JaHazle

Well today was pretty exciting....I got the call that I have been accepted for the RN program!! I already have my LPN, but then there is a waiting list to go on to the RN program. This is the day that I have been anxiously awaiting for the last 6 months. Guess what?? I AM TERRIFIED!!! It is 3 am here and I can't sleep. All I keep thinking is work, school, kids, house, laundry, grocery shopping, bills.....etc., the list goes on. What if I can't handle it all, what if I don't pass. I am just a flippin' mess right now. I know, I know, you all are thinking quit worrying and go get some sleep. *laughing* geez I wish I could. I have tried to talk to my family and I get "Oh, you'll be fine". They are trying to help, but I guess until you have done it, it is kind of hard to understand. Thanks for listening to me "whine". Have a great day!!! :)

I am not a RN, just an LPN...but would be glad to tell ya about my day. We get there at 7:30 a.m., well most of us, except for the 2 nurses that are late every day that they work. Get report, do narc count, stock our carts. Then, set out to do my med pass usually by 7:45 or 8:00 am. While on med pass, I have skin assessments that have to be done, and vitals. I am usually done with med pass at about 9:30 but sometimes not until 10. Btw, there are approx. 38 pts. on each unit. After med pass, I go back and call for whatever orders I need, and reorder my meds. Then it is time to go do the accu-checks and give insulin coverage. Then I get lunch. Go back, do my afternoond med pass, along with whatever help the aids need. Go back look over my labs, call the docs to get orders pertaining to those, then try to nab a break. Then it is time for treatments then evening med pass. By this time it is usually 4:30 or so. Get finished with the last med pass about 6 pm. Do my charting (we only chart on certain patients everyday), put my I&Os in the book and by that time it is time to give report to the next shift. Hopefully I am out the door by 7:30. That is what a non-normal day is supposed to be like, however it never seems to work that way lol. Because a normal day is total chaos lol. Nothing too exciting just busy and there never seem to be enough hours in the day. Have a great and hopefully "unnormal".

What about Aids in the Aging?? or perhaps elderly abuse....these are 2 topics you don't hear much about but both exist....just a thought...goodluck

Of course there are 2 sides to everything and nothing is ever black and white. I have been on both sides of this story. I was as are many a recipient of medicaid...and also did clinicals in the ER. There were times that with that medical card, I couldn't even get a family physician. So, I guess I was one of those one labeled a "frequent flyer". However, for the most part I was treated with respect and dignity. Being divorced with three children to care for, there were many trips to the ER. Yes, sometimes over coughs, rashes, earaches...and such. Because, whether I had medicaid or not...when my children got sick, I got worried. As a nursing student we all know that abscence is not tolerated just because you have a sick child. So, after 4-5 days of the same cough just getting worse, yes, if needed they went to the ER. BUT...hats off to all of you ER nurses...now I am a self supporting nurse, with the ability to pay for health care and have a reliable physician who can see myself and my children. You ER nurses are the heart of the ER...usually the first and last people seen in a visit..and I thank you! :kiss

Thank you for your words CCU...and yes, maybe I did sound judgemental....maybe I am...who knows. The circumstance where the woman was given a PRN med...was this...she was close to death...little did we know, it was to be within days. She was saying she had no pain, and that she wanted to remain alert. The family way only backing up her wishes. The nursing supervisor took it upon herself to give morphine. Which as we all know decreases resp. function. I understand her reasons, however, I don't agree. The woman made a coherant decision, and the family did so as well. I just believe it should have been left at that. When I asked why she gave it anyway, I was told because it would help ease her into death. It was def. not my intention to be judgemental, only to state that I have an opinion. As far as chosing who gets meds. This came from a nurse who says when she is on her med pass and running late...alert and oriented only is her philosophy.

Thank you snowy for your advice. It is very much appreciated and I will take it to heart. BTW Barb...so you're saying just chuck it all in and give up. Hey hun, thanks for the encouragement. I bet you have a wonderful bedside manner. :)

Hi everyone....This is my first time here. I am currently a LPN working in a nursing home, trying to aquire my hours to go back for my RN. I chose the nursing home route because I figured it would be the quickest way to attain my hours. The only thing is...I absolutely hate it. Not the work, just the home. I love the residents. But I have on more than one occasion found myself wanting to tell a family member to take their loved one and run for the nearest door. Most of the staff is ok...but the care that the residents receive is horrible at times. We have nurses that pick and choose what meds are important and that is if they even pass any at all. We have nurses that give PRN meds even after the family has stated that they don't want them to have them. To be honest my first week there all I could do was wonder why I ever decided to become a nurse. The aide there run the place, they tell the nurses what to do and there seems to be nothing we can do or say about it, because the higher ups don't back us when we need it. SHHHHESH....I don't know if I am just expecting too much being a fairly new grad or if it is just the place itsself....someone please give me some insight because I am not sure at this point that I want to continue in the nursing field. I love being a nurse but I wanted to make a difference and all I feel I have time to do is pass pills and offer assistance with bowel movements....thanks for listening to me vent!!!