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Apparently the IC specialists at my hospital have decided that surgical masks are an appropriate form of PPE for dealing with pts who have TB. However all of the research I have done the CDC and WHO all say N95 is a minimum requirement needed for precautions. Does anyone else work for a hospital with a similar policy? What would you do: get your own n95, wear 2 surgical masks at once?? I just want to adequately protect myself and I don't think a surgical mask would cut it.

Most shifts I too would just carry a pocketful of Kleenex and wash my hands like crazy, and not give it a second thought. Then a few nights ago, I had a pt on contact precaution and there goes my nose, couldn't reach into my pocket- so I turn my back and have to wipe my nose with the back of my wrist. Ughhh! It was that, or have the pt see me with snot dripping down my face. Now, I'm mad that I may have rammed a bunch of bacteria up my nose by doing that. Ive got to figure out a more hygenic solution to this. Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one!!

I wasn't looking for medical advice, just hoping that maybe someone else went through the same thing- and could pass along any tips or tricks. Not med related.

Does this happen to anyone else, when I am very busy and running around during my shift, my nose gets so runny. It's gross, very unprofessional, and I'm constantly wiping my nose (then washing my hands). However when things slow down, and I'm sitting and charting- it stops! Any tips/suggestions?

How did you find the room, through Craigslist or something like that? I'm planning on moving out to the Minot area after graduation in May and have been checking Craigslist out for a while. It looks to me like a lot of the people renting rooms are creepy guys. Ughhh!!

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel-7 months until graduation!Was wondering if you are able to start applying for jobs before you graduate and take the NCLEX, or do I have to wait until I am completely done. Any insight appreciated!

Ughhh! I just had the worst experience at my local community clinic for my annual TB test. The medical asst who started to measure takes out the ruler and started to measure the whole reddened area (I am fair and have very sensitive skin) and she says it looks like 10mm, I said, "no way, you don't measure the reddened area, just the induration". She keeps trying to measure and then says she's going to get the dr for a second opinion-ummmyeah! Dr comes by and says oh, I feel something it's a 2. Meanwhile, there is no clearly visible raised area at all! All my PPD tests have always come back at 0. Should I go get a retest somewhere else? I feel like I was seen by two of the most incompetent people ever!

Thanks for your reply. However it doesn't specify BSN or if ADN is required. Anyone have first hand knowledge?

I was wondering what the requirements for applying for a civillian rn job on a navy base are? Are they the same as active duty? Specifically: 1. Do you need a bsn?2. Are you required to do a physical and medical evaluation? Any input appreciated! I'm in an ADN program and have a BA in another subject and I am very interested in working at Balboa Naval hospital after passing NCLEX. Thanks!!

A few weeks ago someone posted some info about Minot hiring nurses. I can't seem to find the post and was wondering if anyone recalls the name of the staffing agency to contact. I'm interested in finding out more. Also if anyone has any insight into what life is like there (I know it's cold!!!) I would love to hear it.

As a new nursing student there are all sorts of diseases to be worried about contracting while working in a hospital setting. Especially MRSA!! How do you deal with that anxiety- or do you even give it a second thought? Any helpful words or tips would be greatly appreciated! For some reason MRSA really has me freaked out.

I suppose my original question should have asked- as nurses is it inevitable that we will all be mrsa carriers? Besides hand washing and PPE is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves?

I am a new nursing student and was wondering how you get a colonization of mrsa in the nose? I know it's not airborn, is it from putting dirty fingers in/ near your nose? As a carrier does that make it easier to get an infection elsewhere on your body? Any input appreciated!

Hello, I am currently in nursing school and will likely have to declare bankruptcy soon. I have tried working with my lenders to sort this out myself but it's not looking good. Have any of you had any experience with getting a job as a nurse after declaring bankruptcy? Am I going to have trouble getting a job because of this? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for all of your replies! :)