doesntlookgood

'Zero progress' in nurse contract talks; another strike looms | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ To the previous poster...I am a medically-retired ALPA member, To all you Nurses, do everything in your power to avoid crossing a picket line. If you compromise yourselves now, you will NEVER regain what you lost. To the strikers... Stand strong. Stand tall. Put your big-girl panties on (most of your are Female). If you give up now, you WILL regret it forever. "Those things that cause pain, instruct."

One major perception problem is folks feeling that when you have the sniffles and a runny nose, you have the "flu". Ergo...Swine Flu Meh When I was in my late 20's I had the "flu". Man, it was AWFUL, and I was useless for AT LEAST a week, and I was REAL tough back then. I'm keeping my head down and keeping my hands cleaner than ever. What's the old saying? "Denial...it's more than a river in Egypt."

Note to the OP: If you truly believe that television & other media reflect reality on a regular basis...remember, television is ENTERTAINMENT. You might want to pick up a book / take a walk / listen to your favorite music. Jon & Kate Exploit 8 & American Idle are two shows that instantly come to mind. Everyone needs a break, and for many television is their preference, which is fine. But there is also no doubt in my mind that television can really skew the "reality calibration" level in some folks.

EVERYONE is a product of their environment. In my opinion, there are NO exceptions. A long time ago, when I was 16, my Mom and Dad were killed in a traffic accident. Having only one relative (my Dad's sister), I went from living in a suburb where you didn't even lock your door at night, to living in a downtown Chicago condo with my Aunt who was at the time Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police. It was a real eye-opener. But it wasn't all bad. It certainly shaped the way I live my life even to this day. Some very good habits, and other not-so-good. It was a long time ago, but although I've never been a handsome guy, I was something of a "player", and had more G/F's than most guys. One day I fell in BIG LOVE, and after some time, got married. A marriage better than most, or was it? Nine years later, and while our oldest child is playing in the sandbox, my wife tells me she's not in love, and wants out. I was stunned. Regardless, the marriage IS over, and I pour myself into my career. Occasional dating, but nothing serious. Then one day, I meet THE ONE. We date pretty exclusively, but she decides it's going nowhere, and I'm history. "This hole in my heart can only be filled by you..." I'm not angry or even bitter, but I've resigned myself to avoidance. Now completely celibate, not only sexually, but emotionally as well. The thought NEVER crosses my mind. A few weeks ago, a good friend who has a very busy, productive Dentistry practice comes over and we're grilling on the deck. The beers are adding up, and we're solving all the world's problems. There's a break in the conversation, and he suddenly looks upset. "Hey...you alright?" "I need to tell you something. I've never told ANYBODY. My wife doesn't even know." "Go ahead Man, it's just you and me." I'm expecting a bombshell, but it's really innocuous. Not about sex, romance, cheating, money, crime, drugs, something so uneventful that no one would probably care. The story comes spilling out, and I just let him speak his mind without interruption. We talk some more and I think it's time to trot out my own epiphany. "I want to tell you something...you can't tell anyone...especially not your wife." "HAHAHA" It's just you and me!" "My youngest daughter just got her Driver's License." She lives about two miles away. "You poor ba5tard." "I haven't seen or communicated with her in..." My voice cracks. "7 years." My friend looks at me, mouth agape. "Awww DLG that's incredibly F-ed up." "I know." I stand upwind and get the smoke from the grill square in the face. It's a good excuse for the watery eyes. We ALL come with baggage. No extra charge. You can't change the past, you can only try to make the best of the future. You gave your Dad a break, No? Now it's time to look in the mirror and forgive yourself as well. ALL (normal) parents want their children to be happy, right? ALL (normal) parents want their children to have a better life, right? Go get 'em, Nurse. Make your parents proud. DLG

It's somewhat a blessing. I have this skill that most people just can't figure out, and I quit trying to intellectualize it myself. In many cases, I can discern trends WAY before most folks. I don't know how or why, but as I look in the past the overwhelming number of predictions I've made have come to fruition. Yeah, I took my meds today. :wink2: Earlier when I was thinking about a career in Nursing, the first thing I did was hit a boatload of websites belonging to health care facilities to peruse their job postings. I watched almost all level off, then saw alarming decreases in their postings. Today, I came here to tell you that almost every site I check has increased their available positions by at least 10%! I found one facility with an increase exceeding 30%. These are difficult economic times for so many, but I believe relief is around the corner. Not next week. Or next month. But if you're a new grad, still without a job, I don't think it'll be much longer. Of course, things could still change, and perhaps the sites are simply reflective of anticipation of a possible Pandemic, but we'll see. Anyhow, Chin Up!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/14/colorado.doolie.flu/index.html The thing I find worrisome here... The AFA is a VERY highly regimented environment, especially for Freshman. Hopefully they'll utilize this as the perfect "control" case and learn lessons about containment / treatment / mass casualty / information dissemination processes.

To the OP: First of all, if you're troll bait...shame on you. Go find someplace else to play. We're adults here. If you're not a troll...what are you thinking? Folks came up with some good ideas, to be sure, but what's the point? So you can struggle and agonize and fret over this issue? I don't understand. Go look in the mirror...look really hard and make a HONEST assessment of both your attributes as well as your liabilities. Here's an example. I have a buddy, he's smart. Let me take that back...he's really, Really, REALLY smart. He has a strong technology background, and one day he tells me he's taking classes majoring in Business Continuity. But there's a little problem with this fellow. It's not a personality flaw on his part, but it is a BIG DEAL. Whenever this guy is in a crisis situation, he caves, and basically becomes useless. I've seen it with my own eyes, and dealt with the immediate and secondary aftermath in his wake. It wasn't pretty. WHAT is the OP thinking about here? What is the point? Folks here gave the OP good advice, but that doesn't mean that the advice will work for the OP. What then? Here's the cool thing about Nurses: 1. They have strong technology / empathy / intellectual / problem-solving skills. But unlike many people, Nurses skills are balanced by what I call "brain-stem" skills & ability. 2. They are ready, able and willing to do what needs to be done under any circumstances regardless of discomfort, danger, personal distaste, or even physical limitations. They work under some of the MOST stressing / trying / crazy / pole-vault-over-the-top situations that a dumb-azzed Prime Time show will never show. I believe that it is important that people push the envelope...especially young people. That's how you grow. But if the OP is truly germophobic...I have to question their thought processes. As the old saying goes: "There are roads to nowhere." "Then there are roads to NOWHERE."

Ahhh, the Human Condition. It seems that we always want something we don't have! You mentioned that you teach part time...are there any facilities nearby that would bring you aboard on a casual / part-time basis? It seems like I notice more and more advertisements for Nursing staff with a FTE If you "blow off" the teaching and work our full shift per week at the facility of your choice, that gives you the best of BOTH worlds, No? The Down Side: You only get one day off per week, unless you piggy-back your part-time "real" Nurse gig on the same day. THAT puts you in a minimum sleep situation, and as a person who worked 80-hour week for YEARS, you'll pay a price. The Up Side: You get to keep the cool gig, and the great boss (which are big time blessings in themselves). You'll make more money but have less time to spend it on nonsense. And we haven't discussed the intellectual / spiritual benefits. Good Luck whatever you choose. DLG

Nah... I wasn't trying to be condescending. All my life I've worked hard. Really hard. 99% of the time I did the absolute best I could do given the circumstances. When I put my head on my pillow, I fall to sleep, straightaway. However, the same attributes that make someone an excellent caregiver also becomes their Achilles Heel. When one mixes that situation up with a system that "enables" abuse... Well, guess what happens, and why are you surprised at the outcome? Step away from being a Nurse for a moment. Come over to the Dark Side, my world. One day I have a serious problem with someone who is in a significant position of authority. NOT a disagreement, but a really serious issue. I talk to my immediate supervisor. Because he or she is too busy / wants to avoid conflict / frightened of "rocking the boat"... Talks you through the process; then everything STOPS. NO resolution. The asshat continues their anti-social behavior. Your supervisor believes they did a good job. Human Resources is happy that a potentially difficult situation has now been eliminated from their plate. Look at the above 3 sentences. Everyone is satisfied, except ME. I'm frustrated. And tomorrow, or next week someone else will "take one for the team". If anyone is satisfied with being on the short end of that stick...well there's not much I can do. Nurses have SO MANY truly unique qualities. They want to help. They want to collaborate. They want to heal. They want stability (don't rock the boat). But as many of you know; devious, manipulative people show their true colors eventually. People like that just LOVE seeing the qualities Nurses bring. For every person that will stand up for what's right, there are half a dozen that will fold like a cheap lawn chair. How many threads do we see on the board that discuss Lateral Violence? How many threads about SERIOUS staffing issues? Everyday you do your job, right? Everyday I do my job. If a dispute gets so serious that it winds up in Human Resources...well, that's their job. And if the issue is SO serious that it needs to be official, and someone takes the paper, so be it. And DO NOT FORGET. If it's not official...IT NEVER HAPPENED.

here's my bonehead opinion. lots of stories here...i'm certain some have been "embellished", but having a lot of experience, most are probably true. i really try to treat everyone with dignity, courtesy and respect, regardless of their position. don't forget that everyone has a bad day from time to time. here's a modification to an old saw. "f**k me once; shame on you. f**k me twice; shame on me." i thought of transposing the u and c, but after consideration that would just annoy the mods, who have been more than accomodating with me. i'm not talking down to you. please listen carefully and consider what i have to say. eliminate: i'm sorry. from your vocabulary. i'm sorry if i run your dog over with my car. if i have to call at an inopportune time... "i apologize." stop frigging bending over every time you do your incredibly important duties. if you are abused, and it is abuse do not think 2x about taking your complaint to your facility's human resources department. take careful notes...time / date / witnesses / circumstances. make it official. that is the only way it will ever stop. a few years ago, i had a dust up with a vp at the company where i worked. the guy really went after me, saying things that would've gotten anyone else a punch to the face. this prick pole vaulted way over the top. i sent an e-mail to hr and they asked me to stop by. i explained the situation. "well we'll speak with him." "you really need to take paper on this one." "uhhh." "uhhh." "uhhh." they took the paper, and were not happy about it. a few days later my telephone rings and it's the ceo. the ceo. "can you come over and chat with me?" "i'm on my way." i get to his office and we shake hands. "the things you said here...were they true?" "yessir. it makes the shop a really difficult place to work." he patted my back, and shook my hand which told me our little "meeting" was over. "i never knew", he said. together we walk toward his office door. i did some research earlier, and found out he speaks "passable" japanese. ahahahaha...me too! i express my apprecation in crappy japanese, but he does understand. as we approach the door he tells me: "i want you to know that i told him that if the crap happens again he's f**kng gone." a year later he was history. some times you have to abandon: being a nurse put your big-girl panties on. spread the pain around.

I have no fewer than three stories. I LIKE Winter. It makes me feel alive. When I was in IT I drove to my employer in the middle of winter. Damn, it was COLD. I remember running to the building after parking my car (don't forget, park with the wind facing your car's butt!), but this cold is just BRUTAL, and nothing to be messed with. As I run toward the entrance, the wind is blocked by a wall with a planter at the base. I slow down and pull off my hood and hear: mew-mew-mew Eh? Then nothing. Like a moron who got a case of the I-can't-help-its, I look into the bushes in the planter. Nothing. Look more. Still nothing. Then I hear a squeak. A-Ha! Gotcha! Look inside, and there are a number of VERY YOUNG kittens! I'm totally unprepared for this...or am I? I find my pen and put it where the kitties are and run up to my work area. I'm pretty low-key, so when I walk into my work area and say: "I HAVE AN EMERGENCY!" Everyone jumps up. I take an extra 20 seconds and explain the situation fully, and my co-workers aren't even getting their coats. "Let's Go!" It's only 4 floors, but the damned elevators are taking forever. One of my Female co-workers says "F-this, let's take the stairs!" We run down the stairs and hit the front doors like a SWAT Team, and swarm the sidewalk. No one can stop this mission. There are at least 6 of us. "Farther down the sidewalk! Look for a pen!" It's so frigging cold. "If you did this so you could see our nipples, I am personally going to kick your Azz." It doesn't take long, though...OMG! You could sense the concern when we found the orphans. Serious internet research, eyedropper feeding, and moistened Q-Tips to encourage bowel movements...our "manager" was not happy. F-You. Years later, ALL kittens have grown and thrived. HAHAHA We won.

Tiger... Run like H3LL. Life is WAY too short to get tangled up in a no-win situation...especially after what you've heard from multiple sources. At the risk of being offensive, if you DO take this job, I have two other statements that you might buy into. "Of course I love you, Baby." "I'll call you tomorrow." It'll be alright...live and learn. Just be grateful that you were smart enough to recognize the danger.

Like many (or most) of you, I understand the meaning of sacrifice. Personal Sacrifice Professional Sacrifice Intellectual Sacrifice The point I'm trying to reach here is that the FIRST group the "powers that be" will try this con game with is Nurses. Nurses that are too damned busy worrying about their patients. The typical MBA bean-counter looks at Doctors and sees them as "revenue streams". Tell me the last time you heard of an MD being thrown overboard. **crickets** That same MBA looks at Nurses and sees "Cost Center"...and the even more offensive "Administrative BURDEN". And for the earlier poster that quoted the Good Book: Exodus 5:8 '...But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' And although this is often attributed to the Bible...it really IS NOT. "The Lord helps those who help themselves"

Hey Tiger! Be terribly, terribly careful here. You ARE in very dangerous territory. I'm not a Nurse...I abandoned the thought some time ago, and am limited to occasional bomb-throwing here on this fine forum. I cannot tell you how many times I've witnessed "instructors" that simply did not have a clue. As practitioners they were first-rate. But they could not teach their way out of a paper bag, with the bottom cut out. Now, there's no shame in that...not everyone is destined to instruct. Do you remember when you were a "student"? When you looked / listened to an instructor and wondered...*** are YOU doing INSTRUCTING? You're a frigging bitter-assed moron! DON'T be one of those...if after time you find you are becoming one of those...just leave. If not, remember that you are now held to a higher standard (as if Nursing isn't a high enough standard). Cheerleading is hard. Especially when you have a challenging "student". I remember when I taught Karate to a "troubled" student. He eventually advanced to the next belt. At the advancement ceremony, he told me: "I learned more from you than anyone else, ever." At first I was this: :zzzzz Then when I was alone I was this:

Before a health care company tries this nonsense: http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/la-fi-britishair17-2009jun17,0,7524008.story Seems to be "all the rage" these days. I'm just getting the feeling that sooner or later there will be a wide-spread, non industry-specific nationwide strike crossing many professions / trades. And the Dow will lose 2000 points in just a few days.