mtnmom

oops I posted it twice

I am an Emory alum, and although I am paying off student loans, I got a wonderful nursing education there. They did an especially good job in preparing me for the MSN program that I am now in (unfortunately with a kid on the way to college I couldn't afford to do that MSN at Emory and encumber more loan debt). As a previous poster mentioned, there is a lot of money available for scholarships. I almost did not attend because of the cost, but was encouraged by a professor at GPC who told me "if your family can't afford to buy a building then they consider you needy"...that made me feel a lot better, and I ended up getting a large portion of my program paid for by academic scholarships and endowed grants. I am not familiar with CHANCES...but NEAT I know a little about. That, as well as the tuition reimbursement for employees, carries some tax ramifications...they essentially go back in at some point and tax it as income! Supposedly that is due to IRS regulations but at the time I went through my husband was self-employed and I thought that was just a little scary. So I actually was offered NEAT but turned it down for those reasons...but got other aid. But if you have any designs on proceeding to graduate level work in the future, then I would wholeheartedly recommend Emory. The instructors really care about the students too. That really does make a difference.

that child needed to be in the ER hours ago. I pray she did OK. Sounds a lot like a case we had in our ER a few weeks ago. young girl in from out of town for an event, in on Friday for high fever, dx FUO (fever unknown origin), sent home. Back in on Saturday with continued high fever with the onset of mental status changes much like you describe. She was transferred to a local pedi facility where she was quickly given spinal tap and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. (yes, we all had to get prophylaxis). she was critical for several days but I have not been able to learn an eventual outcome. That would be one instance where I would say, go directly to ER!

33 88 50 33 Infp

Last night I had a pt who, while telling me about all his prior surgeries & injuries, told me that he played in the NFL for 12 years. Now, I am a HUGE football fan, so I did ask him who he played for, what position and what college he had played for, but nothing else. He also volunteered that his son currently played in the NFL, told me what team and what college he had attended. The man certainly fit the profile of an aging NFL player...enormous in stature, with lots of "bling". And where I work, it is not out of the question to run into famous athletes, recording artists, etc. So I really didn't give it a lot of thought. He got the same level of care as did the homeless guy in the next bed....I treat all my patients with the same level of care and respect. Anyway, today I decided to do a quick web search...I was interested to see what kind of stats this guy had, what kind of player he was in his prime. Can you say PHONY???? none of the info checked out!!! even about his son!!! I've been told many lies in my lifetime, and in the big scheme of things this one is harmless, but did he really think that he would get better care or more attention? I wonder how many people totally misrepresent themselves in such situations?.

http://www.cbs46.com/Global/story.asp?S=5473158 (CBS 46 News) -- A CBS 46 Investigation has discovered approximately 2,000 disabled children that have been kicked off Georgia's Medicaid program in just the last 18 months.

well, then I need my own chapter in a theory book somewhere. because that is what I live and breathe by....by necessity.

zenman is right. just relax and try to go with the flow.

OK, glad to hear you guys are doing well. hang in there. pm me if I can ever be of help, although I'm sure a lot has changed subce 2000.

not so much that, as it just takes me longer in general to get going. My stalling and delays come up front with a lot of teeth-gnashing about how to get started and approach the project. Once I get started, I usually am on a roll, well, at least sort of (I edit a lot while I am writing) When I am actually writing, I don't take "internet breaks" because they disrupt my train of thought. I find a good radio station to put on in the background and have it playing at a reasonably low volume, and I write...my only breaks are potty/drink breaks or breaks that happen because of other responsibilities, etc.

thank you! I was not familiar with this, but intend to program ICE into all of my family's phones. I am going to suggest it to other family members as well.

I have never encountered "writers block" of the variety and the severity of the type that I have to deal with in my MSN program. ARRRRGH! I am one that is never at a shortage for words....that is, until now.

I wonder if any of you know of a website, cookbook or just have anecdotal info about what foods a chemo pt. might be able to tolerate well or even actually enjoy. I have a family member starting therapy for lung Ca with taxol, or something related to that, and carboplatin. I know from my research that any of the platinum based chemos are infamous for having nausea as a side effect. Anyway, I would like to help them out with some meals over the next few weeks and need ideas. I remember another family member some years ago did well with potato soup during her chemo - any other ideas out there? ps if it matters, she is a young mother with husband and two small children, so I am looking for things that would be good for the family but not offensive to her also.

For weeks there was all sorts of lively banter between a group of you that were starting Emory's BSN program....now that school has started not a peep from any of you. I'm just wondering how you guys are doing and how you like it so far. I know that the first few weeks are overwhelming, though. ps. does that one professor still do his fishbowl thing in Pharm?

I think what the OP was asking of all of us was to examine our own behavior and not be party to such "lynchings" of fellow nurses (whether graduate or experienced). At least that's the gist of what I took from the OP's post. We all should remind ourselves as well, that the blame, if you will, for any med error - more often than not, is a system problem...could be staffing issues, orientation issues, pharmacy issues...seldom is an individual nurse totally to blame. (I really hate that word blame). anyway, let's please show this kid some support. we need all the fresh faces we can get! While I am on my soapbox I will take it a step further and state that gossip of any kind at the nurses' station, out loud for all to hear, is unprofessional. It's only human to raise an ear for salacious tidbits, but do you really think patients and their families want to hear that garbage? Can you really guarantee, even at 3 am, that they do not? How would you feel as a patient or a family member if you heard a conversation about ANY nurse making a huge med error? Be thankful that I have to leave for an appointment...otherwise I would have more to say on this issue. peace

I can usually find 2 or 3 minutes for a quick pee. Being in my mid-40s and having had children, I cannot afford the risk of toting around a full bladder:rotfl: If it ever is an issue I can always get someone to cover 2-3 minutes for me. That's where teamwork comes in...and that little thing called the Golden Rule. As far as feet...I am still looking for shoe nirvana. Most of the time I wear my Crocs, and do like them. wish i could afford some new Birkenstocks!

have an "discharge team" a float nurse or nurses, depending on the size of the unit(S). (and they could help with admits too) Make staff understand that it is a 24/7 job and to take advantage of "teachable moments" to get some of the d/c instruction out of the way. Lastly, involve case mgmt and other disciplines to make sure that everything is in place for the person to go home... Make sure that the person has a dependable means of transportation home. Don't wait until they are signing d/c papers to do this. Just ideas...but the most important issue is teamwork.

whatever path you eventually choose, none of your education thus far, nor your life experiences, will ever be wasted. My suggestion, like many other posters have said, is to stick out this semester...learn all you can...even if you do not stay in nursing the knowledge gained can be useful to you in real life. Plus...you may have an attitude adjustment along the way. The first semester of nursing school is tough, and can challenge even those with strong resolve. I would also take a truthful look at what else is going on with you and possibly draining your emotional energy. Relationships, unresolved feelings about your family member that you cared for, etc....Psych is not my specialty, but I have enough life experience to have learned that too many drains on your emotions can leave you questioning everything and being happy with nothing. Just a thought. Wherever you end up, good luck and many blessings.

I think that my "roles" class is going to be great....only problem I am having is that I STILL do not have a preceptor!!! The individual that agreed to do it previously has bailed...saying that she had another student that she was precepting from another school that she "forgot about" when agreeing to take me on?!?!? and I have 120 hours to do this semester! I am waiting to hear from someone else that I have contacted locally, but this is certainly not a good way to start the semester!

A lot of it is due to their compromised nutritional status...they can go for days without eating or sleeping when on a meth binge. Also, chronic meth users pick at their skin compulsively. I recall one woman that came into our rural ER who, besides having sores all over her body, believed that there were glass shards in her feet. Never mind that she was barefooted on arrival - she was completely delusional as to there being foreign bodies in her skin.

To interject my 2 cents worth into the pot legalization debate.... I have never known of a stoned person beating up their spouse, kids, etc., or being belligerent in the ER, or leading police on a high-speed chase (unless, of course, the weed was laced with something). Can you say that about alcohol? Likewise, I have never known a person to forego food in favor of marijuana, yet we can't say that about alcohol.

I am not asking for medical advice here...just a better understanding, and apparently this particular type of tumor is so rare that there is not much info to be found. I have a family member recently dagnosed with the above, 34 y/o female, previously excellent health and physical condition, with no obvious risk factors save for some secondhand smoke exposure as a child. We just learned that there are bone mets which places her at a stage IV. I know that the prognosis sucks. She is to be evaluated next week at MD Anderson for what I am assuming at this point will be palliative chemo. What I am looking for is maybe someone who knows about or who has experience with this type of tumor...in your experience is it aggressive? In my preliminary searches I am finding conflicting info in the literature, but then again it seems to be so rare there is not much data. More than anything I am haunted with wondering whether this has been there for some time or whether it advanced quickly. Again, I am not asking for medical advice, just anecdotal experience if you have any.

thank you for sharing your story. hearing it from a peer hits really close to home. God bless you and keep you on the road to recovery; don't beat yourself up for whatever lifestyle you had in the past that may have been contributory, but just go forward from today. peace & hugs.

I feel your pain. I graduated at age 40 and never could deal with night shift. I would be fine all night and then start to crash & burn during shift change. On the way home I would listen to loud music - really high energy stuff like the Ramones, etc...would sign to Janis Joplin, cold air, cold water on the face, and I still would run off the road. A couple times I would take a catnap after pulling over but then would struggle again. Finally enough was enough. Because I live in a rural area I faced a minimum. 45 minute commute, and when I was unable to obtain a day position, I left the facility. Its just not worth it. Perhaps get a letter from your doctor about how you are not adjusting to nights...would that help release you from the commitment requirement?

thanks for the input. We are encouraging her to consider all available options, and this is just one of several.