LCAY RN

It is great you care for the outcome of your patients. It sounds like he should be at a burn center. The patient has the choice of care also. You told him about the burn center. Maybe you could call your local burn center and they can send you the transfer information that can be available for the patients and the Doctors. When you have patients like this - local burn centers are a resourse for you. Feel free to call them with questions. Also - call the Doctors and ask them when they will be on the unit- so you can do the patients dressing at that time for the doctor. One more thing. The whilpool bothers me- you can not clean them, and they should not be used for the burn areas dirty. Another resource is the American Burn Association. A transfer agreement is on the site that can be made with your burn center. Also a "White Paper" is posted on basic burn care. You can print it and have it for the docotrs. Good luck.

(This is in reponse to an e-mail from mytwosons) Getting prepared to start working as a nurse on a Burn Center includes being up to date in your skills. Review what you learned in nursing school. I have been a burn nurse for 34 years- experience has always been the best teacher. You can review some of the main topics in burn care- fluid resuscutation, partial and full thickness burns, escharatomies, contracture prevention, the different dressings, the most common organisms you will be treating with antibiotics. Also what is the routine of the unit- vital sign routines, when do physicians view the burns. Review prevention of skin breakdown - what is the practice ( turning q2 hours) etc. Resources- American Burn Association web site has alot of information- they also have a journal. Search the web - some burn centers have great power points on basic burn care Books- There are some older books written by nurses that are very good. "Burn Care" by Dr. Herndon is very good Remember you will be providing spiritual, emotional and physical care. The burn patient needs extensive support to survive their injury. Burn Nurses are special. So good luck.

Thanks for the support, good luck to you. I hope better health is in your future.

Thanks - As you know we spend so much time helping others we forget who we are. I forgot that person. My work is my life. The concept of finding me again is very strange and fearful. Will I have enough money, what can I do to still be of value- all of this runs in my thoughts. Family do not totally understand. You are right and thanks for your comments and time.

I plan on retiring in January after working for 34 years straight - more than 40 hours a week. I really will not know what to do. Fear of the unknown and the lack of security having a job now and not in January. The politics and changes in the hospital settings I will not miss. The patients and the care I provide I will miss. How do you deal with the change?

Do not fear knowing and caring for the burn victim. I have been a burn/ trauma nurse for 34 years. Because of my Burn Nursing I can care for adults and peds. I learned many things and became a very caring and compassionate person. Remember all burn patients have other diseases and multiple health issues. Burn Nurses care for the sickest patients in the hospital. We can float to any unit and work. Your education and experience is totally in your hands. Be a Burn /Trauma nurse you will learn alot. I wish you success and always push forward to learn more. As I said I have been a Burn Nurse for 34 years. I learn something new everyday. Good Luck.