mightymitern

thank you for that. I too was called by U of P many many times. I told them I was looking at a few different colleges and had not made my decision yet. One college even called me at work one night, and was upset that I asked them not to do that and did not have time to talk. I have decided on WGU because theyy understood that when I was ready I would make the choice. I am sure my decision has been made to attend WGU. Once again thank you for the information.

Hmmmm, Diabetes is not caused by bad choices. When I was 6 and lying in bed in a coma, it was not my choice. Type 2 may be caused by (overweight, no exercise and such) but I still think " caused by bad choices" is not a good choice of wording. Ummm my blood sugar can get to 400-500 without changing a thing I've done or eaten. There are many things that can cause a high blood sugar. I take very good care of myself , been living with Diabetes for 38 yrs. Please be careful in saying your residents are lying to you, do you really know that or is it a guess? Not trying to be nasty here, I just want to give you a perspective from a Diabetic. We as Nurses treat the blod sugar, educate Pt's on diet and what not, but we are not here to judge anyone.

hey everyone, it's me again the T1 Diabetic. Definately definately do the fingerstick, especially if the Pt is on a S.S. Call the MD, it's an honest mistake. These are the ways we learn.

I LOVE that! lol

This still bothers me. Sorry, but as a Type 1 Diabetic for 38 years, and now a registered nurse, Lantus is not an insulin to hold, it has no peak, it is a basal insulin and works like a regular functioning pancreas. The rapid acting and short acting are the insulins I will hold. I also ask the Pt what they would do, if I am really nervous of a patient getting too low then I would ask the MD. Even if a person is NPO Lantus is not a held insulin, a diabetic can get into trouble very fast if it is. OK with that said check out your facilities policies and always call the MD if you are unsure.

HI FIREBALL, My first job out of school was with Hopsice. I loved it. I don't think it mattered whether I had M/S experience or not because the RN's I worked with taught me what I needed to know anyway. Well.... I left Hospice and now work on a M/S floor (my husband likes the whole union idea), and let me say... I MISS HOSPICE very much. I learned a great deal. New nurses go right inot M/S or ICU or other places without knowledge, why not Hospice. I say go for it, if that's what you feel is your place. Good luck.

wow, I am just amazed that many of you have had Tele Techs. I have never heard of this. We monitor our own tele's9 sometimes 5-6 at a time), but we have alarms that go off when something is askew. I am imagining the tech is only doing what their job entails. Good for you for calling them back to let them know your Pt is ok. A six beat run may/may not be something underlying. Are you supposed to chart each time they call? Anyway, just curious how the whole Tech thing works.

Hello Home Health Nurses, I am from Massachusetts and will give a little info on my experience before I ask my question if that is ok. I worked as a Hospice RN in an inpatient house (which I LOVED), but then got steered in the direction of a nice hospital "union" job. You know the kind where you always get your dinner break and know when you will get a yearly raise. I now work on a Tele Med/Surg floor and have learned a great deal. However I do not remember being so stressed and achy after leaving work before this particular job. Ok here is my question, I was inquiring into a home health service (preferably hospice part) which is still part of our union (belongs to the same enterprise). My husband and I are having a debate about whether home health care itself will change dramatically with the HC changes coming about. I say more people will need this service because insurance companies only allow a certain amt of days in the Hospital, then send pt's home. My husband thinks HHC will slow because insurances won't pay for the private care, and I am better off staying at the Hospital, and finding my niche. (chuckle, it's not there) I am only looking for thoughts on whether you think HHC will grow or may be in jeapardy. I feel HHC companies are needed and expanding. If this is not an appropriate topic, I apologize. Any feedback is appreciated.

Maasachusetts here. Days: 5 max mostly 4 with most of the D/C's Eves: 5 max with most of the admissions Nights: 6 sometimes 7 we are a tele floor as well charge nurse on eves may or may not have a 4-5 pt assignment, and overnight charge always has an assignment of 6. Not good if you're handling a crisis or two AND have to handle all of your own pt's. and make up the assignment for the next shift, and run ppl to xray,mri etc.

don't ever be ashamed or embarrassed to ask questions, That is how we learn. I have benn working for only 1 year on a M/S tele floor and ask questions every day, especially if I have not done a procedure. Many nurses would rather you say... " I've never done this would you be willing to come into the room with me and walk me through it". I find that line good. Don't get frustrated you will get it. I think every nurse gets a bit scared sometimes because we are the ones at the bedside, and we deal with different situations each day. Good luck you are a good nurse by admitting you're scared in the first place.

I've had pt's tell me they're allergic to water and can only drink the bottled stuff. hmmm I wonder if their bodies are made out of the bottled water as well.

yes but being a Type 1 diabetic myself, (38 yrs) you do not hold Lantus insulin. It has no peak, if a person without diabetes is sick they're pancreas still produces their basal insulin. Even of they're NPO, my Doc did this to me when I was in the Hospital and my BG went up to 953, I had to sign myslef out so I would not go into DKA. I agree with calling the MD absolutely, but I would hold a short acting or maybe even NPH, but not Lantus.

Holy cow! Thank god you noticed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I would have been down and out. Thank you for being a responsible Nurse who checks. Diabtes is a quick lecture in school.

I only have a 12 minute drive to work. Would I travel 1.5 hrs for the experience, and or money, yes BUT would I want the aggravation of traffic, delays,etc No. I also would not like the drive home if I was emotionally and/or physically exhausted after a shift. That's a tough decision, with many pros/cons to look at. Gas, wear & tear on car and yourself, summer/winter traffic and weather.

all I can say is.......AWESOME! I am too.