Rob09sfa

The best thing you can do is Orient yourself using APIC (Assocation of Professionals in Infection Control). This is a national organization and they are the ones who set the standards (along with the CDC) for Infection Prevention and Control nursing. They have a ton of websites devoted to begginners and will lay things out for you step by step. Also another big task to check out is NHSN (National Healthcare Safety Network). This is the goverment (part of the CDC) and they mandate that all hospitals report certains numbers monthly such as CLABSIs (Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections), VAE/P (Ventilator Associated Event/Pneumonia), SSI (Surgical Site Infections) & and CAUTIs (Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection). I have been doing IP&C for 2 years now and it has taken me about that long to really get a good grasp and feel and to know where to utilize my resources. I work in Panama City Florida for a 300 bed hospital. You can always reach me anytime during the week if you have further questions at 850-747-6422 and I will be more than happy to help you out. Another big task for infection control is the Infection Control Annual plan which consist of risk analysis and summaries of performance improvment projects which will get the hospital to its goal of having the least amount of infections possible. Welcome to Infection Prevention & Control. This job is full of mountains to climb, hills to run, and rivers to swim through however its very rewarding and you will learn a ton of knowledge about nursing in general. Greg Infection Preventionist

Here is a question based off of this conversation. Is there a difference in having a BSN vs ASN/ADN. Both are RNs so I didnt know if its like that there as here in the states, an RN is an RN is an RN. Thanks

Here in TX our CNAs draw the blood usually but if they are busy and it needs to be done then it falls back on us....its kind of a team effort....as someone said before this is showing to be more cost effecetive for hospitals and of course anything to save a buck!!!

I am an LPN in FL and i hate it....however i moved from TX where i was an LVN ( same as LPN) and loved it....i get paid more in FL though....I hate being an LPN for the simple fact that i do not have many options....if i could i would have gone to RN school first but at that time i couldnt do it....but i am glad for all of my experience regardless and am fixing to go to RN school...as someone else said before it depends what state you are in....but if i were you i would def go RN if you can....if not then do LPN cause its better than nothing and you get to be a real nurse no matter what and get experience. Good Luck with your Decision!!!