Loving Life

I work every other weekend if I work eight hours, I work every third weekend if I work 12s

I know of a nurse who developed this after injuring her shoulder from a patient. She lost a year from her life because of being heavily medicated, etc. My sister, who has Andersen's Syndrome that entails temporary hypokalemic paralysis with prolonged QT - has a defibrilator (?sp) and pacemaker, developed rsd after a botched carpal tunnel surgery. She is in a life of hell. She was a radiology tech and lost her job because her hand/arm is useless. It is shriveled, mottly, cold and she cannot tolerate anything touching her hand, etc. She has had an epidural in her neck, they almost OD'd her on meds. Because of her pacemaker and defib. she cannot due some of the other remedies. Yes there is a psych component, because of the lack of medical doctors that take this seriously and lack of compassion. I could go on and on. She is very interested in speaking with people regarding this. She wants to tell her story. We live in Grand Rapids MI, and she has had to go to Cleveland Clinic for treatment and even they have failed her to a certain point. Her story is a nightmare. And she does talk to psych that is involved with the pain clinic. If you heard her whole story, you would be appalled. If anyone is interested pleae pm me. Thanks

We do axillary temps on all heme-onc patients, rectal on those 2 yrs and under. Over two years, you do have the psychological aspect. We never do a rectal on an abuse child or heme/onc.

Bio-chem was bad for me too. I took it twice. There is alot of formula memorization. You CANNOT get behind. I had a difficult period in my life at that time and got behind. It was all over. You need a clear mind and stick with those formulas. I am beginning the MSN/MBA program at Grand Valley in two weeks. Just finished my BSN at GVSU in April. I got my ADN and LPN at Muskegon Community College. Good luck to you.

Priority Health in Michigan has been fairly good except for mental health, but they are improving. I had a corneal transplant and never saw a statement. I have no clue how much it cost! Of course co-pays go up like everything else.

I work peds. heme/onc and general peds. We do get pulled (thank God it only happens once or twice a year) and I hate it. We either go to PICU (which I hate) or NICU or NIM. I would much rather go to NICU or NIM. I do not feel it's safe. We had 4-8 hrs of training. We are not expected to take vents. We go on a rotating basis so its not always the same person having to go.

I'm from Michigan and we request a parent signature prior to administering. They are given a handout to read and they have to sign that they received, read and understand it and all questions were answered.

At our children's hospital only oncology docs administer IT chemo during the LP. All Iv chemo is done on the floor. Our chemo is triple checked by pharmacists and chemo nurse. On the oncology attendings can order chemo and no telephone orders are accepted. Our nurses need to be certified. When the chemo arrives on the floor we as nurses double check the wt, ht and BSA. It is also checked by two nurses with the original order and cosigned. We will not give it without the signature of the 3 people in pharmacy. We have not had mistakes like the above. We are all human. It was a tragic mistake and I pray everyday that I deliver safe care. I can't imagine what they are all feeling - the parents, the docs. Also if someone was complaining like that it would have been picked up sooner. Our docs are adamant about any changes being followed up on.

We don't use chloral hydrate as much anymore because it usually has the opposite effect. Many tests have had to be cancelled because the child did not fall asleep. Thankfully, we have radiology whose nurse will sedate during the day shift. We also use our PICU docs for giving sedation. If we do use chloral hydrate they must be on a pulse ox and accompanied by a nurse. We have a special form used to monitor vital signs, etc. Ng's we do the auscultation with air. NJ's are checked with x-ray.

It is a fatty tumor. His just got so big. They automatically biopsied it. I just get a little paranoid when they don't biopsy things like that because I know of an instance where something removed was not biopsied the first time, it came back and was cancerous.

My father had one the size of a football, had it removed and is fine. They did biopsy it and it's benign. I feel all should be biopsied. You can only be certain that way.

I just received my BSN from GVSU. They do not have a MSN for pediatrics and/or school nursing whereas Wayne does. I am going to see how many classes could be done online. I am going to take a school nurse class on school systems that can be applied to a MSN degree if I choose to pursue it. The class is 100% online. Thanks for answering.

I agree. I work with cancer kids and have also had children die on general peds. Just love them and be there for them. Parents do cope with grief differently. They may be withdrawing early. You will be fine. That child will love you for it even tho she can't express it.

Nurses who do not rinse out their suction catheters after suctioning someone and lets it build up in the tubing and those who do not pick up their rooms.

The hospital I work at had a free marrow drive for the first 50 people. I took advantage of that. I work at a children's hospital bone marrow transplant/heme-onc floor. It is a great thing that you are doing. I see these families holding on to every thing they can. A transplant is usually the last hope. Many times it works and other times not. But these families are desperate. You have the chance to actually help save a life. Thank you.

Has anyone attended Wayne State University's School of Nursing? I am interested in their MSN program for pediatrics, school nursing and/or community health. I would appreciate any info. Thanks. Also do you know if they have an extension school where I could take classes closer to Grand Rapids, MI?

I am sorry to any of you if you felt I was casting stones. I was just concerned about some of the things I had heard. Like I said I never bailed my son out of trouble, not once. But I do love my son and it breaks my heart every time I go and see him. I do not enjoy visiting him on the other side of the glass and if you knew the heart ache I felt, you would understand. It can happen to anyone's family member once alcohol takes over. I again apologize to those nurses who provide good nursing care in corrections.

I do believe he is a criminal don't get me wrong, but I feel he should be treated medically while in jail. Believe me, I have had discussions with him regarding killing someone and I would have a hard time if he did. I guess what I'm saying is that if he is sick, I hope that someone, a nurse, will give him good care. If not, that nurse should not be there. Like I said I have had to take care of an abused child whose accused perpetrator was not jailed yet, and I am expected to treat them as I would others. By no means am I condoning what my son does, I would just like to know he will be treated if he needs it. I pray he still has a chance to turn around.

I am a pediatric nurse whose son is in jail for his third DUIL and waiting for boot camp. He will go to prison if it happens again. He is only 23 years old. I know he needs to straignten up his act. I know drinking and driving can kill someone, but he is not a hard core criminal. He has a one year old daughter. Even though I am very frustrated with him, I love him. I am appalled at some of those who call themselves nurses with their attitude. I always wondered how healthcare is in jails. Yes I can see how it could be frustrating for the nurses who have to care for the sex offenders, murderers, etc. I get frustrated with the child abuse. I want to know that my son will be taken care of. God will take care of the offenders in the end. I pray my son will swear off booze and straighten his life around. I would hope he is getting help and not shunned. I just couldn't believe some of the stuff I read. This could be your son, daughter, brother or sister. I pray my son will be safe everyday. I want to know his health will be taken care of. I could go on and on and on.....I just couldn't believe some of the posts. :crying2: :crying2:

I am also saying a prayer for all of you

We do rectal unless contraindicated under 2-3 years. No rectal temps on our pediatric heme onc patients.

what is trimspa?

I love my Quarks I got at the uniform store. (Hope I got the spelling right.

I love my Quarks I got at the uniform store.

I just had a talk with my manager. I told her I was very burned out with patient care. I will have my BSN next month and I will be looking. I worked on Peds. heme/onc BMT floor for 15 years. They say that the average burnout on a transplant floor is 5 years. She was very understanding. She actually called the Peds. clinic to let their mananger know I am looking. I want to stay with children. I had a very difficult teenager (patient) who died in the hospital it's a long story. I never gave so much of myself mentally and physically. I have not been the same. It's been 2 years. Now that i have my BSN (soon to have) I have the confidence to pursue another career. I told my manager that I could barely make it in. I know how you feel. You know in your heart when you must leave. I have found that mental health and family is more important than money. Good luck to you.