findingmywayRN

Hi, I'm just interested in seeing where nurses have taken (or started) their careers if they aren't working in direct patient care. I love my patients, but after nearly 10 yrs at the bedside, I'd like to find out what other paths nurses can take. Thanks:)

Thanks for the great links!

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'm interested in learning about what kinds of telecommuting nurse jobs there are - and most importantly how to find these postings. I've had 5 yrs of acute physical rehabilitation nursing and am looking for new opportunities. If anyone telecommutes I'd appreciate hearing the type of work you do, and how you made this transition. Thank you!!:)

Can I also ask here how does your unit staff for 12 hr nurses? Where I work the 7a to 7p nurse gets an assignment and whoever follows them at 7 pm picks up their assignment and carries this through on the night shift. Unfortunately, these 12 hr night nurses assignments change constantly even when they come in for 3 or 4 days in a row because they always follow the day 12 hr assignment. This is just how it's always been done. This can make for long night shifts when the staffing goes down, and if your 4 hr eve shift assignment was on the heavy side. Plus I'm a believer in consistency and getting down a routine with treatments, meds, etc. Also, the 7p nurse is very likely assigned an admission or picks up an admission that has come in on evening which most likely isn't done yet. Many times I've signed off admission orders that have been sitting in the chart for hours right after getting my report on my assignment. This can make for a chaotic 8pm med pass for sure.

I honestly didn't even know there was such an acuity system - at least how it relates to a nursing assignments, anyway. Must be it is done primarily for staffing of the unit only (FTE's etc.).

Glad to see I'm not the only one trying to fix a broken system. Hopefully this discussion will find answers for everyone!

Although possibly time consuming, this is really a great way to not only make fair assignments, but back up assignments as fair when questioned. Also this gives the charge nurse a good overview of the floor acuity - something not always known by everyone.

I'm curious to see if other charge nurses have some sort of strategy for ensuring (to the best of their ability) that the assignments made for the nurses are fair in terms of acuity, time factors in care, treatments (tube feedings, straight caths), incontinents, emotional/psych issues, etc. If anyone can post what works best for their unit or institution I'd be very happy to hear it. Currently, it seems our assignments often have no rhyme or reason: sometimes entirely light or rediculously heavy. I'd like to find a system to bring to our unit that will ensure a fair assignment is more than the opinon of whoever made the assignment. Thanks:)

This is some great advice! That nurse must have been a great person to learn from:)

9.) Pee when you can, never know if your going to get another chance! 10.) If you don't know, ASK! I use this advice every shift!!

I was just thinking back to the advice and wisdom I'd received over the years and laughed at how true so much of it was! Can anyone post the best nursing advice they've been given here? Here are some of my favorites: 1. You control the room, the room doesn't control you 2. The best doctors are the ones who listen to nurses 3. Always trust your instincts 4. Never suction anything with your mouth open Anyone else?

hi lisa, what types of products are you refering to? medical devices or general ideas? are these ideas patented or patentable? many manufacturers are open to product suggestions - but many are also reluctant to sign non-disclosure agreements to protect themselves in case they were already working on a similar idea. these companies may request a "non-confidential" descriptions of your idea. this basically means using only the most extremely vague terms - in a way which no one could possibly imagine what your product could be or look like. you still always need to be very careful, not to disclose too much. using a lawyer is recommended to set up agreements on what to discuss, etc.

The only true protection of intellectual property is patenting. Copyrighting is for written work - not establishing legal protection of intellectual property. In fact, mailing yourself an envelope is not legal proof of anything - what if you sent the envelope unsealed and put in the information later? Inventors must go to great lengths to ensure that their inventions are protected - patenting, always using a Non Disclosure Agreement, and having a lawyer assist you in the negotiations with whomever you would like to speak with about your product.

Hi, Have any nurse entrepreneurs here started their business after receiving funding? Does anyone know if there are any business/associations/agencies/angels that look to provide funding to nurse-owned businesses? Thanks, Sarah

Hi Everyone, I haven't checked my original post in a while. I'm glad there is such an interest in nurse inventors! I am a nurse inventor. I've invented many medical devices, as I'm always inspired by problems I come across in my job as a nurse. Looking for ways to improve things or making something "better, cheaper, faster" is a good place to start when looking to create an invention. I must tell you that although some people may have a genuine interest in your product there are also untrustworthy companies out there, too. You always have to be very careful to protect your invention, or "intellectual property." A non-disclosure agreement won't stop a company from working around your device or patenting it first before you do. That is why it is so important to work with a patent attorney to protect your ideas! If you have any other questions about inventing or nurses creating products please post your questions here and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. Good Luck! Sarah RN, BSN