Vossome

I think the OP is saying since she is working sat and sunday noct. 11-7 she gets out at 7a monday morning, and has to then report back on tuesday, thus technically making 7 straight days.... That's what I gathered anyway.

Being a new graduate, working for about 6 months now on the floor, I just got my first batch of students from the local comm. college. Not only is it stressful being new to the profession just out of my orientaton, but now I have students to mentor...It's been a week, but I remember being in their shoes not at all long ago, so maybe that's why I am slightly more forgiving than my collegues sometimes are. However, even as a new grad nurse, I KNOW I am not the patient's servant, nor willl I be treated as such. I have a heart of gold, but a face of steel and can be brash when you're wasting my time. So my "miserable" look could just be that mrs. jones in exam rm 4 has rang 20 times in 2 hours for non-sense, mean-while, mr. Mcdonald in room 3 just coded, and her damn call light is still blinking while I'm in the middle of compressions, because "the people next door are being way too loud"... I don't mean to come off as miserable, however I do not doubt that my face shows misery when this kind of stuff happens on a daily basis. P.S. I do enjoy the students. Kind of! :)... but again, I'm probably naive!

We're nurses- We are not working for tips.

Vegas2009, Seems as if THEY burnt THEIR bridges with YOU who was willing to help THEM out. Not you buring yours! That would've drove me NUTS! and I would have absolutely done the same thing!

Ever notice in this career field, it is more about WHO you know, rather than WHAT you know? Let me preface this post by stating I am not trying to brag, rub anything in anyone's face, or anything of the sort. I have been tremendously lucky- and I recognize that. Continuing on... I guess it all goes back to that very old saying "never burn your bridges". (I live by this) I mention this, because many of my friends are having trouble finding nursing jobs as new grads and as nurses with 1-3 years experience. However I have been incredibly fortunate and have (as a new grad myself) had many offers and opportunities come my way, from ER positions to Oncology to Correctional positions. And it seems to be attributed to "knowing the right people". Where as my friends who are having difficulty, have bad references, left their job on less than ideal terms, etc... I guess my thought is, something so seemingly simple, really seems to go A LONG way. My question is, has anyone else ever noticed this as clearly as I have? and I was wondering if anyone had any stories about bridges burned intentionally/unintentionally that they really wish they hadnt? Finally, I'd like to add- that I'd like to think I do know a little "WHAT", along with the "WHO". lol

Firstly, I am truley sorry for your situation with your children. It is an unimaginable thought to go through what your family has and continues to. Secondly, it is understandable where you are coming from, with wanting to not lose your motivation and contribute to society... Have you ever considered the LPN/LVN route? LPN/LVN school takes less time to complete, so theoretically more precious time at home with your child, while you are still progressing towards your future career and educational goals. It is a foot in the door to the nursing profession, and there are bridge programs to becoming an RN -if you truley decide it is the career for you. when you feel ready to continue on with your educaton afterwards, the opportunity is always there... Don't get me wrong, LPN/LVN school still requires many hours of schooling, studying, clinicals and the like, but can be done in 10-12 months. To me it seems like a happy-medium, and you are still very young. But, again, as stated before- only you can decide what is right for you and yours... Good luck in your decisions, and my best wishes to your family.

One time while working as a CNA in an ALF, a while back, we had a resident that probably should have been in a skilled facility because she was slightly more demented than originally assessed. Anyway, my co-worker at the time (another CNA) and I were at the nurses station when all of a sudden the air started lingering with the smell of poo. This was pretty unusual, d/t most residents being continent of BM most of the time. So my partner and I investigate... Upon entering this particular resident's room, we enter to first a smack in the face of smell, secondly a wonderfully coordinated path of poo from the doorway to the trashcan, as if we were Hansel and Gretel following the candy-path to the witches house. In the trashcan lies the largest BM I've seen to date. Along with a resident who was in severe need of an impromptu shower. As I get the resident into the shower, and into some real lighting, I begin to notice some brown in and around her mouth. Instinctively I start praying. "Oh dear, God, NO!.... Please let it be chocolate!" This naturally prompts some further investigation, and on top of the resident's nightstand, next to her bed, lies an XL, Formed BM with TEETH MARKS in it. Oh. Dear. Lord... "Well sweety, looks like we're going to be re-brushing those teeth tonight, too..." Needless to say, didn't take too long for my DON to do a re-evaluation on this one.

I once had a fellow nursing student get kicked out of the program, because she neglected to replace the Nasal Cannula on a very O2 dependant pt. The pt. desat'd to 80%, and she did this TWICE. Also never put up the side-rails to an extremely high risk fall pt, and the pt, like clock-work, fell right out of bed. The girl still "doesn't believe she should have been kicked out". ...really?

I was on a clinical rotation for an EMT class I was taking at the time in the ER, and I just watched the nurses in action- and it was unbelievable how much autonomy, respect, and confidence they all had in their work. I knew right then and there- I wanted to do this job. The security of the profession, the compensation, and the continuing education and promotional opportunities are a massive bonus as well! I strive to be a NP someday, and to this day my Primary Care Physician still asks me during my yearly physicals, "Why not become a PA or go to med school and become a doctor?" and the answer is quite simple, I LOVE the art and science of Nursing.

Check with North Carolina Board of Nursing for NC LPN Licensing requirements. However if your LVN program is an accredited program, there really shouldn't be any issues. Everything is typically the same. The NCLEX-PN is a standardized national test, and your results are your results and you can be licensed virtually anywhere you desire. SKYS THE LIMIT!