Sarah G

I kinda think some of the stigma r/t mental illnesses has faded & people are more open & willing to talk about their problems. Choices for antidepressants have improved & with less side effects. This is an interesting thread, thanks for posting.

Greetings, Hi, Been in similiar stuff too. It's hard being away from your main support people in a new & challenging situation. Are you in a city, town? Maybe you could look for groups in your area with similiar hobbies? Low maintenance pets are good idea. I love my cats. Is there anyone at work that you'd feel ok with hanging out with? Some other possible ideas are going to parks, museums, coffee shops etc & just talking to people that seem interested in some of the same things you are (Being a quiet person myself, I know thats really hard). Maybe you could walk around your neighborhood & meet a few neighbors & just say hi. best wishes.

Stick to your guns.

I was a phlebotomist for 16 years and I definitely love healthcare, but I think I would be happier in a different type of position. I want to get at least a bachelors but I think I want to do something other than BSN. Maybe you could find something along that area. At my hospital there is an IV therapy team, they pretty much go all over the hospital getting labs & placing IVs in the more difficult pts that unit nurses couldn't get.

Contact your state's board of nursing & check to see if they'll have any information on refresher courses. Review your materials from school & concentrate on head to toe assessment. Good luck.

I've applied & interviewed for the same area twice. First time was still in nursing school & applied for CNA position to Myleosuppression/Oncology unit. The second time, after graduating & had 6mo RN experience. Both times wasn't offered position, but I felt that I had to try b/c interest in that area. It can't hurt anything to reapply. I just considered it interview experience. Maybe you could call interviewer & let them know you're still interested. Good luck to you.

Sex on the job... actually kinda gross if you think about it. Remember Microbiology? Hospitals aren't the most sanitary of places.

Could you try another position in your hospital, such as nurse aide or something? That way you could probably get a better idea of what goes on in nursing.

Do you really need the money? If not then I'd recommend keeping your schedule/life as it is for now. I worked full time through nursing school b/c needed the $, health insurance & etc. It was pretty rough at times, esp the last year of the program b/c content became way more in depth. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Sure, I wear some makeup at work...usually just foundation & lip gloss, sometimes not depending on time, if I feel like it etc. Its fine to use however much you want to. As for hair, its usually in a ponytail.

Hi all, Just wondering what other folks do when a patient instead of nurse. Do you introduce yourself to other nurses as a nurse yourself? Why? How do you go about doing it without making another nurse potentially uncomfortable?

It'll come eventually. Depending on the pt population such as elderly, children, new moms etc; just talk to them like you would if they were your grandparent, niece or nephew, friend etc (not in an inappropriate way though!). I started off in elderly population & am a quiet person but began to think of my pts as grandparents; not my grandparents but someone else's. After getting to know pt's family members could kinda see how their families work, it's been a pretty neat learning experience. Eventually, you will find what works for you.

One of my former employer's plan of action for earthquake was to run outside & to help w/recovery afterward.

I recently gave my notice & my nurse manager asked where was i going? I just figured she's curious & wants to know so I just told her. Plus we had went to school together so i don't believe she had any nefarious plans in mind. Honestly, I don't think anyone's NM is usually bent on making anyone miserable for leaving a position...that'd take to much effort. More likely NM has to evaluate if shifts in staffing are a problem & why.

Why does it matter to you what other ppl put on their license plates. Do you sit in a lot of slow moving traffic?