vintagemother BSN, CNA, LVN, RN

I am allergic to cats and dogs. But, after awhile, my immune system gets used to them. I think less than 3 months.

We staff only RNs for night shift. It is difficult, some nights, to say the least. When you might have 3 total cares and 2 needy pts... Our ratio is 5:1RN. Sounds nice but it can be hectic.

Gel nails may indeed be the answer. I, too, am a nail biter. I'm nearly 40 and I'm getting better at not doing it, but it's still a temptation. I wore gel nails in approved colors (clear, pale pink, French) super short in LVN school and as an LVN. RN...

This! ^^

I used to work in behavioral health. I loved it. I don't work there now, for a few reasons. 1) the pay is less than half (acute hospital union vs freestanding non union) 2) I want the experience in med / surg because it will allow more opportunities ...

When I have pts who admin has said need to be free of a sitter x24hrs; therefore I get an unsafe pt without a sitter or restraints: 1st, I consider the safety of the situation. I do think this during report. I start charting everything occurring so t...

I have worked in a SNF or 2 that wanted to increase census by allowing sicker pts with more needs than the staff was qualified / trained to work with. I think I understand your concern, CapeCod. I now work in an acute facility and have observed pts ...

Me, too! #NotItalian that I know of! I'm hairy!

I have gotten out of at least 2 tickets by showing I am a nurse / nursing student. One officer said "I think you know why I'm letting you off with just a warning." I said thank you officer, profusely. The other time he asked me to just make sure we t...

I was a single parent in nursing school. My child was older- elementary school. As long as you have good flexible daycare and are dedicated to working hard at being successful, you can do it! with regard to missing out on spending time with my son, I...

Learn to make small talk with them. If they enjoy talking about: kids, sports, recipes, weather, electronics, etc; be well versed enough to converse without intruding. Say, hi to everyone. Keep a smile on your face. You can do this!!!

I am a tactile kinesthetic learner. It was the act of "making the flash cards" that helped me to learn. I cut a 3*5 Card in half, used multiple colors (kinesthetic - the act of picking up different colors) to reinforce 1 idea. A single point might ta...

LTC/ALF: 45:1 Nurse. Nights 100:1 nurse. Psych LTC: 54:1.

This is a tough question for which I have no answers, only a few thoughts. I, too, was an older , 2nd/3rd career new grad almost 2 yrs ago. I also was concerned with issues such as pension, union rights, benefits and retirement plans. Therefore, whe...

Yes it is possible to get an acute hospital job in CA with an ADN.

I'm pretty sure LV/PNs can't give IV push meds...at least in my state. I'm a former LVN.

I recall a pt to whom I said this to. He reported me to the charge nurse. I ended up still assigned as his nurse. But I never went in his room again without a witness.

I feel like I live a very blessed life. I can buy healthy food and fun food. I was able to purchase a home as a single parent. I can afford to buy my kid at home the things he needs / wants. I can help out my college aged kids with miscellaneous thin...

Please describe your hospital (critical access rural hospital, community hospital, urban, Level 1 trauma, etc.). We are a trauma hospital Please describe your unit: Medical? Surgical? Specialty? IMC/Stepdown? I work Med-Surg What is your nurse to pa...

Sorry...but yes...I worked in various LTC settings as a vocational / practical nurse. In the ALF, I had 45 pts. In the long term Psych unit, I had >50 pts. In the SNF I had 25-35. It is hard, but doable. Observe your coworkers for ways to manage y...

Naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. Opioids narcotics obviously produce opioids, this is why it's prescribed for opioid addiction. However, additionally, the brain produces endogenous opioids for other reasons..for example whe...

I've observed that many (most?) people I work with don't want to be told anything. I, on the other hand, do want to know if I'm doing something wrong. My close friends at work and I have had conversations about this. We have vowed to eachother that w...

Some of my female coworkers have given other females shoulder rubs at work.

Quote: I have asked MANY people this question and would like to get additional input. When does one truly feel comfortable as a nurse? Does this vary depending on the person?? I know some people can catch onto the flow quite quickly, while others m...

I wipe a lot of arses... for those who can't do so for themselves. When I first got into this field, peoples comments bothered me, too. But I used to think...what if it was my mom or my dear grandma? I'd want someone to help me/them if I/they couldn'...