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I knew I wanted to be an RN when I was 14... went into college after HS, then "life" happened, (married, kids, divorce...) I was a STNA for a long time in between, a stay-at-home mum, a HHA, and an Assistant Funeral Director for almost 2 years. I finally went back to college at 31 and got my ADN at 34.

I hated all the med-surg clinicals I had in nursing school.I have never worked med-surg as an RN. I precepted on a burn unit, first job was in ER (4 years) and then neuroICU... I was a "late-bloomer" RN, though, completing my degree at age 34, so I also had lots of life experience to bring to the table. Med-surg can provide a strong background to nurses in learning prioritization, clinical skills (assessments, etc) critical thinking, dealing with difficult people (patients, families, co-workers, etc) and situations. It may well be worth it to stick it out for 6 months to a year, just for the experience. (unless the environment is so toxic you just can't take it!) And always keep an eye out for a better opportunity for yourself in the area of nursing that you are most passionate about, you never know what willl come up, be ready for it.

I am fascinated by how well and quickly the body can heal itself. As in burns, I did my preceptorship many moons ago on a burn unit...I was utterly fascinated shift by shift at the stages/degrees of healing of human skin. (This probably contributed to me going into ER after passing NCLEX... blood, brains, bones, burns, breathing...It all amazes me!)

((((HUGS)))) and prayers for you and your family....I cannot even imagine, and therefore have no other words. (And the freezer idea sounds great to me!)

I love the Hemp Hand Protector by The Body Shop, it's a bit pricey, but you only need a little bit and it works wonders! (and it doesn't have a sickly sweet smell to it, either)

this! ^^^ and this: RASS scores are important... they let you know how well that propofol/versed drip is working and justify your titration of the same. They in no way ever took me away from patient care. But then, I easily learned how to prioritize and manage time with the patient and time spent charting. Protocols are in place for a reason, they are usually evidence based practice. I wouldn't want the nurse who doesn't follow protocol for those pesky drips, etc to take care of me or my loved ones. Patient safety is the one of reasons we are nurses. and shame on you for falsifying charting. (CYA does not mean "make crap up")

I show before I go in to work, always have. I wash my hair 3xs a week. I work nights then come home wash face, hands and feet (I've got a thing about cleaning my feet before I go to sleep) then grab some "breakfast" and go to sleep. I NEVER use antibacterial soap except at work! Here are the reasons why: Five Reasons Why You Should Probably Stop Using Antibacterial Soap | Science | Smithsonian FDA Taking Closer Look at 'Antibacterial' Soap

oh, and gloves, there are various sizes of non-latex exam gloves in it, too! Much of this stuff can be found online, just search for military surplus medic kit... some can be quite pricey, but when you figure the cost of finding the stuff individually, it generally is well worth it. (particularly if you camp in the middle of nowhere, or like to take long out-in-the-boonies motorcycle rides as my husband and I do)

My hubby (Army Veteran of Desert Storm) and I hike/camp, so we have quite the first aid kit, varied sizes of sterile gauze, steri-strips, butterfly band-aids, assorted bandaids, kerlix rolls, hemostats, tweezers/forceps, ACE wraps, finger splints, various tapes, scissors, sterile and non-sterile cotton swabs, betadine, alcohol wipes, varied antibiotic ointments, silvadene cream, superglue (works quite well in place of dermabond in a pinch, and is MUCH cheaper), epi-pens (we have 3 beehives, so we keep them on hand, just in case), "break open" hot and cold packs, Vetrap (self adherent bandage) works great for pressure bandages, various size safety pins, razor blades, possibly a scalpel or two, penlight, stethoscope/BP cuff, tourniquets. I stock/rotate out a varied supply of benadryl, baby aspirin, tylenol and motrin, and sterile saline eye drop individual packets and hand sanitizer and liquid soap (these work in a pinch to irrigate any wound).Bottled water and hand sanitizer and liquid soap. I think there are a few OB tampons (regular), as those can be used to stop a gushing nosebleed until able to get to an ER, (tape string to side of face). We also have water purifier tablets in there as well as candles with waterproof matches and a zippo lighter. I am sure there are other things in it, as I haven't checked it recently. Between his combat experiences and my having worked ER, we both know first aid quite well. I know how to splint a fracture well enough, until one can get to an ER for further evaluation. (I have 3 sons, all were very active little boys and I learned quickly what we needed to go to ER for and what I could manage at home with a little ingenuity!)

I am Pagan, also and only once did anyone have any issue about it. (I don;t even remember the context) I do have people comment on my " pretty charms/jewelry"... I get the "Star of David, are you Jewish"-thing a lot. And if I choose to respond, "No, I'm a Witch", I find myself having to attempt to explain my entire belief system to a stranger. So now the general response is "thanks" or "No, I'm not Jewish" and then "Have a Blessed day".

IMHO, better that those who failed NCLEX more than once spend more time studying, less time praying to pass!

Over the years, I have learned the best bet is to go to a Uniform store and try on various scrub types. No one person look as professional in one brand of scrubs over another brand due to body type/shapes. try on a few and figure out which styles most flatter your body type is my best advice.

this! 15 bed ICU, no phones in most rooms (was a neurosurgICU) (except we all had pagers and someone would either find which room we were in or would webpage us.) We were always good about telling whomever was sitting near "our" phone that we paged the doc and were waiting for a callback and "I'll be in rm# if they call before I get out of there"

Apparently I am one of those nurses who must change places about every 4 years or so. (I think I get bored with being in the same unit at about that time!) I worked 4 years ER, 4 years NeuroICU, 1year travel nursing (still NeuroICU). Now I do private duty in home for the same patient for 12 hour nights...and I have finally found they joy of not being in a hospital! (no administration, no managers, no running around looking for equipment, no 0200 trips for head CTs, no rounds, only deal with one family, who has made me part of theirs) I wonder sometimes where my path will turn next after this patient passes (and he will, I know that) but like Scarlett O'Hara, "I'll think of it tomorrow...After all, tomorrow is another day"

Three cheers for closed suctioning systems! (one of the greatest medical inventions ever!)