Indy B

It seems that a lot of discussion revolves around the family's wishes. One of the most interesting questions I heard while interviewing was, "Do you think family should be present for a code?" My answer was a resounding "YES!" Education is key, if family knew what truly went into a full code, they might not brush off the DNR so quickly. I can't support NurseCard's statement enough, DNR is NOT Do Not Treat.

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked to fix a family member's laptop. While said family member's choking through his trach.

I'm not LTAC, I work in inpatient acute rehab but I love this thread idea! >when our nurses and cnas sit down for our every other weekend Sunday potluck lunch and make each other laugh until we cry, even if it's just for 10 minutes. >when that pesky time management thing actually works out and you leave on time without feeling like you've shorted your patients. >when that previously aphasic patient says "hi" when you walk in the room to check on them. >when you send the stroke patient who couldn't roll over upon admission home with a walker 4 weeks later. Very rare, but incredible to see when it happens.

I think the President was merely pointing out the ridiculous hoops Corpsmen/Medics have to jump through to be able to practice in the civilian world. They go from performing tracheotomies and placing chest tubes to having the scope of practice of a nurse aide once they leave the military. Granted, few corpmen reach that high level but I think a worthwhile assistance program would enable all servicemen/women to test out of certain areas and be trained in the skills that are deemed lacking before taking the NCLEX. After that, we're all the same.

A lot depends on your hospital's level of acuity. Inpatient vs outpatient vs freestanding vs long term...they're all so different. My system has two hospitals with acute rehab units. I work in the lower education/income area location so I see much sicker people and a lot more IVs, PEG tubes, O2, transfusions, transfers to acute care and surgery, rapid responses, pressure ulcers, etc, so I have a bit of med-surg I have to keep up on. However, my best advice is GET TO KNOW AND LOVE YOUR THERAPISTS! Physical, occupational, and speech therapists are an invaluable resource. It might be harder to do while working nights, but it's the best way to find out the patients' physical abilities so we can encourage them when they're not in therapy. Look at the notes, ask details of the day shift, whatever it takes. For example, if you have a patient that is ambulating 30 feet and continent during the day but is demanding the bedpan every time she calls at night (when she's not asking to be changed), you know you have some teaching to do to get her to practice what she truly can do so she can go home with the highest level of function. The physical therapists can also teach you about transferring patients safely, for both the patient and yourself. I was required to train with a PT to learn how to transfer during my orientation. If that's not standard at your hospital maybe it's something you can request. I'm a small girl too but I have no problem safely assisting the majority of my patients in transferring now. And all the advice from Commuter is gold, of course.

I hear the lullaby being played over the intercom to announce a new arrival and think, "There's yet another person in this hospital less needy than my patients."

I'm a recent grad (June 2011), and my experience has been that employers don't really look at you until you've passed the NCLEX unless they have a designated new grad program (which are usually very competitive). I'm working in Texas but know a bit about northern/central Florida hiring, but not Georgia. You can PM me if you'd like.