Tutti

Greetings Hisdaughter, I haven't visited this site for awhile, and from the looks of it, either has anyone else! So, are you in Washington? Welcome to the world of foot care! I have been an LPN for 13+ yrs and started doing foot care about 5 yrs ago. I love it! I started out by going to the Seattle conference, but realized it wasn't enough, although it does provide allot of information and you get to meet other Nurses doing the same thing you do! I went up to take a private course in Ontario, CA since it was being given by a Nurse who teaches foot care in the college and she was able to do the course for me in her home in just 10 days! I got to do lots of hands-on, as she had her own clinic going in her house, I got to work on most of her Patients, and she also would travel to people's houses, and even went to a nursing home there. It was a great experience for me. i haven't heard of the Fraser Valley course you are talking about. How long is the course? How did you find it? I know we can't do any form of solicitation here, so if you need to PM me, feel free to. Tutti

Once again, Debbie, thank you. That is really good to know. I do worry about being able to hear what they are saying. I've received voicemails at work that I would have to play over and over again, and still never got it, and those were not even doctors, lol. Anyway, It's something to think about. I'm still not sure if I should invest in this. But, we'll see. Thanks so much again! ~Tutti~

Debbie, Thank you for your quick response. That was very helpful. I am wondering the best way to go as far as taking a course would be. I have looked at the local community colleges, and online courses. I don't want to spend much money, since this will not be my career, just a little added income, even if it doesn't last, that's okay. Just somehting for now. Most of the online courses are around $1500-$1900, but I did find one for $600. It doesn't "certify" you, you get a certificate of completion, however, I don't feel I need to be certified since I have other experience under my belt. Any thoughts on that? I don't like the idea of being up until midnight, lol. Did you transcribe for mainly Physicians, or were there others, like Podiatrists, Dentists, etc. I do have a few connections at work. I've worked along side many different kinds of Doctors. Anyway, thanks again for writing to me! ~Tutti~

I am an LPN and work 3 days a week in a great facility. I could really use some extra cash, but do not want to increase my hours at work, as I have a special needs child who needs attention and sometimes needs to be picked up from school which could interfere with my job. My latest idea is to become a medical transcriptionist and work part time doing this at home. I have been researching some online courses. But I have no idea if this is the perfect solution for me, or if I am getting myself into something that requires more than I think. Can anyone give me some ideas on this? Has anyone done this or know of someone who does, what is involved as far as time, etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to jump into something I might end up regretting. Thank you so much in advance! ~Tutti~

Summers, Sounds great! The one thing I have been wanting to be able to do is to bill for services. I keep hitting a brick wall. I am told I cannot bill for services as a Nurse, and so my patients have to pay privately. I hope to meet up with some of you at the seminar. My name is Gina. Hope to see you there! Tutti

The seminar is actually not until early November. I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to go out and set up shop for foot care after just going to this seminar. It is more lectures than anything else. I went on to get hands-on training after the seminar and continue to go to this seminar every year to keep up on stuff. It's a good informational seminar. It is also a good place to connect with other Nurses who already practice foot care. There is so much to learn before you actually do work on feet. I know what you mean, it took me a long time to become confident enough to feel like I really knew what I was doing. There are Nurses here in this group who are having a hard time finding a place to learn hands-on. There seems to be a shortage of courses to take in the U.S. I know we cannot post any solicitation here, but I would be interested where you are located.

I was wondering how many of us are planning on attending the Seattle conference? I am looking forward to it this year. I've gone almost every year for the past 4, but Dr. Scanlan said it would be about 80% different than in past years. Anyone going? ~Tutti~

Summers, I hate to admit that I don't really know what is in that area for hotels. I avoid the downtown area as much as possible. It's just too busy for me. However, Susan Scanlan, the Director of the Podiatry Association will give you some names of places you can stay and I'm sure they would be decent and inexpensive. Sorry that I'm not much help there. Nightengale, You don't need a WA license. They don't actually do a clinical session. They will suggest that you shadow a podiatrist for so many hours, and they will actually put that you have done so on your certificate. At least, that's how it was done last year. There will be nurses attending from many different states. I plan on going this year as well. It would be fun to meet with you all! Do you think we will find eachother? Have a great day!

Laura, Is this the same conference you attended a few years ago and did not like because it was run by Podiatrists? I was just wondering if maybe this is a different one going on in Seattle.

I will never forget when my baby had the most horrible diaper rash. No prescription creams/ointments were helping and it was only getting worse. I was so frustrated, and on making yet another call to the doctor's office, the nurse suggested I try bag balm. I about laughed, and told her I really thought she needed something stronger. However, I reluctantly tried it anyway. I swear, it was like a miracle! Worked like a charm! Definitely worth a try.

Hello everyone! Ann Nelson gave me permission to post her e-mail address. She is in Ontario, Canada, and teaches foot care to nurses in the college setting, and also does private teaching. She has her own foot care clinic out of her home as well as going to facilities, churches, and private homes. She is great! Have a great day! *note Please don't post email addresses "out in the open." PM Tutti for the address. Thanks for understanding. P_RN Moderator All Forums

Just to let everyone know, I have e-mailed what I believe to be Anne Nelson's and am waiting for a response. I will post again when I hear from her. Has anyone done a search for courses in canada? I've done many searches, and it seems like I get results for canada, but it seems like they are all around the Ontario area. I will try again and see what I come up with.

Just to let everyone know, I have e-mailed what I believe to be Anne Nelson's and am waiting for a response. I will post again when I hear from her. Has anyone done a search for courses in canada? I've done many searches, and it seems like I get results for canada, but it seems like they are all around the Ontario area. I will try again and see what I come up with.

Summers, I'm not sure where the closest course might be to you. I'm in washington state and would have loved to just have been able to make a run up to Vancouver, CA. I ended up in Ontario however, and that is where I found Anne Nelson. I think I know her e-mail address, but before I post it, I think I will just double check it first. I do know that canada has many different courses for nurses to take, so you would think we could find one closer to you. Anne might even be able to point you in the right direction. Also, I'm sure you have read Laura's posts about the upcoming certification course in the U.S. So far this is the only one I have heard of in the U.S. Tutti

Summers, I'm not sure where the closest course might be to you. I'm in washington state and would have loved to just have been able to make a run up to Vancouver, CA. I ended up in Ontario however, and that is where I found Anne Nelson. I think I know her e-mail address, but before I post it, I think I will just double check it first. I do know that canada has many different courses for nurses to take, so you would think we could find one closer to you. Anne might even be able to point you in the right direction. Also, I'm sure you have read Laura's posts about the upcoming certification course in the U.S. So far this is the only one I have heard of in the U.S. Tutti

That's great Nightengale! I like that you were able to put all that info. on here. I've been to this seminar 3 times. I just like to keep up on the scope and laws, etc. And there's always stuff to learn. What I like is that there are so many other Nurses to connect with there. One in particular, she is an ARNP and has been doing foot care for years, and she speaks, and shows us the instruments she uses, etc. Last year she handed out her cards with her e-mail and phone #. She is so down to earth. And very knowledgeable. I like this course and will most likely attend it again this year. Tutti

I know there is some controversy regarding the dremel. I use a dremel because I didn't find the electric nail file I had been using strong enough. I know lots of Nurses and Podiatrists who use the dremel. What happened that this person had to have an amputation? I would like to think that I am using my dremel safely and properly. I use a podiatry burr, not the burrs that came with the dremel itself. What about these electric nail file systems you are talking about? Are they strong enough for these tough, thick toenails? And what is the difference between those and a dremel? Thank you for all the information you share! Tutti

Summers, The link to the seattle class is http://www.wspma.org . You can find all of the information on the seminar there. It will be held November 5-6 this year. Hope this helps. Good luck! Tutti

Sorry I don't know anything on this subject, but it made me think of my little one who had to have blood draws weekly at one time. I used emla cream to numb her arm before we went in each time. She never felt a thing and the draws were no big deal for her. I just made sure she didn't watch!

Laura, Very good suggestions! Thank you. We do have a massage therapist at work which we get a discount for (if I could only find the time). We also have a PT who I could get some ideas from. Have you ever seen a chiropractor? I think the best thing is to limit myself to part time. Thanks for responding!

I was wondering if those of us who do foot care, do it full time? I have been doing it about 3x a week. My employer would like to see me do more, but I'm beginning to worry about things such as carpal tunnel (sp?). I usually see about 10 clients a day where I work, but twice a month I travel to a place where I see up to 20 clients. After a day like that, I ache from head to toe, and my hands hurt. Not to mention my back. Maybe I'm not using proper body mechanics. I am worried that something will happen and someday I won't be able to do this anymore. That would be sad. I hope not though.

Many of the nurses at an assisted living facility I used to work at have had bad reports about the EMT's when they arrive. Sometimes the nurses don't know the meds these Pts. take because they self admimister. It's their home. So when the nurse responds to an emergency in someone's apartment, she responds as if she is finding someone in their own home. On a personal note, when I was called to my 7yr old's school because she was dizzy and falling down and was unsafe to put her on the bus, I came to find her verbally unreponsive, sitting on the floor, falling over every which way, couldn't hold her head up, abnormal movements. Very scary. When the EMT's arrived (15 min. later), as soon as they heard my baby had a mental illness, they said, oh, well that's a behavioral thing, there's nothing we can do about that. Excuse, me, someone with a mental illness can't be sick, or as in her case toxic from her medication, which I informed them she had an increase of dose and had not eaten in 2 days. I could not drive her safely in her condition. At least the ambulance gave us a ride home, so I could observe her while I decided what I wanted to do. What a nightmare!

Working in a Doctor's office seems like it would be safe enough. Many LTC facilities have lots of support with other nurses around in the case of an emergency, and I hate to say this, but lots of those Pts. have a no code order, and when it comes close to death, Hospice steps in sometimes and guides you right through the process. I'm sure there are many other avenues. How about a drug rehab facility? Just some thoughts.

Wow, I thought my initial answer would be yes, but after all the reading of the posts I just did, now my answer is I don't know. Yikes! Partial births- No way! Repeat customers- I think I would lose it! Otherwise, I think sometimes it is a really good option for some, so I'm glad there is the choice, just wish there could be a better way of regulating it, but will probably be too complicated. Very sad.....

Opie, Thank you very much for the information. I went to NSCC for my LPN long ago. I am planning on checking into this. Thanks again! This is good news!