chacomom

There were many useless things I learned in nursing school(Class of 1974) I think I knew so little about medicine and nursing that I felt like I needed to know everything. As a new graduate I started out in ICU working nights at a university teaching...

Try the chair yoga if you have a class available locally. There is also a DVD by Peggy Cappy called "Yoga for Arthritis" which might be helpful. Either way give it a try. I have found it to be very beneficial.

My experience with knee replacement 3 years ago was somewhat similar-second knee was much more painful post op and not adequate PT(insurance issues) Wish I had water therapy available but didn't. Have started yoga 6 months ago and have seen overall i...

Everyone is a new nurse at some point. Accepting the fact that we have all asked a stupid question or two as new nurses should allow us to give them some slack. My favorite new nurse story is about a friend of mine who as a new ICU nurse was so proud...

You go girl! I started in ICU in 1974 fresh out of graduation from a BSN program It was hard and at times a little scary, but after a year I had acquired most of the skills I needed. The most important thing is to ask when you don't know something-...

You are going to see plenty of bedsores in nursing. Get used to it .

There are people you meet in your journey as a nurse who touch you. I have known a few in my career. They are people who remain close to your heart forever. That you shared a part of yourself is what was important to this lady and to you. That is pa...

I am going to reply to you rquestions as you asked. I would prefer to do this by email. Is that OK? If so, I will send you my email address . How do you think would be the easiest way to do this?

I would be glad to help you with your project. I have been a nurse since 1974. Your questions are very thought provoking. I have printed them and will respond in the next few days, if that would be OK.

After 37 years as a nurse and a bout with breast cancer for which I had to take significant medical leave, I found myself in a similar position. The institution which I was working at did not renew my contract because of the significant tme I had to ...

Yes, I think it did.The addtional sciences and other subjects that I studied has helped over the years. I started out on nights in ICU and quickly learned what I knew and didn't know. I also learned when to ask questions and if I didn't get the right...

I think your article was very thought provoking. To be a healer you have to be very present in the now and your ego has to be put aside. I currently am disabled and not able to practice nursing but I have not stopped being a healer. To be an effectiv...

Sounds like my last job. I have way more experience than you, and think you handled yourself well. One brutal night(3-11) we had 3 RNs for 33 beds.(one staff member was a very new but competent grad) I happened to be in charge. Had lots of discharges...

This is a beautiful story. Both as a nurse and a human being it touched me on many levels. I have met a few patients who were like this man and his wife. They were living in a state of grace. I had to watch my father die of cancer 17 years ago and he...

As a nurse of 30 plus years, I agree with what you are saying. After reading some of the posts, it seems like there is a fair amount of defesiveness on the part of some responders. Nurses should care about how they are perceived by others. If a nurse...

Reconnect with your father how ever you can. God has provided the opportunity for you. I lost my father in 1993 to cancer . We had a great relationship and I still miss him. You will be so glad that you did. Stepfamily relationships can be toxic. My...

There are many incredible human beings in the world willing to help someone in need. A lot of them are nurses becuase nurses care. Mrs O sounds like a wonderful person and you are so fortunate to have her in your life.

I would be a weaver of silk or wool or a motorcycle librarian.

Compassion fatigue has happened to me many times in my 30 plus years as a nurse in various capacities. ICU is where I started out asa new graduate and I lasted about 4 years there before I went on to do cardiology clinical research. The point is, yo...

1. Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. 2. If your gut tells you something is wrong, it mosy likely is. 3. All bleeding stops eventually.

My feeling is that our society has become more violent in general. Plus the fact that there isnot the respect there used to be for nurses, teachers,etc. When I worked in a small town ER 7 years ago I had to take out a restraining order on a family me...

In a LTC facility(or anywhere for that matter) sometimes a patients dignity is all they have left. You respected that. It something feels wrong don't do it. I agree that this should be reported to the state. It is a breach of responsibility to the p...

Nursing is a unique profession in that there are so many things you can do. Never stop learning. I have sone many things in my nursing career.(ICE,ER,PACU, MED-SURG,CARDIAC RESEARCH,etc) and that's what has kept me in nursing so long. The ability to ...

I think nurses that treat you this way are burnt out and like to make themselves feel better by point out what the "new Grad" doesn't know. Everybody was new sometime in the past. Nursing is difficult because some mistakes you make can have horrid co...

All the posts are good. Have a good reason to call. If the doc is covering for other patients see if they also have any issues. Be polite and professional evenif the physician is not. Thank him/her for their time. Practice makes perfect. Your duty is...