CherryAmes_RN

I didn't. I thought about it my senior year of high school, but was holding out on coming across something more... "Fun..." Yeah right. Became an aide @ 18, went to nursing school @ 22. 10 years in healthcare & can't see myself doing anything other than taking care of people. It's what I'm good at & it's a decent paycheck, provides benefits. Not fun, but I'm not complaining

Are you putting a dry dsg over the xeroform? What about securing with a bunch of large tegaderms?

Wow. Ok, I'm not going to parrot what everyone else has already wisely told you- it's starting to sound like you really don't want the advice that you came here seeking. I am going to answer the question you posted in all caps up there... YES. It will. I worked at a SNF for about 2 years, no hospitals wanted a new grad when I came out of nursing school. I learned some of the extremely valuable skills that you've been told you can learn in those settings. I could've advanced into management if I wanted to. I opted to start applying to hospitals instead. I was hired at my first interview- from my first application. Because I brought something to the table. I'm on a telemetry unit, I now float to ICU & also do charge when needed. And just putting this out there, I'm a diploma nurse. Do not presume that something will be of no value to you unless you truly know it's value.

For narcs I use a 3ml syringe to draw it up, draw a couple of ml NS from a flush unless they've got fluids going & then I just push slow into the lowest port without disconnecting. Cardiac meds I draw up with a 3ml but inject that into a flush after getting rid of the appropriate amount of NS and LABEL it. Of course flush-push-flush if it's a lock.

We have a 71 BMW R60/5... A few old Hondas in various stages of disrepair. I've been wanting to pick up a nice little scooter to ride to & from work in the nice weather.

Very sad to hear. Sending positive thoughts into the universe.

Nike shox, always. They're pricey, but I only wear mine to work & they last about a year.

Wasn't an actual CNA, but was an aide or 5yrs before becoming an RN. Not require by any law that I have ever heard of, some schools do require it as a prerequisite. Don't know a think about the University of Washington. I personally feel that every RN (or LPN) should work as an aide prior to becoming a nurse. It helps develop bedside manner, feeling comfortable with patients who are feeling- uncomfortable, gets you over the yucky stuff (the poop, pee, blood, wounds, snot, dying people, dead people, etc), builds "customer service" skills, familiarizes with medical equipment/devices, gives some insight on the day to day things that are important in caring for patients with certain disease processes, gets you used to the culture of healthcare, teaches you to be a team member... Nursing assistants recognize & are forever grateful for the nurse that will toilet or help someone with the bedpan, change someone/help them change someone, help reposition someone, empty that foley or colostomy, set up that dinner tray, if time provides- feed someone... The patients & families see it & appreciate it too. Rant over. One more thing though...depending on which area she ends up working, there might not be an aide to do these things. Many ICU's are primary care, meaning the nurse does everything. Good luck to your girlfriend!

Oils from the neck/hair break down the tubing over time.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Its crazy & its demanding & its sad & it'll make you laugh & want to cry. It gets easier with time and then you'll have a minute or two to sit with your patients & realize how truly awesome these little old ladies & gents are. And if its not for you, its not for you.

Before becoming a nurse I was an aide at 2 seperate MH/MR facilities. Many of the patients had pica, 2 of my 3 stories involve this: 1. Resident with colostomy would constantly pull off his bag. One day I went in to awake him & help him get ready for class. I found him sitting up in bed, picking undigested carrots out of his colostomy bag like popcorn. 2. Two residents sitting on couch next to one another. Resident A has a large emesis, and as I get up to assist him, Resident B reaches over, grabs a handful of it, and slurps it out of his hand. 3. Female resident in her 20's would be inc. of BM, while on her menses & fingerpaint with the "mixture" on the wall, bed, and in her braids. 4. In clinicals on med surg, I go to do my very first solo dressing change. Remove bandages, maggots fall off of this mans leg, he proceeds to tell me that they "came from home." At this moment, his doc enters room & I ask him about it. He tells me to leave them in the wound bed. (I know that they are used for wound therapy, but really? How about getting some lab bred, sterile maggots!) I've seen a lot of gross stuff, but those are the only stories worth telling. Cheers!

mmm- sarris. i dont like crocs, but ill eat em all.

well im a little late in the game but ill share too anyone bipolar? why yes, yes i am. i was diagnosed with BP II at 18. i went through hell as a teenager, starting @ age 12. i saw a total of THIRTEEN different psychologists & psychiatrists. not a single one would listen or take me seriously, wouldnt take my very extensive family hx of MI into account, wouldnt even look @ my "mood journals" (that they suggested i keep) so i went in & out of doctors offices, refused to go, took the meds they threw @ me- the wrong meds for this disorder & also for my age & size (10mg valium QID for a 100# 13 y/o? ok!) that made me sicker & quit taking them everytime on my own, making me physically sick. finally, i found a doc that would listen, she diagnosed me & started me on depakote. it worked, i felt better, quit going. felt bad again, went back &/or found new doc because i was embarrassed... repeat as necessary x2yrs. finally i had enough & accepted that i needed help. now, i take my meds (depakote & PRN restoril), i go to my appts., i take care of myself & try to keep stress from getting to me. i have started to have anxiety like i havent experienced since i was a teen- im not quite sure why, but its something ill be addressing quite soon. i still have verymild cycling but its managable. my brain is not "normal," nor will it ever be & thats fine. im stable & im not a zombie, works for me. im not embarrassed, ive talked to a few people @ work about it... its not something i feel the need to disclose to an employer. i wouldnt have a problem to bring in a doctors "clearance" if an employer asked but i honestly dont think its any of their business. quite honestly, my IBS would effect my work performance 100x more than this ever will

yess, i have an unhealthy relationship with caffeine of all sorts... coffee, tea, sugar free red bull & diet pepsi. sorry, kidneys. since ive started my 1st nursing job, ive become a java monster & also require it on days off before doing anything involving interactions with other human beings. my tastes arent complicated... coffee @ home or gas station coffee? 16oz with soymilk/3 creamers & splenda. caribou coffee, starbucks or a local shop? venti/large cafe latte with soy milk & splenda. i am a big fan of a soy chai tea latte, but not to get me going. :heartbeat :hotchocolate:

I think I'm going to go into nursing, but I am hardheaded. no, this wouldnt be a problem in the nursing field. provided that you would be able to work as a team member. in the field (just as on this forum) when you ask for advice/opinions from a seasoned nurse, then become upset because you dont like their advice, it will blow up in your face. it shows a lack of willingness to learn, as well as a lack of respect. On the job, I have to be told more than once to do things, my attention to detail is not that strong. I tend to make mistakes, though not fatal errors usually. Do you think this might be a problem in the nursing field? I like to cut corners and do things that are easiest for me instead of going by policy. yes, all of these attributes would be a (huge & dangerous) problem in the nursing field, as well as in nursing school. instructors dont "pick on" weak or "different" individuals. they get paid to educate individuals & prepare them to become nurses... they will not ignore the fact that someone is resistant to education & guidance, unwilling to put forth the effort to pay attention to detail, cut corners & therefore makes mistakes (which in nursing could quite easily equate to fatal errors) nurses are responsible for paying attention to detail and doing the right thing the right way. if thats not something youre capable of, or willing to change about yourself, then no... nursing is not a good career choice for you.