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.

Hah! When I was on furlough from my pilot job, and my wife (now ex-wife) was a hotshot @ Motorola, I played Mr. Mom to two girls for almost 18 months. It was some time ago, but I remain stunned TO THIS DAY that neighbors who were on friendly terms with my wife and myself, simple refused to even acknowledge my mere presence when picking my kids up from school. Sometimes I'm shocked that this CRAP...and it IS Crap, still goes on, in so many arenas everyday. Jeebus...last time I checked we're in the 21st Century! Let's also not forget that there exist at least 8 seperate federal government agencies that address Womens' health issues. How many for Men? Close your eyes and tell me what you see. DLG

Ding! Ding! Ding! In an earlier time, I warned that Nursing Organization have to really bust their Azz regarding public & legislative outreach. Just like how most people think the typical Airline Pilot makes 200K a year and only works 11 days a month. In the meantime, here are a couple of links that make for VERY distressing reading. Just like my old membership in the Air Line Pilots Association...make sure your keep sending your membership fees / dues to Headquarters. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.1001.IH: http://www.mdnurse.com/W-visa.html Damn. I'm so sorry, guys. DLG

they say that "age has its privileges". since i just turned 54, there are a large percentage of members here that are young enough to be my child. i'm going to give you similar advice that i give to my 17 year old daughter. i was an only child, and a long time ago, when i was 16, my parents were both killed by a dui driver. having only one relative, i moved in with my aunt, who at the time was the highest-ranking female police officer in the country. living deep in the city, i met people, saw things, and learned a lot of things that i never could living in the relative safety of the suburbs. here in chicago, we're really struggling with street crime. over the weekend 17 people were shot in one 24-hour period, with at least 5 folks succumbing to their wounds. then very early this morning, a chicago police officer was shot in the head while investigating a "shots fired" complaint. that officer left this world earlier this afternoon. meantime an average of 600 police officers retire every year in chicago...the first class of recruits in 2 years is about to graduate. total in the class? 48 new officers. alright nurses, here we go... if you got a new job, good on you! there is a strong likelihood that you'll get assigned to the third shift. here are some ideas that will help minimize your chances of getting "jammed up" in a difficult situation. on a sunday morning, well before noon, map out the route you plan to take from home to your place of employment. then get in your car and actually drive the route. as you drive check out your surroundings...because you're taking your drive before noon, most street rats are still sleeping. how does the neighborhood look? run down and dangerous, or just blue collar? if it seems dangerous to you, it most likely is dangerous. finish your drive then go back home and figure out an alternative route. "but the alternative will take 10 minutes longer." "too bad...it sucks to be you." if there is no alternative route make the best of what you have. first, make certain all your doors are locked. if you have power locks, no problem. if you don't...remember you took groceries from the passenger side yesterday? are you sure that door's locked? make certain you have your cell phone with you and that the battery is fully charged. as an aside, dialing 911 from a cell phone just connects you with the psap (public safety answering point) of the cell tower you're connecting to. in the chicago suburb where i live, i have the regular non-911 number for police in memory. if a dialed 911 i could wind up talking to a psap nowhere near me. when you get them on the phone, simply say the following: "i'm calling from a cell phone and i have an emergency." when you're driving do not answer an incoming call, and ignore all text messages. in aviation we call this sa, or situational awareness. be aware of everything happening around you at all times, especially after dark. if you have a dash-mounted gps, take it down and shut it off. don't attract attention to yourself. shut your car radio / ipod off. save your entertainment for later. leave all windows closed except the driver's window. leave that window cracked open so you can discern angry voices / conflicts in progress / gunfire. if it's hot outside, turn the damned a/c on. it's hard to practice good sa when you're sweating your azz off. don't forget about opening the driver's window enough to hear what's going on outside. from this day forward, practice the following. when you come to a stop, look at the car in front of you. if you can see where his rear tires touch the pavement, you're golden. you have enough room to maneuver in case you have to leave the area. if you can't see his rear tires touch the pavement, you're trapped. beware of another car bumping you from behind. if that happens, don't panic, just drive away at normal speed, call the police, and tell them your concerns. someone will come right over and make sure you're ok. this is not considered a hit-and-run...you are simply relocating to a safer area to insure your security. beware of "unmarked" vehicles flashing their lights at you. police impersonators are rare, but not unheard of. keep driving at normal speed with your flashers on. call the police again, and tell them someone is trying to pull you over. the police will never tell you to stop. they will keep you on the line while they get marked cars to come to you. the police hate police impersonators. don't worry about it, in just a minute or two you'll see plenty of cars that are clearly the real police. if the unmarked that tried to pull you over is really a copper, they'll understand. calmly explain the situation, and the likelihood is very high that you'll be on your way in just a minute or two, at most. some people have a hard time with the next statement, but not me. when encountering the police on the street, make certain they're aware you're a nurse headed in to work. remember at the beginning of this post i mentioned the short staffing issues with police. just like nurses, no? the police have marked tendencies of positive interactions with nurses (although there are exceptions). plus the headache of dealing with stressful situations all day long. there are very few absolutes in life but here are two for you: never, never, never let anyone other than a uniformed police officer bind / restrict your hands in any fashion. if anyone tries, fight as if your life depends on it. because it does. how many times have you watched the news / read a paper / saw on the internet... "...the victim was discovered with their hands bound..." never, never, never let anyone force you into a car. getting forced into a vehicle always ends badly. no time here to be a lady. fight dirty, and i'm not talking about a kick between the legs. go right for the eyes and remember like i've said before... "if there's going to be blood on the floor, it won't be all mine." if you decide to carry pepper spray or oc, get to know a copper and ask them to get two small cans for you. the police issue stuff is generally more effective than the drugstore crap. burn one can in your back yard for practice. see how it feels in your hand...how far the spray goes. spray some on a piece of cardboard, let it sit a moment then get your nose real close, with your eyes open. you won't want to try it again, i promise. i hope i didn't startle you, but after the past weekend, i'm just nervous about what will happen when it's 90 degrees at 10:00 pm. i'm afraid chicago is going to suck...real hard. good luck, ladies and gentlemen. for all you young people, you're "all grown up now." stay safe.

You know, I tried to address a similar issue earlier. In My Opinion... All people (and Nurses especially) spend too little time training to deal with interpersonal relationships. No, I'm not talking about Dr. Phil. Why don't Nursing schools and healthcare facilities sponsor legitimate courses about: Dealing with grief. Dealing with PATIENT grief. Dealing with FAMILIAL grief. Dealing with YOUR OWN PERSONAL grief. Dealing with lateral violence. Good Lord, how many posts have we seen on this board about that subject? Abusive MD's. NO ONE WANTS to give a Nurse a clue about how to deal with THAT. I suppose you should just figure it out on your own...after a few years of experience and you're SO hard-shelled that you've given up 75% of your empathy...that same caring and empathy that brought to this very same noble career choice. What about situations where Nurses are thrown under the bus? A couple of posts ago I was PUI /blushes and raving about what seemed to be the mishandling of a Nurse. She / He got a Hit Job from some moron to a prospective employer over the phone. In MY world...if you didn't engage in violence / harm someone else...you verify dates / position / rate of pay only for VERIFICATION. Anything else (including "damning by faint praise") is the BIGGEST LAWYER MAGNET around. In YOUR world, you need to start DEMANDING QUALITY MANAGEMENT. Owning my own business, that's what I do everyday. Telling people what to do? That's the easy part. Convincing them to do the RIGHT THING for the RIGHT REASONS. Not so easy. Convincing someone who doesn't care (why don't they care - could be a legitimate reason). That's the real hard part. That's why I get paid the Big Bucks. (HAH!) As an ex-airline pilot, after a few high-profile crashes we started hard-core classes about Cockpit Resource Management (CRM). In other words, how does one challenge Captains' Authority? In the crash of Colgan 3407, EVERY pilot's nightmare came true. Although the investigation is still ongoing it "doesntlookgood". According to the Cockpit Voice Recorder, pilots violating the Federal Aviation Regulations. According to the Flight Data Recorder, pilots making simple, beyond explanation, basic airmanship mistakes. Sorta like a RN not knowing how to take a pulse. REAL BASIC SH1T. All those lives ruined. The pilots...they knew they screwed up, and when it was unrecoverable they realized their fate. At the last moment the female First Officer screamed. The pilots' families... The passengers...when the aircraft was upset, they were certainly alarmed; but by the time they realized it was hopeless, they were just a moment away from leaving this world. The passengers' families and friends. Then there was one person on the ground, in a home. Reports say it was a Man. Perhaps he was reading Chaucer, but he could've been watching Media on the internet. When it hit, he might've thought What The F, but in reality, he never thought beyond the first word in that question. Maybe he was really the "lucky" one, No? Dude NEVER saw it coming. Not a clue. Take Care of yourselves, Nurses. I apologize for being "doesntlookgood downer" on this post.

Hey Guys...thanks for your replies. Sorry that I startled you. There is a new posting that explains more detail. The board moderator jumped on me right away, and we had a nice personal email. Your education being a waste? No Way. When I reflect on my past experiences, the FIRST things that come to mind are all the positive things. Isn't that odd? One would think that the negative aspects would be First In Line, but No. "What's that ringing?" "It's the phone, the call is for you." "I don't want to answer. You pick it up and tell them I'm not here." Talking to other guys, you'd be AMAZED about how many Men regret not answering the call. Nursing/Pilot/Firefighter/Ski Bum/Rock Star/Own Business/Academia

Yo jesjay... The title of your post is rather profound. And your ability to express your thoughts belies your stated age. My prediction is that you'll be a GREAT nurse. Go Get 'Em! DLG

Hey Tweety: Thanks for the kind words! If you look in the Technology area of this board, you'll see members loading all sorts of Medical apps on their Palm devices / Smart Phones. That is a good thing, but don't forget about some music and maybe a game or three. If Nursing is anything like Aviation or Technology, there is a plethora of magazines / journals just waiting for your attention. Nurses especially, relish being at the "top of their game". That IS a good thing, but sometimes you 'gotta let up. Once in a while read something besides a trade publication.

Oh Boy, I really stepped in it this time. In my last installment of Don't Be Angry, I related an incident that was rather distressing. The story was true, but I am also guilty of neglecting to mention that the incident occurred 12 years ago. As a result, I inadvertently alarmed a number of members of this fine board, and I was subsequently contacted by a Moderator with their concerns as well. 'Ay Caramba! - Bart Simpson I wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere apologies for any distress I caused. I really wasn't trying to be dramatic, but I felt that the "epiphany" was important to the message. Especially for some of the younger board members. Nursing is HARD. Hard physically. Hard intellectually. Hard emotionally. Nursing takes its "pound of flesh" from its practitioners. When one works hard every day, day-in and day-out, the time passes quickly. The days turn into weeks, and the seasons come and go almost in a blur. Children grow in the blink of an eye (even your own children!). One day you turn around and find your kids don't want to go Trick-Or-Treating any more. Turn Around And They're Two Turn Around And They're Four Turn Around... They're Out The Door Remember how I mentioned the self-sacrifices most Nurses make? That's such a double-edged sword. It's what makes you different (and better) than most people, but left unchecked, it can also be your own worst enemy. Relentlessly sucking every last bit of physical / emotional / spiritual energy until there is simply no more to give. And one day you look in the mirror and say "WTF"? Remember the first of the "Three R's"? Respect For Yourself Get some balance. If you're walking down the street and feel you're in danger...you probably are. If you're sitting alone at home with a cocktail in your hand, and you think maybe you should ease up on the booze...you're probably right. If everything you do revolves around Nursing / Healthcare...so with my hat in my hands, and my eyes lowered I would like to offer the following advice. TAKE YOUR VACATIONS Even if you can't afford to go anywhere. Go to bed early. Wake up late. If you are desperate for money, get a side job with NO PATIENT CONTACT. TREAT YOURSELF RIGHT Do your best to take time to exercise, and eat right whenever you can. However, anecdotal evidence shows that occasional chocolate relapses can be a good thing. TRY TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE FRIEND WHO IS NOT A NURSE Try it...it won't kill 'ya. EVERYONE NEEDS A HOBBY Just make sure it's legal. GET ONE OF THOSE PAY-AS-YOU-GO CELL PHONES And tell your employer to use that as your only contact number. If no one else has the number and the phone rings, you'll know who it is. EVERY PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION THAT TOUCHES YOUR HANDS / EVERY APP ON YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE Doesn't HAVE to be about healthcare. In a previous posting I warned of offended sensibilities...here it comes: IF YOUR EMPLOYER IS TREATING YOU HARSHLY ON A REGULAR BASIS Look in the mirror and using the critical / logical thought processes you utilize every day at work, check your perspective. If after careful analysis, you're convinced that you're accurate, start looking for another employer. We all understand what is happening with the economy, but it will eventually turn. You need to be ready. If you're a woman...put your "big girl" panties on and get over it. If you're a man...Grow a Pair and Man-Up. When the economy turns, you need to be ready to pull the damned trigger. Your might have to leave your city or even your state. Start thinking about that, but in the meantime always provide the highest quality patient care you are able. If your employer is really crappy, if they are SO disrespectful of your intellect, your skill, your training, your CARE, your Quality Of Life. Then F-them. When the time is right, dump their azz like a soiled panty liner and never look back. Would you tolerate that treatment from a spouse or a lover? Remember the "First R". I have my own business. My name is on the door. Business is good, and things are going better than I imagined. I DO NOT take my customers for granted, not ever. I am ENTITLED to make a profit from my efforts, and my customers are ENTITLED to my best efforts for their money. Having said that however, I have had two situations where I've decided to terminate a relationship with a customer. Every encounter with them was negative...no matter what I did it was never good enough. I could walk in front of a commuter train and they wouldn't be satisfied. Those two customers are now... SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM Heaven love 'ya all. But I would NEVER date a nurse. HAH! DLG

Part III - And just like everything else in life, my little non-sensical rambling is almost ending (YAY!). Only a few more rants, and I'll leave you fine people pretty much alone. Did you ever look in the mirror, and wonder "Why Me"? Nursing, like Aviation is usually a calling...often it chooses you, not the other way around. Did you ever notice the personality traits most of you have in common? Perhaps you never noticed, or you might be too modest to admit it even to yourself, even in your most private moments. Nurses GIVE OF THEMSELVES FIRST and CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES LAST. *Sorry to shout* Think about your personal life...when you reflect, and take notes, I'll bet my next paycheck that YOUR needs (to say nothing of wants) came dead last on a regular basis. It happened in your personal life, your romantic life, and your academic life. Now it's happening in your professional life. Some Mental Health folks feel strongly that the sense of service and sacrifice has underpinnings in some type of compromised sense of self-esteem. I'm conflicted of whether they're "on to something" or they simply think TOO MUCH. However, it IS strange how open Nurses generally are to alternative ideas; yet raise the bar when they look in the mirror. Some people call that "elitism", but I disagree. I'm a pretty smart guy, with a lot of experience. I've taken my CPR class and I know basic first aid. That'll work in a pinch, but a new RN has FORGOTTEN more about A&P, to say nothing of healthcare than I know right now. Who would you rather have nearby when things "go south"? I thought so. When I lost my medical and finally accepted I would never fly again I had an epiphany. I looked at my first Pilots' Logbook. The initial entry was for my first lesson in a sailplane when I was 13. NINE full logbooks later, and my final flight...MD-80 MDW-DSM-MDW. 19,477 hours of flight time. My wife was away on business, so I went to our bedroom and while still wearing my clothes covered my head and with the baffled logic of a small child cried myself to sleep. The next morning when I awoke I was conscious for the length of a song and started to cry once again. Got myself settled down and decided to hit the shower...that'll work...I LOVE showers. Vomited 3X while in the shower. Like an airplane operating at the edge of its envelope, I'm in real danger here of spinning out of control. Plus there's a gun in the house. Now I'm afraid of MYSELF. Got dressed, grabbed some cash & house keys and started walking at 6:00am. Got back home 13 hours later. Saw things from a different perspective...made friends with a couple of dogs in their yards...actually stopped at a Tavern in the afternoon (never did that!) and had a couple of beers. I could have (and maybe should have) been angry at the sacrifices I made: The hopelessly shattered relationships due to my love affair with airplanes The astounding amounts of ca$h for sophisticated training The missed holidays (just like Nursing, No?) When I was young, and all my buddies were "hooking up", I was flying into BFE at O-dark-thirty. But after reflection: The sunsets and sunrises - unbelievable! The people I've met and spoken with - names anyone not living in a cave would recognize. The places I've seen, both on the ground and from the air. The people I've worked with...so much like Nurses. Sometimes really HARD on the outside (need THAT to survive!) but the sweetest / kindest people around. It seems like we're "kindred spirits". Fast forward to a few days ago, and I'm taking a walk. A woman approaches from the opposite direction, and she's wearing an American Airlines sweatshirt. I look her in the eye and we both slow. "Hey, you work @ American?" "Yep." "What do you do?" "I'm a pilot." "What equipment?" Her eyes narrow...the word equipment is key. "Mad Dog" "Eh. I medically-retired from the -80 at Midway." "Really..." Then she asks an arcane technical question about the airplane. Naturally I nail it, and we both smile. Stood there talking on the sidewalk for at least 20 minutes. We exchange business cards. And she looks at my card. "So you own your own business?" I smile... "I do." She looks at me... "Damn. Lucky You."

That's tough...at one time I was a pt. No matter which "side" you're on, the road is REAL rough. Nurses' typical innate ability of incredible levels of empathy are a hallmark of your calling. I know neither you nor your patient, but I am sitting quietly thinking of you both. Godspeed to everyone involved. NLG