AroundtheBlockRN

I am also in the process of enrolling at WGU for the RN to BSN, maybe the MSN, if all goes well. Took the pre-admission test the other day. Counselor says 3-5 days to see how I did. They haven't asked for any transcripts yet. It sounds as if there are an awful lot of papers to write. I was under the impression that it was studying course material, then taking a test. Would really like to know. I write well but hate it. Can you shed some light on which courses would be essay, which testing?

I would have to agree with MJB2010. I don't know if you are new to the profession or prejudiced. That being said, simply insisting people take your advice, lose weight and all will be well is too simplistic and callous. Sure, so many things we could all control regarding our health and well-being but we don't. Consider why this particular thing is bothering you. People do listen to what you say, they just can't always go right out and do it. The best you can do for your patients is deliver your care in the most empathetic, caring non-judgmental way while they are in your care. No patient wants to be obese or ill or diseased. It's much more complex than that. You won't get away from these things by going to Peds. Figure out what is really bothering you. You can't control what they do but you can control how you care for and understand your patients. Their time with you is just as important to them as it is to you. You will have a greater impact by checking your bias at the door. If you think they don't sense your disdain, rethink how you approach and interact. I hope you do not lose your compassion but regain it with gusto. Always put yourself in their shoes first. Best of luck.

Team nursing was around in the 70's and 80's in most hospitals. Your basic team consisted of an RN, LPN, and a nursing assistant or two. You had a team report at the beginning and end of shift and sometimes in the middle. The whole team was present and this was also a good educational experience for the assistants as well. They were some of the strongest, most important members of our team. Eyes and ears that matter. The number of patients the team cared for could be anywhere from 10-30, depending on the type of unit and/or the shift. The RN was the med nurse, LPN performed treatments, i.e. dressing changes, wound/ostomy care, tube feedings, etc. The Nursing assistants teamed between them to do bathing, bed change, toileting, vitals, etc. All would team together to pick up the slack, where needed. We also had lab techs that drew all the labs, ekg techs for ekgs, respiratory therapists, PT, etc. Then came primary care nursing which early on, was very good, depending on the hospital and how they staffed. Some totally got rid of nursing assistants, others staffed one to two on a large unit. All they had time to do was vitals and occasionally, something extra. As hospitals changed and added more layers of management and downsized assistants, ancillary departments (ekg, lab techs, respiratory therapists) their duties were picked up by nurses. Most staffed with mainly RN's, fewer LPN's. All in all, the RN was responsible for everything and everyone under her. To save money, cutting other departments and training nurses to do more, this is the model today All well and good, knowing everything about your patient: how did the med work, what does the wound really look like, did the lab get drawn, ekg done, etc. This pretty much is today's model. Problem is, with more things being computerized, mechanized, more charting, less patient care, you're back to the place where you don't always know as much about your patient any more because you now spend 75% or more of your time on the phone, computer, charting, etc. Going back to the team approach might be better for the patient in that they may see more nurses in their stay than what they see now. Good Luck. Anything you try where the patient gets seen more often and by more than one nurse could be a benefit.