nurse42long RN

nurse42long has 40 years experience as a RN and specializes in L&D, OR, ICU, Management, QA-UR, HHC.

nurse42long's Latest Activity

1. hiring older nurses

   nurse42long replied to KThurmond's topic in General Nursing

   Several years back I was hired into a smallish Labor and Delivery Department at the age of 57. Every nurse that I met was eager to work with a "very seasoned" L&D nurse except our one doctor. When he heard that the manager (also my age) had hired...

2. I Fear for the Future of Nursing

   nurse42long replied to nurse42long's topic in General Nursing

   Over the years nursing has been good to me, I was able to raise my child and contribute to the mortgage and bills. My husband and I moved throughout the country and I was always able to walk into a hospital human resources office and walk out with a ...

3. I Fear for the Future of Nursing

   nurse42long posted a topic in General Nursing

   As an old, seasoned nurse, now retired I have watched nursing get harder and harder, working with sicker and sicker patients with less resources. How long can this continue? I've read lately about nurses who need antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds...

4. What thrills you/what terrifies you?

   nurse42long replied to Philly85's topic in General Nursing

   Thrilling - seeing the crowning head emerge with each push Terrifying - not seeing the rest of the baby emerge, due to shoulder dystocia

5. What did you do before nursing?

   nurse42long replied to golson's topic in General Nursing

   I was a bartender/cocktail waitress in a hole in the wall joint. Tips were decent but always had to watch for the ABC guys (alcohol & beverage control) because I was underage (19). I worked there while in nursing school as well as Church secretar...

6. I had a moment!

   nurse42long replied to greenerpastures's topic in General Nursing

   This is how it's supposed to feel. You did good. Store this one away in your data bank for the day when it doesn't work out so well. I love that your charge nurse said "you've arrived". Soon you'll have more of these than not. Congrats.

7. Most Ridiculous Med Order

   nurse42long replied to fitzfan82's topic in Emergency

   Had an elderly physician who covered nights in rural small OB. Not sure who thought that was a good idea. But he was quite the horticulturist. He grew award winning roses and Africian violets. Anyway one night I called him about an early labor patien...

8. From ABC News: Nursing Student Who Failed Class Twice Sues Her University

   nurse42long replied to RNIBCLC's topic in Headlines

   But you old nurses are soooo mean. Don't you understand that it's her dream job. HER. DREAM. JOB. Puh-leese.

9. Switching to day shift blues

   nurse42long replied to Scoops's topic in Stress 101

   If you have been on nights for over two years and you love it. Stay there. If you can sleep during the day and feel good physically, stay on nights. I've worked everything there is in 40 years and nights with a good crew was the best. We raised our k...

10. When to have the patient sign consent

    nurse42long replied to KSU-SN's topic in Home Health

    I usually get the paperwork done first. I think it is easier to establish a rapport with the patient and family to ask the non-personal questions first, insurance etc. Also talk about what the agency can do for the patient, pt rights and responsibili...

11. thinking of quitting nursing

    nurse42long replied to miki92's topic in Career

    Take an art class through the community or at a local art museum, then take another. Maybe find a part-time job at a gallery or some other area in a creative field. Even if it's just answering phones and helping out. Then when you find something that...

12. "She'll put your butt in a nursing home."

    nurse42long posted a topic in General Nursing

    I hate it when parents use nurses, doctors, etc. to threaten their children to behave. For instance, "if you're bad, that nurse will give you a shot". Not good. Well, now I've heard it all. I got to my little old patient's home and the sister/caregiv...

13. I've been a nurse since.....(fill in the blank)

    nurse42long replied to meanmaryjean's topic in Relations

    I've been a nurse since temperatures were taken with glass/mercury thermometers. We had fifty that we kept in a metal pan in Cidex solution and went from one end of the floor putting them under tongues. Then we went back and collected, checking the t...

14. That person

    nurse42long replied to AmandaRn912's topic in Relations

    When my daughter-in-law was in labor, my son made sure everyone knew I was a labor and delivery nurse and that the other grandma was a lawyer. I don't know which one of us was the most intimidating, but she got excellent care.

15. Hanging It Up

    nurse42long replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Retired

    I hear you. After 39 years of nursing, it has finally beat me as well. I've done L&D, NICU, OR, ER, LTC, etc. I did some great work but I can't take the "customer service" approach anymore. Doing more with less until there is nothing left to wor...