Echo_of_Faith

I keep seeing all of these posts about "as a nurse" and "you already know"; SO WHAT - the only reason she is able to put a letter like this together is because of the knowledge she has, that DOES NOT mean that she was in any position @ the time to say anything, get her thoughts together and make a real a*s-kicking of a speech. There in is the problem: many patients don't know that they deserve the kindness and caring nurse and all times, so in some ways situations in which health care professionals are treated this way, gives US the ability to fix something that is wrong with US, within our own system. Ultimately it is your decision what to do with the letter, but consider the next patient who doesn't know how a nurse should act...can you help them, whoever they may be have a more positive experience on one of the worst days of their life?

I guess it's demographics, or that the teacher doesn't have enough faith in the students he/she is teaching to believe that their skills are up to par for working in a hospital...on the other hand, Nursing homes are hard work; you are usually responsible for all residents on entire hall or section, and it's up to you to get them the care they need, which may be an ambulance to the hospital...which for new nurses can be a tough call...what I'm really concerned with is that the teacher is discussing with students where to work after school is done; isn't that what clinicals are for? to dip you into different areas in order for YOU to see what YOU want to do, not what bias or limitations anyone, especially your instructor seeds into your mind. I'm and LPN, currently starting a bridge program to get an ADN. I've been licensed less than six months and had a job at the hospital a week after I knew I passed my NCLEX, so DON'T sell yourself short, you want it, show 'em you've got it and go get it!!!

I have read through several responses, and am surprised to say how divided even the medical community is on this issue. Both good arguing points to both sides. Now, we all have an opinion, so.... I think everyone continues to look at this issue (as with many other "big" issues) totally limited to what is on the plate right now. This issue isn't being forced to pay or that being unconstitutional, I mean no one really wants to be forced to do anything. We all want to make decisions for ourselves. While I would never say being made to get health insurance or be fined was constitutional, because let's face it, it's not - the bigger deal is the fact that the government feels its hands are tied (and won't think outside the box). The ER came up alot in responses. People are just not honest, they feel they are hurt and deserve free healthcare at a moment's notice when they come into the ER. The issue isn't whether someone has insurance, it's whether they pay for the service they were given. I have been in the ER a couple of times since I left home, I did not have insurance, but I paid for the services that were charged me. I moaned & complained of the individual billing & the high costs, but it got paid. Hospitals I've been in, spoken with, all seem to be fine in allowing the patient to setup arrangements to pay if uninsured. The chasmic problem is: the number of people who do not pay is so significant it is causing problems. The other side to this is the insurance itself. WHile private companies are private, there has got to be more regulation of rates, what is included in each tier of cost and what is not. It is by far too expensive,especially right now for a family of three to five to spend 700-1000/month for health insurance they probably only use 3-6x/year, mostly on things such as routine visits. The whole system needs an overhaul, not some quick fix to make the government thinks it's actually solving a problem. WE THE PEOPLE are the problem, you guys really have something against the healthcare reform, start making calls not just to the senators & reps in your state, call washington, write speeches and call your local news, post emails to big news media anchors, and start thinking outside the box on ways that will help all the way around. I may be a nurse, but I am still poor when it comes to finances. I do not overspend or overextend my credit, but I barely have enough to get buy. I will not be forced to get health insurance nor will I pay a fine for it, there is another way, a better way & only together as Americans in the HUMAN race will we find it. Unity has been shown in the past to make us stronger, we don't need a war or terrorists or some major trajedy to unite us, we simply should see that we are united in that we are all human and solve not only this problem but the other ones we face as well. While debates are fun & can be constructive & make us think, in reality they leave us no better off than where we began. Debating the issue of something that has already come, and we'll probably see go, doesn't solve anything. So start thinking, find a way to solve the problem for us all.

I am a new nursing grad and have had a few job offers already, just waiting to test & get licensed. I don't know if the economy really has anything to do with it, because whether you have insurancce or not generally isn't going to keep people away from seeking medical attention when they really need it. As far as hospitals go, they are either cutting costs by limiting # of staff, fully staffed; however, I have been doing some research on the nursing field & believe that, from what I've gathered, there will be a nursing shortage in the next few years. The baby boomers, and let me tell ya there's a lot of them, will be retiring soon. This is where the economy could play a part: the baby boomers are working longer before retiring because of the economy, but eventually there will be a huge shortage again. Do some research yourself, just use a search engine & type in "Nursing Shortage" & I'm sure you'll find some convincing evidence that will sway you one way or the other. If you are serious about the field, don't let possible setbacks hold you back, the sky's the limit, never stop dreaming big. There are so many different opportunities out there, then all the opportunities that are more "unconventional". Will this career give you a sense of worth? Will it be rewarding enough? Will it make you happy? Weigh that against "GIVING UP" and ask yourself if this is what you've always wanted, why even ask yourself that question. If you're not willing to put in a little extra work, and maybe some heartache, perhaps you should consider another field because you're gonna get these things anyway. I'm not trying to be mean or insensitive, but one thing that has stuck in my life since 1999 (& I know this may seem a little cheesy) is a quote from 10 things I hate about you" when Patrick (the late Heath Ledger) says "Don't let anyone ever tell you, you don't deserve what you want."

I have been in this situation myself a couple of times in just regular group clincals. I won't go into the details because that's not what this is about. As students we are told or understand that we are at clinicals to work & the nurses we work with have being doing this a long time, that all will not like students or help us out, so most of us just keep our mouths shut and bear the burden of what is or has happened on our own & possibly ***** about it later; however, you are still a human being who is like every other human being on this earth in that we ALL have emotions & part of nursing is a therapeutic attitude toward what we do and who we interact with. I will tell you this, even if she didn't intend to come off as she did (I tend to give people more benefit of the doubt than they probably deserve) she affected you in a way that, to some degree, caused undo stress. You have a few options: explain to you preceptor if comfortable exactly how you feel, she/he has probably worked with this nurse few awhile & may know how you should approach the situation. (2) say nothing & bear if you think you can handle it untell your preceptorship is over (if you're going to work there after school, probably NOT the best plan) (3) ask what you could do to make it more convenient for her (which you have already done, so (4) Confront her. Tactfully. There is NOTHING wrong with you standing up for yourself & your well-being. Explain that you understand if she feels frustrated by "taking report from a student" but that you are there to learn & her reaction to you is not beneficial to you or her; you still have to report off to her, acting in your preceptor's position & if she is the nurse taking over that Pt's care all "I" can do is try to make the process better to "your" liking. Explain how her reaction has affected you and maybe cite that she was a student at one time. Last, please don't think you are an idiot. I am guessing if you're in preceptorship you're almost done. Way to make it through, you're almost there; I know it blows the ego & challenges the self-esteem, but you have gone through all the mess of studying, testing, labs, clinicals & this one lady just sounds like she doesn't (or has lost) have the therapeutic touch, at least not with students. At least you can remember this event & hopefully will not treat students the same. I'm getting ready for my preceptor & all I can think about is how fast I can get through it so I can take the NCLEX. I hope some of this helps you - GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!!!!

First of all a quote from 10 Things I Hate About You: Don't let anyone ever tell you, you don't deserve what you want. While I understand that peer influence is a very motivating or demotivating factor, the choice is yours alone, and only you can determine whether or not you have to ability to get through the program. I am looking at other responses and may people older than you are in nursing programs right now so don't think that 30 is a cutoff for furthering your education. I was in college right after high school and screwed it up (rule obsessed family, needed "to stretch my legs" in college). I had the grades, but not the dedication anymore. I'm now 25, 9 months into nursing school and still feel that I should be further along in my education, but at least I made it....at least I am accomplishing my dream NOW and didn't just give-up permanently. As for being male, so am I. The hardest thing about being a man in a nursing program, is putting up w/ stupid drama that females tend to find themselves in, (not that men can't participate or start it too). It takes a very dedicated mind and a whole-hearted desire to be a nurse (in my opinion) to get through nursing school, because it is A LOT!, but do not let others dictate to you what you can or can't do. Do you think you can do it? It is something you really want and would love doing? If YES, then FIND A WAY!!

First of all if there was a selection procedure to get into your program, Congratulations !! I was extremely nervous myself when I started. I'm not sure if your program is structured the way mine was, but most likely you'll have a day orientation to the facility & program as well as picking up your books. You may be given a schedule for the month/quarter or semester so you will know what material will need to be covered. My school has monthly contracts where we are responsible to have tested on certain information by each month end. Then, you will most likely go into basics: Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology and Nursing Concepts (that's what it's called in OKLA). Concepts is basically introducing you to the world of nursing, how certain things are constructed, laws & ethics, growth & development (psychosocially), etc. You may go into Foundations of Nursing (again, course in OKLA) = this is where most of the labs were located for me. We would read about a certain body system & the nursing care involved pertaining to that skill. For example, catheterization, assessment, suctioning, inserting NG tube & tube feedings, venipucture (blood draw).... Later came pharmacology & IVs followed by Medical-Surgical Nursing. MedSurg is a detailed course on nursing care for each body system & specific care geared to diseases that occur in those systems. Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Newborn Care, and Mental Health all follow. Most likely at the end, there will be a transition course to prepare you for the NCLEX exam and getting a job. Sorry, I went a little further than the 1st quarter, but I hope it helps. If you have any more questions after your orientation (if you have one) ask your instructor for an overview of the curriculum you will cover in the program. This will allow you to know what's coming, and possibly "get ahead". Again, I hope this helps and eases a bit of anxiety :)

I have been in LPN school for 10 months now and am starting pediatrics. The course is very broad & unlike the other courses, I am finding myself getting lost in all the information. I am very organized and always tackle a course with a plan from beginning to end. I've printed all the materials/reading assignments, etc, but... Also, from OKLAHOMA so the OBN has required that information be tested by age group (infant, toddler, etc) rather than by body system & our books are setup by system. The module guides for each unit are generalized (as far as the reading assignment & the questions leave you kinda guessing where to look & what you were "supposed" to read for the test. I am the kind of guy that freaks out big time before every test and I just wondered if maybe there was a systematic appoach to the Pediatric course that I'm missing. Please help. Any & all responses are appreciated in advance. Thank You.

I am a little more than 1/2 way done (graduate by November 2010) and have had the opportunity to work in all departments except for Mental Health. Although I loved psychology in college, I know my calling is the ER & surgery. I know that may fit a stereotype to some, but it is truly where I am meant to work, and was only reinforced during the clinicals I've worked in these areas. I still will need my Bachelor's degree & ACLS but I know where I'll end up.

Definitely make sure you have enough time to dedicate to the cause. I hate reading so much at one time too (1/2 way through my program); this last test I decided I would kinda wing it b/c my grade was high enough to do it, & I read 1/2 the chapter, skimmed the other 1/2; I passed, but it was my lowest grade for our MedSurg 1 course. (that happened today BTW) My advice is to try & find some time away from it, but when you hit it, dedicate yourself to doing it ALL THE WAY!! Also, try to find out if they will tell you your learning style (Visual, Auditory, Tactile..) or you may know, but if not, I'd try to find a test to take before you start, so you know your learning style. Know what you are studying meaning: if there is a guide to what the test will cover, read over it first, answer the questions, then read the material. If you have questions about what something means, try using other resources to find the answer yourself (sorry, Mawnka). Resources are a HUGE part of nursing, & nothing will ever be in one place = if you have to pay for a book, chances are you will use one more than the others for a course, but you bought the others for a reason. Get familiar with the program (if you have a schedule of what when be covered, order & when) and skim through it, so you know where things are located. I hope this helps you. Good luck to you.