Tamera

In defense of their lack of knowledge/willingness to answer questions, I have to say I completely understand where they're coming from. In the past two years, my brain has been so overloaded with info.. anatomy/physiology/pharmacology/med diagnoses/nursing diagnoses/procedures/tests/lab values.. I honestly don't think the human brain can absorb the amount of information we're required to know. I'm in my last semester of a four semester program and just now everything is starting to click. Things like ascites, pnemothorax, atelectasis, hepatosplenomagaly.. I never FULLY understood what any of these meant until I had a patient with these problems. I guarantee the vast majority of those students you mentioned have the answers to your questions somewhere in their brains. They're just saturated with so much information and things have yet to click! I have to agree with manenough. The students today are a different breed with full time jobs, etc. & overwhelmed by many things both academic & personal. Not defending them because they should make an attempt to answer your questions. I am not sure what the answer is but it is comforting to know that there are nurses like you that care that are still out there. Don't get discouraged, we need you out there. Maybe try another tactic of asking questions somehow. Just hang in there.

I started teaching LPN's in January. We lecture & do clinicals as well. It is a very demanding job as far as preparation for class & clinicals & making sure the studens get what they need in both class & clinicals. The pay is much lower in education than in other areas of nursing but the benefits are pretty good. Overall, I think that teaching nursing is a big responsibility to not be taken lightly. You would be more comfortable with the materials & clinicals if you could refresh yourself with medical-surgical experience since changes occur so often. The students deserve updated & current information. We are on a 10 month contract right now with the option of teaching in the summer months. I have worked with RN students in clinicals & I was really glad that I had some recent experience in med-surg so that I could share my knowledge as well as help them understand what they were doing. Maybe some CEUs in a particular area in med-surg would be an option instead of going back to the hospital. Good luck & I hope that you find what you are looking for.

For me I think that the worst part of being a nurse is that you work with others (not just nurses) that are not there for the benefit of the patient. As with any job you have to deal with slackers. Nursing is a wonderful profession. It is what you make of it that will determine the best & worst part of it. Good luck & try to find the positives so you can make a difference.

If you want to be a nursing assistant in a nursing home you have to be certified. Most hospitals don't require the certification. Many nursing homes have their own nurse aide training program & will train you & help get you certified as a nurse aide for continued employment there. Call around to local nursing homes in your area. They would probably be gald to help out. Many states will allow the students that have completed the first semester of nursing to take the exam & performance test to become certified as a nurse aide. Check with your state board of nursing about the requirements. Most all the nursing programs in Ky. are now requiring the student be a certified nurse aide before entering the program. I am not sure if it really helps or not. Good luck & hope you continue on into nursng.

I think that it is a shame that those with the desire & talent but maybe not the MSN degree can't teach nursing. We have a lot to offer to students, especially the experiences & reality of nursing. What about the LPN program? Does it too require a MSN?

Could be Meniere's Disease. My friend has this & she also has problems with N&V with it @ times but not always. May want to see an ENT. Hope this helps & he soon gets better!

Has anyone out there done teaching for the nursing students? I am interested in this field as I teach the nurse aide classes for the area I live in.

I feel so bad for you. How awful! Here is the website for the wound vac. I really think that would be beneficial for you as well as the extra protein & vitamin c & zinc in your diet. http://www.woundvac.com Please keep us updated on your condition.

I think that you have gotten some really good advice here. Here is mine. I hope it helps you. Ask for a few days off to take stock of your situation & your life. Do you have anyone that can help with your child? Ask relatives or friends to help you. Don't be afraid to ask. Are you sleeping at all? Nights can drain you if you aren't sleeping & eating right. Have you tried exercise to blow off some stress? Walking with a friend can do miracles as well as prayer & quiet time with God. We all have been where you are at work. Med-Surg is a difficult area to master if that is even possible. Look into other departments such as OB or OR to transfer to. To be a new nurse like you can be so overwhelming. Is there another nurse on your shift that can help you? Have you went to your manager with your concerns? Try to priortize your patients & their needs. This will help develop critical thinking skills. We never stop learning even us old dogs in the field learn all the time. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Learn to be patient with yourself & reward yourself for small steps you make. If all else fails & you feel that you have done all you can do then break the contract & pay it back. Try to give it 6 months. I hope this helps you. I know what you are feeling. It is a scary place to be. Good Luck!

Have you thought about a wound vac? These are great to use with such surgical wounds like yours & it is easy to use with minimal training. You may want to contact a couple of local DME companies & check it out. If you want a number to contact the company that makes this product I will be glad to give it to you & they can answer reimbursement questions & other questions you have. If not, home health is a good choice as these nurses have seen a lot & know a lot. :)

I think that a person should look professional whether it be white or not. The ID Badge should be placed in a visible area & the staff person should identify who they are to the patient upon entering the room. That's my two cents. :roll