pumpkinpatchquilter

Wow, I'm amazed as well that this person still has a job. Does his superior realize that it is illegal to break into someone's email? This is an act that has and could be taken to court. Especially if he is attempting to tarnish your reputation and cause you to lose your job, or effect your reputation among your coworkers/employer. I would have a calm and professional, yet serious talk with your superior. If the matter isn't resolved and this kind of behavior continues, I would take a hard look at who your working for and possibly reconsider your employment there. Depending on how far your employer allows this to escalate, a talk with a lawyer may also be in order.

Exactly my point Tweedles. Thank you for your kind response. I have been to the WHO's website, and didn't they begin making the vaccine in something like, May of this year? My child's school has already sent home a letter saying that in about two weeks, towards the end of October, they will be offering the vaccine at clinics held all around the county. My point is that, they are still unclear as to whether thimerosal may cause autism, which according to the FDA's website was introduced as a preservative in vaccines in the 1930's. Even though they make thimerosal free vaccines now, there is nconclusive answer of yes or no, as to whether thimerosal actually does or does not cause autism. (I should add that the FDA website also states that recent studies do not seem to support the thimerosal/autism connection.) So if nearly 80 years after the first use of thimerosal, we are still unsure if it could be harming our children, how can we trust a vaccine that is less than a year old? Thimerosal isn't really what I'm getting at though. I'm just a little nervous at this stage in the game, with such a new vaccine. I have to be honest though, I'm leaning towards having my children vaccinated. But that doesn't mean that I'm completely confident in the safety of the vaccine either. It's kind of a situation where I feel like I need to choose the best of two relatively unknown outcomes. Another concern for me is adjuvants, which one pharmaceutical company is using to stretch the vaccine farther. From what I understand, and maybe I'm wrong, is that the FDA has never approved a vaccine containing adjuvants before. I don't know if these are to be in the vaccines that will be available to my children in a few weeks or not. Still, much of this is new territory, for me and for the country, so yes, I have reservations. I do appreciate your thoughts - and your respect for mine. :)

I think the issue is, that there HASN'T been any study that links this vaccine to complications, because it's only been in existence for something like six months. You're right, the vaccine is said to be made exactly like the seasonal vaccine, however, we don't know what kind of reactions people could have to the actual antigen being in our bodies. Being a new virus we don't know WHAT it's capabilities are, or how our body will react to it, dead or alive. Another issue I see is quality control. Ever notice when you type too fast you get more typos? This vaccine has been pushed out to the public, and will be given in MASS numbers never seen before, in time frame of only months. Surely, with things moving that fast, there is the increased possibility for errors. I think it is wise to be cautious. I'm still on the fence, as I have two daughters, a 4 and 7 year old. The issue for me is not as much about the H1N1 that currently exists - but the mutation that it might become. I am aware that if H1N1 mutates the vaccine very well may offer no protection at all, but maybe it will? Maybe people who had the vaccine will fight better a more virulent strain of H1N1, if one develops. I just don't know. Of course I don't want to get caught up in the hype. However, even if a small percentage of people who become sick have complications, I sure don't want either of my daughters to be in the minority. Same with the vaccine. It's such a tough decision, I can't blame ANYONE for their choice, whichever one they make...and I don't really don't think it's fair to judge people for their choices either. There are LOTS of reasons TO get the vaccine, and LOTS of reasons not to. Both sides, in my opinion, have completely valid points. That's what makes this such a tough decision for many of us.

I do the flashcard thing too - I'm taking a general biology class right now as a prerequisite to Anatomy, and the actual act of writing the terms down on the flash cards helps me tremendously. I have a feeling, when you get the chance to go back over and review your cards, you might remember more than you thought you would. I try to write what I need to remember, use it in a real life scenario, and even though my Professor gives us prewritten study guides, I still write the things he goes over in class because that helps me remember. Oh - and another thing, I bought a digital recorder and tape my more intense classes, that helps A LOT. The second time I hear a lecture I pick up things that I didn't the first time. Good luck!

Thank you all so much for all of the advice and really motivating words! You have truly helped. Things are going well so far and I'm gaining some confidence. I'm only spending about an hour, sometimes two, studying to keep up. I'm shocked at the homework and amount of information that is covered in such a short period of time - and these are supposed to be the easy classes! Lol* But things seem to be sticking in my brain somehow, and I'm optimistic that once I'm in the actual nursing program I will manage a way to get through it all.

Kent State Ashtabula branch in Ohio has no waiting list, because they accept students twice a year. Students are accepted based on GPA first though, so you gotta keep those grades up. As far as an entrance exam, I actually don't know for sure, but I would imagine there is one. Right now I'm just praying I can make it through the prerequisites. Lol*

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I really needed them. I'm all up in it at school now! Stressing a little about the GPA thing but I'm just going to study until I can't study anymore. Lol*

Just another note about getting into the classes - don't forget that some of the prerequisites are not only for Nursing but other health fields like Radiologic Technology or Respiratory Therapy as well. To take it even farther, with the competitiveness of the field, lots of people will apply, but many will not continue on. You may find yourself in the program much sooner than you think.

To be quite blunt, which nurse would you like assisting your Doc during surgery? The one making $32 an hour or the one making $8? Have you noticed the trend with jobs where you make only a few dollars an hour over minimum wage? The turnover rate is outrageous. People can't live off of that long term so they will move on to something else with better pay. Not to mention - who's going to pay $60,000 and up for nursing school to make $8 an hour? I sure wouldn't. I can tell you the biggest reason there is such an enormous waiting list for the classes at so many schools, is because people know the potential there is to make a good living...and that is as it should be. I believe wholeheartedly that any health care position where a persons life is in your hands should be competitive to get into and adequately paid. EMT's for example, don't make nearly enough as it is, IMHO. If it were as easy to get a job as a nurse as it is to get a job at McDonald's, and they pay wasn't much different, then health care would be in for a whole world of trouble incomparable to the issues it faces now.

Oh how awful. I'm a pre-nursing student as well and I do not look forward to witnessing this kind of pain. I have two daughters, and there is NOTHING that I fear more, than something happening to them. At the same time, I think God calls on people to work in the medical field to not only save lives of those who are dieing, but to save the lives of their loved ones too. I pray the Lord never takes my children from me, but it would be worse to be all alone with the most terrible news a person could hear.

Amen! I'll tell ya what, I think everyone has spoken their mind and regretted it instantly...or soon after. I am a pre-nursing student but I can attest that this kind of workplace politics happens everywhere. My suggestion, for what it's worth, if anything, is if you want to keep your job, let it go. Do what you can to salvage your relationship with your Director because to advance or move on to another facility you'll need to be in good standing with this person, and think about things from their perspective. To them, you may look like a new nurse with a bit of a chip on your shoulder who thinks they can run the place better than them. If you were in a position of authority, how would you take your actions? It is VERY difficult to keep things impersonal, it's just not human nature. The workplace, professional or not, is very much a social environment where people work together for a common goal. From your DON's perspective, your talking to other employees and going above her head may look like a personal attack. Understand that there are going to be these types of situations no matter where you work, and the best way to stay out of all the mess is to choose very carefully when and who to speak your mind to. I would say you were appropriate to bring up concerns at this lunch if that was what the purpose of the lunch was, but I would leave it there, in the meeting, and let the VP take it from that point. Just because you don't see change immediately doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Often times these issues are tied up in red tape, and it can take a very long time to resolve them. The damage has been done at this point, but a face to face sincere conversation can make a world of difference. Just because this person used email doesn't mean you should retaliate with another email...that just adds fuel to the fire. Have a private meeting with this person, explain you are a newer nurse with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, and you didn't mean to step on any toes, you just thought you were helping by trying to get some issues resolved. Ask your DON what she thinks you can do to make things better. Work with her instead of what will be seen as against her, and you will have a better chance of making a positive impact. Remember to give those with seniority to you the respect they have worked very hard to earn, because they will treat you better in the long haul for it. Some day you may be in their shoes, and think carefully how you would want your employees to treat a situation like this. Good luck to you!

I am starting prereque's on Tuesday, and I can't say that I'm not getting a little nervous! I have two daughters, one 7 and the other will be 4 in December. I've been a SAHM to them for the past 5 years, and I'm very involved with their lives. I've explained to the PTO at my daughter's school, which I am second in charge of, that I am going to be going to school and may have to make some sacrifices for my education, but plan to continue to be as much apart of it as I can. My biggest fears are missing out on my youngest's firsts...in preschool they have so many programs and events that are a HUGE deal to them, and I want to be there for her just like I was with her sister. I love them so much, I hope I am making the right decisions, at the right times. I hope I can do this. It's been an awfully long time since I was in school. I cannot fail at this point, my family is making so many sacrifices for me to be able to do this. I know not everyone here is religious, but I truly am putting all my faith in God at this point. I feel like he's lead me down this path, making the impossible all of a sudden possible, and things are falling into place. I'm just doing all I can to mentally prepare myself, and of course, doing LOTS of praying! Anyone have any encouraging words or advice? Did you have personal struggles and obligations while you went to school? How did you manage it? Were you able to be there for your kids?

I'm sure it happens but Lord I hope not in any of my classes, or else I'm in big trouble! Not that I'm a slob or anything, but I've got two school age kids and now am attempting school full time, I haven't had time for primping and makeup for years now. Lol***

I don't work at a hospital - yet - but something tells me that vomit and other bodily fluids aren't a turn on. Maybe that's just me?

I can't answer this question as it pertains to your particular situation, as I'm beginning school this fall as a pre-nursing student. But what I can share with you, is that my experience has been, no matter what field you work in, there will always be someone there to make you feel small. I'm an absolute quilt addict and involved with a number of quilt guilds, and there are many women there who make me feel unworthy and unwelcome. I'm second in charge of my daughter's PTO, and again, there are those there who give me a difficult time. Every job, every organization, every school I have ever been in, there has always been someone. In my opinion, there is one clear and simple solution to getting past the insecurity that I feel when others look down upon me - study up and be so confident in myself and my own knowledge, that no one's opinions can shake me. That is not to say act arrogantly...but if you are completely sure and confident of your part of your job, and whatever it is you need to know about theirs, it won't matter what kind of attitude those ICU nurses give you. Know that no one can allow you to feel small without your permission - if you have done what you are supposed to do, to the best of your ability, then the problem is not yours to be troubled over. Good luck to you!