bookwormom

This would not be a problem on the admissions committees I have worked with.

I would go with the board letter, until you have something else in writing. I would not prescribe the schedule II drugs until the board gives you the go-ahead.

My question is whether any of you work in colleges where APA format is taught in an Introductory Writing class, or do you have to teach it to your students? Our English Department doesn't teach APA format, although many majors require it.

North Central is National Accreditation, at least for the school as a whole. At least you have that.

I agree that Plantar Fasciitis is treatable. You may need to see a podiatrist. The pain can be so severe; it is hard to believe it can be treated, but it certainly can.

He is very much a follower of guidelines-- from the professional organizations, from the insurance company, and I think, from his employer. Although I consider him competent, he is difficult to communicate with because of a very heavy accent, and some cultural differences. He did mention I could discontinue the generic meds, but didn't follow through on his initial comment. I now have a prescription for the brand name product and am doing well. (The pharmacist called his office and got the change made.) You may ask why I stay with this physician. I live in a rural area with a lot of provider turnover. This physician has been here probably for 10 years and shows no sign of leaving. Continuity is worth a lot.

This is not a request for medical advice, but an observation, and a suggestion. I took Metformin Extended Release for many years without significant side effects and reasonable glucose control. Over recent months, I developed severe, unpredictable diarrhea. I tried changing the times I took the meds, to no avail. I stopped taking Metformin and the diarrhea ceased completely, but my glucose levels were higher. Subsequently, I asked the pharmacist for a two week supply of the brand name product: Glucophage XR. Like magic, my blood glucose improved and my GI symptoms have not returned. (I hope my physician can be persuaded to order the brand name product in the future.) My pharmacy had changed generic metformin manufacturers, and my suspicion is that the recent generic formulation I was using was causing the GI problems. Here is my observation: Although the metformin literature states that initial GI side effects will resolve, it seems to be a possibility that people who have been on metformin for a long time can have new and severe GI symptoms. This is not a minor side effect; it affected my ability to work and carry out my daily activities. Here is my request: Listen to patients and believe them when they say they are having problems with metformin. Be an advocate. My doctor didn't listen to me, but my pharmacist did. I'm wondering if my experience might be common. Several people I have spoken to say they have severe diarrhea with metformin, but are willing to live with it because they believe it "shows the medication is working". I'm also wondering if there is a varying pattern of GI side effects with different metformin manufacturers.

Baby powder does help with bedpans, but there is still the concern that it is a respiratory irritant, and I have seen it linked to ovarian cancer, too, although I don't know how strong the relationship is.

Are you working in health care now? Here are two suggestions: 1) Get a job in a healthcare related field, such as CNA. it will give you some experience and help you have a better idea of nursing. or 2) Consider other health related careers, which may have more openings available-- for example, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, or Physical Therapy Assistant. These educational programs should be available in community colleges and would be great choices for someone who wants a career in helping. Nursing is not the only career where you can work in the medical setting and make a difference in patients' lives.

Personally, I'd choose a public or private school over a for-profit school every time, even if I had to wait a few years to get in. I don't know anything about the school, but for-profit schools have been under increased scrutiny lately.

I don't think I would be able to judge the quality of someone else's relationship with God. Not sure anyone really can. I generally assume they are sincere.

Clearly there are different opinions about the validity and the reasonableness of petitionary prayer. This is an interesting matter for discussion. I am, however, reluctant to criticize anyone (NCLEX candidate or otherwise) who engages in heartfelt prayer or who requests prayer or who makes an honest attempt to explain God's influence in his or her life. Beliefs and practices I do not personally share in may still represent another person's profound attempt to relate to God. I do not find these sincere attempts offensive or deserving of criticism.

It seems to me that if you consider a posted request unrealistic or inappropriate in relation to your own beliefs, then all you have to do is ignore it. And if a prayer request speaks to you, why then, of course you can join in that prayer. But why criticize another person's approach to God, or their understanding of prayer? Surely we can respect individual differences.

I'd say, give the NCLEX another try, perhaps with a different study approach. Once you get into nursing, you will find that there are different things you can do, and many do not involve traditional nursing care. But you do have options. Yes, you can do other things, perhaps pharmaceutical sales, substitute teaching or any job which requires a Bachelors degree, but doesn't specifiy a particular discipline. You might look at your state's civil service list and put your name in for jobs which only require a college education.

I agree that the online poster's approach is inappropriate. However, where is the professional nursing leadership? What plan has been developed for dealing with this patient's behavior? Surely the problem is evident to others in the facility.

Going back to school once you are employed has challenges of its own. I agree with the above posts, but suggest you really think about why you want to be a CRNA. Is it possible some other aspect of nursing might be just as rewarding? For example, if you like the pace and atmosphere of the OR, why not think about working in the OR?

1975, new grad, not yet licensed: just me and one aide on nights: 16 pediatric neuro pts. Maybe not as much technology to mess with, but the kids were pretty sick.

Thanks! (The problem is that our state limits the number of credits for a BS, and we are about 7 credits over at this time.) We'll probably stick with the straight Stats course.

I'm working on a curriculum for BSN students. One of the prerequisites to the nursing program is statistics. My question is, "Is undergraduate statistics essential as a prerequisite for nursing Grad school, or would a course in Research Methods be acceptable?" The students will still take a specific Nursing Research course. My concern is that our stats course is almost all math, with little content relating to research. The Research Methods course I have in mind would be more useful as a foundation for Nursing Research. Any advice welcome.

I worked PRN in a state psych hospital several years ago. Usually I wore plain slacks with a plain top and a short white lab coat with big pockets--I needed the pockets. I felt like the lab coat (along with my name tag) identified me as a nurse. In my area, several religious groups prohibit females wearing slacks, so some nurses may prefer conservative skirts. Although my beliefs do not require it, on several occasions I wore a longish loose skirt and felt quite comfortable in it. The right skirt gives you plenty of coverage and freedom of movement.

Why not call up some of the psych hospitals and ask to speak with the nurse recruiters about the possibility of starting with one of them? I'd include your state hospitals here. I'm not convinced that everyone expects a year of med surg experience before specializing.

I have no trouble being called Mrs. XXXXX, both in the academic setting and the clinical setting. I'm okay with my first name, but I've reached an age where students tend to call me Ms. XXXX or Dr.XXX, and I realize that it represents a certain respect. I am a little uncomfortable that physicians usually introduce themselves to patients as "Dr. YYYY", but nurses are always expected to be on a first name basis with patients. I always try to use titles with patients, unless they make it clear to me that first names are acceptable. You may guess that I am over 60:)

I suggest you talk to your advisor about an appeal to retake the semester. Your school probably has a student handbook with policies listed regarding your options.

In a rural area, it is inevitable that one will encounter friends and family members when giving care. The establishment of boundaries, however necessary, must be done very carefully to avoid giving offense.

I'm not really sure how to respond to some these posts. I will not argue about my friends' lifestyle,but I will note that the kids are well cared for, well educated, play sports, and are active in many community and church activities. The kids are articulate and outgoing. They do receive health care, for which the family pays cash. They pay taxes. I doubt very much that any of them read Ayn Rand; they are very Bible focused, and believe that the church should be taking on many of the responsibilities for the sick and the poor that the government currently assumes. I never argue with my friends on these matters, although they are aware that I do not share many of their beliefs. Our relationship is based on a certain shared respect, a mutual passion for books, and just the bonds of long friendship. Because I never argue with them, when I do speak, I believe they pay attention and consider my opinions important. Some of the posts have been helpful! I will share many of the suggestions with the Mom, who is the person with whom I have the most conversation. As I stated before, she is clearheaded and her husband respects her judgement, in large part.