no human should ever see. I can't get the picture out of my head, everytime I think about it I start crying. I have no plan to quit my job or anything like that over this, and it hasn't affected my love of my job, but I am just so fixated on what happened. I was hoping if there were any paramedics, ED peep's, or just RN's who had experianced something way beyond the realm of reality- something truly horrific they could pass on how they dealt with it. Will the images fade? Will the tears dry up? I can't stand it right now. Please help.
8. 

   Sick Days

   caren19 posted a topic in Nursing

   We have a hospital policy that if you are absent more that 5 times in a year, you have to go an entire year w/o an absence- or if you are sick again accumulate incidents culmanating in termination after x amount. I don't think I am sick excessively, but I am at 5. Now, how the heck do I stay well for an entire year? Is this a common policy? Do they really fire you? I want to stress again, that it takes a lot for me to call out, this year was hard because I was just diagnosed w/irritable bowel syndrome, and the days I missed were mostly r/t IBS b/f I found a med/diet regimine that controlled my symptoms---Just wanted to clarify so nobody thinks I am just slacking off.
9. 

   How many nurses take antidepressants or antianxiety medication?

   caren19 replied to Attheana's topic in Stress 101

   I've been seeing therapists since 1998, and been on multiple medications. The meds fix a chemical imbalance in my brain, but it does not change the behavioral manifestations of my OCD. I think that one of the big issues in Nursing is that we don't take time to care for ourselves, we are in a profession that you have to give of yourself on a daily basis, and we need to make sure that we are getting some of that back. I love to take a walk after my shift, just to clear my head and to not bring home any negativeness home with me. I find such diversional activities really benefit my well-being. I would also strongly suggest that taking medications should be adjunctive therapy to seeing a counselor. :)