wee_oneRN

This section worries me! Even though you are licensed to perform tasks out of the scope of a layman volunteer, you are not covered by the hospital's malpractice insurance. Please be very careful about the tasks you choose, and good luck with your job hunt.

I don't believe the link between economics and poor diet is that clearcut. I see many of these very same people with multiple electronic gadgets, hundred dollar cable bills, etc.. I think that education can still have a huge impact on helping families prioritize. You can still eat and live healthy on a tight budget. During my most impoverished period (starving student) I walked LOTS and ate 2-3 small, but mostly healthy meals. Couldn't afford cheetos and the other snacks I see provided daily to school children.

Try this site, several good, current journal articles came up. Posting from my phone, so you may have to type it in. Good luck! http://findarticles.com/p/search/?qt=pressure+ulcer+prevention+and+nutrition

I went to nursing school in my early 30's, and still managed to work full time. It's very do-able. There will be many people and esp instructors that will warn you how tough school and clinicals are. They will tell you that you cannot work at all. While this may be true for some students, it isn't universal. Nursing school is difficult and time consuming. What it really requires us determination. I hit many obstacles while in NS (husband had spinal surgery which put him out of work, lost our cars and home, I worked fulltime, then he moved 300 miles away for work without me, etc..) I maintained a b average and stayed determined to succeed. I also stayed away from the negative students. Starting your career in nursing is a great idea. Your age really isn't much of a factor, you will see all ages in school. Understand that it will take you several years to complete. You must finish pre reqs, apply and then there is the waiting list before you can even tackle the two years of NS. If you already have a college degree, there are better routes than getting your ADN, so be sure to do your research first! Good luck!

Congrats on your baby and new job! Try not to stress so much for the sake of your baby and your breastmilk. Your employer is legally obligated to allow you time to pump (at least here in ca). Even if you pump just 10 minutes 2 or 3 times during your shift it will really make a huge difference. I'm so sorry you lost your supply but you can still keep breastfeeding if that is your wish. Remember, your baby goes through periods of needing,more or less milk and your body has always adjusted. If your baby needs more milj after you get home from work, your body will tune into that. You are a great mom trying to provide for your baby and family. Don't feel guilty for going to work, you are a great mom!

Perhaps you need to research these med errors and find out what factors are involved so you know what needs to change. Are they happening at certain times of day, do they not match the original md order, is the nurse drawing up the wrong ml's, are mess being missed, are the incorrect dosages being prescribed, etc... Try to have a third-party handle the research, font penalize nurses for the errors or you may have difficulty gaining their honesty and participation.

Yes, next time shove a xanax down her throat and take away her call- light! *** sarcasm over.. your supervisor is either over-stressed and not thinking straight or an idiot.

Congrats!

It is very important to keep the floor as quiet and calm as possible. Imagine how you feel when you are sick at home and people won't leave you alone. Stress from extra light and noise do prolong healing time and increase risk for complications. For nicu babies, they can pop a lung from noise stress or get a fabulous brain bleed. I doubt anyone expects you to whisper during a code, but yelling down the hallway rarely brings them back to life either.

You did not do "nothing" for your pt. You were there for them and supported their right to choose quality of life over quantity. Your coworkers is seriously confused. Refusing medication (o2 is a med) is not suicide, its a legal and ethical right. Who are we to decide what is best for someone else's life? We are there to make sure they understand the consequences of their actions. It is always difficult to see someone die, or to start their journey. It is emotionally draining, but know that you have made the right decision to advocate for them in life and in death.

As someone already pointed out, your posts sound defensive. I would also add that you accuse allnurses of causing you to second guess yourself. Not so. You are an adult, no one is forcing you to click on the negative posts. There are plenty others to choose from. You say you know that you want to be a nurse, you don't need the approval of all the nurses on here. You will never get that in any profession. Set your goals and keep your head forward, you can succeed and love being a nurse. Just remember that you decide on your success and happiness.

I too, already had a Bachelor's before entering an ADN program. I would not call it a 'waste' as I am an RN making the same, and performing the same duties as BSN nurses. However, it was only after I was halfway through the program that I discovered I could have gotten my Master's degree in nearly the same amount of time. Please take some time to look at the direct entry Master's programs out there. You will become an RN during the program, and complete a MSN in about 3 years. I really wish I had known, I would have jumped at that chance. If I go back now, it will still take me another 3 years for a Masters.

I had plantar fasciatis while in nursing school, working full-time and walking was my only mode of transportation: Try icing your feet a couple of times a day, you can wear heel splints at night, always wear supportive shoes and buy new ones when the old ones get too stretched out, stretch your feet as much as possible, and keep off of them whenever you can! Good luck!

This is an often asked question, and unfortunately, one that no one can give a concrete answer to. It really depends on your state and on the particular facility. Many facilities do not want the liability of an RN working as a CNA. Nor to they want the temptation of staff using you as an RN while working as a CNA. However, I know that in the bay area, there are many foreign trained RNs and Physicians working as CNA's in LTC while they pass their boards here. So, you may want to try LTC or even Doctor's offices who would gladly hire you as an office MA for less pay than RNs make. ETA: If the facility is unionized, I would say the answer would most certainly be 'no', IMO.

You made a wise choice by calling in sick. However, you did not say whether or not you sought medical care during those times. If you are ill for more than a day or two, you should be going in to see your physician. Not only do you need the health advice, but a doctor's note is certainly a good tool to have to protect your job. Plus, you could be put on medical leave for the short-term if you need to to get yourself well. As rikomom suggested, you should definitely think about looking for stable day hours. Bipolar cycles can be triggered by fatigue.

Agreed. Plus, you are not likely to get accurate answers about sexual preference. Many people do not want that information out there. You are much more likely to get pertinent info if the question is framed in specific medical terms and does not sound like an intrusion of personal privacy!

The forms are usually more specifc, at least in CA. A pt can choose no CPR but still have limited treatment checked, which usually means no intubation but bagging and IV's for fluids, antibiotics are okay as well as any comfort measures. They may also choose whether or not they want to be transfered to a hospital. I have seen many people choose no CPR (no compressions) but check the full treatment box, which makes no sense as was already pointed out. But, if it makes the family feel better, then give all the stagnant meds you want!

Your baby is going to be protected by all of your antibodies! I'm still working, 10 weeks to go and my only complaint is back pain >. If you work with chemo or radiation frequently, I would maybe consider adjusting to a new dept or area, but otherwise, go for it!

I agree with other posters that have pointed out that ALL professions are experiencing this. Due to the economy, many, many people are looking to go back to school and boost their employability. Look at all of the internet schools, or fast-track programs available now. Even though it may be annoying to hear the naive talk about their nursing goals, understand that their is nothing wrong with having these goals. It's great to hear people wanting to further their education. You are so right that most will have a great shock when they hit nursing school, and will probably never make it to post-grad studies. That doesn't mean they should start wandering around complaining about how hard it is to become a nurse. I would much rather hear the blind enthusiasm.

In LTC: answer calls, admit new patients, resource for code blues, verify MD orders, follow-up on late labs, supplies, make sure charts and care plans are updated, resource for over-whelmed RNs, prep pt's for discharge, verify next day schedule, fill positions for sick staff, handle staff issues, push and hang IV meds for the floor (lots of LVNs in LTC), start IVs I'm sure there are many more duties! Basically, anything that the floor staff do not have time for as they pass their 1 million meds to 50 or so patients!

It sounds like you already spoke to the top two resources for your situation. None of us work at your hospital and know your position as well as your supervisors. What answer, exactly, are you still looking for? Personally, if you have the money, just bite the bullet and follow through at the ER. That way, you know for sure whether or not you have strep. If you go to work now, not only might you expose the babies to a potentially deadly infection, but the entire shift you will be thinking about your health instead of theirs. (Is my mask on, did I use enough sanitizer, what if i sneeze). You are stressing too hard on making a decision and sticking with it. Try to relax and use your critical thinking skills. Actually, you already did. You know you are at high-risk for strep right now and you don't want to expose the babies. You already called your supervisor. Now, you need to believe in yourself and your decision. It's good practice to check and double-check, but don't get so busy second-guessing that you can't follow through!

Yes and no. Pain medication takes time to work, esp PO pain pills. If you wait until your pain level is 6-7 to ask for the pill, you know it won't be as effective and you will be in tears before it truly gives relief. When I feel a migraine coming on, I immediately take a break, take some Tylenol and see if I can rearrange my schedule when the pain is still mild to moderate. I know that if I don't, if I just keep pushing through, I will end up unable to open my eyes, unable to think straight, throwing up and ready to bash my head into walls. At that point, all the Tylenol in the world won't work on me and I end up in bed for 2 days, miserable. I just try to remember that when I am giving a pain medication to someone in LTC who is still smiling. These people have felt pain I have never had to deal with, and I don't see any of them running to the corner to get their 'fix'. It's not like working with drug-addicts in the ER. Also, if someone is setting an alarm clock for a prn pain pill, why not just have the order changed?

I found that night shifts were bad for my health. Not long after I went on nights I started having terrible PVCs. Like, every 3 or 4 beats! After several tests and xrays, it suddenly occurred to me what the cause was. On days (mostly) now, and feeling much better! I sure do miss the extra pay though...

Keep it short, simple and polite. Don't play into guilt games. Don't be a floor mat or they will always use you as a floor mat. See how they have already knocked your pay down? Practice ahead of time. Learn to say the phrase calmly and matter-of-fact. I'm sorry, but I have a prior engagement. 'oh but no one else can...' I'm sorry, but I have a prior engagement. 'cant you reschedule? what will we do, oh oh' I'm sorry, but I have a prior engagement. 'okay, thanks, i'll call so-and-so' Edit to add: You are a good nurse with a kind heart, but you aren't the last nurse on earth. WHEN you say no, they will find someone else, or hire someone else. The world will keep on spinning! Say no, and take care of your health, too!

Most community colleges and adult schools offer CNA classes at far cheaper prices than $700. You can also take EMT courses at a community college for the ER tech position. You do not have to work in a hospital however, to be successful in nursing school. I worked full-time retail while in school, and let me tell you, I felt that I had far better customer service and time-management skills than many of my classmates. I was usually the first to have my charting done and my list of tasks ready. Yes, I was awkward during bedside care at first. But, that soon disappeared. Customer service skills are highly valued in the hospital setting now, and they just don't practice those in clinicals!