Goodie

One question....do you like to pick?

I just came from the ABA in Vancouver and if you are interested in burn nursing you should talk to the unit manager. Burns are not for everyone and until you see a big burn 50-90% on a regular basis you will not know. With burn nursing you either love it or hate it....there is no inbetween! If I were you I would arrange to do a few shadow shifts to see first. It all depends on what the burn unit in your area deals with: is it ICU/Burns? or does it not contain its own ICU. It is a hard job, you cause pain and you see people struggle everyday but if you can get through that is is a very rewarding job. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone. Sorry I should have clarified....I'm not doing this tommrow! I plan to get a couple years grounding first. I can do a specializing course by distance so I would only be doing patho courses for the next 1-2 years before I really got into things. I guess what I am looking for are people who have done both (ICU and emerg) and the pros and cons they have. Has anyone done the ICU/Emerg combo specializing course?

Take it from a student nurse who just graduated the other day. DOn't worry about the doctors! Ya some can be jerks but you feel them out pretty fast. All I can say is stand up for yourself. I have had a few docs wich I dread calling or talking to but you do it because it is for your patients well being. Just approach them "knowing" your patient and make sure you have checked the doctors notes andchart out first....oh ya and make notes before talking to them! This always helps if you are getting frustrated....it helps to refocus and keep on track. TIPS: It may be the hardest thing to do but make sure you have a private conversation with the individual after and let them know you did not appreciate their behavior (doctor or any other health care professional!). Don't put up with anything just because you are a student! Remember you have your instructors to support you when you are a student. When you graduate you are more or less on your own. Use your resources while you have them. Talk with your instructor re: conflict resoluition tactics!

There are many oppertunities in Canada just depends on what you are looking for. If you are interested in long term care you will have no problem finding a job! RN's are gradually being replaced with LPN's in LTC facilities but RN's are now talking charge nurse roles instead. Canada is a beautiful place with many oppertunities. It is diverse it just depends on what you are interested in persuing. If you love nature and water the Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of BC are beautiful or are you a city type girl? I have lived on Vancouver Island off BC all of my life and there is still so much I have not experienced here! As for the nursing part of it, it is great. Health care is acessable to anyone who needs it, you don't have to worry about if the pt can affort it or not. Like nursing anywhere there are politics and always someting someone does not like. I myself am looking to explore and try other countries out but all I know is that I will definatly come back! Hope this helps.

I am a fairly new grad and am looking to specialize but can't quite make up my mind. I love the fast pace adrenalin rush of of emerg but enjoy ICU nursing as well. Any suggestions or ideas others may have?

Anyone know what the starting wadge for a BScN in NZ is? How is the cost of living down there? I'm from Canada and our starting wadge is $27.00 if you are being paid for your degree (so if you are in a prt time or full time position).

Hi everyoe, I'm from Canada and am thinking about moving to NZ. What is the cost of living like? and how much is a starting RN wadge?

NP? Dose that stand for nurse practicioner (sorry I'm a bad speller :) )

FYI....I am not 100% on this but I am sure that as of 2005 you need a degree to enter into nursing practice in Canada.

Probably not but thank you though.

I am thinking about moving to the US in the next year and would love to get into burn nursing. Any good hospitals on the west coast. Also what is the starting wadge in the US and do you have to physically cross the border to write the NCLEX (Canada/US border). Any suggestions would be great! Thanx.

Hi GEO, My sister was just diagnosed with Lupus 6 months ago and she has had a hell of a time... you name it she has had it and she is only 19. As you probalay know stress doesn't help Lupus out much! Have you though of focusing on an other area of nursing that has less stress and demands? Ie community nursing, working in clinics, insurance companies, diabetic teaching, clinical nurse specialist? Health is what is going to get you through the rest of your life and its no fun feeling crappy all the time. You can change your schedule/stress without giving up what you love. Just a though.